SPaG workshop for Y5 and Y6

On Friday, Years 5 and 6 were lucky enough to take part in a drama-based Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) workshop. It was fantastic for the children to practise their key skills in this exciting context. Below are some photos of the morning.

5C The Planets

This week in Literacy, Year 5 have been writing poems based on our theme Space. We have been using many different features of poetry. What features of poetry can you spot in this poem? 

In the night sky,

Malicious Mars stomps and stares.

He is fiery red with anger,

And will kill you with his glares.

In the night sky,

Venus swiftly swirls.

She is tranquil and sympathetic,

And keeps peace between the worlds.

By Elliott, Liam, Ben, May and Hudhaifa

6R diary entry - WWI

Here is Zoe's diary entry from the point of view of Tommo, a soldier in Michael Morpurgo's WWI story, Private Peaceful.

   17th December 1914

Dear Diary,

With Christmas heading our way, we never give up hope, for the war should be over by then, but our hopes fade away a little each day because men have seen what they shouldn't have. Nevertheless, nobody back in England could possibly realise what a treacherous state we're in; it is pure hell on Earth: a static killing-field. A futile, bloody mess, in which men, who have done nothing, are perishing. And for what? For nothing.

Today was one of the darkest thus far. I can hardly bear to narrate what events happened last night. For many hours - which seemed to last for weeks - I truly felt Charlie was gone. When I saw him approaching, limping, bloodshod, I thought I was seeing a phantom. Others, however, weren't so fortunate. You only have to turn around to see that our numbers have been decimated - and as for those who have lives to go on? We have been demolished, in body and spirit alive.

It all began at dawn, while we were making tea. There was a bellowed order. We glanced at each other; this was it. Fuelled by pure adrenaline, I managed to escape a few hours - I do not know how - unscathed, but what I saw in that time I will never be able to erase from my mind. All I can push myself to say is that after this futile war no man will never experience something like this ever again.

I wish I was back home with Molly and Ma and I want to get out of this hell on Earth, but Charlie says to not think about it and concentrate on not getting myself killed. But I do wish I was with all of them because I am scared and frightened here.

This evening we were informed that Sergeant Hanley is our new commander. We loathe him more than any dreadful Fritz. I can not imagine how I will go on; but I have no other choice.

Tommo.

5E's Space Poetry

This week in Year 5, we have been working on poetry with our new topic, Space. After listening to Holst's The Planets, we created our own poems about objects in space.

Here is Chanel's poem, from 5E. She wrote about the moon:

The moon,

Smiling gracefully down to Earth,

An eye which sleeps during the day.

Nocturnal Moon,

Hiding her sparkling face,

Behind the fluffy white whispering clouds.

Asteroids and rockets land, 

And painfully crash,

Going very deep,

Into her rock hard body,

Making holes everywhere,

With no respect.

She detests, 

The other planets,

With such terrible hate.

She is the sister of darkness,

With a very evil side,

So when she is coming,

Keep your belongings inside.

6F WW1 diary writing

6F have been looking at writing recounts in the context of WW1 diaries. This is the first paragraph of Amy's, where she has written from the perspective of Michael Morpurgo's character, Tommo.

17^th December 1914

Dear Diary,

Christmas slowly walks towards us - there in no happiness though - everyone just wants to go home to their caring, loving families. They would not understand back at home; what it’s like. You see your fearless friends falling around you, row by row - like skittles. Everyone fading away until it is only you left. All of the brave soldiers here have hearts of courage. Why do they have to risk their lives? What is this all for? Nothing…

Diary Writing 6B

This week we have been learning about the features of diary writing. We planned and wrote a diary in the role of the character Tommo from Michael Morpurgo's book 'Private Peaceful'. Here is James' writing.

Dear Diary,

                     Christmas is getting closer. Hopefully, this dreadful war will end; every day is just mad killing. So we can celebrate Christmas happily. Nobody can compare anything to this war. Thousands have died. For what? Nothing. So many people have met their deaths. My opinion is that we just stop the whole thing. Sadly, I can’t stop this, I must go on…

Last night was the most evil night yet. Refusing, to even think about what happened last night. Although, I was on my own, I was still clinging to hope. Waiting, for Charlie to return. Suddenly, out of the gloom was Charlie . Bloodshot. However he was moving, but slightly. But a lot were “Lucky”. Not! Barely anyone was lucky.

First, it started at dawn. When we were eating breakfast. The sergeant (our commander) instructed “Right lads, on three we go over the top understood. One… two… three!”

We stared at each other. The time was now. We went. Luckily, I escaped the brutal hours. Later on, the stuff I witnessed in that time. No man should never see killing, fighting and attacks, I hope I will never witness any of that again (even though I know I will).

This evening we were informed that Sergeant Hanley is our new commander. We all hate his bones. I can’t see how I will go on. I must or punishments will be in order for me.

Until next time,

Tommo

James Allcott 6B

Space Poetry by 5G

This week in Year 5 we have been learning about Space which is our theme for the half term. We have created some poems based on space, including the idea of the planets as Roman gods as we focused on the use of personification. This is Charlie's poem, we hope you enjoy it!


In the night sky,
Stars gleams in the dark dimness,
playing with Saturn's rings all day long 
never growing weary. 

In the night sky,
Mars declares war.
he fights with stars for soldiers 
a great orb of blood stained armor. 

In the night sky , 
Venus heals poor dead souls of stars 
giving love, hope, peace 
to conquer Mars once more.

In the night sky,
The Sun beams down on Earth,
giving it heat,
vital, life-force heat.

By Charlie, 5G