Animoto - Rugby World Cup 1995

In 5B we have been looking at how the Rugby World Cup in 1995 helped Mandela to achieve his goal of creating a united South Africa. Here is a short Animoto film made by Jayden, Celeste and Samantha about the events.

Black and Asian History

For Black and Asian history we have been learning about Nelson Mandela. Children have been writing speeches persuading people to end apartheid. Here is Celeste's work.

Apartheid
Greetings my fellow South Africans, my name is Celeste Nembhard. I work for the African National Congress party. I originate from Pretoria and I am here in the spectacular South Africa to warn you about the disgraceful horrible apartheid. My dear brothers and sisters there needs to be change and I am here to make a change.

Surely you would join me in protest as it’s an abomination how Blacks and Asians are not allowed to vote. We, the people of South Africa, own this country and for our rights to be taken away from us means all our time we spent queuing and lining up to vote has gone to waste.

Medical care is needed, especially in the poorer parts of South Africa but no black doctor could take care of a patient as well as a white doctor because they will not have had access to the same training and therefore will not be as qualified. My family your nation is dying out, you need to stand up for what you believe in and save lives. Poor helpless animals suffer when they are abandoned and it’s the same with our people squashed up in tiny corrugated metal huts. The facilities that we live in are vile and disgusting and it needs to stop immediately!

Are we expected to just sit here and suck it in? Would you like it if you had to be treated like a slave living in poor conditions? Naturally I feel that Africa should be respected as a country not one by one.
God save South Africa

Black and Asian History

For Black and Asian history we have been learning about Nelson Mandela. Children have been writing speeches persuading people to end apartheid. Here is Celeste's work.

Apartheid
Greetings my fellow South Africans, my name is Celeste Nembhard. I work for the African National Congress party. I originate from Pretoria and I am here in the spectacular South Africa to warn you about the disgraceful horrible apartheid. My dear brothers and sisters there needs to be change and I am here to make a change.
Surely you would join me in protest as it’s an abomination how Blacks and Asians are not allowed to vote. We, the people of South Africa, own this country and for our rights to be taken away from us means all our time we spent queuing and lining up to vote has gone to waste.
Medical care is needed, especially in the poorer parts of South Africa but no black doctor could take care of a patient as well as a white doctor because they will not have had access to the same training and therefore will not be as qualified. My family your nation is dying out, you need to stand up for what you believe in and save lives. Poor helpless animals suffer when they are abandoned and it’s the same with our people squashed up in tiny corrugated metal huts. The facilities that we live in are vile and disgusting and it needs to stop immediately!
Are we expected to just sit here and suck it in? Would you like it if you had to be treated like a slave living in poor conditions? Naturally I feel that Africa should be respected as a country not one by one.
God save South Africa

All together now...

More digital art!

Instruction Writing

In Literacy we have been working on instruction writing. The class worked together to produce a set of instructions explaing how to manipulate digital photographs.

and more!

Even more digital art!

It just keeps on coming!

More digital art!

Here is more of the digital art work from children in 5B!

Digital Art

Today 5B have been having fun with photos using GIMP!

The Frozen Man

In Literacy we have been looking at Poetry. We looked at a descriptive poem called the frozen man. Children came up with their own versions of the poem. Here is work by Baveeta and Jayden.

Metaphors and Similes

In Literacy we are working on poetry. We started by looking at the techniques poets use to make their work more interesting. Lots of poets use metaphors and similes in their work. Use the Wallwisher page to post metaphors and similes related to the pictures.

http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/poetry5b

How we see things

Our topic for Sciene is How we see things. In our lesson we carried out an investigation into how the position of the torch effects the size of the shadow formed. Here is Zarina's experiment.

Bre-Nancy

As part of our Literacy work on stories from other cultures Adil has drawn this excellent picture of Bre-Nancy.

Spider's Web

In Literacy we have been looking at a story called Spiders web. The children have been writing letters, pretending to be a character from the story. Here is Malachi's effort.

Dear Mother

Today you would not believe what I got up to,

I managed to trick my future mother in law and have a mini feast in one go.

It started when the other animals and I went up to heaven to find some wives. Everybody was chatting and gibbering about who they would choose as wives. I, on the other hand, was starving so I set off to find food. After a little bit of walking I found a small hut. I went in it an found a colossal pile of juicy, sweet beniseed. Without hesitation I immediately jumped into the pile and started feasting. After that long snack I realized that the pile of beniseed was no longer a pile, instead just a small heap. My ugly, old future mother in law would kill me if she found out. Luckily your son had a cunning plan, I took a handful of beniseed and wiped it on spider pretending, to brush some dust off him. Soon after that mean, old brat (future mother in law) came in complaining that someone had stole the beniseed. Cunningly,  I said lets search the fur of the animals to see who ate the beniseed. We searched all of the animals except spider who was left last as part of the plan. Then I blamed it on spider and now he's in big trouble

Yours sincerely     HARE

Jaidon's story.

Here is Jaidon version of Amul and the Drum.

One sunny day in a small village in India there was a kind caring boy called Amul. Amul always wanted to help his loving poor hard working mother. Amul’s mother cleaned the houses of rich people. She was paid in grain. Amul’s mother would use the grain to feed Amul and she would sell the rest of the grain at the market. One day Amul’s mum asked him “Can I get you anything from the market?” Amul replied “Yes mother drum, a drum please.” Amul’s mother would always smile say “I’ll do my best.” On the way to market she found out the price of grain has been risen. Then she had she enough money to buy a drum so she ran back to the market. On the way she stopped by an old women and five kids. “Please help me.” begged the old women. Amul’s mum gave the money to the old women and in return she got drumstick. Amul loved the drumsticks and took them where ever he would go.

                       Tap, tap, tap

One day he saw an old woman crying loudly. “What’s wrong?” asked Amul. “I want to make fire to bake bread.” The old woman moaned. “Take my drumsticks” replied Amul. “Thank you and bless you” praised the lady. In return Amul got a piece of bread. He carried on with his journey. On the way he stopped by a mother with a crying baby in her arms. “What’s wrong?” Asked Amul, in a concerned way. “It’s my baby, she’’s hungry but I don’t have any food to feed her. Please help me.” She cried. “Take this bread and use it to feed your baby and yourself.” Amul Offered. “Thank you” she yelled and in return he Amul was given a very big pot. On the way home he rolled his pot. That evening by some sad people. “What’s the matter?” said Amul. “I was trying to wash the clothes but my wife broke the washing pot.” Shouted the man. “Here take this pot, I have no need for it.” Said Amul and gave him the pot. In return he was given a fine coat. On his journey Amul came across a freezing cold man. “What’s the matter?” Amul kindly asked. “Bad people jumped out of nowhere and took my clothes and only left me a horse.” “Take this coat.” Replied Amul giving the man his fine coat. The man was so grateful to Amul that he gave him his horse. Amul got on his horse and rode on his way. He went on and stopped by a load of angry people. “What’s the matter?” he asked. A priest replied “We need a horse to take the bride and groom to the wedding or their marriage will have bad luck.” “Take this horse; I have no need for it.” Said Amul. “Thank you, is there anything we can give you in return?” the groom asked. “A drum, a drum please!” Amul yelled excitedly. “Take this drum as a sign of our appreciation.” Replied the groom. Amul thanked the couple and set off for home, beating a good beat on his drum as he went. His mother saw him and smiled.

Even more story writing

and here is Baveeta's work...

Long ago in a small village in India, there lived a young boy named Amul. Amul was a kind boy who always helped his mother. Amul had always wanted a drum. Even when he a was very small boy he tapped his hands on everything he found. His mother, who cleaned houses for rich people in town, would have loved to buy her loving son a drum but was too poor to afford one. Amul’s loving mother always worked hard, but was only paid in grain. Every day when Amul’s hardworking mother went to sell their left over grain she asked Amul what he would like from market. Amul would always reply “A drum, A drum, please.” His mother would try her best, but never had enough money to buy him one. One day Amul’s mother found out that the price of grain had gone up. She sold all her grain, bought all she needed for Amul and herself but still had money left over: Enough for a drum. She ran as fast as she could to the instrument shop but when she turned the corner she saw a poor family. They had no food and their clothes were torn. She gave them money she had for Amuls drum. In return she got some drumsticks. Amul loved the drum sticks and tapped them on everything he found.

One day ,while Amul was playing with his drumsticks, he saw an old woman who needed firewood. Kindly, he gave the old lady his drumsticks to light her fire. In return he got a piece of bread.

He walked on but on the way he heard a baby crying and the parents were Arguing. Amul asked them why they were arguing. The mother angrily told him that her husband had forgotten the food for their baby. Amul gave them the bread that the kind old lady had given him. Thankfully they gave him a beautiful coat.

He put on the coat and set off for home. Later on he saw a man as cold as ice. He was shivering so much he could hardly speak. He eventually told he Amul robbers had stolen all his clothes. Amul gave the man his coat and he thankfully gave Amul his horse.

A little while later Amul saw a bridegroom, his family and some musicians. They were all very sad. Amul asked why they looked so sad. The bridegroom told him that the man with his horse had not arrived. Amul gave the bride groom his horse and in return for his kindness he got a drum.

Amul ran as fast as a cheetah home to his mother, beating his drum as he went. His mother smiled as she heard that her son had finally got what he wanted.

More Amul and the drum.

Here is Rehmel's story based on Amul and the drum.

One day there was a young boy named Amul. He lived in a hot, small village in India. Amul had always wanted a drum. His mom worked hard for the rich and all she got in return was a small amount of grain. Amul’s mom was loving so she sold her grain. Amul loved his mother so much that he didn’t care if he had holes in his socks.

One morning his mom found out that the price of grain had gone up. She was overwhelmed. She ran very fast like a cheetah to sell her grain. Finally she made it in to the market where she sold her grain happily. She realised enough money to buy Amul a drum. On the way to buy a drum Amul’s mom saw someone less fortunate than herself so she gave the money to the poor family. In return she got some fine   wooden drum sticks.

 Amul was overjoyed. He tapped anything he could find. Later on that day Amul heard a women calling for wood. Amul did not like giving his stuff away but he kindly gave the old women his drum sticks. In return Amul got some wedding bread. Amul did not show how sad he felt.

Later on Amul saw a couple arguing because they had no food. Amul gave them his fine wedding bread that the old women had given him. When Amul gave them the bread they were so happy that they gave Amul a fine wedding coat in return.

A while later saw a freezing man who had been robbed. Amul saw the condition he was in so he thoughtfully gave him his fine coat. In return he got a beautiful horse. Amul was happy so he went home.

Suddenly Amul saw a man who looked upset. He needed a horse to get to his wedding. Amul felt sorry for the man so he gave him a ride on his horse. When they got to the wedding the man asked what Amul would like in return. Without hesitating Amul asked for a drum. Amul went home happily playing his drum.    

Amul and the drum.

In Literacy we have been writing stories based on Amul and the drum. Here is Jayden's excellent effort. Click one each page to make it bigger.

Bre-Nancy and the 13 Plantain.

In Literacy we have been looking at stories from other cultures. One of the first stories we looked at was Bre-nancy and the 13 plantain. During an ICT lesson on graphical modelling Samantha created this picture.

Music

During Music lessons last week the children had a go at songwriting. Using an instrumental version of 'Where is the love?' the children wrote their own lyrics and performed their songs to the class. This group of children have taken the process a step further and recorded their song and added a backing track using audacity. Here is their work.

The Piano - By Shenaz

An old man sits at his piano and begins to play a heartfelt sorrowful tune. In a dark deserted room his face is a picture of lonesomeness as he plays the keys of the piano that has been in his family for centuries. Suddenly he remembers his wife in the past as she joins him to play the piano. His imagination grows wild as she delicately places her hand upon his and softly plants a kiss on his wrinkly cheek, showing her love for him. His emotions reflect in his eyes as he is enlightened then she slowly fades away. Immediately his mind takes him back to World War 1. He and his companion take cover behind a large marble brick wall as the enemies shoot. He signals his friend with a nod to go into battle. BANG! His comrade is shot dead. He cradles him in his arms as his face is filled with guilt. Soon the memory fades as he still plays the emotional tune. At this point the piece gets livelier as he thinks back to his childhood. His father gives him a present. He opens it and inside is a hobby horse. He is overjoyed and his facial expression is a smile. He plays on it for a while as his mind fades. He is then joined by his grandson as he sits down next to his grandfather they both smile at each other and play the last note of the tune together.             

The Piano - By Ethan

A wrinkled old man is playing the piano in a deserted room. As he plays his woeful tune he remembers his confusing past. Whilst he gracefully taps the piano keys with his light fingers he remembers his immaculate wife.

A smooth yet wrinkly hand sits upon his hand and lovingly plays the tune with him. She gently places a kiss on his anguished face. Slowly and regretfully she then fades away. His memory goes wild as he starts to remember his time in World War 2. As he gives his army companion the signal to open fire SKADOOSH! His friend gets shot in the arm. The wounded soldier slowly fades away as the youthful old man cradles him in his arms. In present day his tune becomes more lifelike. It comes back to happy days. He goes back to his child-hood where his dad gives him a hobby horse. He excitedly charges around the piano on his new gift as his tune gets faster and faster. As the tune goes on a young boy, his grandson, finishes playing with a hobby horse and joins his granddad at the piano. With his precious grandson they play the last tune together.

The Piano - By Mariama

A sad lonesome man plays a deep sorrowful tune. Whilst he plays his emotional tune he remembers his mixed past. As he is gently tapping the keys, with his rake thin fingers, a soft wrinkly hand gracefully touches his. It is his wife. Her face is more old and wrinkly than his yet he still sees beauty. She tenderly plants a small kiss on his anguished face. She slowly fades away. His anguish momentarily disappears. His painful memory takes him back to World War 2. He and his companion leap back to take cover from open fire behind a crumbling brick wall. He nods at his companion as a signal to run into battle. BANG! His friend is shot dead. The man’s friend fades away as he is dying in the man’s arms. In the present day as his tune gets livelier his mind takes him back to his childhood. He is getting his first present.

The Piano - By Amari

An old, wrinkly man is playing a weary tune alone. As he plays his sorrowful tune he remembers his stressful past. He plays on. A soft tender hand gently places itself onto his own. He is remembering his wife. In his mind a sweet kiss reaches his face. His heart is shattered into pieces as the memory slowly fades away. As he continues his heart breaking tune his painful mind takes him back to World War 2. As the man and his ally take cover behind a crumbly brick wall, the now youthful man tells his troop to open fire. BANG! He takes a shot. His friend is taken down. As he holds his dying friends hand tragically his friend’s life fades away. He’s gone.  Back in the present day his once sorrowful tune begins to speed up. His spirits seem to life as a brief smile appears on his face. His memory is a happy one.

As a young boy his mother presents him with a neatly wrapped gift.  He opens it and his face lights up with happiness. He rides and rides and rides around the piano on a hobby horse. His legs carry him as fast as his tune as the memory blends into the present day. His young grandson carefully places his hobby horse on the floor and joins his grandfather at the piano to end the tune together on a happy note. Lovingly, they stare into each other’s eyes and begin a new tune.