Journalism

In Literacy this week we have been writing newspaper articles. A fictional robbery had taken place at a local school and children were given the task of covering the event for the local paper. Here is Frankie's excellent effort, created using an online newspaper clipping generator. Click on the article to view it full size.

The Wild Woods

Continuing with our work on Narrative here are two examples of suspense paragraphs by Joshua and Azizah.

The Wild wood

I was walking through the pitch-black wood. Trees looked as if they were approaching me. Creatures stood still and stared at me. I was feeling petrified. I slipped in puddles, tripped over rocks and the glowing eyes of creatures started to follow me. The tree's rotten arm fell right in front of me. I saw a face in the tree hole. I completely freaked out and started to run. I imagined there were things trying to get me so I sprinted faster. Then I heard a loud GRR! My heart jumped out of my mouth. I thought this was it so, rapidly, I leaped into the tree and hid. The animal gave up and went away. I was safe. For now.

By Joshua

The Wild Woods

As I slowly walked through the deep gloomy woods I could hear the sound of broken pieces of twigs as they cracked under my feet. The shining moon was coming up as it was beginning to get dark. The tree branches snapped and swayed as the cold air blew across my face and made scary shadows in front of me. Suddenly I felt something move on my shoulder. Something cold and slimy wet.

I opened my mouth; I was about to scream but nothing came out. Steadily, I turned around to see what was on my shoulder but there was nothing there behind me. I carried on walking, the leaves on the ground rustled and the wind blew. I felt as though something was following behind me but every time I turned around nothing was there. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing, my heart was pounding and my palms were sweating. I felt so frightened.

I turned around once more; I thought I saw something. I rubbed my eyes just to check. It was still there the thing was behind the trees. Its eyes were big and bright, the colour green. They stared at me hard then suddenly it pounced on me. I ran quickly, rapidly, fast. It was chasing me and it wouldn't stop. It looked tall and big and was hiding in under a black cloak. I was so scared. I slowed down for a bit and tried to catch my breath. But it was still after me.

At the Education Show

On Friday 5th March Children from St Mary's were invited, by Professor Stephen Heppell, to do a presentation at the Education Show. The show took place at the NEC. Children presented on the "Cool Schools" stand. On this stand schools were able to showcase some of the new and exciting "Cool Projects" taking place in their schools. Children from St Mary's delivered a presentation explaining how our Children's Charter for learning has made school even more fun and exciting. Throughout the day children also demonstrated, to lots of visitors, some of the new technologies we use in class.

Many people commented on how well the children did and how confident they were. I am extremely proud of the children, they were a credit to the school. The children really enjoyed the day. Here are a few photos from the day.

The Battle of Britain

Continuing our work on Narrative, we have been looking at techniques used by authors to engage readers. Children looked at a range of texts where the author had attempted to build tension. Children then had a go at writing their own short pieces imagining that they were flying a plane under attack during the Battle of Britain. Here are some examples.

Battle of Britain

By Rahul

I was hit. The engine died and the fuel ran out. There was a long pause. I could feel that the plane would lose trajectory and then it would crash down. The plane was traveling at a dynamic speed.

The fuel tank exploded. For a second I thought I was going to faint but I bucked up and stayed calm. The plane lost trajectory just as I predicted it, turned to 80 degrees. The air rushing down at me at a rapid speed frightened me. I was too scared to go on the ejector seat and press eject. It was too risky. My mind was telling me to stay away, it was at the stage where the plane was upside down. I started to feel like I was losing consciousness but I just ignored my body and got on the ejector seat. I ejected. The plane exploded and then part fell down. The temperature was extremely gelid. Up in the sky. I accidentally miss-pulled the ripcord on my parachute. It wouldn't open. I was heading to the sea.......

The Battle of Britain

By Nenah

I was hit. As soon as I fell I couldn't quite see what was going on. I was on a plane and really high up. Suddenly the plane started to go down and down. I felt as if I was going to die because I didn't know what to do. I had sweaty palms and my heart was pounding. I went to the cockpit but no one was there. I had to take over but all the controls were broken and I didn't know what to press. All of a sudden the plane went faster and faster like is was losing gas. Soon I could see the sea underneath me. I got a parachute and rushed out. The whistling sound of the air blew across my face as I saw the plane crash into the sea. The parachute swung me like a puppet through the air as I heard a massive CRASH!

Battle of Britain

By Nathaniel

I was hit. It was within a blink of an eye, everything was going through my head. I was so shocked, I was as still as a statue, The plane was spinning around in the air. I felt sick. My pilot next to me was unconscious. I did not know what I was going to do. Time was ticking, there was not much time left. I released that the person next to me was dead at the same time the plane was heading towards the ground. I had to think quickly. Deep inside me something was telling me to get out so I took off everything that I didn't need and I jumped out the plane. While I was heading towards the ground I could see the plane burst into flames. Then I quickly pulled my ripcord and my parachute opened out like a giant mushroom. I was happy that I was safe. I saw my plane crash onto the ground and explode into a ball of fire. The good thing was that I landed safely on land, I felt I had been torched, but I was safe.

Battle of Britain

By Jaydeep

I was hit. The rocket had hit me, I didn't even know anyone was behind me. I felt like I had been electrocuted. A teeth-clenching pain rushed through my arm. I had to get to ground but my plane wouldn't respond. It became jammed from the moment the rocket hit me. I could see smoke emerging from the bottom of the cockpit. I could see daylight in between the black dark clouds. The RT was dead and hissing. I didn't know what to do. The fuel was leaking, it was going to blow. My life shouldn't end now. I heard a voice “Save yourself, save yourself” It was my voice. I soon took notice. I disengaged the oxygen and the radio. I didn't know what might happen to my family but I had to take a risk. I jumped out, the parachute was jammed. The air stung me as I was rapidly falling. I was petrified. I kept pulling the ripcord until it would work but it didn't . I didn't know if I was going to die hard or live. I fell in the water, the water stung me like a wasp. I was alive. For now!..........

Battle of Britain

By Abu-Bakar

I was hit. I didn't look back, a missile had came crashing into my plane. Suddenly a big bang came from the engine room. I then realized that the oil was leaking. Sooner or later the plane would have blown to pieces. It was frightening looking at the pilot dead beside me. My hands were shivering with fear. The plane wouldn't respond, it had gone crazy. I could feel air rushing past me. I felt my heart beating like never before. There was no oxygen, I was running out of breath. I knew even a slight move could blow the plane. I jumped out of the plane and took out my parachute, I felt the air pulling me up. Soon I came splashing down into the sea.

Battle of Britain

By Abazz

I was hit. My co-pilot said that there was a medical box somewhere. My right leg felt like it was broken. My co-pilot was flying the plane. I hobbled over to the door of the cockpit,t here it was. I bandaged up my leg and crawled back over to my seat. The plane had lost its left wing. Another plane shot a missile into the wing. My co-pilot was almost dead hanging on for dear life. Then a missile came flying towards the right plane wing. Then boom! My co pilot was dead. I was filled with fear. Both of planes wings were clean off by now. My belly dropped with sorrow. The plane smelt of diesel. The plane was arcing, tossing ,turning. What could I do? “Jump out of the plane!” someone shouted. I refused. I had to stay. “Jump out the plane!” My Voice. I obeyed, because the plane was burning. I disconnected my oxygen and radio. I jumped out the plane, pulled my ripcord for my parachute. I felt like a jellyfish floating through the air. My leg was killing me, it felt like pins and needles were in it. I also felt bad leaving my co-pilot. I watched as the plane went spiraling with a fiesta of black smoke following it. The sky was filled with sadness. The plane went crashing into the water, sinking to the sea bed. A sad thought hit my heart. How could I...? How could I leave him? Underneath me was a river of rubbish, bog, seaweed and plastic bags. The water was a disgustingly browny greeny colour. I splashed in to the ugly river, looking for any sign of life. Where do I go now? Where? I thought. I was alone.

Playscripts

As part of our work on Narrative we have been looking at the Caribbean story Bre-Nancy and the 13 Plantains. Some children have had a go at adapting the story and producing a play script. Here is Savannah's excellent effort.

Bre-Nancy and the 13 chicken wing

Scene 1: In a tatty old cottage with 12 kids, 1 wife, 1 husband and no food to eat.

Child: Mammy mi hungry, mi belly rumblin.

Ma-Nancy: (to Bre-Nancy) Go get thi pickney some food fi eat and don't come back if ya nu have no food.

Bre-Nancy: Cha man me gwan get some food fi mi pickney and mi self cha man. (walks out angrily)

Scene 2: Walking down a dusty path Bre-Nancy kissing his teeth.

Bre-Nancy: Why can't Ma-Nancy get her lazy bones up and gwan get her and her pickney them own food. Cha man. (furiously)

Bre-Bush Rat approaches.

Bre-Nancy: What's up neighbour, ya OK?

Bre-Bush Rat: Ye man mi kool mi just get paid 13 piece of chicken wing an' mi kool that mi get mi chicken wing. Mi get it by working on the fields weekly.

Bre-Nancy: If mi help yu on thi field weekly would ya give mi ya 13 piece of chicken wing for mi pickney and wife, mi beg yu? (desperately)

Bre-Bush Rat: Of course ya can. Later Bre-Nancy.

Scene 3: Bre-Nancy is on the way back home with a lot of food, he is excited.

Ma-Nancy: Mi hope ya got the food cos if not mi nah no where yu a go!

Bre-Nancy: Yes yes Ma-Nancy mi have food so let me come in.

Ma-Nancy: Nuh rush mi, no one rush Ma-Nancy.

Bre-Nancy: OK! (shouting) Here ya go pickney see ya food de.

Scene 4: In the house eating.

Child: Um mm this is di life time. Umm this chicken so nice.

Bre-Nancy sits there sad, he puts a sad face on looking upset.

Ma-Nancy: (to Bre-Nancy) Why di cry face? Ohhh mi sorry ya have no food, here have piece of mine.

Bre-Nancy: No no no! You eat it.

Child: Daddy ya no have no food. Have half of mine.

Child 2: Here have half of mine too Daddy.

Child 3: And mine!

All the children give Bre-Nancy half of their chicken

Bre-Nancy: Umm mmm mmm. (Nancy finishes off the chicken)

Ma-Nancy: Yu so greedy look at you! How much food yu have fi nam? (shouted)

Bre-Nancy: Half add a another half add another half make..... yu know Math was never mi strong point. (confused) Oh well sorry everyone. (laughing)