Kestrel’s have been working very hard on their diary entries this week. We have focussed a lot on writing to express and on the skills needed to accomplish this.

This week, Kestrels have been looking at poetry based on writing and school. Today, we read Schoolitus by Brian Patten. It’s a very funny poem about how a child desperately tries to get out of going to school by pretending to be ill. The children got into pairs and role played the conversation between them and a parent. It was a lot of fun. Next week, we will be turning the poem into a narrative.

Using drama is so important when children are discussing stories. This week, Kestrels have been acting out their ‘flashback’ stories that they have invented whilst reading October, October. They all planned and acted out their stories to each other and came up with some fascinating ideas.

This week, Kestrels have been discussing the characters in their new class novel – October, October. The children separated into 2 lines and had to convince George whether to keep the pet owl that October rescued or not. George considered the opinions given and decided it would be better to keep the owl. A wise (old owl) decision I feel George, 😉

Well done, Kestrels! A fabulous poetry performance.

Today Kestrels visited Toucan’s classroom to read with the children. They chose some super books to share with them and thoroughly enjoyed it!

This week is all about Books and Reading and today, Year 5 participated in the live lesson from the BBC. They received advise from Michael Rosen (one of our favourites!) And had a chance to take part in activities such as drawing a character and writing an ending to a story with a new twist! It was great fun and the children got to see lots of children dressed up in costume to celebrate World Book Day! The children are now so excited to be dressing up for our special celebration of books, tomorrow.

This week, Kestrels have been reading Narnia and using Drama activities to better their understanding of the text. They acted out a conversation Lucy had with Mr Tumnus and then discussed their feelings, in order to write a letter in the role of Lucy, to Mum. Kinda and Amelie demonstrated their conversation and it was fabulous; the girls both earned themselves a gold card. Well done girls!

Year 5 had a fabulous treat this week…Katya Balen, author of October October, read aloud to the children via Zoom. It was wonderful and the children got to see one of our favourite authors in person!