It has been a wonderfully productive and enjoyable few months in 3rd and 4th Class. Our classroom has truly been a hive of activity!
In Science, we explored the anatomy and life cycle ofthe frog, which inspired the children to write detailed and informative explanations of each stage of development. We also learned all about how chocolate is made and produced fantastic explanatory pieces in beautiful cursive handwriting. The class is becoming increasingly confident with the features of explanatory writing, and we are excited to begin our next topic.
In Gaeilge, we focused on the themes of An t-Earrach and Lá Fhéile Pádraig. The children learned Amhrán na bhFiann by heart and enjoy singing it each morning. They have also done excellent work memorising and reciting poems and songs such as Bláthanna, Sneachta,Mo Mhála Scoile, Dilín Ó Deamhas, Éadaí, and Seáinín Bán—maith sibh! We celebrated Seachtain na Gaeilge with a fun quiz, illustrated sean fhocail, and even performed Shoe the Donkey, which brought great energy and enjoyment to the school.
In Maths, we recently completed work on long and short multiplication, following a few weeks spent exploring ‘time’. The pupils used mini clocks and engaging puzzles to develop their understanding, and they continue to build strong skills in multiplication and division through daily games such as Hit the Button, Popcorn, and Table Shootdown. We have been filling in our maths journals on a weekly basis as part of the New Maths Curriculum to assess our learning progression.
We also enjoyed celebrating special occasions such as Pancake Day and Grandparents’ Day. A special thank you to 6th Class for the delicious chocolate treats!
World Book Day was a highlight, with pupils dressing up as their favourite characters and participating in a lively book quiz. We relaxed with an audiobook by David Walliams while designing creative book covers, and the children also made fantastic origami monster bookmarks. It was wonderful to see everyone choosing books and stationery so thoughtfully at the Book Fair.
Last Friday we acknowledged Daffodil Day by reading the beautiful poem ‘The Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth and drawing bright, cheerful daffodils using oil pastels and water colours. The children created beautiful pieces.
This week, we completed beautiful Zentangle Easter Bunny artwork—be sure to take a look! We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Karina for her daily support and help in the classroom.
Wishing everyone a very happy Easter from all in 3rd and 4th Class!
Rang a Trí agus Rang a Ceathair have been full of excitement in the run-up to Christmas, preparing for their wonderful Christmas show performance of Oliver!— it truly was food for thought and a performance to remember!
Alongside rehearsals, the children have been enthusiastically engaged in learning across a wide range of curricular areas. In Maths, pupils have participated in daily multiplication tables games and counting activities to warm up their lessons. As part of the new Primary Maths Curriculum, they have been developing their mathematical thinking through “maths talk,” using hand signals while solving problems. Maths journals have also been used effectively to build on prior knowledge and support assessment of learning. Recently, the children explored fractions using fraction walls, dominoes, card games, cubes and counters — plenty of hands-on materials and games made learning both meaningful and enjoyable.
In Literacy, the children completed a persuasive writing unit through a fun and creative “Cereal Box Challenge.” They designed and created their own cereal brands and worked hard to persuade other classes that their cereal was worth buying. A fantastic effort by everyone — well done! Continuing with the Christmas theme, the class watched a video of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, read by The Grinch himself. Pupils then wrote persuasive letters encouraging him to change his mind about Christmas, highlighting the values of joy, peace, love and kindness. Third and Fourth Class also enjoyed reading two lovely Christmas stories: How Rover Saves Christmas and The Little Peasant Girl’s Christmas Morning.
In Gaeilge, the pupils have been learning vocabulary related to An Nollaig. They read An Chéad Nollag and Oíche Nollag as part of the Bua na Cainte programme. The children particularly enjoy reciting both familiar and new poems such as Is maith liom Bainne and Stocaí Nollag. Spoken Gaeilge is practised daily in the classroom, and the pupils are making excellent progress. Is breá linn an Ghaeilge!
Christmas also provided many opportunities for creativity in Art. Third and Fourth Class made beautiful Christmas cards for the residents of Askeaton Nursing Home. They drew delightful bears in cosy sweaters, Rudolphs, and designed their own stocking-themed Christmas decorations.
In Geography, the pupils learned about rivers and mountains in Ireland, further developing their appreciation of our beautiful Éire. In History, they explored the fascinating life of the Ancient Romans.
This term, significant emphasis was placed on our Bí Cineálta anti-bullying programme. Each morning, the class proudly recites their class motto, reminding everyone to Be Kind. The children coloured odd socks and designed posters to support our school policy and promote kindness throughout the school.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated SNA, Karina, who brings warmth, care and kindness to our classroom every day. We are so grateful for all your help and support, Karina!
We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year! 🎄✨
Third Class have worked hard in all areas in the months of September and October. Below is a snippet!
Science- We learned all about Gliders, spoke about aerodynamics, created our own Straw Gliders and practiced throwing them on the yard to see whose could go the furthest. We made Lava Lamps. We discussed whether oil and water mix and which was more dense. Each pupil created their own Lava Lamp to bring home. For Space Week we discussed the First Moon Landing and listened to the last minute of audio from Apollo 11 as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins landed on the moon. We created our own rockets using toilet rolls and clothes pegs and launched them into space!
Geography- We designed and carried out a Nature Scavenger Hunt and explored the school grounds for all types of creepy crawlies from ants to woodlice and from spiders to cockroaches. Yikes! We looked at The Deep Sea and discovered the friendly types of animals that live there, from the Twilight Zone right down to The Challenger Deep, 10,000 metres beneath the sea.
Maths- We did station teaching which included Roll the Dice Addition and Card Games. For Maths Week we had a quiz with 4th, 5th and 6th Classes which included some fantastic jokes! We also made 2- D Shape Robots which were very creative and imaginative. We played class games like King or Queen and Daily10.
Physical Education- We had football training with Peter Nash. We worked on athletics, sprinting, hurdling and throwing. The class enjoyed having relay races. New games which Third Class played include Waspital and Yoshi.
The term has been a dynamic blend of academic achievement,cultural exploration, and personal growth. Throughout the term, our students engaged in a diverse range of activities that not only expanded their knowledge but also enriched their understanding of the world around them. Let's delve into some of the highlights from this eventful period of learning.
First Confession: The term began with a significant milestone for our students as they experienced their first confession. This spiritual journey provided them with a profound opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Through guidance and support, they navigated this sacramental experience with courage and introspection, laying the foundation for their spiritual development.
Mathematical Exploration: Weight and Measurement in mathematics, our second class embarked on a practical exploration of weight and measurement. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, they gained a solid understanding of these fundamental mathematical concepts. From weighing objects to measuring distances, students applied their newfound knowledge in meaningful contexts, developing essential problem-solving skills along the way.
Cultural Celebration: Our students learned and led the haka in Irish for the entire school during Seachtain Gaeilge. This vibrant celebration of the Irish language and heritage showcased their enthusiasm and dedication to cultural learning. Through rehearsals and performances, students not only honed their linguistic skills but also fostereda sense of pride in their cultural identity. They had a great time doing thisand we will have to get them in Thomond Park soon! They also had great success in participating in Shoe the Donkey with 3rd class.
Irish Language and Culture: Clothing in Irish language lessons, students delved into clothing vocabulary, expanding their linguistic repertoire while exploring cultural customs and traditions. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne na daltaí léitheoireacht ar scéalta agus dánta faoichúrsaí earrach. Leis an léitheoireacht seo, fuair siad deis an teanga a chleachtadh sna comh théacsanna éagsúla agus a gcuid foclóir a neartú.
Trí na gníomhaíochtaí teanga seo, d'fhoghlaim na daltaí foclóirnua agus úsáideach a bhaineann leis an earraigh, agus chuaigh siad chun cinn i dtreo líofachta agus muinín sa Ghaeilge. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh na daltaí ag úsáid a gcuid foclóir nua go rialta agus ag tabhairt faoi ghníomhaíochtaíteanga eile chun a gcuid cumarsáide a fheabhsú sa todhchaí.
Exploring the Solar System: Additionally, they embarked on an awe-inspiring journey through outer space, delving into the mysteries of the cosmos. From creating galaxies to discussing the wonders of our solar system, students marvelled at the vastness of the universe and gained a deeper appreciation for the marvels of science.
As the term draws to a close, it's evident that our students have embarked on a multifaceted journey of learning and cultural exploration.From spiritual milestones to academic achievements and cultural celebrations,they have embraced each experience with enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience.As they continue on their educational journey, we are confident that they will carry the lessons learned during this term with them, shaping them into compassionate, well-rounded individuals who are ready to make a positive impact on the world.
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