1st & 2nd Classes 2020-21
Friday June 25th 2021 - Junk Art
Some super imaginative pieces for our junk art challenge - Ninja Training Centres, Horse Stables, Milking Detergent Factories, Futuristic Houses, Ice Cream Cones.....
Some super imaginative pieces for our junk art challenge - Ninja Training Centres, Horse Stables, Milking Detergent Factories, Futuristic Houses, Ice Cream Cones.....
Wednesday June 23rd 2021 - Return of the chicks
We were delighted by a surprise visit from our three week old chicks today.
We were delighted by a surprise visit from our three week old chicks today.
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Monday June 14th 2021 - Irish Homework
This week we are learning how to say the days of the week in Irish. Dé Luain (Monday) Dé Mairt (Tuesday) Dé Céadaoin (Wednesday Déardaoin (Thursday) Dé hAoine (Friday) Dé Sathairn (Saturday) Dé Domhnaigh (Sunday) |
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Friday June 4th 2021 - New pupils in the classroom
Thanks to Dermot Hayes who lent us his incubator and some eggs this week. Our first chick hatched on Wednesday night. Then another arrived on Thursday night and a third on Friday. It was really wonderful to see them hatch in our own classroom.
Thanks to Dermot Hayes who lent us his incubator and some eggs this week. Our first chick hatched on Wednesday night. Then another arrived on Thursday night and a third on Friday. It was really wonderful to see them hatch in our own classroom.
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Friday June 4th 2021 - Papyrus and Egyptian Hieroglyphs
We have been reading about the history of paper and how the Egyptians wrote on a material called papyrus which was made from the papyrus plant. Eva brought us in a real papyrus sample which her parents had at home. We wonder what the hieroglyphs mean?
We have been reading about the history of paper and how the Egyptians wrote on a material called papyrus which was made from the papyrus plant. Eva brought us in a real papyrus sample which her parents had at home. We wonder what the hieroglyphs mean?
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June 4th 2021 - Old Beehive
Kenzie brought in this old beehive which she found at home.
Kenzie brought in this old beehive which she found at home.
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May 28th 2021 - Busy day at the bird feeder
Fierce activity at our birdfeeder today.
Fierce activity at our birdfeeder today.
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May 25th 2021 - Africa Day
It was Africa Day today and Adam brought us in lots of interesting artefacts from South Africa. He even taught us some Afrikaans
It was Africa Day today and Adam brought us in lots of interesting artefacts from South Africa. He even taught us some Afrikaans
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Monday May 24th 2021 - Irish phrases for this week
Cad as duit? (Where are you from?) Is as _____ mé. (I am from _______) |
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Monday May 17th 2021 - Irish phrases for this week
ag cur síolta (planting seed) ag piocadh (picking) rós (rose) spád (spade) torthaí (fruit) |
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Monday May 10th 2021 - Irish phrases for this week
Cén rang ina bhfuil tú? (What class are you in?) Tá mé i rang a haon. (I am in first class) Tá mé i rang a dó. (I am in second class) |
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Friday May 7th 2021 - Fabric and Fibre Art
We have been working with fabric and fibre to create artistic pieces over the last few weeks. Here are some of the pieces we produced.
We have been working with fabric and fibre to create artistic pieces over the last few weeks. Here are some of the pieces we produced.
Tuesday May 4th 2021 - Fun with magnets
We have been learning about magnets in Science and created our own obstacle courses for our magnet powered paper-clips.
We have been learning about magnets in Science and created our own obstacle courses for our magnet powered paper-clips.
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Tuesday May 4th 2021 - Irish vocabulary for this week
Monday April 26th 2021 - The Bouncing Egg
We have been learning about animals that hatch from eggs this week in science. We tried an experiment where we put in an egg in a glass of water and another in a glass of vinegar. We left them over the weekend and checked them out on Monday.
The egg in water had not changed but the egg in vinegar had turned white. We were amazed to find that you could actually bounce the egg which was in vinegar.
The vinegar reacts with the shell of the egg which is made from calcium carbonate. When the shell is all gone the egg is held together by a membrane which is like a balloon.
Did you know that a chicken's egg has about 7000 tiny holes in it ? These allow the tiny chick inside to breathe in fresh air and allow carbon dioxide to escape out.
We have been learning about animals that hatch from eggs this week in science. We tried an experiment where we put in an egg in a glass of water and another in a glass of vinegar. We left them over the weekend and checked them out on Monday.
The egg in water had not changed but the egg in vinegar had turned white. We were amazed to find that you could actually bounce the egg which was in vinegar.
The vinegar reacts with the shell of the egg which is made from calcium carbonate. When the shell is all gone the egg is held together by a membrane which is like a balloon.
Did you know that a chicken's egg has about 7000 tiny holes in it ? These allow the tiny chick inside to breathe in fresh air and allow carbon dioxide to escape out.
Egg in water
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Egg in vinegar
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Monday April 26th 2021 - How are our seeds coming along?
Our seeds have been set for 11 days now. We were delighted to see that all five vegetable seeds have germinated now and are growing shoots.
Our seeds have been set for 11 days now. We were delighted to see that all five vegetable seeds have germinated now and are growing shoots.
Spinach
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Salad Leaves
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Radish
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Peas
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Beetroot
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Monday April 19th 2021 - What happens when you suspend a potato into water?
April 21st
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April 23rd
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April 26th
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Wednesday April 14th 2021 - What is the best soil for seeds?
We tried an experiment to test which is the best "soil" to grow seeds in. We se cress seeds in different "soils":-
Looking at our results below we could see that the potting compost was the best. The clay was second. We were surprised that some seeds did germinate in the gravel. None of the seeds germinated in the kitchen tissue or the sand.
We tried an experiment to test which is the best "soil" to grow seeds in. We se cress seeds in different "soils":-
- kitchen tissue
- potting compost
- clay from one of our vegetable beds
- gravel from outside the school wall
- sand
Looking at our results below we could see that the potting compost was the best. The clay was second. We were surprised that some seeds did germinate in the gravel. None of the seeds germinated in the kitchen tissue or the sand.
Wednesday April 14th
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Friday April 23rd
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Monday April 12th 2021
The Irish words for this week are all related to the theme of food:-
The Irish words for this week are all related to the theme of food:-
- glasraí (vegetables)
- cairéad (carrot)
- salann (salt)
- feoil (meat)
- im (butter)
- piseanna (peas)
March 2021
We stocked our birdfeeders with peanuts, seed and fat-balls recently. The rooks have been busy trying to rob the food but we think we have foiled them.
We are keeping a log of the different types of birds that come to the feeders each day.
We stocked our birdfeeders with peanuts, seed and fat-balls recently. The rooks have been busy trying to rob the food but we think we have foiled them.
We are keeping a log of the different types of birds that come to the feeders each day.
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Thursday March 11th 2021
James brought us in this wonderful (if a little fearsome) spinosaurus tooth today. Spinosaurus means "spined lizard". Spinosaurus lived mainly in what is currently North Africa 95 to 70 million years ago. They were up to 18m long, which is longer than our classroom.
The tooth which James brought in is about 4cm long. I wouldn't like to be on the wrong end of this tooth.
James brought us in this wonderful (if a little fearsome) spinosaurus tooth today. Spinosaurus means "spined lizard". Spinosaurus lived mainly in what is currently North Africa 95 to 70 million years ago. They were up to 18m long, which is longer than our classroom.
The tooth which James brought in is about 4cm long. I wouldn't like to be on the wrong end of this tooth.
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Thursday March 4th 2021
Today is World Book Day and we spent the day working on activities all about books.
We also joined in with thousands of other pupils to the David Walliams' Assembly for World Book Day. David spoke about where he gets the inspiration for his characters, advice for budding authors, his favourite character and book. He also read some excerpts from his books Fing and Codename Bananas. You can see a video of the Assembly here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhvKDCdjaYc
Today is World Book Day and we spent the day working on activities all about books.
- Name the book
- Create a new cover for our favourite book
- Book Charades
- Favourite book character profile
- Class library book scavenger hunt
- World Book Day bookmarks
- Show and Tell on our Favourite Book
- DEAR
- World Boo Day vouchers
- Book crosswords and word-searches
We also joined in with thousands of other pupils to the David Walliams' Assembly for World Book Day. David spoke about where he gets the inspiration for his characters, advice for budding authors, his favourite character and book. He also read some excerpts from his books Fing and Codename Bananas. You can see a video of the Assembly here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhvKDCdjaYc
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Friday February 5th 2021
We did a lesson in geography this week on Aerial Views and Map Keys and decided to make some Treasure Maps.
We did a lesson in geography this week on Aerial Views and Map Keys and decided to make some Treasure Maps.
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Monday February 1st 2021
St Brigid's Day so we just had to try to make some St. Brigid's crosses
St Brigid's Day so we just had to try to make some St. Brigid's crosses
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Friday January 29th 2021
We read the story of St. Brigid's Cloak today and made our own St. Brigid Cloak weaves.
We read the story of St. Brigid's Cloak today and made our own St. Brigid Cloak weaves.
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Wednesday January 27th 2021
As part of our farming theme this fortnight we made our own butter. It turned out really well - though our arms are sore from all the shaking.
As part of our farming theme this fortnight we made our own butter. It turned out really well - though our arms are sore from all the shaking.
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Friday January 22nd 2021
First and second classes have been busy creating some fabulous winter drawings today
First and second classes have been busy creating some fabulous winter drawings today
Friday January 22nd 2021
We hope you like this super acrostic poem about cakes which James wrote.
We hope you like this super acrostic poem about cakes which James wrote.
Monday December 27th 2020 - Limerick Abú
Friday November 27th 2020
Our theme this fortnight has been House and Homes. We created our own houses from old cereal boxes. Eve even made her own living room.
Our theme this fortnight has been House and Homes. We created our own houses from old cereal boxes. Eve even made her own living room.
Friday November 27th 2020 - Betty Botter's Butter
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Friday November 15th 2020
We have been going all sciencey this week as it is Science Week. On Thursday we watched a live webcam from students from Nano Nagle Secondary School in Limerick. They performed various cool science experiments.
Then we watched another show as a lab technician from UL's Chemistry department performed lots of more science experiments live from his kitchen using items he found in his kitchen. They were really amazing.
Then on Friday we had science stations:
1) Build the highest construction you can using spaghetti and marshmallows.
2) Design an make a fishing game using magnets, string, paper, clips and rulers.
3) Investigate which material is best for blocking out noise.
4) Design our own planet.
5) Create a bird in the cage optical illusion.
We have been going all sciencey this week as it is Science Week. On Thursday we watched a live webcam from students from Nano Nagle Secondary School in Limerick. They performed various cool science experiments.
Then we watched another show as a lab technician from UL's Chemistry department performed lots of more science experiments live from his kitchen using items he found in his kitchen. They were really amazing.
Then on Friday we had science stations:
1) Build the highest construction you can using spaghetti and marshmallows.
2) Design an make a fishing game using magnets, string, paper, clips and rulers.
3) Investigate which material is best for blocking out noise.
4) Design our own planet.
5) Create a bird in the cage optical illusion.
Wednesday November 13th 2020
We were reading about fossils this week as part of science week and James brought us in these fabulous examples. Some of them are up to 180 million years old.
We were reading about fossils this week as part of science week and James brought us in these fabulous examples. Some of them are up to 180 million years old.
Tuesday November 17th 2020
Working on cloze exercises as part of our laptop class this week.
Working on cloze exercises as part of our laptop class this week.
Friday November 8th 2020
We hope you like our lighthouse mosaics inspired by our class novel "The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch".
We hope you like our lighthouse mosaics inspired by our class novel "The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch".
October 2020 - School in Our Grandparents' Time
We have been studying school in our grandparent's time in history and interviewed our grandparents as part of this. These are our findings.
1) How did you travel to school? 18 grandparents interviewed walked and only 2 travelled by car.
2) What did you bring for lunch? 8 brought sandwiches, 7 went home for lunch and 5 brought bread and butter
3) Did you have a uniform? Only 4 had a school uniform.
4) What was your favourite subject? English =6, Maths = 5, Geography = 3, Irish = 2, rt = 2, Spellings = 1, History = 1
5) What games did you play at break-time? Skipping, Tag, Football, Rounders, Handball
6) Did you get homework? 13 said yes, 6 got no homework and 2 got a little.
7) What was your favourite thing about school? The most common answers were "friends" and "going home".
8) What was your least favourite thing about school? Some of the answers were "homework", "the cold", "Irish" and "getting slapped".
We have been studying school in our grandparent's time in history and interviewed our grandparents as part of this. These are our findings.
1) How did you travel to school? 18 grandparents interviewed walked and only 2 travelled by car.
2) What did you bring for lunch? 8 brought sandwiches, 7 went home for lunch and 5 brought bread and butter
3) Did you have a uniform? Only 4 had a school uniform.
4) What was your favourite subject? English =6, Maths = 5, Geography = 3, Irish = 2, rt = 2, Spellings = 1, History = 1
5) What games did you play at break-time? Skipping, Tag, Football, Rounders, Handball
6) Did you get homework? 13 said yes, 6 got no homework and 2 got a little.
7) What was your favourite thing about school? The most common answers were "friends" and "going home".
8) What was your least favourite thing about school? Some of the answers were "homework", "the cold", "Irish" and "getting slapped".
21st October 2020 - Maths Eyes
As part of Maths Week last week we have been keeping an eye out for maths challenges in our environment. You can check out our challenges here.
As part of Maths Week last week we have been keeping an eye out for maths challenges in our environment. You can check out our challenges here.
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October 2020 - The mysterious yellow hairy caterpillar
James found this hairy caterpillar in the yard recently. We looked it up and it is called a Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar.
James found this hairy caterpillar in the yard recently. We looked it up and it is called a Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar.
Friday 16th October 2020
We enjoyed playing the 3-in-a-row dice game as part of Maths Week.
We enjoyed playing the 3-in-a-row dice game as part of Maths Week.
October 2020
We hope you like some of our Autumn artwork.
We hope you like some of our Autumn artwork.
Thursday 15th October 2020
We were really excited to tune to a livestreamed chat with NASA astronaut Dan Tani today. The chat was organised by Blackrock Castle Observatory as part of Space Week.
Dan is a hugely experienced astronaut, having spent 132 days in space. In 2001 he spent 12 days in space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour and in 2007/08 he spent 4 months as a science engineer on the International Space Station (ISS). Dan has completed 6 space walks and we were very interested to hear about that as they sound very scary.
Earlier in the week we had submitted a number of questions for the interview and were thrilled when the very first question asked by Danielle from BCO was one of our questions - "What subjects do you need to know to become an astronaut?" Dan told us that the subjects you need to be good at to become an astronaut are maths, science and engineering. He advised us to get excited about how things work and when you go to university to study what you love and maybe in years to come NASA's requirements will be different.
Dan also answered a question from Eva "What inspired you to become an astronaut?"
You can watch the full interview here and our questions are at 3:48 and 9:36.
We were really excited to tune to a livestreamed chat with NASA astronaut Dan Tani today. The chat was organised by Blackrock Castle Observatory as part of Space Week.
Dan is a hugely experienced astronaut, having spent 132 days in space. In 2001 he spent 12 days in space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour and in 2007/08 he spent 4 months as a science engineer on the International Space Station (ISS). Dan has completed 6 space walks and we were very interested to hear about that as they sound very scary.
Earlier in the week we had submitted a number of questions for the interview and were thrilled when the very first question asked by Danielle from BCO was one of our questions - "What subjects do you need to know to become an astronaut?" Dan told us that the subjects you need to be good at to become an astronaut are maths, science and engineering. He advised us to get excited about how things work and when you go to university to study what you love and maybe in years to come NASA's requirements will be different.
Dan also answered a question from Eva "What inspired you to become an astronaut?"
You can watch the full interview here and our questions are at 3:48 and 9:36.
Friday 9th October 2020
This week is Space Week and each day we have been learning lots of interesting facts about Space - orbits, meteors, shooting stars, constellations and supernova. Did you know it takes 165 Earth years for Neptune to orbit the sun?
We especially loved this video of the planets in our solar system.
Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork sent us the image of The Gas Giant, Jupiter below which they took especially for us.
This week is Space Week and each day we have been learning lots of interesting facts about Space - orbits, meteors, shooting stars, constellations and supernova. Did you know it takes 165 Earth years for Neptune to orbit the sun?
We especially loved this video of the planets in our solar system.
Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork sent us the image of The Gas Giant, Jupiter below which they took especially for us.
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The attached photograph is unique to your class! Our astrophotographers, Alan and Danielle captured multiple images over the course of several nights to ensure everyone who requested an image received one of their very own. They were captured using a large, 16-inch-diameter telescope stationed on the roof of CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork. |
Thursday 8th October 2020
We are learning about school in our Grandparents' time in history at present and decided to take a walk to the original Ballymartin National School. This was a single roomed building which was partitioned into two classrooms. It was built in the 1850s and was used for over 100 years up to 1968. Dry toilets were located at the back of the school. A nearby pump supplied spring water. Heating was provided by means of an open fire and a small stove. It was normal for each child to bring a sod of turf or some wood to keep the fire going during the day.
We were blessed with a beautiful day. Mr Hogan had made out a list of challenges and items for us to spot on our walk. The most common trees were the Ash, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut. We spotted lots of wild berries also - Rose Hips, Blackberries, Sloes, Honeysuckle and Haws. We hope you like the photos below - especially the ones featuring the fabulous blue sky.
Many of our Grandparents went to school there and we will publish some information on their school life next week.
We are learning about school in our Grandparents' time in history at present and decided to take a walk to the original Ballymartin National School. This was a single roomed building which was partitioned into two classrooms. It was built in the 1850s and was used for over 100 years up to 1968. Dry toilets were located at the back of the school. A nearby pump supplied spring water. Heating was provided by means of an open fire and a small stove. It was normal for each child to bring a sod of turf or some wood to keep the fire going during the day.
We were blessed with a beautiful day. Mr Hogan had made out a list of challenges and items for us to spot on our walk. The most common trees were the Ash, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut. We spotted lots of wild berries also - Rose Hips, Blackberries, Sloes, Honeysuckle and Haws. We hope you like the photos below - especially the ones featuring the fabulous blue sky.
Many of our Grandparents went to school there and we will publish some information on their school life next week.
October 1th 2020
The crocodile always eats the bigger number.
The crocodile always eats the bigger number.
October 1st 2020
Say hello to Lorcan the donkey. Our class have adopted Lorcan from the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll. Lorcan is 26 years old and we can't wait to visit him when the Donkey Sanctuary re-open.
The Donkey Sanctuary do brilliant work by providing love and care for donkeys who have been neglected, abandoned or mistreated by humans. You can find out all about the work they do here - https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie/.
Say hello to Lorcan the donkey. Our class have adopted Lorcan from the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll. Lorcan is 26 years old and we can't wait to visit him when the Donkey Sanctuary re-open.
The Donkey Sanctuary do brilliant work by providing love and care for donkeys who have been neglected, abandoned or mistreated by humans. You can find out all about the work they do here - https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie/.
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September 23rd 2020
Thanks to Matthew who told us that we could see Jupiter in the sky these nights. Jupiter is the bright planet to the left of the moon in the photograph. The other feature to the left and a bit up again is Saturn. If it is not too cloudy you can see both planets easily these nights. |
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September 14th 2020
We have been studying fruit and seeds in science this week and decided to create our own fruit bowls to tie in with that.
We have been studying fruit and seeds in science this week and decided to create our own fruit bowls to tie in with that.
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September 14th 2020
We have been investigating different forces in science this week. We put raisins into a glass of 7-Up and into a glass of tap-water. The raisins in the 7-Up began to bob up and down from the bottom of the glass to the top and then down again. The raisins in the water just sank to the bottom and stayed there. The 7-Up contains carbon dioxide which causes the fizziness. The raisin surface is rough and little bubbles of carbon dioxide cling to it. The force of all the little bubbles lift the raisin to the surface (like the balloons lift the house in the film Up). When the raisin reaches the surface the bubbles burst and the raisin sinks back down again. After a while the dancing raisins became less active as the carbon dioxide leaves the 7-Up (this is what happens when soft drinks go flat). Sorry about the sideways video - couldn't rotate it. |
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September 11th 2020
We made rainbow nameplates for our bedroom doors today.
We made rainbow nameplates for our bedroom doors today.
September 11th 2020
We love this video by our 2nd Class Seanchaí "Johnny from Kerry".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GfpKtosjn8here to edit.
We love this video by our 2nd Class Seanchaí "Johnny from Kerry".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GfpKtosjn8here to edit.
September 11th 2020
Cover that cough art.
Cover that cough art.
Sept 2nd 2020
Working on our "Growing and Changing" Timelines in History today.
Working on our "Growing and Changing" Timelines in History today.
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