5th Class have been learning all about The Famine or ‘An Gorta Mór’. We have been exploring how the famine affected people’s lives in Ireland at the time and how we are still seeing the effects of the Famine today.  We talked about famine ships in detail and read different books about famine ships and the conditions on board. We then had to design and make our own famine ships based on all the information we had gathered.

The pupils had to plan their design and consider what materials they used. Three  materials had to be recyclable.Have a look at the amazing achievements of 5th Class who put so much hard work and effort into this project. Some even gave their ship a name! Fantastic.

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Fifth class have been working hard over the last month researching, designing and crafting their own famine coffin ships. They constructed their ships using recycled materials and presented them, along with their reports, to 4th and 6th class. Mr. Hanamy picked three exceptional examples and they received an easter treat! Well done to all- everyone made a super effort!!

After assembly Garda Chris O Meara, who came out on his day off, gave us a safety talk before we we set off.  Local Sergeant Mark Kelly and Senan Gardiner from An Taisce brought reflective arm bands and jackets for those who didn’t have theirs.  Most of the pupils from 5th and 6th Class took part along with parents Colm Brophy and Aileen Hoyne along with our youngest participant Saoirse.  Ms Hogan and Green School Co-ordinator Mrs Maher also took on the challenge.  Mr Hanamy followed behind to collect the jackets and jumpers that were discarded due to the exercise and good weather.

There was great camaraderie as the pupils cycled, and a healthy competitive attitude - to see who could climb the hills without getting off the bike.  

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Look through the slide show to see how the day was enjoyed by everyone – so much so it may become an annual event!

Thank you to our local Gardaí, An Taisce, parents who took part and also those parents who brought their children’s  bikes to school.

Since the start of November fifth class have been busy mathematicains. They have learned about 2D shapes and fractions. Beautiful designs were made with tesselating 2D shapes and fun was had trying to make pictues with tangrams. If you want to revise your shapes and fractions go to http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html

Fifth are having such fun in their pottery classes with Finn. We have already made heads (some crazy, some beautiful) and have moved on to our second project. Working with the clay involves great skill and we are rising to the challenge!

As we seek our Fourth Green Flag we are concentrating on transportation and how to lower our global foot print.  In line with this last Friday 5^th and 6^th Class had a very informative day on bike safety with Senan Gardiner.  We learned how to do the “M Check” on our bikes and how to do the life saver Look before overtaking obstacles or turning.  We had great fun trying to keep between the obstacles with one or two not able to keep their feet off the ground.  The slow bicycle race was also a challenge for some who are more used to going fast.  Danny in 6^th Class kept Senan busy with multiple punctures and as a result 6^th Class learned how to fix a puncture.

Fifth Class pupils dressed up as famous people from history last week – and had such fun doing it.  We wrote interesting reports and fabulous presentations.  The re-elected Barack Obama was among our visitors.  Steve Jobs, Eva Peron, John Wilks Booth, Abraham Lincon, Thomas Eddison, Helen Keller were all represented.  All the pupils researched their character and shared their new information with the class.

The following are links that can be used for revision on the circle  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/shape_space/circles/activity.shtml

http://www.factmonster.com/math/knowledgebox/player.html?movie=sfw41551

http://www.ictgames.com/weight.html

http://www.ictgames.com/mostlyPostie.html

Welll done to all in 5th class who took part in this year’s “Write a Book Project” in association with Laois Education Centre. Congratulations to Megan and Stephen whose books were chosen in the merit category and to Emma, Amy and Jade whose books were highly commended. The five students together with their parents are invited to the Racket Hall on Wednesday, May 9th at 7pm for the awards ceremony!

http://www.funbrain.com/linejump/index.html

http://www.free-training-tutorial.com/negative-numbers/number-balls.html

http://www.xpmath.com/forums/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=80

From the creative to the bizarre and outrageously coloured, a great effort was made by all in 5th class in our Mad Hair Day in association with the Shave or Dye Campaign.