Blog Archives

Robotics

28/11/2019

In November 4th classes have been working on Robotics with student teachers from DCU.
We followed the LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 programme on the Ipads and built using our LEGO WeDo sets.

"WeDo is a primary education resource developed for younger primary school pupils as an introduction to control technology and programming using robotics. WeDo 2.0 makes primary school science and computing come to life through hands-on tasks, real-world projects, and relevant technology that engages pupils.
Through project-based activities, pupils’ skills are enhanced across science, coding, engineering and technology. The unique combination of the LEGO® brick, classroom-friendly software, and inspiring, curriculum-relevant science projects results in a resource that builds pupils’ confidence. It empowers them to ask the right questions, define problems, and design their own solutions by putting scientific discovery in their hands."
(From https://education.lego.com/en-gb/product/wedo-2 )

We built our robots and investigated forces such as speed and pulling. We learned and improved lots of skills; teamwork, constructing, coding, experimenting and testing as well as having so much fun!

Roots of Empathy

28/11/2019

Room 8 had a visit from Baby Heath for Roots of Empathy.

This week, we discussed ways to care for a baby with a focus on nappies and changing!

We learned about disposable nappies and cloth nappies and discussed advantages and disadvantages to using either kind! The big sisters in the class shared their experiences and knowledge too, mammies and daddies should be proud!

When Heath came in we thought he had gotten a lot bigger than his last visit and he was able to sit up and hold himself up on the roller! He was very smiley!

Heath's mammy changed his nappy, she told us she uses disposable nappies for convenience and cost. She even pointed out how a blue strip appears on the nappy to tell if it's wet! Heath was so calm the whole time!

We are really looking forward to our next visit from Heath and are excited for what Lorraine has in store for us next week!

Attendance Award!

14/11/2019

Ms Smith's 4th class won the Attendance Award for the first week back to school after the midterm break!

Our teacher is so proud of us for getting to school on time and being in everyday!

Jackie presented us with a HUGE trophy to celebrate our achievement.

Keep it up, girls!

Happy Halloween in Room 8

14/11/2019

Óiche Shamha Shona! Bob nó Bia!

We learned a poem as Gaeilge about a 'Cailleach' or witch.

An bhFaca Tú an Chailleach?

An bhfaca tú an chailleach?
Chonaic mise í,
Lena srón mór fada,
Is a fiacla gránna buí.
Hubail rubail bubail,
Hubail bubailí.

An bhfaca tu an chailleach?
Chonaic mise í,
Lena cat mór dubha,
Ar an scuab ina suí,
Hubail rubail bubail,
Hubail bubailí

After a very busy and hardworking start to 4th class, we had a fabulous and fun day celebrating midterm. We all dressed up as spooky characters and showed them off the Halloween Assembly!

Check out our spooky haunted houses we created for Halloween! We used water colours on the background and used black and yellow paper to design our haunted scene!

We had 2 winners of the Maths Eyes competition during Maths Week too!
Congratulations Laila and Liva!

We set off on our midterm breaks to rest, recuperate and be ready for the next busy stretch of 4th class!

Bricks 4 Kidz

13/11/2019

As part of Maths Week, on October 22nd we had a fantastic visit from Bricks 4 Kidz (https://www.bricks4kidz.ie/). Bricks 4 Kidz is all about encouraging STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematical) skills and concepts through LEGO.

Our class's goal was to design and create a working Ferris wheels using LEGO. Have a look at our wonderful creations ...

Space Week

13/11/2019

In October, 4th classes went to the Axis Theatre Ballymun for a Space Week Workshop.
We met Dee Kellegh who combines her interest in space with her love of art and drawing. Dee showed us a photo of the Carina nebula, located only 7500 light-years away from us, which is where stars are being born and emerging into space. We thought the photograph looked magical and we were amazed it was a real image!

Dee told us all about CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite) which is a space telescope. It is used for studying the forming of extrasolar planets (planets outside our solar system) by the Swiss Space Office and the ESA (European Space Agency). The mission has a planned duration of 3.5 years and the launch is planned for December 2019. Then, we drew our own pictures of CHEOPs, the sun and exoplanets using chalk and pastels.

Dee also told us some facts about the sun and showed us footage of exploding sun flares!

Thanks to Dee Kellegh and the Axis Theatre Ballymun for inviting us to the workshop!