Citywest & Saggart

Community National School

Junior Infants Room 2: The Smartest Little Giants in Room 2

What a busy month Room 2 have had! They set up their own clothes shop, bought and sold lots of different types of clothes, and even made their own clothes using different types of fabric and fibre materials. They loved reading about The Smartest Giant in Town, and all the clothes he gave away to his animal friends. What a kind giant! They have been talking a lot about how to be a good friend in school too, and really enjoyed buddying up during Friendship week. Ask them to sing and dance along to this song composed by the author Julian Donaldson, and sung by her husband Malcolm. Room 2 have also been learning to become independent, and are getting really good at minding their things and being organised. They loved this rhyme about Three Little Kittens who lost their mittens! Room 2 have also been learning to give and follow directions and loved this song In, On, Under! which taught them all the positions they need to play ‘Simon Says’! During Literacy Week, Room 2 practiced their literacy skills lots- they love reading and writing, and are getting so good at these skills! They had lots of special visitors come and read to them too, including some of their mums and dads, some of the boys and girls from second class, and even Ms. Doherty, the school Principal! They really enjoyed dressing up as their favourite book characters on World Book day too, but Vinny and Ms. Larkin suspect their favourite learning activity of all this month, was making and eating pancakes on Pancake Tuesday! Vinny’s favourite topping was honey- what is yours? Well done everyone, you are...

Senior Infants Room 7: Waterproof materials

Uh-oh! Ted has a hole in his coat and will get wet in the rain! I wonder would Room 7 be able to make him a new coat? We tested a variety of different materials to see which ones are waterproof and which are not. We discovered that the water soaked through paper, tissue, cloth, cotton and sponge. But the water just ran off the plastic and tin foil – this means that they are waterproof! Room 7 love experiments and developing our scientific skills like predicting, observing, testing, recording and evaluating. Look at some pictures of our experiment...

Junior Infants Room 5: World Book Day

As you know, we celebrated World Book Day last week. World Book Day is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading.   Did you know that it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. We love books in Room 5, with our favourites being the Gruffalo and our new book, The Smartest Giant in Town! Check out all of our different costumes here. Can you spot any familiar...

First Class Room 8: What do seeds need to grow?

Scientists ask themselves important questions all the time. It’s what helps them to discover things. So, when Ms Bates asked us the question ‘What do seeds need to grow?’ we were so excited to investigate to find out. We wanted to see if seeds only need water, or sunlight, or whether the actually need both in order to grow. In our class predictions, many children predicted that seeds need both sunlight and water to grow. Some of us weren’t so sure. Ava remembered a time when it was dark  and wet when her plant was a seed and yet it still grew! We needed to find out once and for all. We began by taking turns to put soil in our pots. We were surprised that the soil was cold and damp. Once the soil was in our pots we then added cress seeds. Ms Bates informed us that the more seeds we had the better.  To try and see which factors were needed for the seeds to grow, some pots only got light and no water, others got water and no light, another pot got no water or light and finally, some pots received, water and light. The results were astounding! All of the plants which received water and light grew into beautiful green cress plants. No seeds grew in the other pots! What a result, plants need water and light, and of course, soil, to grow! Ava realised that although it may have been dark outside all the plants need is a little bit of light and not sunbeams. Luckily enough, since we are living in Ireland!...

Second Class Room 11: World Book Day

Room 11 had tremendous fun dressing up as characters from their favourite books last Thursday for World Book Day. From Hermione and Ron, to superheroes, villains and medieval knights, Room 11 had it all! Children also had the option of wearing normal clothes for the day- with many enjoying taking a break from their school uniform for once! We even had a fashion show so everyone could strut their stuff and show off their costumes (please see the photos attached).  Children also got the opportunity to donate books which they no longer used, and to participate in their very own book fair, with all books on sale for only...
Senior Infants Room 7: World Book Day

Senior Infants Room 7: World Book Day

Room 7 had great fun dressing up as our favourite characters for World Book Day. There was Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Superman, Tinkerbell, Harry Potter, Rainbow Dash, Dorothy of Oz and many more! There was loads of fun literacy activities throughout the day. We had a fashion show, read a new story called ‘Whatever Next’ and even got to choose a new book to take home at the ‘bring a book/buy a book’ sale.  One of our favourite parts of the day was listening to a real life Stickman read us a story….. Room 7 love to read! Have a look at some photos we...