Y2 London 2018
Welcome to the 2018-19 Reading Gladiators challenges. Let the reading begin!
There are schools in this group:
- Just Imagine
- Eastbury Primary School
- Beam County Primary School
- Southwood Primary School
- Hallsville Primary School
- William Davies Primary School, Newham
- St Matthias School
- Avonmore Primary School
- Fox Primary School
- Altmore Infant School
- Keir Hardie Primary School
- Rosetta Primary School
- St Paul with St Luke C of E Primary School
- Brampton Primary School – Newham
- Scott Wilkie Primary School
- Cherry Lane Primary School
- Whitchurch Primary School & Nursery, Stanmore

















Updates
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Runners Up!
Thank you so much for our prize for the Blue John mini challenge! Look how excited we are to receive our free books! From St Matthias
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Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Year 2 Collage
Year 2 have completed their final challenge early as Miss Hodges is going on maternity leave and didn't want to miss out! We have had such a fantastic year and looked forward to meeting every week for our book club. Miss Ferguson is going to continue our sessions with us for our final book and we can't wait to read Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf!
Reading Gladiators is the best!Comments
15th Jul 2019, 12:20pmCongratulations on completing your final reading challenge Eastbury Reading Gladiators. Thank you for all your wonderful submissions and engagements with us over the past year. We have been so impressed with your work and can see you have loved the books. all the very best for your future reading adventures. -
Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Blue John Light and Dark
We really enjoyed creating this piece on the theme of light and dark. We selected phrases from the story. We used white crayons on black paper and charcoal on white paper. We used coloured tissue to create Blue John.
Comments
10th Jun 2019, 1:27pmwe love the different textures and colours that portray the story and its landscape perfectly. you have captured Blue John and his looking toward the light of the outside world brilliantly , it is very emotional and evocative. A wonderful piece of story art. Thanks for submitting this. -
Submission by St Matthias School
St Matthias’ light and dark art, inspired by Blue John
We chose our favourite light and dark phrases from the story and then planned our pictures around them. We looked carefully at the illustrations from the story and then added a bit of glitter to give our pictures a magical sparkle!
Comments
10th Jun 2019, 1:16pmwe love the sparkle that a fantastic and magical story creates in your minds. Thank you for this wonderful artistic imagery.13th Jun 2019, 3:50pmThank you for that comment. We really worked hard to get our magical masterpieces finished! From St Matthias Year 2 Reading Gladiators. -
Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Perfect Painting
Our Year 2 Reading Gladiators really enjoyed creating this painting which explores the feelings of the character throughout the story.
We identified excitement, shock, disappointment, sadness, lonelines, realisation and finally love.
We painted the feelings in a clockwise direction starting from the top left and cut out swifts to show which picture to look at next.Comments
6th May 2019, 5:25pmWhat an ingenious way to direct the viewer to your thinking processes. The illustrations are very powerful and draw us into the power of emotions in the story and in your interpretations. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful images with us. -
Submission by St Matthias School
St Matthias’ emotional journey!
Here is our emotional road! We thought about how the boy felt at different parts of the story. Then we split the parts up and in pairs created a piece of art to represent his emotions. We felt as if his emotions went up and down throughout the story so we made a road to represent this. We filled this road with words to show his many different feelings.
Comments
6th May 2019, 5:05pmThere are some really interesting words on this emotional journey. We love how your faces also express some of these emotions. The drawings are stunning and it's so lovely to see the group collaboration. Well done and thank you.8th May 2019, 4:07pmThanks, we really enjoyed making our oil pastel images. Using ideas from the book's illustrations. -
Rayeka’s Swift
In Reading Gladiators this week we looked at a youtube video called ‘Austin’s Butterfly.’ We watched how children critiqued a childs drawing and then decided we would do the same by drawing swifts – linked to our book ‘Perfect.’ Children drew a swift and then got feedback on it from another Reading Gladiator. They then used the feedback to try again and received feedback a second time. They then drew their final piece taking on all the advice they had been given. What do you think of our swifts?
Comments
26th Mar 2019, 5:29pmYou have really taken on board the advice of others to make great improvements. I can see you are all fantastic learners at Altmore! -
Mariam’s swift
In Reading Gladiators this week we looked at a youtube video called ‘Austin’s Butterfly.’ We watched how children critiqued a childs drawing and then decided we would do the same by drawing swifts – linked to our book ‘Perfect.’ Children drew a swift and then got feedback on it from another Reading Gladiator. They then used the feedback to try again and received feedback a second time. They then drew their final piece taking on all the advice they had been given. What do you think of our swifts?
Comments
26th Mar 2019, 5:27pmAnother wonderful swift. The detail you have added is amazing! -
Davinia’s Swift
In Reading Gladiators this week we looked at a youtube video called ‘Austin’s Butterfly.’ We watched how children critiqued a childs drawing and then decided we would do the same by drawing swifts – linked to our book ‘Perfect.’ Children drew a swift and then got feedback on it from another Reading Gladiator. They then used the feedback to try again and received feedback a second time. They then drew their final piece taking on all the advice they had been given. What do you think of our swifts?
Comments
26th Mar 2019, 5:26pmThis is a beautiful drawing which is so well observed. I can really see the difference between the first and final drawing and you've really taken on board the advice. Well done. -
Blue John
The discussion of the fantastic Blue John has just begun when this picture was taken. Year’s 2 and 3 delved deeply into Berlie Doherty’s language and imagery, but the room was split as to whether Blue John had made the right choice when he left the cave!
Comments
20th Mar 2019, 9:48pmIt is a wonderful book and you all look deep in thought. I wonder if any of you change you minds as you read on. -
Winning Prizes
Thank you for the great Horace and Harriet books and yummy mini eggs! We are so pleased to have won the latest mini challenge 🙂
Comments
20th Mar 2019, 12:07pmYou'll have lots of fun reading more about Horace and Harriet! Do you think Horace likes eating chocolate?3rd Apr 2019, 2:23pmIf statues can eat then yes! -
Thank you!
St Matthias were so excited to receive their prize! Thank you for the Horace and Harriet books. We are looking forward to reading them while eating our chocolate eggs!
Comments
15th Mar 2019, 10:55amYum Yum! I think books and chocolate are perfect partners. Well deserved winners St Matthius - enjoy! Just make sure you don't eat the books and try to read the eggs :) -
Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Horace and Harriet Take on the Town pt3
Horace and Harriet Take on the Town pt3
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Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Our Year 2 Poem
We enjoyed writing this poem about our year group in the style of the Indigo and Violet poems. We sat together in one of the Year 2 classrooms and discussed what it is like to be in this year group.
We made a concept map and then picked out ideas to put into verses.Comments
11th Feb 2019, 2:10pmYou have really captured the style of Violet and Indigo and we love the sense of safety and friendship in your class. It sounds like a wonderful place to learn. Thank you for your submission RG's. -
Reading Gladiator Poets
In Reading Gladiators we read the poems Violet and Indigo and then thought about our own classroom. We named our poem after the colour of our classroom door and thought really hard about using a more ‘unusual’ name for the colour.
What do you think of our poems?
Comments
2nd Feb 2019, 11:07amHello Abduraheem. It sounds as though you are very proud of your class! We could hear your enthusiasm when we read your poem. -
Reading Gladiator Poets
In Reading Gladiators we read the poems Violet and Indigo and then thought about our own classroom. We named our poem after the colour of our classroom door and thought really hard about using a more ‘unusual’ name for the colour.
What do you think of our poems?
Comments
2nd Feb 2019, 11:10amHello Rayeka, the idea of learning exploding inside your mind is a fabulous image. We can imagine all the electrical connections being made inside your brain as you are thinking and writing your poetry. Well done! -
Reading Gladiator Poets
In Reading Gladiators we read the poems Violet and Indigo and then thought about our own classroom. We named our poem after the colour of our classroom door and thought really hard about using a more ‘unusual’ name for the colour.
What do you think of our poems?
Comments
2nd Feb 2019, 10:41amHello Altmore Infants. Thank you for posting your poems. I like the idea that the class has a different life at night to during the day. Repeating the first line at the end brought it to a satisfying conclusion. Well done, Safiyah! -
Competition runners ups!
Year 2 Reading Gladiators were very excited to receive our prize! Thanks so much, we can’t wait to read our new books! From St Matthias.
Comments
26th Jan 2019, 1:01amWell done St Matthias. Happy Reading everyone.31st Jan 2019, 3:59pmThanks! -
Come and visit awesome Earth
Having learnt about different creation stories recently in RE, we loved reading Planet Awesome and thinking about what was the same/different about how Earth has developed.
When discussing what makes Earth so great, we made links with our work on values such as kindness, respect and working together.Comments
21st Jan 2019, 8:23pmHello Hallsville Gladiators. We enjoyed hearing about how you are connecting your learning in different subjects. Super work! -
Thank you!
Wow! Year 2 Gladiators were delighted to receive the fabulous prize of hot chocolate and marshmallows and an excellent book: His Royal Highness. We were even more excited when we saw that the book had been signed by the author and illustrator! Thank you
Comments
21st Jan 2019, 8:58pmWell done Eastbury Gladiators. Another well deserved win. -
Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Earth Poster
We enjoyed reading Planet Awesome and learnt some very interesting facts. We think other species would love to visit our fascinating world!
Comments
11th Jan 2019, 3:06pmWhat a wonderful poster . It’s anazing how much knowledge you have crammed into your poster . Thank you for sharing -
St Matthias Reading Gladiators Christmas Party!
Year 2 and year 6 Reading Gladiators celebrated the end of term with a party! Here’s Tawseef explaining our book, Planet Awesome!
Comments
20th Dec 2018, 9:11pmWhat a great idea! I wonder if the Year 6 Gladiators were tempted to read it. -
Author’s visit at St Matthias School!
Thank you so much for sending Dianne Hofmeyr and Jane Ray to our school today. We had an excellent time!
Comments
13th Dec 2018, 5:31pmIt sounds as if everyone had a fantastic time!21st Jan 2019, 10:49pmI love a tea party! Did you enjoy meeting Jane and Dianne? -
Submission by Eastbury Primary School
Mini Challenge Freeze Frames
We had lots of fun creating freeze frames of the key moments in the story!
Comments
13th Dec 2018, 8:33amWonderful stuff Eastbury Gladiators! We loved the scenes where you depicted them flying out of the wolf's mouth and the poor wolf howling at the moon! We think a career on the stage is not far away. Thank you for making us smile. -
Glassmaker’s Daughter display
Very proud of our mini challenge entry.
Comments
28th Nov 2018, 9:29amIt is a wonderful display and I'm sure it will entice other members of the school ommunity to find out more. Well done Eastbury! -
Glassmaker’s Daughter display
Very proud of our mini challenge entry.
Comments
27th Nov 2018, 3:17pmAnd so you should be - it is stunning! You have clearly spent alt of time and effort recreating this beautiful scene and super to see your individual comments too. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. -
Predicting the outcome
November was off to a good start and our predictions for The Wolf, The Duck and the Mouse are now locked away. One of the group predicted that the wolf would gobble up the mouse at the beginning of the story but, as for the end, who knows!
Comments
21st Nov 2018, 4:20pmHa Ha - we love a good mystery. Will you be surprised when you open your envelopes after you have finished reading the book? I wonder. -
Just getting on board….
Y2 Gladiators at Hallsville are loving their after-school club. The Glassmaker’s Daughter was a super book to start with, not only igniting the children’s interest but also involving family members as they discussed, at home, what happiness was. Sharing thoughts such as ‘Happiness is being loved by others’, ‘Happiness is a feeling you have, like butterflies in your stomach’, ‘Happiness is laughing with your children at silly things’ was a real joy.
Our reading is being shared with others through our reading journey display. Each month will see updates and recommendations and across the year we’ll be able to follow our reading journey.
Comments
21st Nov 2018, 4:16pmHello Hallsville Reading Gladiators. We are thrilled to see your work and to hear that you are sharing your reading with other children. Keep up the good work and let us know what you think of the next book. -
Let us Illustrate!
In Reading Gladiators we know the story so well now that we used the story circle to create beautiful illustrations to match each part of the 6 part story circle!
Not only are we brilliant readers we are also FANTASTIC drawers!
Comments
19th Nov 2018, 4:18pmWhat super detailed drawings. You have looked closely at Jon Klassen's illustrations; your wolf has two eyes on the same side of his head exactly like Jon's. Good observation!27th Nov 2018, 10:42amEastbury Gladiators are very impressed with your art work! What an excellent illustration! -
Bringing stories to life.
In Reading Gladiators we know the story so well now that we used the story circle to create beautiful illustrations to match each part of the 6 part story circle!
Not only are we brilliant readers we are also FANTASTIC drawers!
Comments
19th Nov 2018, 4:21pmWe can tell that you are thinking carefully about what to put into this illustratiion. It was a strange request from the duck and the mouse, wasn't it? Did you think they had good reasons?
Comments