Y4 Southend

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Updates

  • God Gave Us the Acorns

    St Mary’s Prittlewell illustrated Isaiah’s words of wisdom.

  • Our questions for Lisa Thompson

    1. How did you come up with the idea of writing The Goldfish Boy?
    2. What is your favourite book you have written so far and why?
    3. Who is your favourite character in the Goldfish Boy?
    4. What was the hardest thing about writing The Goldfish Boy?
    5. What is it like being an author?
    6. Who inspired you to start writing and why?
    7. Who is your favourite author?
    8. What is your favourite part in The Goldfish Boy?
    9. What was your favourite book when you were younger?
    10. Did you always want to be an author?

  • Our questions for Lisa Thompson

    After Reading Lisa Thompsons The Goldfish Boy, we thought of some questions we would like to ask her

    1. How did you come up with the idea of writing The Goldfish Boy?
    2. What is your favourite book you have written so far and why?
    3. Who is your favourite character in the Goldfish Boy?
    4. What was the hardest thing about writing The Goldfish Boy?
    5. What is it like being an author?
    6. Who inspired you to start writing and why?
    7. Who is your favourite author?
    8. What is your favourite part in The Goldfish Boy?
    9. What was your favourite book when you were younger?
    10. Did you always want to be an author?

  • Sue Durrant’s Visit

    On Thursday 17th May, the Year 4 Reading Gladiators welcomed Sue Durrant, author of ‘Little Bits of Sky’, and Caroline Bradley from Just Imagine to St. Mary’s for a special lunch. This was their prize after winning the mini-challenge. The Gladiators were able to ask Sue lots of questions and show her the work they had created.

    After a royal wedding themed lunch, Sue gave a presentation to Year 5 about her new book, ‘Running on Empty’ which the Reading Gladiators from Years 4 and 6 were also invited to attend. The children had a wonderful time making their own logos to represent themselves.

    Thanks to Sue and to Caroline for visiting – we had a lovely afternoon!

    Comments

    Caroline Bradley
    Caroline Bradley 25th May 2018, 11:45am
    It was lovely to meet your Reading Gladiators, who were so enthusiastic and asked some brilliant questions over lunch. You were excellent hosts and I very much hope to visit St Mary's again soon. I suspect we will all be checking our floorboards for mystery letters after Sue's revelation as to the inspiration behind Mrs Cranks' correspondence.

  • Challenge Win!

    The Year 4 Reading Gladiators were absolutely ecstatic to find out that they had won the Little Bits of Sky mini challenge. The story really struck a chord with the group and lots of deep and mature discussion came out of it. We cannot wait to meet the author!

    Comments

    Nicola Gamble
    Nicola Gamble 13th Mar 2018, 4:36pm
    We are so pleased that you enjoyed the book. Lots of our Gladiators seem to have connected with the deep emotional themes. Congratulations, everyone.
    Caroline Bradley
    Caroline Bradley 14th Mar 2018, 10:24am
    Congratulations St Mary's gladiators. You look as happy as Ira and Zac when they found out they were going to live with Martha!
  • Submission by St Mary’s Prittlewell C of E Primary School

    Memories from Little Bits of Sky

    The Year 4 Gladiators at St.Mary's really enjoyed this book and the emotions that ran throughout really struck a chord. The Gladiators really went to town for this challenge - bringing in resources from home and researching events of the time. There are so many pages in our memory book that I could only choose a few for this collage. The memory book is now part of our Reading Gladiators display.

  • Hurricane in the spotlight

    While reading the brilliant picture book ‘Hurricane’ by David Wiesner, our Year 4 Reading Gladiators used a spotlight tool to focus on the detail in the illustrations and we learned more about the setting & characters as the story progressed.

    Comments

    Caroline Bradley
    Caroline Bradley 15th Dec 2017, 3:31pm
    Fantastic Blenheim! A super tool for ensuring you don't miss a thing in those very detailed pictures.

  • Malkin’s Moments

    The Year 4 Gladiators at St. Mary’s have thought about the significant moments in Malkin’s life. They each chose a moment to illustrate – from his naming to saving the seagull, marrying Roux and uniting the cats at the end. We discussed a possible sequel telling the tale of Mimosa meeting her destiny…we’re eagerly awaiting to see if it happens!

    Comments

    Caroline Bradley
    Caroline Bradley 24th Nov 2017, 4:05pm
    Great idea for a sequel. Drop Emma a Tweet - I'm sure she'd love to hear your thoughts.

  • Malkin Moonlight artwork

    Discussing our characters while showing off our artwork outside…AND we were visited by a Malkin lookalike! How exciting! #readingisfun

  • Malkin visits Blenheim

    Discussing our characters while showing off our artwork outside…AND we were visited by a Malkin lookalike! How exciting! #readingisfun

    Comments

    Sam Keeley
    Sam Keeley 22nd Nov 2017, 1:56pm
    What a clever cat - he must have heard your discussions and wanted to join in with you! Great to see you outside and keeping warm (is that hot chocolate I can see?)
    Nicola Gamble
    Nicola Gamble 23rd Nov 2017, 3:49pm
    How amazing that Malkin appeared for your session. I think Frederick Bird school in Coventry would be interested to see this. They have a reading cat called Scrufffy!

  • Mood Globe

    The Y4 Reading Gladiators discussed the situations the characters have been through in ‘Malkin Moonlight’, surrounded by an ever changing mood globe…Next week, we’re outside!

    Comments

    Nicola Gamble
    Nicola Gamble 19th Nov 2017, 8:21am
    Another atmospheric post. Just right for the moonlight.

  • “…Moonlight” by torchlight

    Our Year 4 Reading Gladiators reading ‘Malkin Moonlight’ by torch light. #readingisfun

    Comments

    Nicola Gamble
    Nicola Gamble 8th Nov 2017, 2:44pm
    A perfect book to read by torchlight. Inspired idea!