Birchley St Mary’s, St Helens
By blog on Mar 3, 2008 in 1) Events and Training days
I get to visit A LOT of schools all around the country these days. I can honestly say, though, that I have never seen such beautiful and stimulating displays as I have today at Birchley St Mary’s, St Helens
As you come through the door into the entrance hall, you are transported into a time tunnel, whisking you back through the ages, from the Space Race, through the Ancient Egyptians and beyond. All of the classrooms are full of colour and imaginative art work.
I thoroughly enjoyed all three lessons today, and the after school staff meeting. All the sessions were full of laughter, smiles (+similes!) and some really creative thought and ideas.
With thanks to Claire Cropper, Andrea Hymers, Sarah Neild and their colleagues, for a fun day!
Having seen the Birchley St Mary’s time tunnel, here are a couple of timelines that (sometimes, older) students might find useful:
A timeline of Jewish History + Christian History
A timeline of dinosaurs
Here is a great timeline of the development in computer technology
How about the Goldberg family and their record of all of their family over the last 30 years briefly “stopping the arrow of time” every June 17th. See the ABC News item HERE
If you fancy a really thought provoking timeline, how about this image of what would possibly happen to the world after the demise of man. (Thanks Tim. Joyous!)
OK supper time, so try this food timeline
Observed a Year 2 class working on writing a fantasy story. The children were enthusiastic and had lots to say! This filtered through to their writing. There was a range of levels in the class but all of the children were able to produce some writing. The children obviously enjoyed the session and were eager to write.
Tracey Williams | Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
I have just observed a Yr 2 ICT with Literacy taken by Mr. Tim Rylands. The children were given the opportunity to enter an unusual landscape high up on coastal cliffs with unusual plants and sounds. Tim held the children’s attention at all times. He was able to channel their enthusiasm back to the scene when the children got too noisey. Adjectives and adverbs were used to enhance the atmosphere. The children had the opportunity to start their writing after exploring the base of the cave. Again the children had the opportunity to explore the upper reaches of the cave via the ’spiral escalator plant’. The maker of the unusual sounds was revealed and so back down to the bottom of the escalator to write !!!!!! Very helpful and interesting ideas to use and adapt in my own class! Many thanks Bernie.
Bernie Callaghan | Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
Fantastic session….. very inspiring. I can’t wait to try out some of the ideas. All the children from Year 2 to Year 6 were engaged and very excited to find out more and write down their ideas. Good use of hot seating for Year 6 to get their imagination going even further. Thank you.
Kate
Kate Barton | Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
It was lovely to meet you in person as I have heard lots about you. The children were inspired by your use of Exile to stimulate their imaginations. Children who are usually reluctant writers wrote with enthusiam and inspiration. They were all keen to share their work with their peers and many didn’t want to stop writing. (Not a usual occurance!)
The children’s enthusiasm continued throughout the afternoon when they asked if they could draw what they thought would be behind the door. Many are keen to send their work to you.
It is a testament to your work and motivational skills that you could immerse over seventy people so fully in their writing and follow up activities.
Thanks.
Andrea.
Andrea Hymers | Mar 3, 2008 | Reply