The Elsie Locke Writing Prize- entry extracts

In Whio class we have decided to enter the Elsie Locke writing prize. The theme for the competition was  'A Journey'. The prize is $ 400 and to get the writing published in a school journal. Judges were especially interested in seeing the use of figurative language, and the ability to engage the reader. Here are some extracts from the entries we have sent.


...The wind is roaring, the rain pounding down on the roof of my cave. The lightning is cracking, putting long zig zags of light into the black night sky. There's no going back, I've travelled too far just to turn around and go back home to Dancycliff.


I have been chosen, I, out of all the citizens, have been chosen to carry the message. I have to carry the message of our people and give it to the king of Mains town.

    By Ellie


...The newly named Commander John Makintosh and his partner Wing Commander Bruce Watts were sitting in the space shuttle. They were well trained but knew all the risks involved. They heard the engines ignite and the shuttle began to shake like an earthquake. It rumbled and vibrated for which felt like forever but finally it subsided. John looked out the window and saw earth slowly getting smaller. Since they were going to be traveling for 3 years they were going to be cryogenically frozen for most of the trip. John set the shuttle to auto-pilot, said goodbye to Bruce and got into his freezing chamber. Slowly, he went to sleep.

By Tom Schultz.


...Mountains surrounded me and Pepper was nowhere in sight, the only life I could see was a number of large shapes in the distance and stubby brown grass everywhere. The sun was blaring down and I began to feel quite hot, I whipped off my riding helmet, chaps and jacket. I tied my jacket around my waist, poked my helmet and chaps securely under a cluster of bushes and strode off in the direction of those oddly large shapes in the distance.


By Shannon Glover.


...Squish squash went the slimy sand between my frozen toes as I walked along the beach. My legs felt so numb. "Hello... is there any body here?" I called, but I heard nothing. 
I went up to the top of the beach to find a place to sit, as I lowered my into the sand , tears started to prick like needles into the back of my eyes, tears started to roll down my face, but  I brushed them off.


Leigh Snodgrass

...Beep,Beep,Beep,Beep. The sound of a hospital machine. The sound is so repetitive, just like everything else here; all the floors look the same, white painted walls with plain matching doors. Everything makes you feel lost and disorientated. 


Although everything is the same I remember exactly where Grandad is, floor four, room five. A small room with a hospital bed,basin,and a small bathroom on the east side of the room. Next to Grandad's bed is a big window looking across the tiny town with glistening lights, sparkling like little stars on a frosty night. For some reason Grandad's room was different to all the other ones...special...unique - just like him I suppose.


Rachel Ashley.

Rusty Photo Competition- We need your votes!

In Whio class we have been learning about the properties of materials and have investigated (among other things) how and why steel rusts. This has inspired us to take some Rusty Photos!
Please view the following slideshow and cast your vote on your favourite rust inspired photo on our poll down the left hand side of the blog. The competition lasts one week. When casting your vote think about the subject matter and the artistic nature of the photo.
Thank you for your participation.
Our "Rust Inspired' photo competition on PhotoPeach

Explanation Writing

How to write Excellent Explanations

View more presentations from Jacqui Sharp

Structures Website

We will be using this website to help us with our investigations into structures and bridges.

Click on the picture to take you to the links

The Real Art Roadshow 2011

Here is the link to the website that accompanies this show. Today we will be going inside the truck to observe and think about the art that is on display.

The Real Art Roadshow

After our activity, choose your favourite piece of art- note the artist. We will use the website to find out about the artists  you have chosen.

Figurative Language Practice

Use these links to practice recognising figurative strategies in writing and reading.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210124/figlan.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/304603.html

Solids, Liquids and Gases

 In science we have been learning about Solids, Liquids and Gases.
We made posters for different examples of solids, liquids and gases.

 We have been learning how the molecules in a solid are packed together very tightly so that they will always return to their original shape.





 The molecules in a liquid are not packed together so tightly so it will always take the shape of it's container. The molecules in gas are not held together at all, so they will spread freely unless they are held in a container.

We are learning to write a scientific report using the three variables:
Independent variable- What is one thing I will change?

Dependent variable-What will I measure?
Control Variable- What will I keep the same?

By Beth Gwynne Hussey.