Author Archives: KW
Marley’s ghost, by Flamingo17
Inside Scrooge’s unloving home, an almost insignificant fire was burning at its brightest as he wrapped his thin blanket around him. In the distance, the rusted old church bells rang for Christmas Eve and Scrooge moaned till they left him in peace and alone again. But, sadly for him, he wasn’t.
As Scrooge settled into his chair once again, he heard giggles and whispers from someone or something. The rusted smells of chains were surrounding his room as it got colder and colder. The noises got louder and louder then everything went out except one dim candle. Then a ghostly figure appeared in the crooked hallway.
“Are y…you M…Marley?” stuttered Scrooge.
“Yes!” replied the figure in a dark voice.
Finally, Scrooge got a good look at the figure. He had blood-red eyes, night-black hair and rusted chains with boxes attached to every link and he wore ripped clothes. As he looked around the room, looking for Scrooge, he growled like an angry dog. Then Scrooge finally realised it was the ghost of Jacob Marley…
A Christmas Carol
Last week we were lucky enough to visit the RSC at Stratford to see A Christmas Carol. We really enjoyed it and especially liked the ghosts and the part where Scrooge put his hand through Marley! The snow was also very impressive. We are all wondering how that was done! The whole production was amazing: we thought the acting was brilliant but also the singing, dancing and the stage lighting and scenery were incredible. We were particularly impressed by the children who acted in it too.
We had been reading some parts of A Christmas Carol and trying to develop our descriptive writing focusing on Scrooge. We wanted to imagine we were like a film camera, ‘zooming in’ from the street, to Scrooge’s house, to Scrooge. Some of our writing is posted in the following posts.
Hermia wakes in the forest alone, by Zebra3
Yesterday, I was gazing lovingly at my true love’s soft smile and running with him joyously; today I am running fearfully from the wild beasts lurking in the forest. I am alone. Woken by scuttling footsteps and the wrapper of dew that has settled across me, I hear sounds echo and spiral through this criminal forest. My heart is still pounding with confusion after the sight of my beloved Lysander gone.
Shadows loom over me as I venture, sending me to crawl along the forest’s ferny floor. Intimidated, yet willing to save our love, I carry on trekking through the treacherous woods with my imagination set free to battle me. Scratching at my face, the branches also whisper delightedly as if crushing my dream is funny. At the moment, I am guiltily starting to understand my stubborn father’s side: it would’ve avoided so much heartbreak.
Hermia wakes, abandoned in the woods (by Ocelot12)
On the eve of the previous day, I was prancing through long, fresh lemongrass with my love, Lysander; today my heart is trembling with fear as he has vanished from my sight. Exhausted, I awoke during the night. Maybe, someone or something woke me. I then knew that he had disappeared. Whatever woke me, it has long gone. But the ferocious wolves are howling, wise old owls are hooting, squirrels are gnawing hazelnuts and grasshoppers are leaping. Hopefully, he’s not amongst the fighting stags or the savage badgers from the east. Though the dew has soaked me through, I do not care: I only want the love of my life back.
I am certain that he has not run away because there is not one reason why. Oh Lysander, where have you gone? I long for you to protect me from dangerous beasts that will do absolutely anything to me. Maybe you have been taken over by evil. But how could that happen during a short slumber? Cold wind from the north blows into me, pushing me closer to a vortex of loneliness. Lysander, please just come back.
Hermia awakes by Mongoose29
Yesterday, I was cheerfully running through yellow
autumn leaves with my lover Lysander; today, I’m running through the dark forest to find my lover Lysander. Woken quickly by the whistling of the wind, I find my clothes are torn by the sharp brambles. Footprints rest in the mud. My heart is as still as stone for Lysander has gone. Was he taken by vicious beasts? Or was he stolen by the king’s men? I may never find out but I will keep searching.
I wish I had never come. I can’t go back for I will be killed or made a nun. I ran away with my lover to live a good life; now he has gone. I am all alone.
Hermia awakes by Tiger10
Yesterday, I was leaping with joy; today I woke up with fear in me. I can hear sticks snapping and leaves trembling underneath. Wolves are howling as the moonlight trickles away. I miss Lysander. All that I can think of is, where is he?
I think, this morning, wolves are eating his flesh. Will I ever see him again? My true love is gone. I can hear stags fighting. I wonder if that will be me in between.
I wish I had never gone with Lysander. I wish I listened to my father I believe that Demetrius is right for me now.
‘Squishy circuits’
We have been investigating circuits using ‘squishy dough’. Below is a video that explains some of what we discovered this week about series circuits
If you want to know how to make the dough, follow this link:
Snow dalek!
With this amount of snow, you need a fun challenge. Over the years, as well as a range of unique snowmen, we have made some very varied creatures in the snow! Unfortunately, I no longer have the picture of the very intricate Mario my son made a few years ago but we do have a small one of the dalek he made in the front garden (using a piece of hose pipe, a whisk and a plunger for added detail!).
Have fun! If you take a picture of your snow creatures and creations, why not add them to the blog and tell us what you have been doing?
(I should warn you that this took him most of the day when he was about your age and we did need to keep reminding him to come in to warm up!!)
Swedish snow lanterns
If you are looking for something fun to try in to snow tonight, this can be very effective. Please ask your family if they are happy for you to try this and, perhaps, to give you a hand first!
Make a ‘cave’ of snowballs, building them up in a circle like an igloo. Before you put the upper ones on, light a nightlight candle and place it inside. Be careful as you put the upper ones on that you don’t hurt yourself on the flame – you may want an adult to help you with this part.
We have also tried putting colouring into the snow so that you get a colourful glowing lamp (although the plain snow ones are still good). The light just glows out of the cracks and you’ll be surprised how long they last!
You can also be more ambitious (like the one on the right) by creating a smoothed surface from your snowballs and putting a pattern of holes (carefully!) into it for the light to glow from.