Bald Worm's Blog

Year Five Half-Term Homework

2012-02-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

500 Word Instructions (mp3)
Miss McGillewie wants you to enter the Radio 2 500 Word competition! You are going to write your first draft over the holidays.

Click here for details.

Our blogs:
Samar

Zahra
India
Cia
Dani

Please write your 500 words on A4 if you don't have chance to access your blog over the holiday.

More information on our LP+ VLE here; advice from authors here.

Year Six can access their Kidblogs here.

Mr Hitchen is here...but not...!

2012-02-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

Year Six are with Mrs Mannan
Year Six with Mrs Mannan (mp3)

First hour in IT room on PCs using your wikis: http://falconsgirlspassionproject.wikispaces.com

Year Five are with Miss Walters
Year Five lesson with Miss Walters (mp3)

Your Kidblogs are here: http://kidblog.org/FalconsGirls

You'll need an iTouch for later in the lesson.

Homework
Please complete writing up your 'King in Yellow' story on your kidblog.

Please highlight the six sentence starters in a different colour.

Due: Monday

Year Five and Six Homework

2012-01-31T01:52:00.000-08:00

Year Five
Please write a complete second draft of your 'King in Yellow' story. Make as many improvements as you can - and include the suspense you wrote this morning!

Try to include a colon, too!

Due: Friday

Year Six
Please continue with your passion project. You'll continue this on Friday!

New Yorker Caption Competition & Year Five & Six Homework

2012-01-30T01:15:00.000-08:00

New Yorker Caption Competition (mp3)

At Falcons Girls we love puns and wordplay! In pairs, we studied this week's New Yorker magazine caption competition - and had a go ourselves! Listen to the podcast above to hear our suggested captions!

Year Five have been using 'reading stems' to ask questions about a text. You can hear some of their reflections at our new Year Five reading reflections blog: http://readingreflections.tumblr.com/

Homework: Please complete the 'Blitz Cat' comprehension.

Due: Friday

Year Six: Please be ready to share with me your research on Friday, when we'll begin working on our respective wiki pages.

Due: Friday

Year Five & Six Weekend Homework

2012-01-27T05:54:00.000-08:00

Year Six

Please conduct some more research for your 'passion project'.

You may like to add some more thoughts to our 'Children as Philosophers: Still the Same Ship' wallwisher, too!

Due: Monday

Year Five
Please complete your 'The King in Yellow' story. Write 1 1/2 sides of A4. Remember to include the six different sentence starters - & a semi-colon, too!

Due: Monday

Year Five Composition: The Vampire Classroom

2012-01-24T01:46:00.001-08:00

Homework: Please complete the first 15 lines of a 'Vampire Classroom' story, using the description you wrote in class.

Due: Friday.

Year Five 11+ Past Paper Comprehension

2012-01-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

Learn Again Comprehension Rules (mp3)
Learn Again Comprehension Rules (mp3)

Please complete the 'Myths' comprehension. Remember, have a go at all of the questions. Make sure you 'have a go' at all of the questions, please!

Due: Friday

P.S. The 100 word challenge website is http://100wc.net

Year Six Collective Story

2012-01-23T01:18:00.001-08:00

http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/16

Year Five Weekend Horror Homework

2012-01-20T02:21:00.000-08:00

Task: Please write a 10 line description of this cave. Make your description really spooky!

Your challenge is to use a full range of the sentence starters we've been studying in class, including adjective starters & the 'ing' clause starters!

Feeling clever? Use a full range of descriptive techniques, too! Use this podcast to help you revise:

Click to download the mp3 and add to your iPod!

Non-linear Stories

2012-01-20T02:01:00.001-08:00

Holly has finished her examinations - so she spent an hour teaching Cia how to write a non-linear story! Click here to read the results: http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/ep/pad/view/ro.4O5/latest

Live! Exciting New Ways of Learning!

2012-01-19T08:07:00.001-08:00

Alpha Plus Teachmeet

Year Five & Six Tuesday Homework

2012-01-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

Year Five
Year Five have been writing 'ing'-clause sentence starters! They've been revising the use of the semi-colon, too!

Homework: Please write about an infant experiment...an experiment with terrible consequences! Don't forget what I'm looking for is -'ing' sentence starters. Feeling clever? Include a semi-colon, too!
Due: Friday

Year Six
Good luck for Latymer Upper & Notting Hill, girls!

Latymer girls:
Listen to this before tomorrow:

Year Five & Six Monday night homework

2012-01-16T02:18:00.000-08:00

Year Six
Please complete the NHE writing from the point-of-view of one of the characters story. Include authorial intrusion - break the fourth wall!

Due: Tuesday
Year Five
You can watch the Ben Hur chariot race here: http://youtu.be/jpoKdPNM10M (warning: not for the faint hearted!)

Homework: Please answer all of the questions for the boarding school 11+ past paper. Stuck on a question? Ask me on Tuesday!
Due: Friday.

London Girls' Schools' Consortium-style Writing Task

2012-01-13T07:44:00.000-08:00

Due: Monday

Molly and Alex wrote a collaborative 100 Word Challenge entry!

2012-01-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

Molly & Alex have collaborated on a joint 100 Word Challenge entry using Primary Pad, the 'real time' creative writing programme.

This week's prompt was '...all at once they fell over...'

Slowly, the plank started to shiver! It curled towards the deep blue ocean where the waves tossed and turned like sleeping babies.The innocent victim's faces turned blood red as tears trickled down their tanned cheeks, their eyes swelling. The men's spindly ankles shook with fright at the thought of being stripped of skin by the ferocious sharks; who would have thought pirates showed their vulnerability?

Suddenly, a shark sprung out of the water towards the trembling victims it caught the edge of the plank sending one of the trembling pirates plunging in to the water followed by his fellow crew mates.

The screams of terror echoed in the hot air as they tumbled into the cool water. As the bricks (which were tied to their ankles) took the victims further and further down into the depths of the ocean, they were dragged past sapphire and yellow coral: ruby red starfishes and schools of piranha.

Without warning, a beast of a shark sped towards them, its jaws wide open full of jagged teeth painted a deep red, ready to crunch through their bones! His eyes were full of rage and anger; the terrified pirates screamed for air, but their lungs only filled with more water. What had the men ever done to the captain? They had never mutinied; they had never stolen any treasure! The captain had turned funny ever since he'd hired a new chef.

Petrified, the distraught men kicked. They tried to reach the surface; they needed air - now! They were never going to surive the bloodthirsty sharks, or would they...

You can watch the girls write the story 'as live' by pressing play on the following link: http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/ep/pad/view/5/latest

Quadblogging with our LP+ VLE: Paired Writing...with partners in Florida, USA!

2012-01-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Year Five been writing stories with partners...in other countries!

As part of our Quadblogging project, Year Five wrote the first part of a horror story - and asked our Quad 91 partner schools to finish them!

Listen to Cia explain how we used Primary Pad to work with partners on the other side of the world:
Collaborating with Quadblogging Partners (mp3)

You can see the finished collaborative story on our LP+ VLE here: https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subject/English/Pages/QuadbloggingCollaborativeWriting.aspx

or if you're not a member of the Falcons family, enjoy it here: http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/ep/pad/view/1/latest

Primary Pad for Creative Writing

2012-01-13T00:56:00.000-08:00

We've been working with 'PrimaryPad' today. This is a 'real time' collaborative writing tool - and it is really cool, too!

Most of Year Six were out on exams today, so Alex & Molly were working on a collaborative story using Primary Pad:
http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/5

Molly and Alex recorded their stories using the Aurasma app.

Year Five were working on sentence starters. Here is their shared story: http://falconsgirls.primarypad.com/10 (which Cia, Zahra and Dani wrote together sitting side-by-side on their Apple laptops!)

Homework
Please read Michael Cox's story, and complete your own version - 1 1/2 sides of A4 - of 'I was a Teenage Werewolf!'

Use a full range of sentence starters, please!

Year Five Sentence Starters

2012-01-10T02:01:00.001-08:00

Year Five

Write 1/2 page, using all six sentence starters: a girl walking through a spooky, abandoned school.

Due: Friday

Year Five & Six Comprehension

2012-01-09T06:12:00.001-08:00

Year Five
Please complete the Darren Shan comprehension.

Due: Friday

Year Six
Please complete the Godolphin & Latymer past papers.

Due: Monday.

Musician of the Week!

2012-01-07T02:45:00.000-08:00

Inspired by this site, I want you to vote for your favourite of these three pieces of music - all performed by musicians born on January 8th - and we'll play the most popular track at the end of assembly next Monday!

Elvis Presley ('Suspicious Minds')

David Bowie ('Ashes to Ashes')

Shirley Bassey ('Goldfinger')

Welcome Back!

2012-01-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

Year Five
Year Five have got a fantastic term ahead - including studying Horror Stories, Persuasive Writing and Comic Fiction.

We're kicking off the term by studying the techniques used to write a horror story. Click here for the (password-protected) Horror stories page on the Falcons School for Girls LP+ VLE.

Weekend homework:
1. Please read one of the stories in Michael Cox's '10 Best Horror Stories' ever; summarise the plot and explain in your own words what makes it scary.

2. The 100 Word Challenge has a new blog: http://100wc.net/
Please enter this week's competition on your Kidblog page (blog won't work? Email me your entry)

Year Six
11+ will soon be done and dusted, and we'll be moving on to three key topics: 'My passion', Poetry and beginning to study Shakespeare in preparation for our School Play, Midsummer Night's Dream.

Please complete the 'Greg' writing task. Make sure you open with a 'perfect' paragraph! Write 1 1/2 sides of A4.

P.S. Enjoy KT and HL's piratepad collaborative story here.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-15T02:31:00.001-08:00

Reindeer from Treat on Vimeo.

Christmas Holiday Homework

2011-12-05T02:08:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, girls! You've worked hard this term and deserve a fantastic break!
To keep your mind ticking over, we've set a few homework tasks. This is particuarly important for Year Six, who start 11+ as soon as we come back in the New Year.

The Year Six Holiday Homework is on our password-protected VLE here.

This includes writing and comprehension tasks - and lots of helpful podcasts and videos, too!

The Year Five Holiday Homework - an introduction to 11+ comprehension - is here.

Have a super holiday, girls!

P.S. Don't forget to keep commenting on Cornelia & McKeel's blog posts, girls!

Our 2012 School Play is A Midsummer Night's Dream

2011-12-03T04:04:00.001-08:00

Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Wow! We're going to performing Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Waterman's Theatre on June 28th!

Watch the animated Shakespeare version of the play to begin to become familiar with the story:

Blitz Description Soundcloud Podcast

2011-12-02T02:08:00.001-08:00

Blitzed! by falconscloud

Listen to Year Four & Five share favourite lines from their 'Blitz; description!

The Apostophe Song & Quadblogging Comments

2011-12-02T00:11:00.001-08:00

Please make sure you visit www.byronbloggers.primaryblogger.co.uk & leave some comments on Byron Primary's blog!

Year Six
1. Play the 'Penalty Shoot Out' Apostrophe for Possession game here: http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/word/punctuation/apostrophes/interactive/possapos.swf

2. Please write a short story based on the Edward Gorey handout, entitled 'Dracula'. Write 1 1/2 sides of A4.

Make sure that you write a 'perfect paragraph', setting the scene for your reader.

Year 5 - please complete the 'Blitzed!' story. Include plenty of imaginative adjectives.

Due: Monday.

100 Word Challenge (Week 11)

2011-11-29T13:51:00.001-08:00

Most of this week's entries can be found on the Quadblog - http://kidblog.org/FalconsGirls - but Katie couldn't get on, so this can be read below:

The sea was too hard to please – rocks crushed fine, golden and warm sand, yet it washed the sand away. Sun planted healthy, brown and green spiky-leaved palm trees on its bay, yet the sea, again, flooded the shore when the tide came in, it’s beautiful sapphire waves thrashing the unwanted nature. The sea seemed so angry, even when it was given popularity as tourist visitors flashed their cameras and swam until their worries were washed away. Then, again, the sea would drown them in three, powerful gulps like an annoyed lion, trying to get rid of a useless cub.

Molly'a entry is here:

I was worried - incredibly worried!

I have always wanted to look my best, as I was bullied once; I was bullied about looking horrible in our school photo. They said it was because I'm ugly and that my tightly pulled back greasy brown hair did not help my hard face. After that, I went up to my teacher to try and get some reassurance, but all he said - disinterestdly - was that I looked beautiful. Then he walked away. Since that day, I have always been camera shy.

Please leave praise and constructive criticism in the comments!

Thank You for Commenting on Our Blogs, Quad 91

2011-11-28T11:55:00.001-08:00

Thank you for commenting, Quad 91! Our commenting focus now turns to Byron Primary!

Homework

1. Visit http://byronbloggers.primaryblogger.co.uk/ and leave some positive comments, using the 'Two Stars and a Wish' method. You may also ask questions.

Remember, don't write anything you wouldn't say in class!

2. Please complete the description homework.

Year Five: Describe the home left behind by an evacuee; focus on your use of colour.

Year Six:
a. Plan a longer description of a ghostly mansion.
b. Write the first two paragraphs. Use varied sentence openers.

Redrafting using the Mitford Method

2011-11-28T00:58:00.001-08:00

Year Six
Please redraft - rewrite - your 11+ mock story. Write a complete second draft. Aim to improve in all four ideas we've discussed:
* Plotting
* Prose Style (use of punctuation and different sentence types)
* Use of description techniques
* Use of characterisation techniques
* Presentation

Due: Tuesday

Year Five
Please complete the 'Evacuee' comprehension

Due: Friday

Flipped Classroom & The 100 Word Challenge

2011-11-25T00:55:00.001-08:00

Well done, Year Six, for your super work in the mock examination.

A special double challenge this weekend:

Complete the 100 Word challenge for this week: http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk/
; this week I want you to post it to your Quadblogging page: http://kidblog.org/FalconsGirls/wp-login.php?loggedout=true

Let's see if we can get someone in next week's showcase!

P.S. Next week we're going to be commenting on the blog of Bryron Primary in Croydon: http://byronbloggers.primaryblogger.co.uk/

Year Six
Year Six are going to be learning all about 'longer descriptions' next week. I want you to complete the following 'flipped classroom' work:

a. Watch the following Bald Worm video mini-guide on how to write a longer description

b. Listen to the Bald Worm podcast on writing a longer description(Why not download this and stick it on your iPod?)

c. Watch this video on figurative language (Why not learn the words, too?)

d. Complete the 'Flipped Classroom' pack:

Questions about Similes and Metaphors in Comprehensions

2011-11-22T01:15:00.001-08:00

Please complete the 'questions about similes and metaphor' pack.

Due: Friday.

Apostrophe Song and St. Paul's Past Paper

2011-11-22T00:57:00.001-08:00

1. Learn the words to Tom Lehrer's 'N'-Apostrophe-'T' song by heart. Test on Friday!

2. Please complete the second section of the St. Paul's paper; try writing under timed conditions.

Due: Friday.

Zahra's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-21T22:19:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Zahra's Week 10 Entry:

...as I turned around it changed shape...

I looked again, and there I saw it - a black haired, green-eyed creature staring at me with anger. He came forward and forward until...

“AAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

I ran and ran, but he grabbed and pulled.

“AAAAHHH! Please don’t hurt me!” I ran free.

I hurried and hurried.

Suddenly, I heard a fall. It was the creature who almost killed me...and I knew that this street was haunted.

Samar's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 10)

2011-11-21T10:48:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Samar's entry:

“Help me!”I cried out.

As I turned around it changed a shape that I had never seen before. A green slimy alien approached me with its dirty fingernails! His gooey body made me feel sick, like I had a tummy bug.

I actually realised he was quite funny. I started to giggle. As soon as I started laughing, he growled even more than he did before.

I suddenly stopped. We just stared at each other. For a minute, I strangely thought he was going to let me go, but I knew that wouldn't happen.

I didn’t know why he chose me.

Please click on 'comments' and leave Samar some praise & constructive criticism.

We're Quadblogging!

2011-11-21T08:08:00.001-08:00

We're quadblogging! You can view our personal blogs - and leave a comment - at http://kidblog.org/falconsgirls (our special Quadblogging site). You can learn more about Quadblogging at the Quadblogging wiki: http://quad91.wikispaces.com

Please note that all posts are moderated by Mr Hitchen before being published on the blog.

Year Five Homework
Please write a War Horse Action Scene for inclusion on your Quad blog! Please use all of the action techniques.

Due: Tuesday.

Year Six
Please complete the 'Monster' gothic comprehension.

Due: Friday

All of last week's comprehensions due tomorrow, please!

Dani's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 10)

2011-11-20T13:23:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Dani's 100 Word Challenge Entry:

As I turned round it changed shape and I saw the furriest creature waiting right in front of me. I froze.

Teeth began to grow, as sharp as a knife. Fingernails began to grow the size of a mammal, dirty and sharp.

“What is going on?”

His eyes turned black, a midnight horror. He was yelping through the pain in his body. There was no stopping it. The Thing put his head in his hands. Dog howling it wasn’t! It is a werewolf changing right in front of me.

How could this be? I'd known this kid since the day I was born...

Please click 'comments' to leave praise and constructive criticism

Cia's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 10)

2011-11-20T09:42:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Cia's entry

As I turned around, it changed shape. The diamond had transformed from a cuboid to a prism, which meant that this dazzling jewel was about to be abducted from the museum. Because I was the only one who knew this, I stayed as close as I could to this beguiling jewel, which was lying carelessly unaware of what its fate held.

Without warning, a group of thugs came in, each wearing a red and black hoodie. They cascaded in, dodged the alarm system, smashed the glass and grabbed the diamond. Because I'm a guard, they just knocked me out...

Why not leave Cia some words of praise and constructive criticism?

Katie's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 10)

2011-11-20T09:40:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Katie's entry:

As I turned around it changed shape... the shadow seemed to twitch, then grew larger and larger as I stared harder and harder. I saw its neck grow taller and taller until it loomed above me, enveloping me in the dark forces of the night and stealing my courage until I was nothing but a whimpering puppy, too scared to see the true horrors of what had cast the shadow...
A colossal, distorted figure, its cold, unloved and lonely eyes glared deep into my own and I felt hypnotised by the thing’s skin. Thin, bedraggled, hanging rags are the only words that could describe it...

Please leave a comment; click on 'comments' below.

100 Word Challenge Year Five

2011-11-18T00:46:00.001-08:00

Year Five are entering this week's 100 word challenge!

Please write your 100 words and email them to me by midnight on Monday.

You can read other entries here.

Frankenstein Aurasma! Year Six Action Techniques Revision

2011-11-17T23:58:00.001-08:00

We have been learning all about action scenes!

Task: Please write a full length story - Frankenstein versus the Wolfman - making sure that you include an action scene.

Welcome to Quad 91 (Quadblogging)!

2011-11-17T08:51:00.001-08:00

We're taking part in an international quadblogging project!
Welcome to Quad 91 (mp3)
What is quadblogging?

The Falcons School for Girls is quadblogging with three schools:
Byron Primary (Croydon, London)
Cornelia Elementary (United States)
McKeel Elementary (United States)

Year Four, Five and Six will be blogging right here, on the Bald Worm blog. There is a special wiki about this project - the Quad 91 blog - here: http://quad91.wikispaces.com/

Will I receive any comments?
Oh, yes! You'll receive lots of comments from the Byron, Cornelia and McKeel pupils!
The Three Golden Rules of Quadblogging (mp3)

How old are the pupils?
Your age!

Will anybody right anything...you know...mean?

No. Don't worry - the teachers in the other schools will make sure their pupils obey the three golden rules of quadblogging, and all comments will be moderated by Mr Hitchen before you'll read them.

When do we start?
Next week!

Year Six Comprehension

2011-11-15T03:12:00.001-08:00

1. All remaining 100 word challenge entries in by 9.00 p.m. Tonight, please

2. Please complete the 'Butterfly Frolic' comprehension

Due: Friday

Year Five Simile Poems

2011-11-14T12:19:00.001-08:00

Year Five created animals...using similes!

Click to watch Dani's ShowMe:

Alex's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T12:06:00.001-08:00

I put my hand in a box and...

I rustled around to find a long lost charm from a friend when I was thirteen. The charm was a silver heart, but it has a deep scratch across. The charm twinkled like a star shining in the night’s sky. I remember the strange girl who I'd met every day throughout the summer in the woods. One day she gave it to me; the next day she had disappeared, never to be seen again.

I still can’t believe she left without a word...

I asked around our neighbourhood, but no one had heard of her! Anna was a mystery...

Please leave Alex a comment by clicking below.

Molly's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T12:04:00.001-08:00

I put my hand in the box and felt.

What would I feel?

Would it be a sudden sharp feeling that throbbed for days, or a nice sort of feeling, like the touch of candy floss?

My heart plunged down into darkness!

Suddenly, my hand was in the most excruciating pain I had ever come across in my life - ever.

Screaming, I tried to pull my hand out, but the thing inside wasn't letting go.

I could feel the blood trickling down.

My curiosity had got the better of me. I had been stupid! So stupid...

Leave Molly a comment by clicking on 'comments' below.

Anastasia's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T12:03:00.001-08:00

I, Tom, put my hand in the box and felt something rough, something round like a football (at least that’s what I could tell.) Suddenly, a shoulder nudged me a cold shiver trickled down my spine. Frightened, I glanced behind but saw nothing – nothing, but heard the loud cheering which made my ears ring from the cacophony. My heart performed back flips and landed in my stomach. I began to sweat like I was competing in the Olympics; although, I was trembling. My hand was still in the box – but now there was nothing in there. In stupefied astonishment I was moving my hand in every little corner: left, right, up and down.

“Where did it vanish and how?” I thought to myself.

A creepy shadow, which was formed in the gloom beneath, kicked the ball it seemed as if it was coming towards me- I had no time to move
Was it the same ball that was in the box a moment ago?

Bang!
I found myself collapsed on the soft floor spitting out blood and a filling. Googly eyed, I looked around and saw the same shadow coming towards me again.

Crash!

I opened my bloodshot eyes and tried to untangle myself from the net – but I couldn’t, I was stuck to the floor like glue! I swallowed and screamed.

Then I found myself in a field with the football team.

Please leave Anastasia a comment by clicking on 'comments' below.

Holly's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T11:57:00.001-08:00

I put my hand in the box and felt nothing but air. Nothing but emptiness.

I felt again. Nothing. Just smooth cardboard. I smelt it – but the fumes were like fresh paint and I quickly withdrew.
Panicking, I shook the empty creature hard: something had to be there! It needed to be there... I wanted it to be there.

“I know you’re in here!” I shouted, flipping the box upside down.

“Darling?” I turned round to see my mum, looking confused at my frustrated demeanour.

“What’s in the box?” I screamed.

“What box?”

I turned round...but it had gone.

Please leave Holly a comment by clicking on 'comments' below.

Olivia's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T11:55:00.001-08:00

I put my hand into the box and felt something tiny, hard, sharp - a scorpion!

“I’m a celebrity – get me out of here!” I yelled. The other smug celebs laughed uncontrollably.

Week two: at least I’d beaten Harry Hill!

I was glad to be going. Most contestants cry when they leave; I was beaming. The others acted badly using their performing skills, trembling, wailing, tantrums. I`m an author; you’ve probably never seen me. I wrote The Chase, noir stories, adventures. I’m very young to be writing – ten.

The helicopter arrived: more cameras and pleading journalists. They tried to interview me; I just ignored them.

People of the nation: when interviewing, please be creative with your questions!

Please leave Olivia a comment by clicking on 'comments' below.

Liberty's 100 Word Challenge Entry (Week 9)

2011-11-14T11:52:00.001-08:00

“Put your hand in the box, go on,” she said. Her hair glistened as my torch light hit; her sapphire eyes turned purple with exasperation.

My hand hesitated while my heart joined the circus, leaping and plummeting about.

“Don’t trust her,” yelled a voice in my head.

I took a deep breath, and plunged my hand in.

It scuttled around and found a scrap of paper. I pulled it out and read it:
Bump off my husband or else.

“Why me?“

"Because I want you to marry me,” she replied.

Please leave Liberty a comment by clicking below on 'comments'!

House of Adjectives

2011-11-14T04:46:00.001-08:00

What have we been doing? (mp3)

Flipped Classroom: Gothic Stories

2011-11-13T11:30:00.001-08:00

What are we learning in the Gothic Stories unit? by baldworm

Task: 1. Please click on the following links:
Listen to the podcasts on Action Techniques & Planning a Longer description
Watch the video on action techniques
Watch the video on planning a longer description

2. Please create a MindMap, showing the techniques you've learnt by studying the podcasts & videos. I've started an example here:

Due: Friday

Questions about Similes

2011-11-13T09:57:00.001-08:00

Questions about similes can be tricky to answer in 11+ examination, but if you follow this method you'll be sure to win full marks:

The girls in Year Five created their own explanation of how to answer questions about similes. You can view these on our LP+ VLE!

Homework: Please complete the WWII comprehension.
Due: Friday.

The Flipped Classroom
Tomorrow, we're going to revise 'setting the scene' as we redraft our War Horse-inspired stories. To prepare:

1. Please listen to the Bald Worm podcast:

2. Watch the Bald Worm video mini-guide

(D-Day image taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/world_war2/the_war_ends/teachers_resources.shtml)

Wrestling with a Verb

2011-11-11T02:20:00.001-08:00

Year Five demonstrate this brilliant game, which helps us think about using 'powerful' verbs in our stories!

Falcons girls: visit the Wrestling on a Verb page on our VLE.

Download a copy of the rules for playing Wrestling with a Verb! Why not play at home?

Adjective Battle & 100 Word Challenge Advice

2011-11-11T00:57:00.001-08:00

We've been Adjective Battling (to Run D.M.C.)!

Task: Please draft, redraft (using the 'Mitford Method'), type up and email me your entry to this week's 100 Word Challenge, making sure that you write a 'perfect paragraph':

Some advice on entering the 100 word challenge:

'The Mitford Method' for redrafting a short story:

Year Five War Horse & 100 Word Challenge

2011-11-11T00:45:00.001-08:00

Listen to Michael Morpurgo reading an extract from War Horse: http://soundcloud.com/harpercollinschildrens/michael-morpurgo-war-horse-extract

Task:
1. 'Learn again' by listening to my teacher podcast on action techniques:

Watch the Bald Worm video on action techniques:

2. Please complete your first draft of your 'War Horse' story. Write 1 1/2 sides of A4.

3. Please complete the 'self-assessment for self-improvement' sheet:

Due: Monday

Optional: Enter the 100 Word Challenge! You'll love the positive feedback!

Well done, Year Six!

2011-11-10T09:32:00.001-08:00

Well done to all the girls who entered the 100 word challenge!
You have received so many positive comments - & there is nothing like knowing people are reading & enjoying your stories to spur you on to improve and write more.

A special well done to Liberty, who had her 'Red' piece showcased on the 100 Word Challenge blog: http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk/100-word-challenge-week9/

I can't wait to see what you come up with this week!

Want to learn more about writing a brilliant short story in the 11+ examinations? Visit http://www.baldworm.co.uk

Teachmeet London Presentation: Flippin' Homework

2011-11-10T03:42:00.000-08:00

My explanation of the 'flipped homework' model:
Flippin" Homework (mp3)

Listen to an example of how you can share the W.A.L.T./learning objective in advance of the lesson:
Example of Sharing Learning Object in Advance of Lesson (mp3)

Example of 'Flipped' homework:
You are going to 'pre-learn' for the lesson on 'questions about figurative language' next Monday!

1. Please identify the similes and metaphors; please complete the sheet!

How many did you spot? Add some similes you've heard - or your parents can remember - to our wall:

2. Musical Learning
Sing along to this rap:
Listen & Sing Along
Why not learn the words 'by heart'? [words given out in class]
(Credit: video created by Wizard101FanCom)

3. Listen before next Monday's lesson.

4. What questions do you have about similes? Add them to the wall and I'll answer them during Monday's lesson.

Four Key Tools
To flip your homework, you'll need to learn four key tools:
* YouTube or TeacherTube for uploading demonstratings;
* Audioboo or Soundcloud for uploading podcasts;
* The ShowMe iPad app for uploading whiteboard demonstrations;
* Box.net for sharing your learning intentions.

At Falcons Girls, we use the LP+ VLE, but a teacher without access to a learning platform could use Blogger, Tumblr or Wordpress to flip their homework (I love the way Tumblr makes it easy to record and publish podcasts).

ShowMe demonstration

Watch our Action Verb Animations!

2011-11-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Watch Year Five Action Verb videos on our LP+ VLE (password required).

Powerful Verbs Wallwisher

2011-11-08T00:57:00.001-08:00

Visit our 'powerful verbs' page on our LPPlus VLE here.

Task:
Please look up and three more powerful verbs you don't know to our wall. Look up the meaning of the synonym with a dictionary if you're not sure!

Due: Friday

The Mitford Method for Redrafting a Story

2011-11-08T00:42:00.000-08:00

Year Six

Mr Hitchen is Away (mp3)

Please redraft - improve - your 'timed writing' Noir 'The Chase' story, using the Mitford Method.

Due: Friday

If you are part of the Falcons Family you can access resources - including podcasts, games and videos - on Noir stories here:
https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subject/English/Pages/NoirStories.aspx

Anastasia's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

We're entering the 100 Word Challenge; this week's theme is red.

Enjoy Anastasia's entry:

Once I was a tomato, sitting in a freezing fridge, fussing.

Stretching, I woke up and found myself sweating; however, I was in North Pole. Suddenly, I realised that I was no longer in the red sea of tomatoes, but sitting on a table. My seeds performed back flips and landed in my core. An enormous hand towered above me, snatched me - and placed me in the MIXER.

I watched in stupefied astonishment as the knife sliced into me. By now I wasn’t just in half and in a mixer, but spread all across French fries.

I was ketchup!

Please click on 'comments' and add your words of praise - and some constructive criticism.

Liberty's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

We are taking part in the 100 Word Challenge; this week's theme is red.

Who else floats around in space?

Drifting. JustDrifting,

Moons dance around you.

Why can't I move out of this cage of orbit?

No one can.

If I did,it would be the end of the world,my world,

Not anyone else's.

Bumps on my surface, all a dusty red.

So far away from the sun

Only a glimmer of warmth reaches me,

Not enough.

I used to have flowing rivers,

Now they've stopped.

I might have hadlife,

If I did,

It's dead now.

I'm desolate

Who wouldn't be?

If they were

Mars.

Please click on 'comments' and add your praise and constructive criticism. Why not use the 'two stars and a wish' method?

Katie's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

We are entering the 100 Word Challenge; this week's title is red.

Enjoy Katie's entry:

Men begin running away from raging lions of light. Their worried yet delighted faces gawp as the lion roars through the sky. It explodes. Red everywhere, swirls of gold, but fizzes mostly of red. A fire banging in the sky: the Kings of theJungle angrily soaring, red explosions reaching higherand higher as their tails are lit. The bonfire is on, yellow and red flamesdancing wildly as they creep towards the stuffed figure of a man with a scarletneckerchief.

Bang!

More animals - and now flying fish, gently cracking as theyjump out of the sea of red fire.

Please click on 'comments' to praise and add constructive criticism. Why not use the 'two stars and a wish' method?

Holly's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

Holly has entered the 100 Word Challenge; this week's title was Red.

“It’s yours now...”

I stared at my hands.

A small ring lay nestled in my palms. It was so beautiful. The ring of silver was cold and the word ‘heirloom’ was engraved into it elaborately. But the most dazzling thing about my mother’s ring was that a large ruby had been set into it.

As I gazed at the gem, sun broke through the curtains, and the ruby gave off a fiery red shadow onto the walls. It glinted and I got the feeling it was winking at me.

Then I saw mother looking. Waiting for me to put it on.
Please leave a comment! Click on 'comments'; don't forget to offer a mix of praise of constructive criticism!

Questions about 'Sentences Which You Think Are Particularly Striking' and 'Vivid Language'

2011-11-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

One of the trickiest questions you can face in an 11+ comprehension examination is:

'Underline or highlight a sentence which you think is particularly striking', and explain why you like it.'

and 'Copy down an example of vivid language and explain carefully why it is effective.'

Watch this teacher ShowMe to learn the best way to win full marks for these questions!

Tasks:
1. Please email me with your entries to the 100 Word Challenge; don't forget to comment on Molly & Amy's entries!

2. Please complete the 'Underwater Tunnel' suspense comprehension

Due: Friday.

Cia's won an audiobooyay!

2011-11-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

An 'audiobooyay!' is a quick podcast celebrating your learning. Today, Cia won an audiobooyay for work on Mathletics. Please listen to the audiobooyay - and why not leave a comment celebrating her achievement?

Cia wins an Audiobooyay! (mp3)

The Flipped Classroom: Questions about Figurative Language

2011-11-07T00:45:00.000-08:00

You are going to 'pre-learn' for the lesson on 'questions about figurative language' next Monday!

1. Please identify the similes and metaphors; please complete the sheet!

How many did you spot?

2. Musical Learning
Sing along to this rap:
Listen & Sing Along
Why not learn the words 'by heart'?
(Credit: video created by Wizard101FanCom)

3. Listen before next Monday's lesson

Amy's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Enjoy Amy's entry, a prose poem, below:

Ketchup, oh ketchup, I cannot explain how much I love you! You explode in my mouth like a thousand fireworks going off on bonfire night! Ketchup, I have you at breakfast oozing out of my bacon butty. You’re with me at lunchtime hiding away in my lunch box safe and sound.

You’re here with me at dinnertime helping me to eat all those horrible greens! Ketchup, oh ketchup, I love you!

Please click on 'comment' to add your words of praise and constructive criticism. You may like to use the 'Two Stars and a Wish' method, e.g.

I like/love...

I wish you had...

All comments are moderated by Mr. Hitchen.

Molly's 100 Word Challenge Entry

2011-11-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

Molly was the first to send me her entry for the 100 Word Challenge. This week's challenge was based on the title Red.

Enjoy her entry, a poem, below:

He was lying there, blood around him, blood on him, blood in him.

Just plain old him, but not breathing, not moving, not even there.

His rifle lay on his torn, stained red shirt.

His legs were sprawled and twisted like old, shrivelled up branches.

His bright blond hair had been turned brown by the watery mud and his dazzling blue eyes remained open filled with tears.

Please click on 'comment' to add your words of praise and constructive criticism. You may like to use the 'Two Stars and a Wish' method, e.g.

I like/love...

I wish you had...

All comments are moderated by Mr. Hitchen.

100 Word Challenge & Weekend Homework

2011-11-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

100 Word Challenge
I want as many of you as possible to enter the 100 word challenge. Click here to learn more!
All entries will be posted on this blog and linked to the 100 Word Challenge page for the world to enjoy!

This week's prompt is the title Red.

Click here to read an example from another school.

Year Six Homework
Please complete the final 'Noir fiction pack task', combining suspense with Noir slang.

Due: Monday

Year Five Homework

You have been learning to write action scenes.

Task: Rewrite your Captain America versus Hitler scene, making sure you have included lots of powerful verbs

Due: Monday

The Lewton Bus & Dulce Et Decorum Est

2011-11-01T01:40:00.000-07:00

Year Six
Please write a second draft of your 'Lewton Bus' scene; write 1/2 page. Watch the scene again here: http://youtu.be/kXvG0E3s4wo

If you have a moment, take a look at the national hundred word challenge website: http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk/100-word-challenge-week-7-2/

P.S. Alex and then Molly need to add their contributions to the class 'Pickwick' wiki story.

Year Five

Year Five
Please complete your 'Trench' poem

Due: Friday

Year Five Cliffhanger Animations

2011-10-31T03:45:00.000-07:00

Year Five wrote simple play scripts to illustrate their understanding of the concept of a cliffhanger. They recorded their scripts using the free site GoAnimate. Enjoy!

GoAnimate.com: FIRE! (Cliffhanger Example) by baldworm

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

GoAnimate.com: Zahra's Cliffhanger Animation by fsggirls

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

GoAnimate.com: Dani's Cliffhanger Animation by falconstube

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Welcome Back to West London's Most Creative Preparatory School!

2011-10-31T01:44:00.000-07:00

Year Five

Please complete the 'Scratch' cliffhangers comprehension

Due: Friday

Year Six
1. Please complete the suspense techniques comprehension 'The old mine'. Don't forget you can revise suspense techniques by listening to this teacher podcast, or by downloading it to your iPod:

This work will help prepare you for our Noir/Suspense techniques unit

2. Please learn the words to the 'Nine Parts of Speech' song. This Falcons video has had over 8,000 views on YouTube:

Due: Friday

Autumn Half-Term Homework

2011-10-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Well done, girls! You've worked hard this term to learn lots of key skills. Have a great half-term break!

Year Six can find their homework tasks on the Falcons School for Girls wiki here: http://fsg.wikispaces.com/Year+Six+Autumn+Half-term+Homework

Year Five's tasks are on the Falcons School for Girls wiki here: http://fsg.wikispaces.com/Year+5+Autumn+Half-term+Homework

2011-10-17T14:12:00.001-07:00

The Night Before an Examination

2011-10-16T12:35:00.001-07:00

It is the first Year Six mock examination of 2011 tomorrow! Wish them luck!

Year Six Symbolism

2011-10-14T02:45:00.000-07:00

Year Six have been learning about symbolism, including the use of the 'pathetic fallacy' (weather symbolism).

Homework
1. Watch the Symbolism 'ShowMe' above at home before you begin writing, so you can 'learn again';

2. We've been reading extract from Oliver Twist. Write a story about a child being inducted into a Fagin-style gang; your challenge is to include weather symbolism to suggest the 'creepy' mood to the reader, however superficially 'nice' the Fagin character might seem to the child. Write 1 1/2 sides of A4.

3. Next week is Test Week; please revise the Spellings you've been learning with Mrs Mannan in preparation for Monday's Spelling Age assessment. You also need to prepare your pencil case for the first Year Six Mock Examination on Tuesday.

P.S. Keep an eye on the Pickwick Papers wiki story: https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subjects/Year6/pickwickadventure/Wiki%20Pages/Home.aspx

P.P.S Enjoy Katie's explantion of the symbolism of hippies, using the ShowMe app on the iPad:

Look at some of the Exciting Things Alpha Schools are Doing With Their VLEs!

2011-10-13T09:04:00.001-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

...and we're getting the new, updated LP4 soon! Don't forget that the Falcons wiki will soon be 'mothballed' as we shift over the the LP+ platform.

Year Six Reported Speech Homework

2011-10-11T07:29:00.001-07:00

Write another dialogue - using both direct & reported speech - where someone, like Oliver Twist, wants more of something.

It might be food...or a pay rise...or homework...or holiday. You decide!

Write one side of A4.

Due: Friday

Want to learn more about writing a brilliant short story in the 11+ examinations? Visit http://www.baldworm.co.uk

LPPlus Wiki and Survey; Year Five & Six Weekend Homework

2011-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Year Five
1. I want to know your favourite book character! Visit the Falcons School for Girls VLE to share your favourite with the rest of the class:
https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subjects/Year5/Pages/default.aspx (Falcons Girls only)

2. Please read the first two chapters of 'The Silver Sword'. Due: Tomorrow.

Due: Friday

Year Six
Thank you to your responses to the 'What is your favourite book you've read this term?' discussion on the VLE. Read the response here:
https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subjects/Year6/Pages/default.aspx (sorry - Falcons Girls only)
Please make sure you've contributed your fave book by the end of the week!

Your homework comes in two part:
1. Please complete the 'Christmas Carol' Dickens paper comprehension.

Due: Friday.

2. Bald Worm's Flipped Classroom. Please read the information on 'reported speech' and watch the following video for tomorrow (Tuesday):

3. It is the start of our Pickwick story on the wiki! Learn more by listening to this quick teacher podcast:
Pickwick Papers Wiki Challenge (mp3)

Please keep an eye on the Pickwick collaborative story wiki:
https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subjects/Year6/Pages/default.aspx

LPPlus Survey: Your Favourite Book This Term & Year Five & Six Homework

2011-10-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

Year Six

1. Please write a second draft of the Timed Writing 'Christmas at Dingley Dell' story, with a focus on (i) setting our your dialogue in different ways and (ii) those all important 'shown feelings' (learn again before you start writing by watching the ShowMe above)

2. Please go to the Falcons VLE and take part in our survey (you'll need to enter your private login and password): https://alphaplus.lpplus.net/schools/falconsgirls/subjects/Year6/Pages/default.aspx

Due: Monday

Year Five
1. Please write the final draft of your spy story. Make sure it includes all of Bald Worm's suspense techniques:

2. Please bring in Dad's bow-tie/a dark tie & dark jacket on Monday - you are going to dress as spies as we record our spy stories using the school iTouch & Apples.

Due: Monday

The Flipped Classroom: Preparing for Friday's lesson on Tuesday!

2011-10-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Year Six 'Flipped Classroom' homework

1. First, please watch the following video, which is preparing you for Friday's lesson:

2. Second, watch the video for a second time; can you spot the deliberate mistake in the example?

3. Watch this short 'showme' presentation on 'show, don't tell':

4. Third, read Bald Worm's advice on 'shown feelings' from baldworm.co.uk

5. Finally, listen to the 'Bald Worm on Show, Don't Tell' & 'Bald Worm on Characterisation' podcast:

Want to go further? Listen to (and make notes) on the following Bald Worm podcast on questions about a character (our lesson next Tuesday):

Make **notes** on what you have pre-learned on the worksheet you were given in class, using this form:

Year Five ComprehensionPlease complete the 'James Bond' comprehension.

Learn Again: listen to our 'four mark answers to four mark questions' here. Here's Cia's example:
Cia's 4 mark comprehension answer using P-E by baldworm
Due: Friday.

Learn Again: What's the Suspense Technique Mr. Wolf & Weekend Homework

2011-09-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

**Year Five**
Please complete your second draft of your 'Entering the Enemy's Lair' suspense story. Make sure you include all of Bald Worm's suspense techniques.

Due: Monday

**Year Six**

1. Finish your 'murder mystery' story.

2. Using the Mitford Method, please redraft your Mystery story. Make sure you write a cracking first 15 lines, with a focus on achieving level five on the punctuation pyramid.

Due: Monday

Vuxox for Education: Planning a Mystery Story

2011-09-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Year Six
Please complete the first draft of your 'Mystery' story.

Don't forget, you can play the 'Planning a Mystery Story' Vuvox through, or click on the glowing green 'hot spots' to listen to my advice.

How else could we use Vuvox in class?

Due: Friday.

Year Five
Please complete the first draft of your 'Into the Enemy's Lair' secret spy base suspense story. Don't forget to include suspense techniques:

More videos and podcasts can be found for this unit at http://fsg.wikispaces.com/Year+5+Spies+2008-9

Due: Friday

The Inference Song! Learn the words by heart!

2011-09-26T00:29:00.000-07:00

Year Six1. Why not learn this song 'by heart'? Download a copy of the words here:

2. Please complete the 'Clare on the bus' comprehension. Remember to think about the author's use of contrast in this passage.

Due: Friday

Year Five
Please complete the Jane Blonde comprehension, using the P-E-E approach. Don't forget you can listen to the 'Bald Worm on figurative language' mp3 podcast at the Falcons School for Girls pupil wiki: http://fsg.wikispaces.com/11+Plus+Revision

Dinner Table Debate: What is the difference between 'Pretending' and 'Lying'?

2011-09-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Sit down with your family and discuss our new 'dinner table debate' question - 'What is the difference between 'pretending' and 'lying'?' Post your answer to the Wallwisher above. There is a house point for every contribution - and the best comment will receive a (small) prize during our celebration assembly on Friday!

Year Five & Six Weekend Homework

2011-09-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Year Five & Six Weekend Homework
Daunt Books Competition First Draft by baldworm Write your first draft of your story for the Daunt Books competition:
* It is just your first draft, so write it in your blue Composition book;
* I'll comment, and then you can type up your entry next week;
* Don't worry about the address and email business - we'll send the story in for you via the school email.

You may write on any title...but if you're stuck, why not try the title Daunted. Lost your form? The entry forms are here.

Year Five and Six Composition Homework (Tuesday 20th September 2011)

2011-09-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

Year Five

Please write a second draft of the suspense scene you wrote in class. Try to include the listing and joining comma, too!

Due: Friday

Year Six

Please complete the first 15 lines of your Holmes and Watson 'locked room' story.

Due: Friday

Year Five and Six Comprehension Homework (Monday 19th September 2011)

2011-09-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

Year Five
We've been learning the P-E-E song. Click here for the video and lyrics!

Homework: Please complete the 'spy falling' comprehension

P.S. Why not put this podcast on your iPod, too, so you can prepare for our 'Spy' unit:

Year Six
Please complete the Sherlock boarding school past paper.

Watch the 'Figurative Language' song and reread the advice on answering questions about figurative language: http://fsg.wikispaces.com/Questions+about+Figures+of+Speech

Year Five & Six Weekend Composition Homework

2011-09-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Year Five
1. Please complete the 'planning for conflict' work we've started in class. Due: Monday 2. Don't forget to work on your secret spy hq!

Year Six
Please write the first 15 lines of a story where Watson first meets Sherlock. P.S. Why not download this podcast - on writing the first 15 lines of a short story - and listen to it before you start writing? Just click on the icon to download to your computer: Due: Monday

Year Five and Six Prose Homework (Tuesday 13th September)

2011-09-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Year Six Prose Homework Please write a description of the headquarters of the Red-Headed League. Include at least two semi-colons. Write 8-10 lines. Feeling clever? Include a colon, too. Year Five Prose Homework (Using the Listing Comma) Please write a description of the school, using the listing comma, e.g. In Year Five there are blue chairs, several top-of-the-range Apple laptops and a collection of multicoloured pencils. Due: Friday

Comprehension: Year Six & Year Five homework

2011-09-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Year Five
Please complete the 'Bond in the Market' comprehension; don't forget to use quotes from the passage - evidence - to prove your points:

Due: Friday

Year Six
Please complete the 'Willie and the Bone' comprehension. Don't forget to think about Willie's character.
Revise what we learnt by discussing the 'Dallas & Florida comprehension by listening to the downloading this 'Talking Comprehension' podcast on Contrast:Due: Friday.

(Image via ComicsAlliance)

Year Six Redrafting Using the Mitford Method

2011-09-09T00:56:00.001-07:00

In class you wrote the first draft of a story under timed, examination conditions, based on an image from Chris Priestley's 'Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror'.

Task: Redraft your story using the 'Mitford Method'. Make as many improvements as possible, please.

Due: Monday.

Feeling clever? Try to write a distinctive story:

Fun extension task:
Produce a piece of artwork based on the original cover of Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror.

Year Five Weekend Homework: Planning from a picture & Building a Spy Base!

2011-09-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

1. In class we learnt about hand plans.

Your task is to create a colourful, neat hand plan for display in the classroom, based on one of the pictures in the hand plan pack. Make sure you include both your brainstorm and the plan itself. Remember, keep it simple!

Due: Monday

2. Spy Base
In a couple of weeks you are beginning your Spy unit. We are going to write suspense scenes set in your secret spy base. Learn more about suspense here.

Novelists often use models to help them 'picture' a location in their imagination (a bit like playing in a doll house!); I would like you to design and build a secret hq for an evil spy master!

Build a model of a secret hq. Here are some of the things you could include:

* Banks of computer screens
* A giant map of the world
* Secret doors or compartments
* Torture chamber (yuck!)
* Sharks!
* Henchmen/goons
* Evil pets
* Rockets
* Dwarf servant
* Desk
* Armchair with buttons

How you build the model is up to you! Here are some of the materials you might choose to use:
* Cardboard boxes painted over
* Sticky-back plastic
* Wood
* Paper mashed and glued
* Washing up bottles
* Model Paint

This video will give you some ideas (don't make Tracy Island, though! Just use the same techniques!)

Hint: Design the hq on paper before you start to construct it!

Be as imaginative as you can! Bring your model into when you've finished! We are going to base a series of stories in this location, so do a great job! There will be a small prize for the best model!

We'll photograph the models and stick them on the pupil wiki for the world to enjoy, and then write scenes and stories set in this location!

Due: Two weeks time.

P.S. Learn all about our suspense techniques here, or download the Bald Worm on Suspense mp3 at the 11+ revision page on the pupil wiki:

Year Five & Six Homework Tuesday 6th 2011

2011-09-05T12:51:00.001-07:00

Year Five Homework
Please complete the Daydreamers comprehension in your purple book. Don't forget to bring it in on Friday!

Year Six Homework
Please write the first fifteen lines of one of your plans - don't forget to open with an exciting first line and 'set the scene'.

Due: Friday

Welcome Back, Falcons Girls!

2011-08-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to another exciting year at the Falcons School for Girls: 'West London's Most Creative Preparatory School', girls! We have so much to look forward to this year, including the play, Residential Week and our new Apple technology!

Year Five Homework
Please complete the 'Daydreamer' comprehension. Answer all of the questions, please.

Revise how to read a comprehension passage here: https://fsg.wikispaces.com/Year+5+Comprehension+Autumn+2008-9
P.S. The wiki page for our first compostition unit is here.

Your class reader this term is Jane Blonde.

Year Six Homework
Please complete the 'Dallas & Florida' comprehension.

Due: Friday.

Your class reader is Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror. Our first composition unit is on revising how to plan a story.

ISI Inspection Report on The Falcons School for Girls: 'West London's Most Creative Preparatory School'

2011-07-07T08:21:00.001-07:00

The ISI inspection team that visited Falcons Girls in May and June have published their final report - and they say:

* ‘The pupils’ overall achievement is excellent’;
* ‘The pupils’ personal development is outstanding’;
* ‘Pupils attitudes to their learning are exemplary’;
* ‘The quality of governance is excellent’;
* ‘The range of cross-curricular links is excellent’;
* ‘The quality of teaching is good, and often outstanding, and caters well for all abilities and styles of learning’;
* ‘The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent’;
* ‘Moral development is excellent’;
* ‘The pupils’ social development is excellent’;
* ‘The leadership and management of the school are excellent and fulfil the school’s aim to provide a very high standard of education’;
* ‘The school has excellent links with parents and guardians’.

Judgements on the Early Years (that is Nursery and Reception)include:
* ‘The effectiveness of the provision in meeting the needs of all children is outstanding;
* ‘The effectiveness of the leadership and management [of the EYFS] is outstanding;
* ‘The quality of the [EYFS] provision is outstanding;
* ‘Outcomes for all the children in the Early Years across all areas are outstanding.’

Well done, girls: you clearly impressed the inspectors! Click here to read the full report! And click here if you're a parent and you want your daughter to join 'West London's Most Creative Preparatory School'!

Goodbye and Good Luck, Year Six

2011-07-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

What an exciting year! From 11+ to Alice in Wonderland, 'Supersonic' to our French Residential Week, we've had a fantastic year.

Well done, Year Six: you've completed your learning journey at Falcons Girls. We know you're ready for Senior School, and wish you all the best of luck! Do pop in next year to tell us how you are getting on at your next school.

Year Five Holiday Homework

2011-07-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

Our Year Five Summer Holiday Homework is designed to prepare you for the challenge of 11+ English.

Don't forget to click on the link for 11+ revision booklets, posters and mp3 podcasts to download to your iPod!

Recommended Reading Books can be found here; Year Six topics - including Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror, Sherlock Holmes, Oliver Twist, Dracula and Noir Fiction - can be found here.

Have a fantastic summer holiday - and I can't wait for the fun learning to come in 2011-12!

Year Five and Six Homework: Twitter Writing Competition Deadline

2011-07-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

Year Five and Six HomeworkPlease give in your entry for the Twitter writing competition; deadline extended to tomorrow!

Year Five OnlyPlease complete the 'Henry Sugar' comprehension.

Due: Thursday