Hi everyone!
I hope everyone is keeping safe and well! Just hopping on to share some resources I've been collecting during the week that might be useful and to clarify the purpose of the google doc. The work assigned is to be completed over the two weeks which includes next week. Please allow the children to do this at a manageable pace. I understand how challenging it can be to maintain a timetable and routine at home particularly when parents still have to work from home. I hope Sinéad's email has clarified our expectations, as we do not want anyone feeling under any more pressure at this already stressful time!
Also, thank you to everyone who has emailed with pictures and stories from the kids, they have been lovely to read! I miss the children very much and the emails brighten up my day! Also, for any of the children who missed the last day of school, I took home your beanstalks and myself and Paudie have been looking after them, look how big they've gotten!
In order to keep track of how the plants are getting on, it might be a good idea for the kids to take notes of how the plants are developing using some of the pages in the following link as a guide:
https://madamedeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gardening-journal-pdf.pdf
Also, if children are interested in more planting without making any unnecessary journeys to a gardening centre, the article below suggests how to grow different fruit and vegetables using the remains of fruits and vegetables! It's easy, cuts down on waste and is a great way to teach children about how plants grow!
https://foodrevolution.org/blog/reduce-food-waste-regrow-from-scraps/
I also recommend the children use this time to practice their free writing skills. It would be a good idea to keep a journal with daily entries outlining what they did each day! Also, for some inspiration, the children could make it their mission to do one act of kindness each day and document it in their journal. For ideas see the poster below!
For something a bit different, Dublin Zoo has announced that while it's closed, they will upload a new activity book for a different animal each day, starting with the Red Panda! Click the link below and check back in each day for a new activity book!
https://www.dublinzoo.ie/news/dublinzoofun/
GillEducation are also providing free online access to their resources at the link below, which may be useful for parents!
https://www.gillexplore.ie/products?Type=0&SubjectList=0&LevelList=2
Dabble Doo Music are offering a months free full access to all of their best content so that parents and guardians can educate and entertain their kids at home.
The content available includes radio shows, sing-alongs, video lessons, games and activities linked to the primary school curriculum.
Finally, another lovely idea I saw recently is to make decorations/art for your windows! In a time like this where the world is full of stress and there seems to be no good news, what a fun idea it would be to create a beautiful display in your window to cheer up those who pass by! I know how creative the children can be, and I'm sure they would really enjoy the idea of having their artwork on display to help combat the doom and gloom of current times 💖
If anyone has any further questions or just wants to email me updates or ideas, please don't be shy! I'm missing everyone so much and I am thinking about all of the families and wishing the best for you all.
Sending lots of love,
Maria xx
