06 March 2013

Learn Together : Africa Appreciation Week

We celebrated ‘Africa Appreciation Week’ at the end of January.  It was a super week of learning and fun.  Thanks to all the parents who brought in wonderful artefacts for our African Artefact Exhibition.  All children in the school had a chance to touch, see and discuss African masks,  carvings, musical instruments, clothes, and utensils.

 

As part of our Learn Together Programme each class examined some aspect of Africa, its culture, its countries or its history.

Louise’s and Dee’s Infants studied ‘Handa’s Surprise’.  This book inspired a food tasting morning of exotic fruits from Kenya.  Thanks to all parents who helped out.

Cian’s Senior Infant and First class looked at the life of Nelson Mandela and learnt the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’.  Joanne’s class read a novel about Nelson Mandela.

Conor’s second class looked at history of the Underground Railroad – the network of secret routes that slaves used to find freedom.

Claire’s class read about Harriet Tubman, the brave heroine who helped many slaves escape by the underground railroad.  The children wrote diary entries of a slave child.

Sylvia’s 4th and 5th Class worked together on projects about a range of countries in Africa.

David’s 6th Class examined the transatlantic slave trade.

Other activities by all classes included work with clay, mask making and necklace making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to all this amazing work, every single child in the school painted, drew or weaved a picture that was professionally framed and exhibited at a whole school exhibition on 1st February. Many people from Skerries community visited our school for this wonderful expo.

 

 

Thanks to parents Olu, Abeba, Josephine, Marie Teclaire, Cliodhna and John who came in during the week to each class to share their experiences and stories with the children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All projects and artwork were displayed around the school on Friday 1st February.  The choir sang two beautiful African songs and a well known spiritual.  Parents made exotic African food for all to sample.  The school was alive with atmosphere and camaraderie.

 

Well done everyone!