Wednesday 26 March 2008

Hats Off to Room 1 Milliners


In the first part of this term Room 1 made hats. These were
paraded in a mini hat fashion show at assembly. The learning
involved in making and showing off these hats was considerable....
firstly, in making the hats, children worked through a design process. They had to use their imagination, creativity and problem solving skills to actually turn their ideas into a wearable hat (hats off to all the parents that gave a hand here).
When it came time to prepare for the hat parade in assembly children had to write a short commentary and also make an invitation. These writing tasks provided the class with genuine contexts to construct two very different pieces of text. The class discussed the specific purpose of each and considered the needs of the audience for each piece of writing - a lot of thought went in to what to say, as well as how to say it.
The actual parade came after some very intense rehearsals. I was very proud of the students for the way they read aloud the commentary of a classmate. We all know how nerve-wracking it can be to speak in front of a large audience! Yet everyone spoke clearly and with good expression into the microphone. (This experience was great preparation for delivering speeches later in the year.) Cat walk modeling styles varied, reflecting not just the personalities of the hat-makers, but also the hats. Dancing hats
danced, frog hats jumped, scary hats stalked and a hat inspired by Star Wars moved in a Star Wars kind of way. It was very clear that the children had put a lot of thought into what they were doing. Well done to the class for their superb efforts.
Thank-you to all the parents who came to the assembly - you were a patient and appreciative audience. Your presence made the hat parade a special event for the whole class.
Mrs Smith

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