Here are some explanation texts, written by the pupils at each of the seven stations during Literacy Lift Off (Jan 13th – Feb 14th, ’14). They wrote for 7 minutes each day over a two week period. They learned to apply capital letters and full stops to sentences (without being reminded!) and to spell as much as possible without help.
Why a party is good!
A party is fun.
We can play games. We ask our friends to come. We have buns. It is a happy time. You can have birthday cake. You can get lots of presents. You can play with the presents.
I love parties because I have lots of fun.
Jack Lane, Michael Cronin, Tyler O’Donoghue, Diarmuid O’Donovan (Senior Infants) Christian Barry (1st Class)
How to use a quad….
Quads are big bikes with four wheels. They are very fast.
When you use a quad you use a helmet and big boots. Some times you wear a leather jacket.
Turn on the key to get the quad going. You drive a quad in the field. They are useful on the farm. They can be dangerous.
I think quads are cool. I can have a quad when I am older.
Alan McCarthy, Fionan Lane, Dylan O’Connor (Senior Infants); Charlie Saville, Anthony O’Donovan (First class)
How to swim….
Swimming is a sport. Swimming is good for you.
You wear a swimming togs in the pool. When you are learning to swim you dip your head in the water. You must learn to float. You must kick your legs and use your arms too. At the start you must hold on to the bars. You need to learn to open your eyes under the water if you have no goggles.
I like swimming. I go to swimming lessons.
Sam Muller, Ciaran Lynch (Seniors), Conor Kelly, Gavin Fleming (First Class),
Oran Moynihan (2nd Class)
Why cows are good….
This story is about cows. Cows are animals who have calves.
They give us milk. They eat grass and they have four stomachs to make the milk. We kill cows to get meat. This is called beef. You buy it and cook it and then eat the beef. Some people sell their cows to the mart or factory. Cows have tags with numbers on them so the owners won’t get mixed up.
Cows are great.
Colin Lehane (Seniors),
Dara Weathers, Eoin Goggin, Shane Doody, Cillian Saville (First class)
How to play soccer….
Soccer is the most famous sport in the world. It is played in every country in the world.
The goalkeepers are the only players who can touch the ball with their hands. All of the other players use their feet. In a match goalies need gloves, studs, a jersey and shin guards. All of the other players need shorts, studs, jerseys, shin guards and a ball.
I know a lot of teams like Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Hull City.
Brion O’Keeffe, 1st Class
Soccer is a game that is played by foot. It is played nearly by everyone.
The goalkeeper needs gloves to play. You need shin guards, a ball, jersey, shorts and football boots all to play. The goalkeeper needs gloves to play. The players can’t catch the ball but the goalkeeper can. You can get a yellow card if you foul. You must pass the ball around the pitch. Two teams play and whatever team has the most goals at the end of the game wins.
I love the game. It was a great game because our team won. Wow!
Eoin O’Driscoll, 1st Class
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It is played in all of the countries in the world.
You need shin guards, a soccer ball, gloves, a jersey and shorts. If you are a goalkeeper you need gloves. Some out fielders wear gloves too. You can get a yellow card and red card if you foul someone. You need to pass the ball and score to win. You cannot touch the ball with your hands.
I love soccer! It is my favourite sport!
Colin O’Leary, 1st Class
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It is played in every country around the world.
To play you will need gloves, balls, shin guards and jerseys. The rules are you can’t touch the ball with your hands if you are out field. If you foul you will get a yellow card or a red card. One soccer match is 90 minutes long. If the teams are drawing, the referee might give extra time or penalty shoot out.
Jack Moynihan, 2nd Class
Soccer is a game of skill and practice. It is played in many countries all over the world.
If you are in goal you need gloves. If you are playing you need boots, shin guards, balls and jerseys. If you pick up the ball you are out, if you are not in goal. You pass the ball around and try to score. Sometimes you get a red or yellow card if you foul.
I like to play the game and enjoy it.
Daniel O’Sullivan, 2nd Class
How to play an X-box…
An X-box is a box that you plug into a tv and you can play games on it.
Be careful not to break the electrical wires and don’t drop the X-box. Remember to put a battery in the controller. In Fifa 14 you can go on Ultimate Team but you have to have X-box live. Minecraft is a game that you can download or buy.
Aidan Higgins, 1st Class
An X-box is a box you plug into the tv. You can play games on it. You must be careful not to break the electrical wires.
This is how you play. The buttons you press are A, B, X and Y. A is to pass, B is to kick, Y is for drop ball to feet and drop kick, and Y is for slide tackle. Start the game and try to sore the most goals and try to win.
Cathal O’Riordan, 1st Class
An X-box is an electrical device that you can play all sorts of games on. You plug it into the wall.
This is how you play. You turn it on. Then you turn on the remote. Remember to put in the batteries. Do not stand on anything. X on Bat Man is kick and punch. You have to defeat all of the bad guys. If you press A you can climb up buildings and electrocute someone and they will give you power-ups and their suits.
Graham Cottrell, 2nd Class
An X-box is a box that you play games on. You plug it into the T.V. It is an electrical device so be careful.
This is how ou play. There are some buttons A, B, X and Y. The games you can play are Fifa 14, WWE, 2K 14, Grand Theft Auto and Fifa 10.
I love all of the games.
Kevin Daly, 2nd Class
An X-box is a game that you plug into the tv. Try not to trip on the electrical wires. The games you can play are Medal of Honour and Fifa 14.
Ben Walsh, 2nd Class
How snow is dangerous
Snow is frozen rain. It is very cold and soft. It usually falls in Winter.
You can use snow to make snow balls or a snowman. Snow affects us by its dangers. Ice is also cold. Black ice is also very dangerous as it is awfully slippery. It is risky to drive on ice. Snow can be great fun too but ice is still dangerous.
Calum Cronin, 1st Class
Snow is frozen rain. It is white and cold. Snow is soft. Snow comes in Winter.
We can use snow to throw snow balls or to make snowmen. Snow affects us by its dangers. Black ice can be really dangerous but white ice is not bad. Just like icy roads. If there were icy roads you could have a bad crash. Snow blizzards are also very dangerous. When snow melts it turns into water.
Snow can be great fun but is ice is the worst. I love snow!
Ronan Brosnan, 1st Class
Soccer
Soccer is a very fun sport in my opinion.
What you need is a ball, two goals and an even number of players. To play soccer it is easy. You get a ball, pass to the players or take a shot. Try to get it into the net. It is important not to foul. The team that scores the most goals is the winner. Two teams are not supposed to wear the same jersey.
Rory Lynn, 2nd Class
Soccer is a game. It is a popular sport.
You need a ball, two goals, two goalkeepers and land. It is also best to wear soccer boots. If you get a yellow card, you have to go off for a bit. You need to kick the ball into the other goals. You will have to not injure any other players. You need to make sure you are not offside.
I think soccer is quite fun!
Joe McAuliffe, 2nd class
Jesus once said, “You are the light of the world. Your light must shine in the sight of all people, so that, seeing your good works, they may praise your Father in heaven”.