The children had an amazing experience on Monday when they attended the Science in a Suitcase Workshop. They enjoyed the opportunity to explore different Science equipment and experiments. They discovered that no matter the shape that they used to make bubbles, it will always come out round!

The children returned to class excited. Then they created their posters with interesting titles about what they had learnt from the workshop. 
These posters will be sent off for a poster competition as part of Celebrating Science Week. Watch the space!     ​

I haven’t met anyone else able to say that they spent their half term buying and blowing up planets…granted these were the inflatable type. Many of the Key Stage 1 children have been visibly intrigued by the sight of them since.  Brilliantly, it quickly led to a pupil initiated conversation among my class as to whether Pluto should or shouldn’t be suspended from the classroom ceiling along with the other eight planets, Earth’s moon and the sun.
 
Admittedly part of the decision to turn my classroom ceiling into a mini solar system was personal interest. A number of years ago I sent my photo off to NASA for them to fly on the last space shuttle launch.  Last summer I visited New Zealand’s National Observatory where I used a 130 year old telescope to take a look at Saturn. It is possible that I am just as excited for Year 2’s Planetarium trip in a couple of weeks’ time as they are!
 
Using the children’s wonder and curiosity, in class we have been researching different things about space. So far we have learnt how the sun is made up of gases, Saturn’s rings from ice and asteroids are lumps of rock. “I liked learning about the planets because they are different and far away” said Lauren.  “Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut to set foot on the moon, I think he felt excited and brave to be the first person in the whole world to do this” said Alfie.
 
For those who share my enthusiasm, the International Space Station is due to be visible in the night sky on Saturday 5th March for two minutes, somewhere between 6am and 6:15am. Check online for up-to-date details: in-the-sky.org or spotthestation.nasa.gov. There is a popular Android app called ISS Detector Satellite Tracker or for IOS users there’s a less well known app called ISS Spotter, both appear to have positive reviews.
 
It is only fair to admit, the awestruck but very satisfied teacher feeling about the Dwarf Planet conversation soon got a reality check. Alongside my inflatable planets are astronauts, space shuttles, rockets and some green aliens. The collection came in a range of different sizes. Therefore it didn’t take very long for a child to ask “Mr. Powell, are astronauts really that big?”  So, Major Tim Peake, if you are reading this please help, where should we put you on our school height chart?
 
#cosmicclassroom     #principia     @astro_timpeake

This week, the children representing the school in the Thurrock Poetry Competition have been practising non-stop to perfect their routines. They will be representing us at Corringham Primary next Wednesday and we would like to wish them all the best of luck.

The 5 times a week reader was announced this week with Chloe D in year 6 receiving a £20 Toys R Us voucher. Chloe wants to spend the voucher on books! Well done Chloe, keep reading!

This week, the winners of the Extreme Read Competition were also announced. Well done to everyone who entered! The winning entry by Remani in Year 2 showed her being swung around by her dad whilst reading a book. The runners up included: reading in the bath, reading in the boot, reading with the dog (or was the dog reading?) and reading with a skeleton! Spooky! Take a look at the ‘Extreme Read’ display in the small hall to check out all the winning entries.