Monday 6th April
Hello everyone. Did you have a good weekend? I hope that you are all following the rules that have been put in place to protect us. To keep me occupied whilst spending more time in my house I have been reading lots of books (I have finished the time shift novel and I am now reading about a rumour that is spread and the consequences of the rumour - I can’t wait to find out what happens) and I have been doing some jigsaws, in fact lots of your school grown-ups have been doing jigsaws. What have you been doing to keep yourself occupied?
Today is officially the first day of your Easter break. Does it feel like a holiday to you? I think it all feels a bit strange. Usually I would go away over the Easter holidays - last year I went to Turkey, it was awesome. I went with my partner and his two children, we had a great time swimming in the pool, playing on the beach and eating the most delicious food. We even went on a jeep safari and had a water fight. Do you have a favourite place to go on holiday? Going on an adventure to somewhere new has got to be one of my favourite things to do. Like many people I have had to cancel my holiday this year but, I have a new destination I would like to visit the Arctic. Can you guess why?
Yes, that’s it - Mr Brady has inspired me to go with this week’s Arctic Art Adventure (that’s a mouthful, try saying it). The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of the Earth - look it up on a map - the Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, the USA, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Because of the Earth’s tilt, for at least one day a year there’s an entire day of darkness in this freezing region - and also a full day of sunshine. I think I would prefer the full day of sunshine. What do you think?
It is very cold in the Arctic. Temperatures as low as -70 degrees celsius have been recorded in northern Greenland. Imagine that, a day of darkness and freezing cold! Although it has a cold climate, approximately four million people call the Arctic home. Amongst these are the indigenous people, called the ‘Inuits’. They have found ways to survive in one of the harshest environments on our planet.
The Arctic is home to lots of wonderful wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals and whales. This week you are able to learn to draw some of these amazing creatures in our Art Adventure. Your school grown-ups have been having a go as well, you can see their pictures below. If you, or a family member, would like to share your pictures please email us at children@olive.dudley.sch.uk. We have already created a display space in school for all of your art work and we cannot wait to start filling it.
I have found out lots of information on the National Geographic Kids website. Click on the link if you’d like to enhance your geography knowledge, there is so much to learn.
One fascinating species found only in the Arctic is the narwhal, often referred to as the ‘unicorn of the sea’ due to the straight tusk that projects from the front of the head of the males - it can grow to over 3m in length! Perhaps you could have a go at drawing one from a picture.
I look forward to seeing all of your pictures.
Stay safe.
Miss Raphael’s Arctic Fox 2. Miss Walter’s Arctic Fox 3. Mrs Hamblett’s Arctic Fox
4. Mrs Mariott’s Arctic Animals 5. Mrs Waldron’s Otter 6. Miss Best’s Otter
