Pupils visit Rothwell Library to see Dinosaur

Pupils from Robin Hood Primary School were invited to see the dinosaur they had made which is on display at Rothwell Library.  The children, who are now in the Reception class had made the stegosaurus in the summer term of last school year, when they were in the Nursery.

Spike, as he is called by the children, was made as part of the topic on Dinosaurs.  He measures 1metre tall and a massive 260cm long and was made over two weeks.  Jan Chin, who made the dinosaur with the children said “I was given a roll of sheet wire and told to make a big dinosaur with the children.  I knew it had to have a solid base to support it, so I looked for an old chair.  The dinosaur’s legs are built around each chair leg, and the chair back supports the highest spike.  The wire is then shaped to form the body.  As the wire has sharp edges the children could only watch how the dinosaur was being built, and they were fascinated – asking lots of questions.  They then helped me to put masking tape over all the sharp bits which we called “bandages”.  Then, they were able to paper mache it.  They then painted and collaged it, all the time, using lots of lovely rich language to describe what they were doing.  Spike has sat with us, in Nursery at carpet time until we broke up in the summer!

I am very grateful to Rothwell Library for displaying our artwork.  The children have loved bringing their families along to see Spike and they have been treated to a story by Librarian, Caroline Higson-Blythe.  I am sure every time they pass the library, they will now want to go in.”

Koinobori Fish on display at Tropical World, Leeds

These fish have been made by the children in Years 5 and 6 at Robin Hood Primary School during their recent topic on Japan.  The fish have been made from fabric and are hand painted. The topic took place over three afternoon sessions (five hours).

 

The fish are on display at Tropical World in Leeds.  Three fish appear to be swimming along the top of one of the walls and as you turn the corner you are greeted by ten more.

 

 

During their topic on Japan, the children first looked at Koinobori flags (carp kites) which are flown on Children’s Day which is a festival and public holiday in Japan which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month. This provided some background knowledge around the concept of Children’s Day.

This is a festival which celebrates the future success and health of Japan’s children.  Carp kites symbolize success and are believed to represent strength and determination of spirit in the same way as the koi carp swims against the current.  As the koi carp has a long life span it is considered a symbol of success whilst the bright colours are believed to drive away evil spirits.

 

 

Beautiful Koi carp swim in the pools in the butterfly enclosure at Tropical World which is why I thought of Tropical World as the obvious place to display the children’s artwork.

 

Each pupil brought in a pillowcase and working in pairs, they cut it open and drew around the koi carp template. They then stuck down the edges and let it dry for the next session.

During the next session they looked at some examples of koinobori flags and concentrated on painting the intricate pattern using fabric paint.