Maple 2 said that they wanted to do more learning outdoors, so that is what we have been doing.
Today’s lesson was a grammar treasure hunt! Every child had a sheet listing 16 grammar terms: noun, verb, adjective, pronoun, adverb, preposition, determiner, clause, conjunction, subordinate clause, relative clause, modal verb, noun phrase, passive voice, active voice and subjunctive. 
The challenge was to create sentences which included examples of all 16 terms, with bonus points if the sentences made a paragraph.
And where did the inspiration for this writing come from? Being outside. Sometimes, sitting on a chair at a table just isn’t quite enough to give us the ideas we need.
Watch this space for the results …
The School of Nature :
The blinding sun rose over the rooftops of our school; the clear blue sky shrouded the world like a silky blanket. Fearlessly, the girl climbed on the immense climbing frame as if she were a monkey. Standing right at the top, the girl looked heavenwards catching sight of a vast plane soaring across the sapphire-blue sky. Suddenly, a shout escaped from her friend’s mouth,
“I would change places if I were you – the water is dripping on your head!” As the girl jumped off the climbing frame, she couldn’t help noticing the high buildings, on the other side, shading the ground. All of a sudden, the bell rang; it was the end of lunch.
I can just imagine that girl sitting at the top of the climbing frame. She sounds a great character. I wonder what adventures she had …
I am so happy that you can imagine that girl sitting at the top of the climbing frame.
Thankyou. I’m glad you like it.
The manic branches of the trees sway from side to side; bright Lilliputian leaves gather closely whilst blurring my vision. The golden winter leaves huddle on the shimmering frozen floor. The slender squirrels jumped all over Mother Nature: tree to tree, branch to branch, leaf to leaf. The blinding, yellow sun made the world shine from a million miles away.
Mary-Kate – this is a beautiful piece of writing. I like the way you used your favourite word of the moment – Lilliputian. I loved the way you really wanted to challenge yourself to use Year 6 punctuation. Well done.
The Playground
The shimmering morning sun made the ground sparkle like diamonds; branch-like pointed fingers swayed from side to side. Golden leaves were scattered on the frozen floor. Gentle wind blew in my face and into the grass. Birds sing calmly, as they fly from tree to tree. Filled with colours of joy, dotted leaves hugged the wooden branches. The white cotton-candy clouds floated in the royal blue sky. Fluffy tailed squirrels bounce from tree to tree. This playground is great and I never want to leave!
Millie – this is stunning. I can see you were truly inspired by writing outdoors – we definitely need to move the tables outside!
Thank you for your lovely comment. I am really trying to improve my spellings .
Trees dangling over the sludgy ground.(nouns, adverb, adjective, preposition, determiner.)
Surprisingly, she acts as if she were the queen.(adverb, noun phrase,subjunctive.)
When I was in the active ball pit, the girl who hit me fell over the cushioned step.(adjective, relative clause.)
The determined girl was as proud as she could ever be.(noun phrase.)
Their cuddly dog was as fluffy as a large teddy bear.(adjective,noun phrase.)
The fluffy dog ate a bone.(active voice.)
The dog eats meat, its favourite is gammon.(pronoun.)
Marshmallow-like clouds floated in the sky.(clause)
The girl did outstanding work so she showed the head teacher.(conjunction.)
Well done Lilly – especially as you were unfortunately away on Monday. You still managed to give this writing a really good go. Great to see you picking up on the subjunctive so quickly.
The many thorns which were sharp like a needle embraced the rotten dead log as if they were falling for dear life. Scattered brittle roots scurried up to the surface of the earth inhaling the essence of the scorching, amber coated star. Small pebbles of dew slipped off the grass stems like shards of glass dropped of a 50 foot building, submerged into wet puddles of mud and sand. Birds nosily sang a choir of songs that filled the horizon. Trees danced to the harmony of what the birds summoned, wind blew through the stems of the grass and weaved its self in-between the stalks of wood and the autumn leaves. The inhabited wild-life grew like a five star hotel. “I would look at the view if I were you!”
Outstanding use of vocabulary, Alfie. I particularly love the idea of the roots ‘scurrying’ up to the surface. I was also impressed by the determination you showed in seeking exactly the right words for your description.
The knife-sharp prickles wrapped around the bush like a python on a neck. The golden sun shone onto the green grass trying to evaporate the dew. And after it had been evaporated it was just soil and emerald grass breathing in the damp climate. As spiders crawled under the tarmac making it bounce with fear, people noticed this from above. The straw on the roundhouse like a golden encrusted spear pointing at you with an intension. The dip around the shelter was like a trench; ants ran around inside as the mud tried to pull you under. And the trees struggled to reach the sun as the taller tress pressed them down making them surrender so they could not reach the saviour which is the sun. The birds in those trees wondered if they would find a nicer place to live.
Your choice of language is excellent, Alfie. You have really conjured up a vibrant, colourful image. I particularly love the idea of the trees struggling to reach the sun. Brilliant.
If I were a horse, I would gallop over the fence.
I would … or maybe I should stay here because I would need to feed, so that I don’t get hungry.
The tall leader horse stood as still as if he were a statue.
The apple was eaten by the hungriest horse.
The hungry horse ate an apple quickly so that they could get back into the stable before dark.
Well done Daniel. Your poetry is almost surreal. That is a word which describes something very unusual and unexpected. What creative ideas you have produced.
If I were a plane I would soar through the sky.
I would be carrying 1000s of passengers a day.
I would go on that ride if I was there.
When I was 6 I went to that park.
Under that rock there is a snail.
I went to a zoo and saw a fierce tiger.
He is meant to be here, isn’t he?
Well done Daniel. Great to see you using the subjunctive in such an imaginative way and then using it to inspire your poetry. I love the way that you end with the question. It made me smile.
thanks
On Monday, Maple 2 went outside. It was amazing. We had to find a space and sit there. Then we got to choose what we wanted to write about and we had to say what we could see,hear and feel. If I was a horse I would go to a show.
If I was a donkey I would go to the zoo.
If I was a Chicken I would go to KFC.
If I worked for Asda I would QUIT.
If I was a robin I would go see the football player called Roben.
What a great effort, Jimmy – especially as you were unfortunately away on Monday. You worked really hard to catch up and worked well with your friends. Your poem made me laugh.
THANK YOU!! 🙂
The learning outside was amazing. Every one had fun. Me, Daniel and Alfie had to come up with sentences which use grammar choices. Here are some of my sentences:
If I were to own a pig I would call it bacon :} .
If I were a horse I would go to Tesco.
If I were a tortoise I would run at 1 mile every 9 hours.
As people wake up, they hear a superb beat of a ravishing robin dazzling in the sunset.
Well done Luke. Great to hear that you enjoyed writing outside. You have made really good use of the subjunctive – your poem made me laugh. Great to see you sense of humour on a global stage (because anyone in the whole world could read this!)
THANK YOU MISS MANSON 🙂
Trees stood, with their leaves hanging off the branches. Slowly, the leaves made their way to the ground. Above the trees were marshmallow-like clouds floating in the sky. Birds with wings like needles flew around the clouds. If I were a bird I would fly around with them. Under the clouds, a roundhouse sat. Threadbare strings hung from its roof. Winter air filled this setting so the children wore layer upon layer of clothes.
“What is it?” asked a young girl.
“I know,” said the History teacher. “The roundhouse is a type of house the Romans used to make; they were built with clay and straw. Romans were people who invaded Britain but have died out now. The Romans ate food like pig. You could also say pig was eaten by Romans, if you wanted to use the active and passive tenses or voices. These people, the Romans, were near the school I’ve been to for 9 years.
Well done Lee. You focused so carefully on the grammar terms and really worked to score those maximum points. I think that dialogue we put in together during editing helped draw the two parts of your lovely text together.
Thank you 🙂
A really good piece of work Lee 🙂
The trees were harmless. (noun)
The sun stole every one’s eyes. It was perfect to glance at. (clause)
“When are leaves going to drop on to the hard dark ground?” said the girl. ( determiner)
The human had eaten the cake on the soft carpet of leaves. (active voice)
Slowly falling, the leaves landed onto the floor. (verb)
The lava-coloured birds flew over the darkening town. (adjective)
The branches were crooked. Its ends were like fingers. (pronoun)
On Saturday morning, we walked to dance. (preposition)
When I was walking, a leaf spun into my hair. (relative clause)
“Would I be able to come round your house? You ought to ask first.” (modal verb)
If I were to be the leaves I would hide from the humans. (Subjunctive)
Well done Kira – especially as you were unfortunately absent when we went outside. What a huge effort you have put in to catch up. Lovely accuracy in your sentences – great to see.
Thank you I did try my best on that piece of work. 🙂
The boy was playing football.[verb]
The kind girl loved to party.[adjective]
The girl was going for a run , so she decided to sing while doing it.[clause]
The girls were having a party ;the boys were going to fall asleep.[clause]
He was called Ben and he did make a milk shake.[active voice]
She was called Karmen and she did make ice-cream.[active voice]
The young girl ran speedily.[adverb]
The young boy talked loudly. [adverb]
Most of the girls ran speedily.[adverb]
Most of the boys talked like mice.[adverb]
The young boy had a passion in art but also football.[verb]
The boy ate a CHICKEN bone.[noun ]
Well done Mischa. Your sentences are great. And so many of them! I loved the way that you even added in other things like the semi-colon. Super effort.
The outside world is a beautiful place . The trees are spreading their glorious , hazel-nut branches on this hot sunny Monday morning . The slender, twinkling oak trees stand there swaying as their leafy hair dances in the sunlight. The splintering sounds of twigs and sticks sound like someone scraping their nails on a chalk board . The apple cores were eaten by the baby squirrels ; the children ate cookies . They would scream aloud if they were allowed to. But at the end of this day you will just hear the sqarking of seagulls above the sandy shore .
Well done Nicole. I can just picture you, enjoying the sunshine with all of that evocative description, interrupted by that awful splintering sound – but not for long – soon, back to lazing in the sun. Sounds great!
Trees
Beautiful trees,
Greenery, Leaves, I Love Them!
Giant Trees whistling in the calm wind,
Nestled Leaves shaking with a melody,
Music with a hymn never to forget.
Brown Bark blanketing the oak,
Sticky Sap glistening in the sun,
Sappy Sticks shattering its brittle neck.
Trees are glorious.
Max – this is simply stunning. You have created a beautiful and thoughtful piece of writing. I am so impressed by the choice of language which really conveys your appreciation of the trees. I also thought the way that you chose to organise and group the lines showed real maturity. A truly effective poem from a very talented writer.
In the morning, the sun rose over the school. All of the trees had pretty leaves that shone in the summer afternoon. The birds flew in the sky and made children scream at the top of their lungs. The hut got cold very rapidly in the winter time.
“If I were in the hut next to the round house I would be cold.” The strings hung from the roof of the round house. The sun fell down and the moon rose up over the trees. Then all of the birds went to their nests and fed their babies.
Tristen – this is great. I love the thought that you have put in to creating these sentences. I can just imagine those noisy children – you weren’t thinking of any children in particular were you?
If I were a horse I would gallop over the fence.
I would … or maybe I should stay here because I need to feed my horses so that they don’t get hungry.
The tall horse stood still as if it were a statue.
The apple was eaten by the hungry horse.
The hungry horse ate an apple at the top of the tree, and then trotted off, back towards the stable.
This is great, Madie. I love the way that you and Daniel M worked together. You make a very creative team. I have a wonderful picture of those busy horses in my head!
The girl saw the blinding sun which rose over the school building. The fire-like autumn leaves tumbled like the rain dripping on to the thorny ground. Under the quiet shed was a cold shadow shrouding the misty rocks as the immense sun awakened and a cotton blue blanket was lying on the earth’s sky. Vast planes glided over the world. Behind her was a large climbing frame where she climbed as if she would have been Tarzan. But an icy drop of water crouched on her hair for a rest.
You focused so hard on choosing your vocabulary, Gabi and have come up with a beautiful description. Your words create lots of lovely images. Your last line made me smile – such an original idea. Well done.
I am ecstatic that you like this.
Mother Nature
The gentle candy floss clouds just above the trees’ reach floated aimlessly.
But beyond those clouds there’s thousands of birds hovering on the thermals,
the humming of soft honey bees is in the air,
Trees creaking in the orchard with juicy apples grown to perfection rock side to side.
Gooey sap on an old oak tree standing like a pillar.
The whistle of the wavy grass upon the hill.
The beetle’s oil-black shell glistened in the sun as he burrowed into a log never to be seen again!
Mackenzie, this is absolutely super. Your descriptions are beautiful and really show your love of nature. Great choice of language. Well done.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!:)
The sun was setting in the fearsome forest when Wing(a young boy ) started to play his ancient flute. Then suddenly a group of fearsome crows swiftly flew down from the sky, like darts knocking Wing to the grubby forest floor. Before he could even move they had taken his adored flute. Wing ran fast like the beat of a drum to his cosy tree house.
Taylor – I can see you were so proud of your opening to your narrative that you wanted to write it instead of your other writing. I can see why. Your description is fantastic. Poor Wing being knocked over like that – I can really imagine it from your description.
WELL DONE TAYLOR 🙂
Yes well done Taylor, I can see that the out doors really inspired you.
Out side
Outside, so beautiful,
the sun shining out brightly
golden leaves falling one by one
falling from the majestic trees
where the whole world can see them
This is a beautiful poem, Rose. I love the way that you tried out several ideas before selecting the words and the structure for this writing. I particularly like the way that you have used repetition. This is a highly effective piece of writing – well done.
Thank you
I didn’t realise what being out side can create. Everyone’s faces were so concentrated out side.
Again I would like to say thank you for the lesson out side. When we were writing our blog posts I realised I didn’t quite finish it so earlier tonight I went on my brother’s laptop onto word and, a bit like what we do with purple pens, I improved it on the laptop, that I will show you tomorrow.
sorry here is my edited version.
Out side
Outside, so beautiful,
the sun shining out brightly
golden leaves falling one by one
falling from the majestic trees
Swaying to the sound of children’s laughter
where the whole world can see them shine.
Magnificent flowers surrounding each and every corner of land
This is all a bit like spring when the daffodils spring up like a mattress.
Night times the same,
When all the children are asleep’
The moon and stars glisten proudly in the night sky.
Hope you like it.
P.S I feel proud of my self.
Well done Rose I can see that going outdoors really inspired you. Great work Rose.
thankyou
The boy, who was eating an irresistable waffle, stopped to look at the nature surrounding him.
If I were allowed to go to Mischa’s nature party I would.
“She’s joking,isn’t she?”
The soggy dog’s bone was missing.
Had he been seen?
After the sap had been dripping on my head for a while, it started to rain.
Well done Karmen. Such fun sentences – and in a grammar lesson! What a shame the sap was dripping on your head – I expect you were lost in a good book.
I enjoyed this lesson because I love writing and going out side I feel like my writing was a lot better and I would recommend going out side to write because it fun!!!!!
My favourite song is “This Wonderful World”. Your writing has reminded me again of the wonderful world in which we live.
Well done Year 6! Keep working hard and you will do well!
I am very impressed!
Thank you for your comment. We will work really hard ! 🙂
thanks!!!!
Thank you Miss Manson’s mum 🙂
Thanks for supporting us.
I am trying really hard to do my best to get greater depth. I am sure everyone else is too. I am really enjoying Miss Manson’s lessons . 🙂
THANK YOU AND I’LL TRY TO KEEP IT UP 🙂
Well done I miss you all so much.
Make lots of memories.
We all miss you too.
My new school is great. I have made some new friends Archie ,Reece and Megan but you are still in my heart so I will never forget you all.
We already have thank you. How is your school going? 🙂
My new school is great Kira.
🙂
Don’t worry we have already made lots of memories. I hope you enjoy your new school 😉
Good and I am enjoying my new school Daisy.
We all miss you too Malina and hopefully you are having a great time in Yorkshire. xx
Thank you Mrs Manson
Love From
Mary-kate and Mischa xx
Happy Christmas to you all.