Tag Archives: Literacy

Bagging Peats

On Monday 24th August, P3-7 and secondary 4 went to the peat hill to bag peats for the school. First Mr Garrick split the primary children into groups of 3 and each group had a secondary pupil. We walked to where the school peats were then we started bagging. We stayed in our groups and each took a bag. Most of the peats were bone dry. Because the peats were so dry there was a lot of dust, so we had to wear safety goggles. It was really hot but quite windy. I was in a group with Ishbel and Marley. When we finished filling a bag we had to lift it to the side of the road. The bags were super heavy but the secondaries were there to help. We had to fill lots of bags and we had to keep moving since there were so many of us. While we bagged peats Mr Garrick took the bags to the school in a trailer.

Certain spots were very muddy but it was very fun and tiring. I saw a spider in one of the bags when I carried it down to the road. We filled over 100 bags altogether for the school. Everyone worked really hard.

We also did some research on Shetland peats when we got back to school. Here is what my group found out:

Peat is cut for burning in fires in many parts of Shetland. They make great fuel but the stages they go through take a while. First the heather and grass is removed from the top of the peat bank. Next the peat is sliced into brick shapes with a special tool called a tushkar and it left to dry out. After a few days the peats are raised into small pyramids to let more air reach them. Then when they are properly dry they are bagged and brought home.  By Elsie MsalilaIMG_2472 IMG_2479 IMG_2480 IMG_2482 IMG_2483 IMG_2484 IMG_2489 IMG_2494 IMG_2495  P1020501P1020498P1020509P1020519IMG_2503

Horrible Histories with Martin Brown

When I heard that Martin Brown was coming in to see us I was  very excited! I really enjoy reading the Horrible History books and I think that the illustrations really compliment the book. I like the style of his drawings, they really inspire me. I love to draw cartoons and I really enjoyed it when he showed  us some of his drawing techniques. He was really good at getting your attention when he was explaining something. I really, really liked listening to what he was saying and I would love to meet him again.

Aimee Irvine P7

 

Martin Brown was funny and he is a talented cartoon artist. He told us how to draw a horse, he said, “If you don’t keep drawing a lot then your horse will look like a sausage.”

Scott McKearney P7

I really enjoyed the event. I loved listening to all the horrible facts and doing the fun activities. Martin Brown made the event really fun and enjoyable to listen to. I learned lots from the lesson like how Mary Queen of Scots gave the axeman a gift before her execution. I also learned a lot about drawing such as how to draw a cartoon horse. Thank you very much for coming Martin!

Flora Quinnell P7

 

I really enjoyed Martin Brown coming to the school, he was very funny and he is a very good drawer. He showed us that even if you don’t draw realistically it doesn’t mean you’re not a good drawer. Callum McLean P7

 

I thought Martin was funny, cool and just plain AWESOME! He is oh so good at drawing and he is not boring and I love the Horrible Histories. My favourite one is Edinburgh so keep up the good work Martin! Shay Polson P5