Why did the fire spread?

We found out more details about the fire. It had been very hot and dry with no rain for ages. Then it became windy. 

We also discovered many of the buildings were made of wood with thatched roofs. They were built very close together.

The girls built Pudding Lane and watched how the fire spread along the houses.

Lexi conducted an interview with witnesses.

This is what we know so far.

Investigating symmetry

We explored symmetrical patterns using objects found in the class. We used a ruler as the line of symmetry.

Olivia found a second ruler to make another line of symmetry. Her finished patterns looks amazing.

Business afternoon

 This afternoon the Squirrels had a great time with the rest of the school taking part in Business afternoon, organised and run by year 6. Each stall raised money for a different charity chosen by children running it. 

We wandered around the stalls buying dvd's, puzzles, books, games and toys. 

Lots of children chose to have their nails done .........

And hair!

We discovered how talented the children at our school are in 'Roydon's got talent' !

Rests during all the excitement were enjoyed in the sunshine 

Well done Year 6, we hope you have raised lots and lots of money for your chosen charities!!!

Fire in the bakery!

Some of us wanted to draw about the fire straight after our drama. 

It is called the GREAT fire of London but great normally means good. We think this time 'great' must mean BIG. We think the fire got bigger than just one bakery and spread to other houses.

Connor thinks if the family were able to jump to their neighbour's roof it must be very close so maybe that is why the fire spread.

A monument

Do you remember this tower?

It is a monument to something that happened nearly 350 years ago. 

We travelled back in time to find out about it, to the 2nd of September in the year 1666.

There was a fire and a man called Thomas Farynor and his family were trapped upstairs in their house. The fire started in the kitchen. Thomas was a baker, the Kings baker. The bakery was in Pudding Lane in London.

The children made the walls of the kitchen and took turns to say what they saw.

      The rats knocked the sacks over.    A stick fell out of the fire.        The table set on fire.

The maid didn't put the fire out at bedtime and a spark jumped out onto the wood pile. Lots of wooden and flammable things in the kitchen soon caught alight.

As the flames spread the family were unable to escape downstairs. Throwing open an upstairs window they climbed on to their roof. The flames grew stronger but the family bravely jumped onto a neighbours house.

Their maid was too frightened to climb on to the roof. The smoke was getting thicker. 

We asked her about the fire. She thought she would be in trouble. She said she was too frightened to jump. We told her to be brave. We would help her.

Sadly, she died in the burning house.

This is the story of 'The Great Fire of London' and we are going to find out about it and why it was called 'great'.

New school member

Squirrel class has a new member! 

Just outside our classroom, under the canopy we have a nest with a baby bird. 

If we are calm and quiet we may be lucky enough to see mum flying in and out to feed it. 

It is a baby blackbird. We can only see one chick at the moment but there may be more. 

If you are really quiet you can watch it. 

Day trip

Our class went for a virtual visit to London yesterday! We travelled down on the train and enjoyed seeing the countryside speeding past the window. 

When we arrived we could go off exploring on our own! One group went on an open top bus and saw all the sights. Another group went on a boat trip down the River Thames and went under Tower Bridge.  A third group walked up The Mall and saw Grenadier Guards with their tall, furry hats. 

We had to meet back at Buckingham Palace as the Queen had invited us all to lunch.

Some of us went on the London Eye, the view from the top was amazing. The river looked like a shiny, silver snake.

We had to wait here as a tall ship needed to pass beneath this bridge.

This building is where the Mayor works. It looks like a wood louse.

We thought about popping in to the Houses of Parliament to see David Cameron.

We all met back here at Buckingham Palace to see the Queen, she was very pretty and even wore one of her crowns.

Our day ended up here! We wonder why. What ever is it for?