A flavour of the online introduction to a Main Lesson (the Class Teacher develops a wide range of interwoven activities around the central theme which allow for a variety of learning strategies; movement, speech, singing, music and practical activities – as well as more formal academic work.)

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In the early hours of Monday the 21st of January 2019, I crept up the garden of my old house in Abercych to witness the moon turning red; I took the picture in the banner above whilst shivering in the freezing air!

What a perfect memory to begin our new Main Lesson on Meteorology and Astronomy: the study of our weather, climate and all that is above us in space. Why was it so cold on that January night, and why had the moon turned red, with a slither of bright light at its top like a crown? As we begin to delve into our studies over the next few weeks, these are the very kinds of questions that we can begin to explore, and as true explorers do: with our own eyes, and perhaps our own hands!

For now, I will say that in answer to the question of why the moon had turned red, this is what was happening: 

Overnight from Sunday the 20th of January, into Monday the 21st, a total lunar eclipse took place, which many witnessed worldwide (including me stood at the top of my garden!). The picture above doesn’t show the moment of total eclipse; if it did, there would be no bright crown!

As the moon passed into the Earth’s shadow, the full moon became tinted with red-orange (the colour of a sunset). Now, if we consider our knowledge from our Physics Main Lesson, we can reflect on what is happening in a sunset. Light is being filtered through Earth’s atmosphere, changing the normal light to reds and oranges (and pinks). In the case of my red moon, this filtered light was then reaching the moon’s surface (it was the only light that could, because there was no direct light passing from the sun to the moon), making it appear red.

Parents have provided images of their children working from home and one parent reflects on how the online education provision has fared.

I am impressed by how creative the learning experience has been this time round. The connections are still strong and the interest is there. It feels like each class has found an approach which works, with a mixture of laughter, games and puzzles, presentations and held activities, on and off the screen. It’s not an ideal situation, but the teachers especially, have supported students through with a care and understanding which is only possible with a deep understanding of the children’s needs. I am very grateful for all the resources and support the school has provided in this challenging time for my two children.

Parent