Year 4

This year’s school trip was full of discovery, fun and shared experiences. Throughout the week, together with the instructors from Dřípatka, we explored the natural world around us – on the first day, we explored the forest and its inhabitants, and learnt to experience nature with all our senses. The next day was all about the meadow. The children learnt about plants, examined natural specimens under microscopes and also encountered some animals. In the afternoon, they turned into little detectives, solved puzzles and wrote letters home. We devoted the third day to water. We learnt about its importance in nature, explored aquatic environments, built beaver dams and enjoyed another detective adventure. In the evening, there were group games and team-building activities. A highlight was the day-long trip to the Pod Vyhlídkou Environmental Education Centre, where the children learnt about plants, animals, nature conservation and various natural attractions. There was also time for roasting apples with cinnamon sugar and a well-deserved ice cream. On the final day, we looked back on the whole week together and set off for home. The school camp brought us lots of new knowledge, wonderful experiences and shared memories. 🌲😊 Ms Danča

Today was a day full of discovery, learning and adventure for our pupils. The Trilopark mobile museum visited the school, introducing the children to the fascinating world of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and fossils. During the interactive programme, the children had the chance to try their hand at being real palaeontologists, examine genuine fossils and take home a souvenir they had made themselves.

Three activity stations awaited the children. At the first station, they went in search of a dinosaur. The nearly three-metre-long raptor skeleton attracted the most attention. The pupils became field palaeontologists and worked together to uncover the individual parts of the skeleton. They then helped to reassemble it and learnt how fossils are formed and how scientists study the Earth’s distant past. The guide also explained a number of interesting facts about dinosaurs to the children in an engaging way and set the record straight on some common myths. At the second station, a hands-on exhibition awaited the children, where the exact opposite of the familiar museum rule ‘Do not touch!’ applied. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, they were able to hold real fossils in their hands and examine them up close. The pupils examined, for example, dinosaur teeth, a mammoth molar, the teeth of the giant prehistoric shark Megalodon, and other rare fossils. Thanks to the opportunity to touch everything and examine it in detail, the children gained a much deeper understanding of life on Earth millions of years ago. The creative workshop was also a great success. Each pupil chose a plaster replica of a prehistoric find and coloured it in according to their own imagination. There were several types of models to choose from – for example, the skulls of a T-Rex, a velociraptor, an allosaurus, a dilophosaurus and a sabre-toothed tiger, as well as a slab featuring trilobites or ammonites, and many others. The children were thrilled by the Trilopark mobile museum programme. The combination of fun, discovery, hands-on demonstrations and creative activities transformed an ordinary school day into an unforgettable journey into our planet’s distant past. We would like to thank the presenters for the engaging programme and look forward to further similar events.

Ms Danča

Pupils in Years 2 and 3 visited the road safety playground at Primary School No. 1 in Bolevec today. The weather was on our side in the end, which only added to the children’s excitement about the practical part of the lesson, where they were able to try out everything they had learnt in theory. However, before they set off onto the course itself, it was necessary to put on and adjust their safety helmets correctly, which the instructor helped the children with. This was followed by a short walk to the playground – without any vehicles – where everyone reviewed the rules of the road together, including the principles of safe behaviour for pedestrians. After that, nothing stood in the way of the children getting on their bikes and scooters and setting off. All the schoolchildren threw themselves into the activity with great enthusiasm. Everything went perfectly – nobody lost any of the points they’d started with, and at the end of the morning, all the participants received great praise for their excellent attitude. The event was a great success in every respect.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, our school held its traditional Spring Festival, which this year had a magical, fairy-tale atmosphere. Well-known and much-loved fairy-tale characters guided us through the entire programme, which was full of songs, dancing and poems. We met the Smurfs, and we were really worried about whether they would win their battle against Gargamel; we also met the Minions, who turned up at our school and were trying to find out how things actually work here and what new things they could learn. We discovered the magic of the fairy tale “Long Live the Ghosts” and stretched our limbs with Bob and Bobek. We set off for Hollywood with Shrek, accompanied by beautiful princesses and, of course, his faithful friend Donkey. And because fairy tales sometimes get a bit mixed up, our drama club’s performance showed us just how that can turn out. The older pupils also deserve great admiration; they enchanted us with a wonderful musical performance. The magical atmosphere of the whole afternoon was further enhanced by the marvellous costumes and carefully prepared props. During the festivities, the children also enjoyed fun activity stations, and we all tucked into the delicious refreshments prepared by our pupils’ parents. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to them for their help and support. Thank you to all the performers, organisers and visitors for a lovely afternoon together, full of joy, laughter and a fairy-tale atmosphere.

Miss Danča

Today we took part in the educational programme ‘About the Forest in the Forest’ at the Sofronka Arboretum. During the morning, we learnt lots of interesting facts about the forest, trees and the important role nature plays in our lives. The programme also included a visit to a nearby forest, where we were able to see everything for ourselves in the natural environment. We learnt about different types of trees, explored the forest environment and completed some interesting tasks. For example, we learnt how the forest works, who lives there and why it is important to look after nature. At the end of the programme, we had the chance to feed the fallow deer, which was a wonderful experience for many of us and a lovely way to round off the day.

The programme was very interesting and informative. We enjoyed the day not only because of what we learnt, but also because we were out in the fresh air.

Miss Danča

As part of the GATE project, the children were introduced to Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling”. Following clues, they split into groups and took part in a range of fun and exploratory activities throughout the day. They explored the properties of eggs – how much weight they can bear, whether they can be squashed by hand, and which ones float. They measured different eggs, discovered the magic of camouflage and also had a go at programming Blue-Bots.

The project day was full of collaboration, discovery and new experiences.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we held a project day at our school called ‘Journey Through Time’, which took the children on a journey through various historical periods. The programme began with the reading of a letter from a ‘mad scientist’, who left the children an important message – the time machine had broken down and it was up to them to fix it.

The children then split into teams, came up with their own names and enthusiastically created team flags, which accompanied them throughout the day. The groups then set off to various stations, where they completed tasks from different historical eras.

They visited ancient Egypt, where they built pyramids, deciphered hieroglyphs and even tried their hand at mummification. In ancient Greece and Rome, they competed in a mini-Olympics and learnt about the gods and their symbols. In the Middle Ages, they defended a castle against enemy attack and practised logical thinking. The Renaissance provided scope for creativity – the children devised inventions and presented their own ideas. In the modern era, they then tried their hand at encryption, communication and building ‘robots’ from various materials.

The whole day took place in a very pleasant, collaborative and creative atmosphere. The children worked with great enthusiasm, helped one another and had lots of fun at the same time. The day concluded with a joint finale, which symbolically ‘repaired’ the time machine.

We would like to thank all the pupils for their enthusiasm and excellent cooperation. A big thank you also goes to the teachers who helped organise the project. We believe the children thoroughly enjoyed the day and took away not only new knowledge but also lots of wonderful memories.

As part of our Earth Day celebrations, we ran a themed mini-project focusing on nature conservation and raising awareness of the importance of the environment in our everyday lives. Various themed tasks were prepared for the pupils, which encouraged them, in a fun way, to think about ecology, waste sorting, and saving water and energy. A highlight was the outdoor trail around the school grounds. At each station, the pupils completed nature-related tasks. Planting seeds was also part of the project. Each pupil planted their own seed, which they will look after over the coming weeks. This symbolic step showed the children that even a little care can lead to big changes, just as it does when it comes to protecting our planet.

Miss Danča

On Tuesday, pupils in Years 2 to 4 went on a cultural outing to Šeříkovka, where they watched a theatre performance entitled ‘Little Red Riding Hood in the Web’. This modern adaptation of the well-known fairy tale captivated the young audience not only with its humour but also with its timely message about staying safe online. The actors explained to the children, in an engaging and easy-to-understand way, how to avoid the pitfalls of the online world and why it is important to protect their personal data. The performance was full of cheerful dialogue, catchy songs and interactive moments that actively engaged the pupils in the story.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the theatre experience and came away not only with pleasant memories but also with valuable lessons.

Miss Danča

Pupils in Years 2 and 3 went to Radovánku again today, where they continued with the previous part of their road safety lessons. This time, they focused primarily on the role of cyclists and inline skaters in road traffic. During the programme, the children learnt how to use and adjust a protective helmet correctly to ensure maximum safety. Together, they also reviewed important road signs, went over the basic rules of the road and looked at the guidelines every cyclist must know. There was also a discussion about compulsory bicycle equipment. The lesson included videos depicting various traffic situations. This gave the children the opportunity to think about who has right of way at junctions and to correctly assess the behaviour of road users. They then consolidated what they had learnt through interactive tasks. The pupils will put all their newly acquired knowledge into practice as early as June, when they visit the traffic playground. There, they will be able to test their skills in a real-life setting.

Miss Danča

Today at school we enjoyed an Easter-themed project day, which was full of fun, creative activities and learning. A variety of activities had been prepared for the pupils, during which they practised their knowledge and skills and revisited Easter traditions. The escape game on iPads was a huge hit; the children solved various tasks and used the password they’d obtained to unlock a virtual castle. There was also a running game focused on reading comprehension. In the maths section, the pupils solved arithmetic problems and, based on the correct answers, then deciphered a code. The children also thoroughly enjoyed decorating Easter gingerbread biscuits, where they were able to let their imaginations run wild and create original designs to their own taste. To round off the day, we played an Easter-themed A-Z quiz together, in which the pupils tested their knowledge in a fun way. Worksheets focusing on revising the material covered were also available.

The project day was a great success and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. We’re already looking forward to more events like this!

Miss Danča

On Thursday 26 March, Ms Romana Kazdová visited our class and had prepared an educational programme for the children entitled ‘First Aid Through Experience’. This event took place as part of the ‘Day for School’ project run by the Česká spořitelna Foundation and was met with great enthusiasm from the pupils. During the programme, the children learnt about various emergency situations they might encounter in everyday life. They learnt how to respond correctly in situations such as drowning, road accidents, injuries or fires, and gained important information on how they can help save a person’s life. The most valuable part was the practical session, during which the pupils were able to practise how to help an unconscious person, how to check their responses and breathing, and how to call for help correctly. The programme also included practising how to ring the emergency services and performing CPR, including chest compressions, which the children practised in a playful way to the tune of well-known songs, such as ‘Jingle Bells’. The whole programme was not only very informative for the children, but also engaging and full of exciting experiences. They came away with new knowledge, practical skills and, above all, greater confidence that, should the need arise, they will be able to respond correctly and help.

Miss Danča

On Saturday, our school hosted its traditional Easter workshop. Children arrived with their parents, and the whole morning was filled with creativity and a spring-like atmosphere. Five stations had been set up for the participants, where they could try out various art techniques and create their own original Easter decorations. They took home a little bird made from iron-on beads, a bunny made from a plastic cup, a woolly lamb or a picture of a bunny made from fabric, the pattern for which everyone chose as they pleased. What sort of Easter would it be without eggs? That’s why there was also an activity involving decorating an egg with crepe paper. The whole event took place in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere; everyone had a great time and the craft activities went smoothly. We hope that this morning helped everyone involved get into the spirit of spring and the approaching Easter. We’d like to thank the children and their parents for taking part, and a special thank you goes to those who brought refreshments – they were the perfect icing on the cake for the whole event. 🙂🐥 Miss Danča

As part of our spring programme, we went on a trip to Blovice na Hradiště, where a themed educational programme entitled ‘Easter at the Castle’ had been organised for us. The whole day took place in a pleasant atmosphere and offered us not only new insights, but also the chance to actively take part in traditional customs. Upon arrival, we first explored the beautifully spring-decorated exhibitions, which transported us back to the Easter period as experienced by our ancestors. We learnt many interesting facts about folk and Christian traditions, their significance and how they were practised in the past. The programme also included a creative workshop, where we were able to test our own skills and take home a small Easter souvenir. Another highlight was the procession to carry out Morana, the symbol of winter, whom we ‘escorted out’ together to welcome in spring. Throughout the day, we were provided with comfortable facilities and the programme took place in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The whole setting had its own unique charm, which enhanced the atmosphere of the place.

Ms Danča, teacher

Today we took part in an interesting programme called ‘Animating Modern Fairy Tales’, organised for us by Animánie. The programme began with a group session on the carpet, where the children chatted with the instructor about how an animated film is made and everything that goes into creating one. They then watched an excerpt from the fairy tale “Otýlie and the 1,580 Crows” by the writer Miloš Macourek, which served as inspiration for their subsequent work. The children then split into smaller groups and set about creating their own work. First, they made props for the animation, drawing with ink and preparing individual elements which they later used during filming.

In the next part of the programme, the pupils tried their hand at animation itself. Using a camera, a computer and animation software, they gradually captured individual frames, thereby creating their own short animated sequences. The children thus experienced first-hand just how much work, patience and teamwork are required to create an animated film. The programme was very beneficial for the pupils; not only did it develop their creativity and imagination, but it also introduced them to the world of animation and showed them how a modern fairy tale can be created.

Ms Danča, teacher

Our pupils from Years 2 and 3 swapped their desks for interactive lessons at the Radovánek centre. The whole morning was dedicated to the theme of a safe journey to school. The children first refreshed their knowledge of the rules for pedestrians and cyclists, and then tested their understanding of road signs before putting everything into practice. With the help of an interactive whiteboard, role-play scenarios and videos, they became experts at handling critical situations on the road. We left full of new experiences and are already looking forward to the next session!

Miss Danča

On Monday, we took the children to the Pilsen City Library, where we watched the show “Veselá čeština” in the Polan Hall. The programme focused on the Czech language, but was presented in an entertaining and playful way. Through competitions, riddles and songs, the children revised their spelling, dialects and other interesting aspects of the language. They took an active part in the performance and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The event was a pleasant change from the usual lessons.

Miss Danča

Today we enjoyed a wonderful morning at our school, full of stories, imagination and creativity. We were visited by the writer Denisa Hořejší, author of the children’s book “O Meduňce a Brambůrkovi”. The author first introduced her book to the children and explained how the story came about. She then read them selected extracts, which immediately drew the young listeners into the world of the main characters. The children listened with rapt attention and reacted enthusiastically to both the suspenseful and the cheerful moments in the story. However, the session wasn’t just about reading. Together, we talked about everything that goes into publishing a book – who the author, illustrator, editor and publisher are, and how long the journey is from the initial idea to the finished book in the bookshop. The children had the chance to take a peek behind the scenes of how a book is created and learnt lots of interesting facts. The practical part of the programme was also a great experience. The children tried their hand at writing their own short story, learnt what a plot and a resolution are, and understood how important it is to have a main character and a clear storyline. Their ideas were original, imaginative and full of fantasy. At the end, those who were interested could buy a copy of the book and have it signed at the book signing. The children were delighted to receive a personal dedication from the author.

We would like to thank Ms Denise Hořejší for her lovely visit and for the time she spent with us.

Ms Danča, teacher

Today we had a mini-project called ‘The Sports Mystery’, which was themed around the Winter Olympics currently taking place in Milan. The project drew the children into the world of sport, logical thinking and creative work. One of the tasks was to find out whose Olympic medal had gone missing. The children thus found themselves in the role of little detectives who had to use clues to work out who the lost medal belonged to. The children also tackled various themed tasks, puzzles and quizzes centred on sport. The project included a practical activity during which everyone made their own Olympic medal.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, pupils in Years 3 to 5 went on a trip to Prague, where they visited the Dinosauria entertainment and educational park. We had a pre-arranged programme, which was tailored to the pupils’ ages. During the visit, the children learnt many interesting facts about prehistoric reptiles, their lives and the Earth’s evolution. They viewed realistic models of dinosaurs, took part in interactive activities and enthusiastically answered the guide’s questions. The trip was not only educational but also great fun, and the pupils came away with lots of new knowledge and wonderful memories.

Miss Danča

Today, pupils from Years 1 to 3 attended an English-language theatre performance – “Grétička Perlička” – which was not only educational but also great fun. The performance was tailored to the children’s age group and introduced them to the English language in a playful way. The actors involved the children in the story, encouraged them to participate actively and were not afraid to improvise. As a result, the children reacted naturally, answered questions and repeated simple English words and phrases. The fairy-tale story of Grétička Perlička captivated the children with its plot, cheerful songs and colourful costumes. The children left the performance thrilled and with the feeling that English can be fun and easy to understand.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, the children took part in a discussion entitled ‘My Journey into the World’, organised by the National Pedagogical Institute (NPI). The programme was tailored to the children’s age and addressed, in a sensitive manner, the topics of a child’s arrival into the world, the human body and family relationships. The facilitator explained to the children, in a clear and age-appropriate way, how new life is brought into the world, how people look after one another, and why mutual understanding, respect and trust are important. The session was complemented by pictures, activities and a group discussion, in which the children actively participated and were not afraid to ask questions. The session took place in a pleasant and safe atmosphere, and the children came away with new insights and food for thought.

Miss Danča

The project kicked off with an English lesson, during which the children got into the Christmas spirit. We then spent the rest of the day together, taking part in a variety of activities. The pupils worked on themed worksheets, which helped them expand their knowledge and practise what they’d learnt in a fun way. Together, we also revisited the Christmas customs and traditions that are an integral part of this time of year. A highlight was making no-bake Lotus balls, which everyone enjoyed. There were also tasks on iPads, which combined modern technology with a Christmas theme. The whole day was steeped in the Christmas spirit – reflected in the festive outfits, which added to the pleasant atmosphere.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas project day. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Thursday, we enjoyed our traditional sleepover, which the children look forward to every year. The whole programme was full of fun, a relaxed atmosphere and Christmas spirit. First, we went for a lovely walk together, during which we enjoyed some time outdoors. On returning to school, one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the evening arrived – the handing out of presents. As the sleepover took place just before Christmas, there was a joyful and festive atmosphere whilst the presents were being handed out. Pizza was served for dinner, which everyone really enjoyed and which gave us the energy we needed for the rest of the programme. This was followed by a lively disco, where the children could dance, sing and really let their hair down. To round off the evening, we watched a film together, which allowed us to relax and gradually get ready for bed. As every year, the sleepover at school was a wonderful experience for the children, full of laughter, joy and shared moments that they will remember for a long time to come. 🙂 Miss Danča

Today, the children from Years 2 and 3 set off on an interesting Christmas journey into the past. They visited the U Matoušů farmstead in Bolevec, where they had the chance to discover what Advent and Christmas celebrations were like on a simple country farm in the days of our ancestors. During the visit, the children learnt about old Christmas traditions and customs that were an integral part of life on the farm. They learnt how people viewed Advent, how they prepared for Christmas and what customs they observed during the winter months. Another highlight was a tour of the living quarters, where the children could imagine the daily life of a family on the farm during the winter months. They were particularly fascinated by the comparison between Christmas decorations of the past and those of today – simple decorations made from natural materials in contrast to those we are used to nowadays. The excursion was not only educational for the children, but also very inspiring. They realised that Christmas was not always about the number of presents, but above all about family, traditions and time spent together. We would like to thank Statku U Matoušů for their warm welcome and the lovely atmosphere, which transported us for a moment back to the Christmases of our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, pupils in Years 3 to 5 set off on a winter adventure to Škodapark, where an ice rink had been prepared for them. As soon as they arrived, they all put on their skates and eagerly took to the ice. For beginner skaters, handrails were available to give them confidence and help them get through those first tentative steps. Gradually, they gained both courage and balance, so there was no shortage of smiles and joyful shouts of delight at their successful attempts. Those who already had more experience of skating took the opportunity to practise various skills – from skating faster to different turns and stops. The whole rink thus came alive with joy and energy. We all thoroughly enjoyed skating at Škodapark. The children went home feeling pleasantly tired, having learnt new skills and gained lots of wonderful memories.

Miss Danča

During the second weekend of Advent, our school hosted its traditional Christmas craft workshop. Pupils gathered here with their parents and enjoyed a creative morning together, full of Christmas spirit. Everyone could choose from a wide range of crafts – there was a reindeer made from pegs, a scratch-off Christmas tree, a rocking snowman, a glittery Christmas tree and a water-based decoration with glitter. Helpful parents provided some lovely refreshments, and we’d like to thank them very much. The morning took place in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. 🙂 Miss Danča

Over the course of two lessons, we embarked on a mini-project called ‘A Story from Leaves’. To begin with, the children worked in small groups to create a mind map, jotting down everything they associated with this title. They then used the leaves they’d collected to create their own picture. The result was an animal character – a fox.🦊 Finally, the children wrote a story based on the picture, using their imagination. We’re all looking forward to reading each other’s stories. 🙂 Miss Danča

This year, we organised a Christmas fair at our school once again before the start of Advent, so that everyone could buy beautiful Christmas decorations and presents in good time. Visitors were able to choose from a wide range of items that the children had made in art lessons, craft sessions and in after-school care. New this year were the chess Advent calendars, whilst the beautiful Advent wreaths and original clothing remained a tradition. The atmosphere was enhanced by a fragrant corner offering hot chocolate, Christmas biscuits, gingerbread, canapés and other treats. To round off the event, there was a raffle for a gingerbread model of the Easy Start Primary School building. Interest was huge, and most of the items sold out in no time. Thanks to the generosity of our visitors, we managed to raise an amazing CZK 53,781, which we will donate to the NFG Foundation. We would like to thank everyone who helped with the preparations, as well as everyone who came along to buy something. We wish you a peaceful and enjoyable Advent.

Today we visited the Pluto Theatre, where the ‘Česky hezky’ mini-festival is currently taking place. On the programme was the performance “My Native Region”, which took us on an imaginary journey through the Plzeň Region. We looked out from the Plzeň Tower, visited Radyni, Chlum and Krkavec, and learnt about local legends. We also visited the Klatovy catacombs and Domažlice, where we enjoyed a fairy tale in the local dialect.

Miss Danča

On Tuesday, we took the children to the Alfa Theatre in Plzeň, where we watched the show ‘Ole! Andersen! Mr Zavřiočka’s Fairy Tales’. Mr Ole Zavřiočka appeared on stage – a dream merchant who, with his magical umbrellas, gives children dreams of all sorts of colours and shapes. But what happens when one boy doesn’t dream at all? When he lacks fairy tales, imagination and daydreams? That was precisely what the whole performance was about – full of humour, puppets, music and poetry. The story, inspired by the fairy tales of the famous Hans Christian Andersen, reminded the children how important it is to be able to dream – even when our eyes are open. In the colourful world of dreams, anything can happen: impossible things, magic and adventures, and sometimes it even seems as though we’re merely dreaming.

Miss Danča, the teacher

Our school enjoyed a fun project day with a Halloween theme. The children completed maths and Czech language tasks, tried their hand at a running dictation and, in the process, revised their lessons in a slightly different way. They prepared two spreads, which everyone really enjoyed. There was also an English lesson featuring Halloween vocabulary and a rehearsal for the afternoon programme. The afternoon was for both children and parents. After a joint performance of the Halloween programme by all the classes, everyone set off on a spooky trail full of challenges – they had to throw rings at a witch, do a pumpkin slalom, complete a word search, ‘bloody hands’, shooting down Frankenstein, and catapulting bats and spiders. For the older pupils, an outdoor escape game with QR codes had been organised, offering plenty of excitement and fun. The celebrations culminated in everyone roasting sausages together and tucking into the treats the children had been preparing throughout the morning. The whole day was filled with a spooky, but above all, cheerful atmosphere. The children thoroughly enjoyed the Halloween celebrations and took home lots of wonderful memories. 🎃👻🧟 Miss Danča

As part of Tree Day, we embarked on a small but very interesting mini-project this year, which reminded us just how important trees are for life on Earth – and for us too. We kicked off the project by building tree-shaped benches, which now adorn our classroom. During the day, we also did a crossword puzzle and read a text with reading comprehension exercises, which helped us remember why trees are an irreplaceable part of our planet. There was plenty of fun too – together we tried our hand at quizzes, Logico Piccolo and the game Kahoot!, where we tested how much we already know about trees.

Ms Danča

On Monday, we took the children to the library in Plzeň’s Doubravka district, where we had booked a programme entitled ‘The Most Famous Czech Writers and Illustrators’. The librarians welcomed us into the library’s cosy surroundings and, in an engaging way, introduced the children to important figures in Czech literature and the visual arts. The children learnt interesting facts about figures such as Daisy Mrázková, Zdeněk Miler, Cyril Bouda and Zdeněk Burian. The talk was followed by a practical part of the programme, during which the children put their new knowledge to the test through quizzes, flashcards and worksheets. The children really enjoyed the active participation and playful tasks, and left the library with new insights into the world of books and illustrations.

We would like to thank the librarians for their warm welcome and the interesting programme, which introduced the children to well-known Czech authors and illustrators in an entertaining way.

Miss Danča, teacher

Today we attended the launch of Jana Poncarová’s new book, “The Secret of Věra’s Diary”. The author gave a captivating talk to the children about how the story came about, who inspired her, and what it’s like to be a writer. The launch itself was rather unusual: the children ‘christened’ the book using sweets, which everyone then received as a souvenir. After the formal part of the event, everyone took home a card signed by Ms Poncarová and lots of lovely memories.

We really enjoyed the launch and are glad we had the opportunity to take part. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, the children had a go at cricket! A visit from a coach from the Czech Cricket Academy added some variety to PE. PE can take many forms – and sometimes quite unexpected ones! As part of our efforts to liven up PE lessons, a coach from the Czech Republic Cricket Academy visited our school to introduce the children to this sport, which is still relatively unusual in our country. During a fun-filled lesson, the children learnt the basic rules of cricket, found out where the sport comes from, and, most importantly, were able to try everything out for themselves – from bowling and batting to tactics and teamwork. The visit had several aims: to make the children’s PE lessons more enjoyable by introducing something new, to broaden their sporting horizons, and perhaps even to discover new talent or future cricket enthusiasts. And who knows, perhaps there’s someone amongst our pupils who’ll one day pull on the national team jersey :-). We’d like to thank the Czech Cricket Academy for their visit and for an inspiring sporting experience. We believe that events like this motivate children to take part in healthy physical activity and open the door to new sporting opportunities for them.

On Monday, we went to the Polana Hall at the Pilsen City Library, where we watched the performance ‘Scary Stories from Pilsen’. The children learnt many interesting facts about our city’s ancient history. For example, they found out about the Pilsen executioner, who ‘Crazy Bábina’ was, and who is said to still haunt the All Saints’ area to this day. The performance took us to the mysterious corners of old Plzeň, where real historical events blend with legends and ghost stories. There was also music and singing, which added to the pleasant atmosphere of the whole event.

Miss Danča

Our school organised a popular sports morning for parents and children called ‘Games Without Borders’. The whole event was all about fun, exercise and teamwork. Upon arrival at the school, each participant found a slip of paper with a rhyme on it, which was used to assign them to a team. Each team then came up with its own name – and then the games could begin! At six different stations, children and adults alike put their minds, dexterity and team spirit to the test. Together, they built the tallest structure, tackled the straw challenge, searched for the correct numbers, tried out unconventional ways of carrying objects, put together jigsaw puzzles and had to crack a mysterious code using encrypted coordinates. The popular guessing game was also part of the programme – this year, the challenge was to guess how long all the lollipops would be if laid out in a straight line. And to make it a bit trickier, the guesses had to be in inches! The whole morning was spent in a relaxed atmosphere full of laughter, joy and overcoming challenges.

Thank you to everyone for taking part and for bringing in snacks, and a big congratulations to the winners of the guessing competition!

Miss Danča

On Friday, our school turned into a little zoo! The children were allowed to bring their own pets, so the corridors were filled with the rustling of hamster cages, the quiet squeaking of guinea pigs and the occasional bark. 🐶 The dogs and cats stayed with us for just the first lesson so they could enjoy the limelight too – and then they went home to rest. During the first lesson, we went round the classrooms to find out who had which pet at home. It was amazing to see how many different animals the children had brought in. After the ‘animal show’, a project day full of adventure awaited us. We tackled animal-themed tasks and puzzles, which led us all the way to an escape game on iPads. 🧩 There, we had to collect secret codes, decipher them and finally open a locked box. And guess what? Inside was a reward waiting for all the successful detectives! 🎁

Animal Day was a great success!🐹🐢🐰 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, almost the whole school went to the Josef Kajetán Tyl Theatre, where we had the chance to watch the fairy tale “The Tale of a Dog and a Cat”. Josef Čapek’s well-known stories about two inseparable friends came to life right on stage and provided us with plenty of fun and educational moments. The children watched as the dog and the cat went on various adventures – tidying up, baking the famous cake and much more. The actors managed to captivate not only the youngest members of the audience, but the adults as well. There was no shortage of humorous situations, songs or moments for reflection. We hope to visit the theatre again sometime.

Miss Danča

On Tuesday, we visited the Pilsen Region Ethnographic Museum, where we learnt about what life was like in our region in times gone by. In the exhibitions, we looked at everyday objects, traditional clothing and household items. The programme also included a craft workshop, where the children made their own felt decorations and tried their hand at spinning wool into string. It was also a great experience to try out traditional tools, such as the spinning wheel, which used to be part of everyday rural life. The excursion was not only educational but also great fun – the children took home not only the items they had made themselves but also a wealth of new knowledge about the lives of our ancestors.

Miss Danča

Today we marked the feast day of St Wenceslas and Czech Statehood Day with a project-based morning. To begin with, we watched a short educational video about St Wenceslas, which gave us an insight into his life and his significance for our history. We then set about creating our own projects – we made beautifully colourful lapbooks in which we summarised all the key information. There were also worksheets that linked history to our school subjects. To round things off, we took part in a treasure hunt about St Wenceslas. Working in teams, we searched for the different stations and completed the tasks. This helped us to revise a lot of new information. The whole morning was varied, fun and also educational. Thanks to the project, we realised why St Wenceslas is such an important figure in our history and why we commemorate him on 28 September.

Miss Danča

A mobile planetarium arrived at the sports hall on Thursday, and we had the chance to embark on a journey into space. The programme began with a screening of the film ‘3-2-1 START!’, which took us on an entertaining journey through the story of space exploration. We learnt how rockets work, what astronauts have to cope with, and why space is so fascinating. The film was followed by a live session with the presenter. He showed us the starry sky as we can see it here – not just in the evening, but at various times during the day and throughout the year. We discovered familiar constellations, and we also saw the Big Dipper, Orion, various signs of the zodiac and some planets. The whole programme was very engaging and certainly sparked our interest in observing the night sky outside school as well. The mobile planetarium thus brought not only a wealth of knowledge to our school, but also an unforgettable experience.

Ms Danča, teacher

On Friday, we set off for the environmental centre in Krsech, where we spent a pleasant and, at the same time, very informative morning together. A varied programme awaited us, during which we learnt new things, tried out various activities and, above all, worked together. Right at the start, we experienced what it’s like to face a particular disability. In small groups, we made our way indoors whilst blindfolded, as if we were blind, and completed tasks that required us to work together. We then split into stations where further activities awaited us. One of these focused on space and light pollution – we learnt that the village of Krsy boasts the darkest skies in the whole of the Czech Republic, making it an ideal spot for stargazing. Another station was dedicated to the cardinal directions, and we had the chance to practise using a compass and finding our way around. Finally, we went outside, where we were given the task of collecting various natural objects in the centre’s garden according to the instructors’ instructions. We really enjoyed the hunt, and it also encouraged us to pay closer attention to the natural world around us. The morning in Krsy flew by, and we came away with new knowledge and lots of wonderful experiences.

We’d like to thank the centre’s staff for such an interesting programme.

Miss Danča

Today, after the summer holidays, we’ve all gathered together in the classroom again. I wish you all a successful new school year and every success in your studies. 🙂 Miss Danča

The second school year is now behind us, and today the children received their school reports and written assessments. We’ve shared many lovely moments – learning, trips, projects and friendships. Every pupil has worked very hard and deserves praise. Thank you to the parents for your support throughout the year and for the lovely gifts. I wish the children a wonderful summer holiday full of joy and relaxation. I look forward to seeing you all again in September – in Year 3! 🙂 Miss Danča

On Thursday, we visited the Museum of Southern Plzeň Region in Blovice, which is situated within the grounds of Hradiště Castle, where we took part in an engaging educational programme called ‘The Storytelling Elf’. A friendly elf guided us through the entire programme, introducing us in an entertaining way to the history of the region, the lives of our ancestors and interesting facts about the area around Blovice. The children were able to view a range of historical exhibits and take part in interactive activities that stimulated their curiosity and creativity. The programme was tailored to the children’s age – entertaining, playful and educational at the same time. The children took away not only new knowledge and experiences, but also a handmade paper elf. The visit to the museum and the meeting with the Storytelling Elf was a lovely addition to our school programme, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting way to bring history to life for children.

Miss Danča

Today was all about sport, teamwork and the joy of being active. Our school hosted a whole-school event – the Easy Start Primary School Sports Day. Although we were blessed with truly summery weather from the morning onwards and temperatures soared, the children were not put off. All the participants proved to be real fighters, tackling the challenges with a smile and great enthusiasm. The pupils were divided into teams, working together to complete a total of 10 sports stations. Each station tested different skills – physical fitness, agility and teamwork. The disciplines included, for example, the long jump, standing jump, skipping, running, shuttle run, obstacle course, basketball shot, long throw, goal kick and hoop toss. Each station had its own unique character, and the children threw themselves into the individual activities with great enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see how they cheered each other on, supported one another and celebrated their successes together. And what sort of summer sports day would it be without a bit of refreshment? During the breaks, there were water games and the children were able to cool off using water sprayers. Laughter and splashing water created the perfect summer atmosphere. A big thank you goes to everyone who helped ensure the event ran smoothly. And above all, to the children, who once again showed today that fair play, enthusiasm and the joy of being active are the real prizes. Long live sport, and we look forward to more events together!

Miss Danča

On Monday, we took the children on a trip to the Škodaland complex in Plzeň – Litice, where we enjoyed a morning of sport together, full of activity and fun. As soon as we arrived, the children eagerly tried out the local attractions – climbing frames, slides and rope courses. We also played some of our favourite games that we’d brought along from school. During the morning, we were briefly caught in a short storm with a downpour, but we quickly took shelter under a canopy and waited out the bad weather in safety. The rain didn’t last long, so we were able to carry on with the programme and make the most of the rest of the time. The children returned to school happy, full of new experiences and with smiles on their faces. 🙂 Miss Danča

In the penultimate week of June, we went on a school camp to the Zátiší holiday centre in Plasy. We were blessed with sunny and warm weather throughout our stay, which meant we could spend most of our time outdoors – in the woods, on the playground and on excursions. The morning activities were not only fun but also educational. We learnt more about nature and life in the woods. We explored what doesn’t belong in the forest, played an exciting game of bark beetles versus conservationists, tried our hand at an unusual running dictation amongst the trees, and learnt to recognise various plants. We also learnt what can be made from them. We spent one morning on an outing – we visited the mini-golf course and the zoo in Plasy. We had lots of fun and marvelled at many interesting animals. The next day, we explored our senses. We tasted, smelled and guessed various ingredients and objects. We also experimented with magnets and observed which materials they stick to and where, conversely, they do not work. To round off the trip, everyone made their own pinwheel. The children spent the afternoons with their carers, who had prepared lots of fun and imaginative activities for them. We tried out the ‘Jolanda’ quiz game, where they tested their knowledge across various subjects, and enjoyed the obstacle course, which even included wading across a river! There was also a disco, which got absolutely everyone dancing. The ‘Grut’s Got Talent’ competition was also a huge success, with the children showcasing their various skills, and those who didn’t fall asleep took part in a night-time treasure hunt. In addition, the children were treated to a whole host of other games and surprises that livened up every day.

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip and came away with lots of memories and new knowledge!

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we took the children on a trip to the fire station in Přeštice. It was a day full of experiences, new information and, above all, fun! The firefighters welcomed us with a smile and were happy to show us what their work involves. The children (and us adults too) learnt lots of interesting facts about what being a firefighter involves – from tackling fires and providing technical assistance to saving lives. We had a close-up look at the fire engines, equipment and gear, and we even witnessed a real fire call-out. A real highlight was the rope slide the firefighters had set up for the children. They were thrilled to be ‘lowered’ down and, for a moment at least, got to experience what it’s like to be a little rescuer. The highlight of the whole day was the foam party. In the hot summer weather, the refreshing foam was just what we needed, and the children happily splashed about in it.

We’d like to thank the firefighters from Přeštice for a wonderful day that we’ll remember for a long time to come!

Ms Danča

Today, we took the children from Years 2 and 3 to the road safety playground at Primary School No. 1 in Bolevec. The weather had improved and all the children were really looking forward to it. At last, the moment had come for the children to put the knowledge they’d gained from the theory lessons into practice. Before the practical session began, the children had to check that their helmets were fitted correctly. The instructor helped them adjust their helmets if necessary, and then the children moved (still without their bikes and scooters) to the playground to revise the rules of the road. A review of the rules for pedestrians was also a key part of the session. Then it was time to start cycling in high spirits. The children tried very hard and enjoyed the ride. For any ‘offences’, the teachers – who were acting as traffic police – awarded them penalty points. But it all turned out well :) Nobody ended up with a full penalty points tally, and everyone was praised at the end for their excellent work. The whole morning was a real success!!! We’re looking forward to it again next year.

On Wednesday, our school hosted its traditional May event – the Spring Festival – at which children from Years 1 to 5 put on a variety of performances. Each class was represented by a different colour – the Year 1 pupils shone in yellow, Year 2 in blue, Year 3 in green, Year 4 in a stylish combination of black and white, and Year 5 chose a cheerful pink. The entire programme began and ended with a group song in the colours of the rainbow, which beautifully enhanced the atmosphere of the whole event. The children put on some truly lovely performances – it was clear that they had practised diligently and given it their all. The audience rewarded their efforts with loud applause and beaming smiles. After the programme ended, a fun afternoon of activities was organised for the children in the school garden. There was face painting, hoverboard riding, target throwing and other games, which the children eagerly tried out. We’d like to thank all the parents for bringing in refreshments and, overall, everyone involved for a lovely day, which we truly enjoyed together!

Miss Danča

Today, pupils in Years 2 and 3 set off on an adventurous maths space mission. The children became astronauts and embarked on a journey of discovery, the aim of which was to find a planet to which humanity could move. The programme was inspired by Prof. Hejný’s method of teaching maths and made use of original, specially made teaching aids which the children worked with. The children worked together in groups and had to deal with practical matters such as preparing for the flight, resolving a crisis situation during the flight, landing on a distant planet, and more. In doing so, they demonstrated speed, logical thinking and courage. At the end, all the pupils were highly praised by the instructor; they had done a perfect job.

Today, we took the children on a field trip to the sewage treatment works in Plzeň. This trip was not only an interesting way to liven up our lessons, but above all an important lesson in what happens to the water that drains away from our homes. On arrival, we were welcomed by a friendly member of staff from the treatment works, who explained the entire treatment process to the children in a clear and engaging way. The children were able to explore the different parts of the facility – from mechanical pre-treatment through the biological treatment stage to the final water treatment. During the tour, we talked about how important it is to save water and why items such as oil, wet wipes or chemicals do not belong in the waste. The children actively took part in the discussion, and many were surprised at just how complex and costly the water treatment process is.

Miss Danča

To mark European Sun Day, we organised a special programme with the children, full of solar energy, learning and creativity. For the day, we all wore something yellow. The aim was not only to remind ourselves of the importance of the Sun in our lives, but also to expand our knowledge in a fun way. Everyone followed a themed trail and learnt new and interesting facts about the Sun. The children didn’t just read the information; they then worked with it further, for example by completing tasks, finding the correct answers and putting their knowledge into a broader context. They also had fun in the maze, where their task was to guide the sun to a flower, thereby symbolically reminding themselves that without sunlight, life on Earth would not be possible. Afterwards, each child made their own little sun. To finish off, we played a themed Kahoot! quiz together, where the children could test their newly acquired knowledge. There was no shortage of joy and laughter throughout the day!

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, our classroom was briefly transformed into a mysterious witch’s lair full of riddles, magic and adventure. An entertaining programme awaited the children, during which they had to use not only their imagination, but also their sharp minds and nimble fingers. To start with, we warmed up with a ‘running reading’ activity. The children’s task was to match the correct sentence with the picture that best described it. But to make it a bit more challenging, they first had to cut out the pictures themselves, then find the corresponding text and stick them on. Once we’d warmed up, it was time for the main event – the escape game. We divided the children into smaller groups, in which they had to work together, decipher clues and search for hidden clues. Each clue brought them closer to the final code, which was the key to unlocking the magic chest. And what was hidden inside? Everyone successfully discovered it thanks to brilliant teamwork, patience and logical thinking, and so the witch Elvira was successfully rescued.

Miss Danča

Pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3 went to see the English-language play ‘THE KING OF THE POLLOCK’ today. They learnt about the frog parliament and, together with the roosters and hens, went in search of the King of the Pollock. The children took part in the play, danced and sang cheerful songs. And all of it was in English. We enjoyed it very much.

As part of our Earth Day celebrations, we reminded the children just how important it is to look after our planet. I organised a fun and educational mini-project for them, aimed at reinforcing their knowledge of nature conservation and environmental protection. The programme included an outdoor trail, which not only gave the children the chance to get some exercise in the fresh air, but also highlighted important environmental issues in a playful way. Emphasis was also placed on waste sorting. The children had a go at sorting items into the correct bins. There was also a discussion about what recycling means and how each of us can contribute to protecting the environment. We believe that even small steps lead to big changes. 🌱 Miss Danča

This year, we celebrated Easter in a slightly unconventional way – in our pyjamas! The day, which we called ‘Easter in Pyjamas’, fell on 16 April, which is also International Pyjama Day. And because we love fun and unusual ideas, we came to school straight in our pyjamas. Even though we were in our pyjamas, we certainly weren’t sleeping! It was a day full of Easter activities – fun, educational and active. We reflected on Easter traditions – we talked about what Easter means, how it’s celebrated here and around the world, and what each day symbolises. The running dictation not only got us moving but also gave our Czech a workout – and running in pyjamas is surprisingly easy! Themed worksheets guided us through an Easter world of puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks and creative activities. An escape game on iPads tested our logical thinking and quick wits – and what a challenge it was! And of course, there were plenty of active Easter games, during which we really let off steam. The whole day was full of colour and Easter spirit. In short – Easter in pyjamas was a resounding success. Thank you for the Easter gingerbread biscuits!

Miss Danča

Today, our class went on a trip to the candle-making workshop in Plzeň-Litice. A fragrant and colourful programme full of creative activities and Easter spirit awaited us there. The children tried their hand at three different activities, during which they made their own original Easter decorations. The first station involved casting wax decorations. Everyone was given a mould with an Easter motif. The children then stuck skewers into the hot wax and watched with great excitement as the wax hardened and took shape. At the next station, they coloured their own candles. Everyone was given a white candle and plenty of coloured wax to melt. To finish off, we all made scented bath salts. The children were able to choose the scent and colour, fill a bag and wrap it up beautifully. The morning took place in a pleasant atmosphere; the children really enjoyed the creative activities and took home not only three beautiful creations but also a lovely experience. Thank you to the candle workshop in Litice for organising the programme!

Miss Danča

On Saturday, we held our traditional Easter workshop, which brings joy to children and parents alike every year. The whole morning was filled with creativity and the spirit of spring. Five stations were set up for visitors, where they could try out a variety of art techniques and create their own original Easter decorations. For example, they made a wooden bird symbolising the arrival of spring, or a hen made from a paper coaster, which brought a smile to many a child’s face. A decoupage-style garden stake, made using napkins and glue, was also a great hit. There were no limits to the imagination when creating cheerful pencil decorations from colourful fuzzy wire. The children also made a cute little sheep from a toilet roll and some wadding. The whole event took place in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, full of laughter, good humour and the joy of creating. Thank you to everyone who took part in the workshop and brought along some delicious refreshments.

Miss Danča

Today, pupils from Years 2 and 3 set off for Radovánku once again to take part in the next part of their road safety theory lessons. Today, the children learnt more about cyclists and inline skaters. They also discussed important road signs, revised the rules of the road, went over guidelines for cyclists and were reminded of the compulsory equipment for cyclists. They watched several videos showing road situations and had the chance to practise determining the right of way for vehicles and cyclists at junctions. They also practised all this through interactive tasks. The children will put the information they have learnt into practice in May, when we will visit the road safety playground and the children will try everything out in real life.

On Wednesday, we took the children from Years 1, 2 and 3 on an unconventional PE lesson. Instead of the usual gym session, we visited the Tyjátr indoor play centre, where the children were able to enjoy plenty of fun and exercise. The play centre offers a variety of play features that immediately captured the children’s attention. Throughout the morning, they tried out the climbing frames, slides and other attractions, which develop their motor skills whilst also encouraging teamwork. There was also plenty of space for free play. The atmosphere was brilliant throughout – laughter and excitement could be heard everywhere. The children really enjoyed their visit to the play centre and left full of new experiences and with smiles on their faces. This trip was a welcome change from the usual lessons.

Miss Danča

March is traditionally the month of books, which is why we went on an interesting visit to the library in Slovany. This time, we took part in a programme called ‘Writing Through the Centuries’, which introduced the children to the history of writing and its development. During the programme, the children learnt lots of fascinating facts about how writing originated and how it gradually changed over the centuries. They had the chance not only to listen to an engaging talk, but also to try out various historical methods of writing for themselves. The children enthusiastically tried their hand at writing hieroglyphs, learnt the secrets of cuneiform script and even had a go at letterpress printing. Each of these activities not only provided them with new knowledge but also gave them the experience of creating and discovering for themselves. The visit to the library was very inspiring for everyone, and the children left full of impressions and new information. We are delighted that we were able to take part in this programme and believe that it gave everyone a fresh perspective on the history of writing and books in general.

We would like to thank the library for a lovely time and look forward to more events like this!

Miss Danča

Today, pupils from Years 2 and 3 went to the Radovánek centre as part of their road safety education. A programme consisting of two sessions had been prepared for the children. In the first session, the children learnt about road safety rules for pedestrians and practised recognising road signs. In the second session, they applied their newly acquired knowledge through worksheets and simulated scenarios on the interactive whiteboard. During the teaching sessions, the children watched several videos in which they had the opportunity to deal with traffic situations involving pedestrians. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole morning, learnt a lot and are already looking forward to the next road safety lesson.

On Wednesday, a teacher from the Škola Zdravé 5 school visited us and explained to the children the importance of good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. The programme focused on the five basic principles of healthy eating – putting together a balanced diet based on the food pyramid, staying hydrated, the principles of sensible shopping, the importance of nutrition for the human body, and preparing healthy snacks. The children enthusiastically put together their own meal plans and searched for healthy foods based on the first letters of their names. Identifying fruit solely by touch was also great fun. It came as a big surprise to them to discover just how much sugar there is in sweet fizzy drinks, what a sausage is made of, or how much fruit is actually in juice. Each topic was accompanied by competition tasks, which the children completed in groups and earned ‘fives’ for. The whole programme was fun, interactive and taught the children lots of new things about healthy eating.

Miss Danča

Today, pupils from across the school took part in another unconventional PE lesson. This time, Vendy Petřinová (Czech champion in rope skipping) came to visit us and organised a rope-skipping workshop. We started with a warm-up, went over the basic jumps, and then moved on to learning some new ‘tricks’ with the skipping rope. For example, we tried “the wind-up with a turn and a jump”, “Side Swings” and “the egg challenge with a Side Swing”. Next, we had jumps in pairs, which required a bit more teamwork but were also great fun. Right at the end of the lesson, we used a large skipping rope to practise running under it at a steady pace and Double Dutch jumps. We really enjoyed today’s PE lesson and would like to thank Vendy for showing us that skipping isn’t boring. 😊 Miss Danča

Today we focused on Shrovetide. We went over the traditions associated with this festival and why Shrovetide is celebrated in the first place. The children were set themed tasks in Czech and maths. They practised soft and hard syllables, reading comprehension and counting to 100. We also played Kahoot! and used a QR code to complete tasks on the iPads.

There were lots of lovely costumes in the classroom. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we visited the Ghost Museum in Plzeň, where we had booked the ‘Senses Sensually’ programme. It was an interactive programme in which the children had the chance to explore the use of each sense individually in a playful way and learnt lots of interesting facts about how they work. To start with, they chatted to the instructor about the senses, and then they were given tests of their hearing, sight and touch. We all went down to the cellar together, where it was completely dark. The task was to hold onto a rope and move along it. As we made our way through the darkness, we heard various everyday sounds, which we were asked to remember. After this activity, we returned to the museum and tested our sense of smell – we identified the scents of different essential oils. The children were also able to feel the Braille alphabet. We rounded off our visit to the museum with a guided tour and then headed back to school. 🙂

It was a very interesting experience. 👍🏻 Miss Danča

Today, the children were allowed to bring their soft toy friends to school, where they spent the whole day with them. First, we got to know all the soft toys. We learnt what they were and what their names were. Then we set about describing them – the children drew their soft toy, noted down its eye colour, the colour of its fur, the print of its paw, and also where it lives. Next up was a ‘running dictation’. The task was to find out the names of the soft toys waiting in the corridor, write them down and solve the crossword. The children also took their soft toy friends with them to their English lesson, where they used them for some interesting activities. We also chatted about why we have soft toys and how they help us – we agreed that they help us overcome our fears. 🙂 We also used our imagination for a task where we had to read a description and draw a character based on it. To finish off, we thought about what our soft toys might eat and worked out how much it would cost us per week. 😁

I believe it was an unusual day and that our soft toy friends enjoyed their time at our school. 👍 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, a crime prevention officer from the Plzeň Municipal Police visited our class. The pupils learnt about the work of police officers in various roles, the different types of police departments, and the important telephone numbers they can call in an emergency. As well as receiving theoretical information, they also practised dealing with various situations in role-play scenarios. To round off the session, they watched a short film on how to behave appropriately towards strangers. This session certainly provided them with a great deal of useful knowledge for the future.

Miss Danča

On Monday, we went to see a performance at the Polana Hall in the Pilsen City Library. It centred on a journey through a year full of miracles, in which two postmen, whilst carrying out a general clear-out of the post office, found a forgotten parcel they didn’t know what to do with, so the children had to help them figure out where to take it. Together, they then recalled all the traditions throughout the year. In the end, the parcel found a home. 🙂 Miss Danča

Today, the children had the chance to learn something new and try their hand at practical animation. The team from Animánie brought us an interesting programme, in which we learnt about the basics of plant structure, growth and reproduction in a fun and engaging way. We explored both the underground and above-ground worlds of plants, talked about their life cycles and created our own colourful and original flowers. To finish off, we brought our plant-inspired ideas to life in an animated film. It was brilliant and the children really enjoyed themselves. We can’t wait to see the result!

On Tuesday, we took a look at the world of finance. We read stories about different children managing their money. We went over the different coins and banknotes we have. We explained concepts such as a bank, savings, money and so on. We also tried to get a sense of how much certain things cost and had a lively discussion. To finish off, the children played a game called ‘Shop’, where they had a limited amount of money and had to buy items from a written list. Throughout the session, we interspersed the activities with tasks from the website www.zlatka.in, which has plenty of interactive activities on this topic.

Miss Danča

Today, together with the Year 3 pupils, we took part in a prevention programme focusing on the topic of bullying. The centrepiece of the programme was an engaging story, somewhere between a fairy tale and a comic, which showed the children in a playful and sensitive way what bullying is, how we can recognise it and how to deal with it. The main character of the story was a little superhero called KiDÓ, who came to life and climbed out of a broken mobile phone belonging to a boy called Max. This superhero protects children in danger, and it was Max who found himself in trouble because of three older and stronger boys. How did the story unfold and how did it end? I’m sure the children themselves will be eager to tell you all about it.

After the screening, we revisited the story through a discussion and activities linked to emotion cards. Together, we talked about how the story made us feel, how Max might have felt during the difficult moments, and how we should act in such situations. The children were very receptive, focused, and the programme really captured their interest.

We spent the last day of school this calendar year in a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. We got into the Christmas spirit. First, we opened the last box of the Advent calendar and set to work. We reviewed Christmas traditions and their significance. The children also completed tasks on their worksheets; hidden QR codes had been prepared for them, which they had to find using clues and then use to solve the tasks. Next, we made a type of Christmas biscuit – Raffaello balls – which some of the children then enjoyed on the spot or took home for their parents. As part of the project, the children also worked on Christmas-themed tasks in English. During the last lesson, it was time for the eagerly awaited gift-giving and tasting of the Christmas biscuits. The sound of carols and the scent of Christmas gingerbread accompanied us throughout the day. At the end of the day, some of the children even had the chance to experience the scent of ‘františek’.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas Day, and the children can’t wait for Father Christmas. I wish everyone a lovely and peaceful Christmas and, above all, good health in the New Year! 🙂 Miss Danča

Today, our class went to the Alfa Theatre to enjoy another pre-Christmas show – “The Star of Bethlehem: Superstar”. The main character was a comet that decided to make itself useful and help the people on Earth. It helped find shelter for Joseph and Mary so that the Baby Jesus could be born in warmth, and it found the Three Wise Men, who brought him gifts. A stellar band accompanied us throughout the performance. The children thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Miss Danča

On Thursday, we set off to visit the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Don’t believe me? I’m serious. A play called ‘We’re Off to Visit the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem’ was performed in the Polanova Hall. Christmas carols accompanied us throughout the performance, whilst the actors told the children about traditions and introduced them to the most important figures of Advent. We even saw with our own eyes a Year 1 girl transformed into Saint Lucy. We now also know what ‘fasting’ means, though not everyone is convinced they want to see the golden piglet and would rather have a proper meal. Good news for mums – according to tradition, there should be nine dishes on the table on Christmas Eve. That’ll be quite a job in the kitchen. Especially cooking up some music. Throughout the whole performance, we gradually sang and chatted our way from the first days of Advent right through to the very story of the gift-giving and the birth of the Baby Jesus. We even managed to slightly rework the lyrics of the carol ‘Let’s Go Together to Bethlehem’. The children got to see how you find out whether a girl will get married the following year. It’s revealed by the slipper she throws over her head towards the door. And now for the most important thing – this year, place your presents by the decorated nativity scene and hang the Christmas tree from the ceiling. 😀🎄On the way back, we even managed to take a photo by the Christmas tree in the square. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Tuesday, we had our favourite sleepover at school. The children had been looking forward to it since the morning. We met up at 5 pm and set off for a walk around the school. On the way, we saw a Christmas tree, a nativity scene and a gate decorated with fairy lights. When we got back, we played board games and tried out some activities as part of Computer Science Education Week. The children had worked up quite an appetite during the afternoon, so they couldn’t wait for the pizza they’d ordered for dinner. Afterwards, we had a mini disco, where the children had a brilliant time letting their hair down. Time flew by and it was time to get ready for bed. Once everyone was settled in their beds, we watched a film for a little while longer, and now they’re all resting contentedly and are surely having lovely dreams. 😴🌃🙂 Miss Danča

On the second weekend of Advent, we held our traditional Christmas craft session at school. We got together with the children and their parents, and everyone had the chance to make a Christmas decoration. The options included a reindeer made from twigs, a snow globe, a tree-shaped ornament, a woolly angel and a paper snowflake. Some parents provided refreshments, for which we are very grateful. It was a very enjoyable morning and everyone took home some lovely Christmas crafts.

Miss Danča

We celebrated St Nicholas’s Day today with a mini-project. To start with, we solved a puzzle from the Advent calendar, which was about St Nicholas, the devil and the angel. The children then warmed up in the corridor with a quiz focusing on traditions associated with 5 December. The next task was to read a story about Pavlík, who was very afraid that the devil would take him away. The children also had to sort the vowels and consonants from a bag correctly. We interspersed the tasks with work on iPads and activities using flashcards. During the project, St Nicholas, an angel and a devil even popped in to visit us and gave everyone a little present. The three lessons flew by, and now all that’s left is to wait for the evening’s presents. 🙂👼🏻👹 Miss Danča

This year, our school held a Christmas fair just before the start of Advent, so that everyone could buy their Christmas decorations in good time. There was a wide variety of items to choose from, all made by the children during art lessons, craft sessions or in after-school care. New additions this year included Advent calendars and scratch cards, whilst the beautiful Advent wreaths and the clothes sewn by Miss Káťa were, as ever, a firm tradition. There was also a corner serving hot chocolate, Christmas biscuits and gingerbread. At the end of the fair, a prize draw was held for a painting of the magical Hogwarts. There were plenty of shoppers and most of the items sold out quickly. Thanks to this, we raised the incredible sum of CZK 45,242, which we will donate to the St Aloysius Home in Plzeň. We would like to thank everyone who helped organise the fair, and equally all the generous shoppers. We hope you enjoy the items you’ve bought. We wish you a peaceful Advent.

On Tuesday, a project for Year 2 called “Dear Zoo”, based on the book of the same name by Rod Campbell, took place in the English classroom. First, we read together a letter from a boy who wanted the zoo to send him the perfect pet. We then looked at the boxes he received. We had to work out which animal was inside each one. To do this, we used worksheets with puzzles and various tasks, which everyone worked on individually. The children put together jigsaw puzzles, solved riddles, identified dogs by parts of their faces, spotted the differences, and wrote the English names of colours next to camels of different colours. Finally, they were able to read the book and watch a short video as a reward.

We spent Wednesday morning doing something a bit different. We gathered in the Year 1 classroom, where the ‘Honey Breakfast’ project was waiting for us. First, the children chatted with the instructor about honey and bees, and they even tried on the suit that beekeepers wear when entering the hive to avoid being stung. The session included some active games, during which the children took on the role of bees. We were shown real tools of the trade and illustrations of beekeeping practices for looking after the hive and harvesting honey. At the end, everyone got to taste some honey and received a small gift.

It was a really lovely way to spend our first lesson. 👌😊 Miss Danča

Today we commemorated the legend of St Martin and the traditions associated with this day. To start with, we ‘went for a run’ to warm up during a running dictation, which took place entirely within our classroom. During the long break, we were treated to St Martin’s rolls – thank you very much. Afterwards, the children did a crossword puzzle and then had to decide whether a series of statements were true or false. Next, we had a ‘walking reading’ session in the corridor. To finish off, everyone received a reward in the form of a card featuring St Martin.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we went on a trip to the Robotics Centre. We had the chance to try out three different technologies – iRobot Root, 3D printing design in the Doodle programme, and VEX 123 robots. The children were divided into two groups, and each group went through the individual stations. In the Doodle programme, we designed our own robot; with the VEX 123 robots, we navigated various obstacles; and finally, on one track, we had to programme three robots simultaneously so that they wouldn’t collide. With the iRobot Root robots, we searched for Alexander the mouse’s lost glasses and came up with a story to accompany him on his quest.

The morning flew by and we’re taking home another set of wonderful memories.👌🙂 Miss Danča

The children had been really looking forward to today – we had Halloween celebrations in store. The corridors were decorated with spooky decorations and there were plenty of ghosts and ghouls in the form of pupils and teachers in fancy dress. At the start of the day, we talked about typical Halloween traditions and got stuck into some themed activities. We then set about preparing snacks for the afternoon. We made French toast and vegetable skewers. After that, we got stuck into the Halloween fun. Various Halloween worksheets, games and activities awaited the children. As a reward, everyone took home a pumpkin-shaped paper bag filled with small sweets. The afternoon was devoted to a musical performance by pupils from our school. This was followed by Halloween-themed activity stations, refreshments and a sausage barbecue.

The Halloween celebrations were a great success and I hope you enjoyed them as much as we did. 👍😊 Miss Danča

Today we went to the sports hall, where a programme called ‘Under the Stars for the First Time’ had been organised for us in the mobile planetarium (planetary dome). The event was organised by the Rokycany Observatory. Through an entertaining and interactive programme, we learnt a whole host of interesting facts about the universe. The children were very inquisitive and had lots of questions about the stars, constellations, the Sun and the individual planets. They themselves contributed a number of interesting insights; it’s clear that the subject is not unfamiliar to them. At the end, we were able to choose which planet in our solar system we wanted to learn more about. Saturn won. The time spent in space flew by, and we really didn’t want to come back down to Earth. 🙂

We spent Thursday morning learning about a prickly little creature – the hedgehog. To start with, we read a short story which mentioned what hedgehogs like to eat, where they live, how they spend their days and nights, and so on… We then watched a short video and set about making a lapbook. It took us quite a while, but the end result was well worth it. The children worked really well throughout and it was clear they were delighted with their finished lapbooks. 👍🙂 Miss Danča

Today we visited the Polana Hall at the Pilsen City Library. The programme was ‘My Native Region’. We set off on a trip around the Pilsen Region. We took in the view from the Pilsen Tower and visited Radyni, Chlum and Krkavec, where we learnt about local legends. We then ventured into the Klatovy catacombs and to Domažlice, where we watched a fairy tale in the local dialect.

Miss Danča

On Saturday morning, we gathered at the school for a special occasion. The programme featured the second annual get-to-know-you and team-building event – Games Without Borders. Six stations awaited the participants – Pantomime, Building a Dream, Ball Catch, Weaving, Movement Zone and Who’s Who. A bonus task for individuals was to guess how many coins were hidden in a chest. At the end, the top results were announced. We hope you had lots of fun, got some exercise and enjoyed the event. 🙂👍 Miss Danča

Today’s programme featured a mini-project focusing on the life of Saint Wenceslas and his family. Through a series of themed tasks, the children learnt about who he was, what he achieved, and why one of our public holidays is dedicated to him. We started with a little warm-up in the form of a running dictation. The children then worked on their iPads, watched a short video, completed worksheets and also played an active game. To finish off, we made a St Wenceslas crown.

Miss Danča

On Monday, we gathered in the classroom again after the holidays. We spent the first lesson doing some group activities, chatting about the holidays, looking through our new textbooks and workbooks, and playing a short game.

We’re setting sail on our journey through Year 2!

Miss Danča

Year 1 is over!🥳🤩

I wish you all a lovely summer full of wonderful experiences. Thank you so much for the lovely presents, and see you in September. 😊 Miss Danča

Together with Year 4, we set off for Švihov Castle on Thursday. We explored the whole castle, learnt what life was like there in the past and, last but not least, how the castle was defended against attacks. Our guide took us to the banquet hall, the chamber and bedroom of the lady of the castle, and the armoury, amongst other places. The tour was fascinating and, buoyed by the lovely weather, we made our way back to the train afterwards. It was a really lovely day.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we had a tour of the Pilsen Zoo. First, we walked around the zoo and looked at the various animal enclosures and exhibits. The cooling fountain was a highlight – it really came in handy on such a sweltering day. 👍🙂 We saved our visit to the Africa Pavilion until the very end, as we had booked a programme called ‘Journey to Africa’. Together with the guide, the children walked through the various African exhibits and learnt all sorts of interesting facts about the animals. The guide actively involved the children in the programme and gave them a fascinating account of all the animals they could see in the various enclosures. He also emphasised the importance of protecting Africa’s natural environment and endangered species. The children listened intently to the commentary and asked relevant questions. 🙂 Miss Danča

Today we went to Lobezský Park, not just to do some sport. First, we played a scavenger hunt linked to natural history. The game consisted of several quiz questions to which the children should already know the correct answers. From a code, they worked out the name of a plant, which they then drew. We then made our way to the amusement park, using only a leaflet and a map. The children solved the tasks and worked out which attraction their friends were waiting for them at. After that, we played ball games, went down the slides, practised our climbing skills on the lighthouse, and then cooled off a bit at the water features. Finally, we walked back to school.

It was a lovely morning. 🙂 Miss Danča

In the penultimate week of June, we set off on a school trip to the Lubenec Recreation Centre. Upon arrival, we began to explore the grounds where we were to spend the next five days. There were lots of new things in store for us, such as making up the beds. 😄 During the morning, we worked on our class project – ‘Careers’. We learnt about different jobs, identified them correctly and looked at some in more detail. We made the most of our surroundings to play all sorts of active games. We also went to visit a nearby old mill. After lunch, we always had a quiet afternoon, during which we read, played board games or simply relaxed. The afternoon programme was organised by the activity leaders, who had prepared various team games. We also had a traditional doughnut party, a carnival and a closing disco. This year, the programme was enhanced by a fire show. I believe the children had an unforgettable week and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Year 1 pupils were very capable, and together we managed it really well! 😄👍 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we went on a field trip to visit the professional firefighters in Slovany. A range of experiences awaited us – the children toured the entire station, saw the fleet of vehicles, and were also able to sit in a fire engine and examine its equipment. They were also shown how to immobilise a fracture and secure an injured person to a vacuum mattress. Some of the children even had a go at putting on a firefighter’s uniform. The firefighters showed the children a ladder truck with a rescue basket, which they were allowed to climb into. To round off the visit, the ambulance service returned and allowed the children to take a look inside the ambulance.

The children really enjoyed their time at the station and came away with lots of new experiences.

Miss Danča, teacher

Towards the end of May and at the start of June, we held our now traditional event – ‘Year 5 pupils teaching Year 1 pupils’. The Year 5 pupils split into pairs or groups of three and set about planning individual lessons for our Year 1 pupils. They tried their hand at teaching a topic from natural history – the forest. They also led a Czech language lesson featuring the fairy tale “Jezinky and Smolíček”. On Tuesday, the pupils tried teaching in English, discussing the senses with the children. In maths, they worked together on building with cubes, playing with tiles, counting to 20 and handling coins. A big thank you to everyone who took part in this event.

Miss Danča

Today we added a bit of variety to the children’s snacks with a ‘melon tasting’. As part of the ‘Fruit and Vegetables in Schools’ project, we received various types of melon and the children had the chance to taste each one. As well as the well-known watermelon, we also received yellow melon and Galia melon. We took this opportunity to talk to the children about the health benefits of eating not only melons, but also fruit and vegetables in general. And after today, we all know that although melons have always been considered fruit, they are actually a type of vegetable. The children enjoyed their snack and really liked the melons.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, the long-awaited day arrived – the Spring Festival. For several weeks, all the classes had been practising their performances diligently, making backdrops and working on their costumes and fancy dress. By the afternoon, all the performances were ready and the programme could begin. The theme of this year’s Spring Festival was ‘A Journey Around the World’. The programme began with a group performance. The Year 5 pupils then took over as presenters for the rest of the festival. The performances were varied. You could watch several dance performances, singing or dramatised stories, whether in Czech or English. There was even some Slovak. As every year, the finale of the festival featured a group performance; this time it was the song ‘Travel the World’. The celebration was followed by refreshments and group activities, including games testing quick thinking and coordination. Anyone who wanted to could also have their face painted.

A big thank you also goes to all the parents who helped us with the refreshments and with preparing for the celebration. The whole event was a great success and, in the end, the weather was on our side. We are delighted to have such talented pupils, who threw themselves into rehearsing the performance with such enthusiasm.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we spent part of the day working on a fairy-tale project. A fairy-tale-themed trail had been set up for the children around the school building. Next, everyone had the chance to visit various stations where the children tried to identify fairy tales from brief excerpts, guessed characters based on short clues, and put storylines in order, amongst other activities. We also worked with Blue Boots and iPads. Among other things, the children created their own class poster, which turned out really well.

It was a very enjoyable morning. 🙂 Miss Danča

Today was a very important day for the Year 1 pupils – they were officially inducted as readers. The pupils welcomed their parents with a lovely opening poem. This was followed by three tasks, which were by no means easy. The pupils worked on various fairy-tale-themed tasks. They even read the fairy tales aloud. The Year 1 pupils coped brilliantly with everything, so our royal knight was able to induct them as readers. We all enjoyed the afternoon, and the Year 1 pupils are now keen readers.

Miss Danča

Today, the Year 1 pupils enjoyed a performance by the Ondřej Theatre, which has honoured our school with its presence on many occasions. The children always look forward to it very much, as they have a great deal of fun. Today we watched a fairy tale with a Nordic theme. As usual, of course, it was performed in Czech and English. The main characters were Wizard Odin and Viking Erik, who wanted to enchant his beloved. So he set off on a quest to find the fairy Idun, to help him become young and full of strength once more. As always, the children actively participated in the performance. It’s the ideal way to enrich their English vocabulary through play. 👍🙂

On Tuesday 7 May, a school-wide project focusing on the work of the Integrated Rescue System (IZS) – Emergency Situations – took place. Although the weather wasn’t on our side, we were still very much looking forward to what lay ahead. In the morning, we gathered together in after-school care, where we were introduced to the theme for the morning and the basic rules. The pupils were then divided into seven teams through a simple game. The teams were then given a schedule and set off to find their way to the various stations. One by one, the teams visited the seven stations. At the first station, the pupils learnt how to communicate with a control room operator. They discussed what information it is important to pass on to the dispatcher, how to get their bearings in their surroundings, and practised making calls in various emergency situations. At the second station, a building evacuation drill was organised. They familiarised themselves with the evacuation plan and its purpose, and went through the individual rules of conduct in such a situation. Together, they demonstrated some of the key mistakes that can make the work of firefighters and other emergency services more difficult during an evacuation. The third station focused on an emergency kit. The children learnt what such a kit is for, when it can be used and what is appropriate to pack inside it. At the fourth station, the pupils were able to try out equipment for transporting people and look at the basic contents of first-aid rucksacks. The fifth station focused on resuscitation. The pupils revised the basics of CPR and practised the correct procedures for resuscitating people. A nurse from the Czech Air Force Air Ambulance Service was present at this station, so the children were able to ask any questions they had about the air ambulance service. The sixth station summarised what they’d learnt about emergency situations. The children practised how to react to an earthquake, a threat at school or a tornado. The seventh station promised a special experience – the chance to stroke and ‘cuddle’ a rescue dog. At this station, the children learnt about the work of a rescue dog, how to respond to the dog’s behaviour, and what to do (and not to do) in its presence. In the final part, the pupils worked in teams to create a poster summarising all the knowledge and experiences they had gained. The project was a great success and we hope the children learnt something new.

Thank you to all the organisations that spent the whole morning with us!

We, too, celebrated Walpurgis Night in our class on Tuesday morning, though in a different way to roasting sausages or burning a witch’s effigy. A project had been prepared for the children. First, we went outside, where a trail had been set up for them in the school garden, and their task was to decipher a magic spell. After our snack, we explained why witches are actually burnt and where the custom comes from. The children then tackled a word search and counted the witch’s cats. Afterwards, using themed cards, they practised reading comprehension and number sequences. To finish off, they had to find letters in the corridor according to numbers and decipher the codes. We had lots of lovely witch costumes in the classroom, and not a single black cat was missing. 🧙🏻🪄🧹🐈‍⬛😄

Today we took part in a project focusing on preventive dental care for children. The materials were provided by DM drogerie. We watched the fairy tale “Hurvínek at the Dentist” and put together an interactive programme with tasks related to the topic. One of the children’s fathers, who is a dental hygienist, also visited our class and gave a very engaging talk to the children about proper dental care. He also brought along lots of visual aids and a small present for each child. A gift for the children was also provided by DM drogerie.

Many thanks to Mr Bitter for his time and willingness to help. 🙂 Miss Danča

We celebrated Earth Day with a small project. To start with, a treasure hunt was organised for the children, in which their task was to find task cards using symbols and answer questions correctly about protecting our planet. Afterwards, everyone took an iPad and set about solving an escape game. The aim was to find objects that do not belong in nature, complete maths or language tasks, and write down a letter. Once they’d successfully solved the puzzle, the children entered the word they’d worked out into a lock, which unlocked a small virtual reward for them. To finish off, everyone completed their worksheet and we summarised how we should treat the Earth so that we can continue to live here happily for as long as possible. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Wednesday 17 April 2024, an English-language project called ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ took place. It was the children’s first experience of working in English for a whole day. At the start of the project, we had to identify the tracks we’d found in the school corridor. Then, armed with cameras, we set off on a bear hunt. Tracks marked with numbers and their written forms helped us find the right path. Along the way, we completed various tasks: walking through grass (and solving a maths problem in English) or through mud (pulling out letters to form English words), wading barefoot across a river (fishing out shells with numbers on them), find pine cones and twigs in the forest and practise prepositions, collect a book-themed jigsaw puzzle in a snowstorm (using polystyrene shapes), head into a cave (the English classroom) and try to take a photo of the bear. In the English class, we set about completing nine tasks at different stations and, for completing them, we collected photos of parts of a bear. And because the children worked so well, they also deserved a sweet treat. During Friday’s after-school English session, they’ll be reading a book and watching a short video based on the story of the same name.

Today we went to visit the Pilsen Philharmonic, where we had booked an entertaining and educational programme focusing on the ordinary human traits of unrivalled musical geniuses from various periods in music history. Were they ‘eccentrics’? Or perhaps “normal” people? What were some of the world’s most significant composers like in their everyday lives? How did they interact with those closest to them and with their colleagues? The Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra attempted to answer these questions for us. And as a bonus, the children had a go at actively joining the orchestra and creating their own short piece of music. We thoroughly enjoyed the morning programme and came away with lots of interesting and new information.

Ms Danča, teacher

On Wednesday, we had an Easter project on the programme. To start with, we watched a video which used a puppet show to explain why we celebrate Easter and what the traditions and customs are. We then summarised the symbols of Easter together and set about completing some themed tasks. Worksheets had been prepared for the children to practise reading and maths, and everyone worked on them at their own pace. We also played a game where the aim was to collect as many eggs as possible – by correctly solving the maths problem on each egg. We gave our senses a bit of a workout too, specifically our ears, with the game ‘Chick, Cheep!’. An Easter escape game was set up for the children on the iPads. They had to find items that weren’t related to Easter or spring, complete tasks, and received a letter for each task. Finally, they had to enter a meaningful word into the lock, which they’d put together from the letters. During the last lesson, we made a 3D egg.

Miss Danča

As March is Book Month, we visited the Central Library for Children and Young People to mark the occasion. The librarian had prepared a short talk for the children about how the library works, what it’s all about and what rules need to be followed. She showed the children how to find their way around the books, how the library is divided into different sections, and that it’s not just books that can be borrowed. She also read them a short story from one of the books. Together with the children, she also went through what is and isn’t allowed in the library. To finish off, the children were able to explore the library, choose books that caught their eye and read a short extract from a story.

Miss Danča

We welcomed the arrival of spring with the ‘Four Seasons’ project. To start with, we read the fairy tale “The Twelve Months” by B. Němcová. Next, the children were asked to work in pairs to come up with a sentence containing two given words relating to each of the seasons. We also played a game of ‘I Spy’ and guessed which months were hidden from us. Using coloured pencils, we distinguished the different activities carried out in each month by colour. There were also the ever-popular QR codes and work with iPads. In maths, we played a months-themed game of Bingo. A simple code-breaking activity was also prepared for the children, followed by some addition and subtraction exercises. We also worked on a lapbook, which proved quite a challenge at times. Throughout the day, the children were able to use flashcards on the carpet to practise the days of the week, months and seasons.

Miss Danča

On Wednesday, the traditional Easter fair took place in front of the school. The pupils, together with their teachers, teaching assistants and school carers, in collaboration with the nursery school, prepared lots of lovely items to sell. You could buy all sorts of Easter decorations, craft kits for those who like to get creative at home, spring greenery for vases, gingerbread biscuits and other treats, and much more. As always, there was the traditional range of lovely clothes sewn by Miss Káťa. Refreshments included hot chocolate, and a very popular new addition was the muffin workshop, where everyone could decorate their own muffin. This time, the school decided to donate the proceeds from the fair to the Človíček day centre in Plzeň, which cares for children with a wide range of disabilities. The fair was a great success – we raised CZK 27,656! A big thank you to everyone who helped organise it, and also to everyone who came to support us by making a purchase. Have a lovely Easter :-).

On Saturday, some pupils, parents and teachers gathered at the school for an Easter craft session. Several activity stations had been set up for them, where they could make spring and Easter decorations. For example, they could decorate a chick or bunny garden stake, make a little sheep, a carrot, a moving egg with a chick inside, a hen garden stake, or paper tulips for a vase. The crafts and the workshop were a great success, and we hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday morning.

Miss Danča

We had an unusual start to the week. Tutors from Animánie came to our class and had put together an interesting programme for the children. They organised three different activities with them – a discussion, a film and a game. Over the course of three lessons, they alternated between these activities and tried out many different things. Based on three short stories – “How the Flea Wanted to Be a Bee”, “How the Tortoise Wanted to Be the Fastest”, “How the Poodle Wanted to Be a Lion”, the children explored the fulfilment of possible and impossible wishes; the programme encouraged self-discovery and self-assessment, as well as finding their place within the family, the group, the world and in life. At the same time, they developed their communication and cooperation skills within the group, as well as their ability to express their thoughts and opinions.

It was a really fun morning! 👍🙂 Miss Danča

Tuesday was all about Shrovetide. To start with, we discussed why Shrovetide is celebrated, what it actually means, and what traditional customs are observed here. Various themed activities were organised for the children. They completed worksheets on maths and the Czech language. Two ‘running dictations’ were set up in the corridor, as well as a treasure hunt with a secret word. Another part of the day was a little ‘escape game’ on iPads, where the children first had to scan a QR code to load an image onto the iPad, then find hidden links within the image, and tasks were hidden beneath these links (e.g. anagrams, memory games, word searches, etc.). In their spare moments, they practised various skills using flashcards. To finish off, we played a few observation and movement games together. We were dressed in fancy dress all day long. In the afternoon, a carnival awaited the children in after-school care. 🙂👍 Miss Danča

Today we visited Techmania, where we had booked a session called ‘Earth and Her Friends’, which took place at the Planetarium. The children learnt what our Earth actually looks like and why day and night alternate. They also looked at our star, the Sun, and realised just how important it is for our lives. Last but not least, they explored the Moon and tried to understand its close relationship with the Earth. After the programme, we walked round and tried out all the exhibits on display at Techmania and the Planetarium.

It was a brilliant day out. 👌😊 Miss Danča

On Thursday, the whole school set off for a sports morning at Area D in Plzeň-Doudlevce. Three sports areas had been set up for the children, and everyone took turns using them throughout the morning. They played floorball and volleyball, and at the ‘Ninja-Kids’ station they enjoyed a monkey bar course, jumping over hurdles and tackling obstacles under the guidance of experienced instructors. After a snack, they had free time to play on the climbing frames and slides and let off steam on the trampolines.

The children had a wonderful morning of sport!

Miss Danča

On Monday, we had a mini-project on the Three Kings, which lasted just two lessons. Together, we revisited the legend associated with the Three Kings. The children were then given themed tasks, in which they solved maths problems, filled in missing letters in words, or identified all the different forms of a given letter. As is our tradition, we also used iPads for the activities, on which the children could play memory games, search for words hidden amongst letters, and match captions to pictures.

Miss Danča

We spent the last day of this calendar year in the Christmas spirit. We had a brief chat about Christmas traditions, after which a series of stations with themed activities had been set up for the children. They tried their hand at, for example, Sudoku, finding their way around a grid, identifying the first letter of a word, reading comprehension, dominoes, maths, logical sequences and the game Dobble. Next, we split into groups; one group worked with Blue-bots and the other with iPads. The Blue-bots had to follow a route according to instructions, whilst on the iPads the children played a memory game and solved a crossword and a five-way puzzle. We also made a little tree out of coloured paper and finished reading the story from the Advent calendar, which had been with us throughout December. Throughout the day, we tasted Christmas biscuits, listened to carols and filled the classroom with the scent of frankincense. During the last lesson, the most eagerly awaited moment of the day arrived – the handing out of presents. Everyone was thrilled. 🙂

Thank you all for the Christmas cards and presents. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and, above all, good health in the New Year! 🙂 Miss Danča

A Christmas party was planned for Wednesday afternoon. The children had been practising their songs, dances, a poem and a short story very carefully so that they could perform them for their parents and grandparents. The big day arrived and everyone put into practice what they’d been learning for several weeks – and they did a brilliant job. The parents (and grandparents) were delighted, the children received a huge round of applause, and there was a wonderful atmosphere. To round off the event, a game was organised to test the memory of not only the children but also their parents. After the performance, light refreshments were served, and some parents brought along samples of their Christmas biscuits – for which we are very grateful. 🙂 Miss Danča

On Monday, as well as the cultural event, we also had a sleep-over at school on the programme. At 5 pm, we all met up at school and went for a short walk to see the Christmas tree and the nativity scene. On our return, we had a dress rehearsal for the parents’ Christmas show, which is on Wednesday. After working up an appetite with the walk and the performance, everyone was really peckish, so the children went to refuel with the pizza we’d ordered. Afterwards, we played some board games and slowly got our sleeping places ready. To round off the day, we watched part of the film “Niko the Reindeer” and drifted off to sweet dreams. We had a great time, but we all agreed that sleeping in our own beds is noticeably more comfortable. 😁👌 Miss Danča

Today we visited the Polana Hall at the Pilsen City Library. The programme featured a show called ‘Christmas Here and There’. The children revisited Christmas traditions and songs from Bohemia and various corners of the world in a playful way. They learnt what Lucky used to look like, transformed themselves into reindeer for a moment, and had a go at breaking a Mexican piñata. The programme was very interesting. 😊 Miss Danča

On Saturday, we held a Christmas craft session at our school. We got together with the children and their parents, and everyone had the chance to make a Christmas decoration. There was a wide range of options on offer: the children could make a flower pot decoration, a star out of wool, a decoration using coffee and natural materials, a snowman made from cotton wool pads, or a hanging angel. Some of the parents provided refreshments, for which we are very grateful. The whole event was a great success and everyone took their lovely creations home with them.

Miss Danča

We had the ‘Čertohrátky’ project planned for Tuesday morning. A wide range of themed activities had been prepared for the children – worksheets for recognising letter shapes, adding and subtracting up to 6, and writing cursive letters. There were also games such as ‘St Nicholas, the Devil and the Angel’, ‘Potato Toss’ and ‘Who Did Lucifer Carry Off?’. The children also had a go at describing the different characters and their costumes, and played a devil-themed memory game on iPads. To finish off, they were able to make a paper figure from the devil’s sleigh. During the day, we were visited by the Devil, St Nicholas and an angel, who brought small gifts – for which we are very grateful. St Nicholas leafed through his Book of Sins, spoke to each of the children, and the little devil then presented them with their gifts. In return, the children had rehearsed a little poem for them. It was a brilliant morning; we all enjoyed it immensely and, most importantly, made it through with everyone present. 👍😀 Miss Danča

On the last day of November, the Christmas market took place. The children carefully made items which were then sold at the market. There was a wide range to choose from, ranging from home decorations and Christmas tree ornaments to Christmas biscuits. There was a festive atmosphere, with Christmas songs playing and the stalls decorated with fairy lights. The Year 5 pupils did a brilliant job of running the stalls. The proceeds of CZK 32,000 from the fair will be donated to support the St Lazarus Hospice in Plzeň.

Today, the whole school visited the DJKT Small Stage to see a ballet performance of “Snow White”. As everyone knows the fairy tale “Snow White”, it was interesting for the children to see it in a different form to the one they are used to. Although ballet is a more complex form of theatre, the children watched it with great interest throughout. Some of our school’s pupils performed in the show, so we had the chance to see them ‘in action’.

Miss Danča

On Monday, we had a project day focusing on St Martin. The aim of the project was to revise and expand on what we know about the legend of St Martin. The children were drawn into the story through an interactive narrative and watched a short video to help them visualise the tale. They then enjoyed a themed music lesson. Afterwards, they completed worksheets where their tasks included matching bread rolls with the initial syllables of the pictures, solving maths problems involving geese, finding matching pictures, and similar activities. During the final lesson, they put together a jigsaw puzzle featuring a portrait of St Martin, which helped them revise the material covered, and played a memory game with shadows or an interactive memory game on an iPad. A mini escape game on iPads also awaited them, in which their task was to find three things in the picture that could not be linked to the legend of St Martin. After clicking on the picture, the task opened up and they had to complete it successfully. To round off the project, everyone made a paper goose. We also had the chance to taste some St Martin’s rolls, which Bertík and his mum had baked for us at home – thank you.

Miss Danča

To round off the week, we went to an interactive exhibition that brings to life the story of Jiří Trnka’s most successful children’s book, “The Garden”. The ‘Trnka’s Zahrada’ exhibition transforms the original story into a multimedia installation with original set design, bringing Jiří Trnka’s illustrations to life in the form of an enchanted garden. The children took on the roles of the five boys from the book and experienced their adventures first-hand. They met all the main characters: the stone dwarf, the mischievous tomcat, the good-natured elephants, the wise whale and the singing pack of dogs. It was a lovely morning out.

Miss Danča

On Monday, we went to Polana Hall for the ‘Let’s Take a Walk Around the Zoo’ programme. It was a musical show featuring songs, accompanied by live guitar. The children learnt about the adventures and travels of Alexander the parrot as he sought out his animal friends. All the children actively took part in the programme in a playful way; they learnt to sing new songs, did some exercises, tried to guess which animals were being described, and learnt various interesting facts about them. We really enjoyed the performance.

Miss Danča

Today we celebrated Halloween. In the morning, we gathered in our costumes and set about completing some spooky tasks. First, the children coloured in bats featuring syllables and letters, then they were given Blue-bots and iPads to play with. Next on the agenda was preparing snacks for the afternoon programme. As Year 1 pupils, we made a fruit drink. To finish off, there were activity stations set up for the children where they completed various tasks – such as solving maths problems on pumpkins, Halloween-themed activities on the interactive whiteboard, counting Halloween-related pictures, and so on. It was another lovely morning, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We’re already looking forward to the afternoon programme with our parents.

Miss Danča

We spent Friday at Techmania. We’d booked the ‘Colours Around Us’ programme. The children were shown how a rainbow is formed and they also made their own. They also tried out experiments with sweets and water, and with alcohol-based markers and alcohol. Afterwards, we all had a bite to eat and set off to explore the exhibitions at Techmania, such as ‘Man and Animal’, ‘The Future on a Plate’, ‘Water World’, ‘Little Science’, ‘Entropa’, ‘Engineer’ and others. We also saw a miniature fire tornado. The morning flew by very quickly and we were sad that we had to go back to school.😒😊 It was brilliant! 👍 Miss Danča

Today, a lovely policewoman visited us and, in a playful way, explained to the children how to behave around unfamiliar dogs and what to avoid when interacting with a dog belonging to their own family or a close relative. She also explained the basic responsibilities of dog owners when walking their dogs, the role of the Plzeň Municipal Police in relation to dogs and other stray animals, and how police dogs assist officers. The children discussed various situations with the policewoman; they acted out many of them, whilst other scenarios were displayed on the interactive whiteboard. The talk flew by in a flash, and it was clear that the children found it fascinating.

Ms Danča, the teacher

We also spent Saturday morning at school, which was a bit of a change. An ice-breaker and team-building event called ‘Games Without Borders’ awaited the children and their parents. A total of six stations had been set up: ‘Get the Ball to the Finish’, ‘Bullseye’, ‘Throw at the Target’, ‘Fish Out’, ‘Put Me Together’ and ‘Build a Structure’. Two bonus tasks were also prepared. The first was ‘Lentil Tip’, and the second task was to count all the ladybirds, butterflies and flowers in our school corridor. The event concluded with a joint prize-giving ceremony. We had lots of fun and I hope you enjoyed the event too. 👌😊 Miss Danča

On Wednesday, we celebrated Animal Day here at our school too. The children were allowed to bring their pets along. So we had three guinea pigs and one goldfish in the classroom. We only looked at the other animals in photos. In the first lesson, we talked a little about them, and then we went to have a look in the other classes. During the following three lessons, animal-themed activities were organised for the children. They had the chance to try out Blue-Bots and navigate a grid of squares according to instructions; using iPads, they scanned QR codes which revealed exercises on recognising pets and matching what they eat with where they live. They also coloured in a numbering colouring page and counted the number of dogs and cats. Finally, they were divided into groups of 2–3 pupils, and a station with a different activity was prepared for each group – solving maths problems, matching initial letters, finding the shadow corresponding to a picture, assembling shapes according to a model, and counting. Each group went through all the stations. Today’s unusual day was very interesting and the children got to experience something a little different again. We enjoyed it very much. 🙂 Miss Danča

Today we went on our first school trip together. We spent the first two lessons at the theatre. The performance was set in a fairy-tale world, featuring classic fairy tales such as “Hansel and Gretel”, “Goldilocks”, “Snow White”, “Little Red Riding Hood” and the like. Strange things were happening there: the fairy-tale characters were being attacked and something was stolen from them every time. So the fairy-tale grandfather called on police officers from the human realm to help, who were tasked with catching the culprit, and they succeeded. The performance was great fun and the children watched it with great interest. 😊 Miss Danča

On Monday, we welcomed the Year 1 pupils and their parents to the classroom. We spent the first lesson taking part in a group activity, which culminated in each child painting their own commemorative ‘I’m a Year 1 pupil’ T-shirt. 😊👌 Miss Danča