Monday, November 29, 2010

How does salt melt ice?



We had to put salt on the step this morning and we see it is now a puddle of water.

Why is this? How does salt melt the ice?

There we learned that the answer has to do with melting points. Most people know that water freezes at a temperature of OºC. Salt dissolves fairly rapidly in ice, lowering its freezing point in an effect known as freezing point depression, and melting it in the process.

You've also probably noticed the effect of salt water on freezing points if you've tried to make ice cream or if you've wondered why the ocean doesn't freeze at the same time as bodies of fresh water, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds.
On a roadway, this means that if you sprinkle salt on the ice, you can melt it. The salt dissolves into the liquid water in the ice and lowers its freezing point.

If you ever watch salt melting ice, you can see the dissolving process happen -- the ice immediately around the grain of salt melts, and the melting spreads out from that point.


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

FAI Champions Sligo Rovers Visit


Can you crack the code?

Today at 11 o'clock Sligo Rovers came to visit our school. The children did lots of lovely artwork to welcome the team after their big win in the aviva Stadium 10 days ago.


The last time that Sligo Rovers won the cup was 16 years ago so we are so happy to get a chance to see it on our own school.

A surprise on the day was that Richie Ryan was presented with the Airtricity Plater of the Month for October 2010. This really put our school in the national headlines!


Go on the Rovers!!!



Sligo Rovers Visit Mercy Primary Sligo with FAI Cup! from Joanne Leydon on Vimeo.

Monday, November 22, 2010

French Toast

This week we are making French Toast. It was very tasty.
We made sweet French Toast which can be a breakfast or a dessert in some countries, it probably came from Spain so we wondered.....

Why is French Toast Called French Toast?
The French came across a way of using stale bread and still making it edible. Dipping in egg and pan frying with butter and spices hides the fact that the bread is past it's 'use by' date
If it was not used it would be thrown out or 'lost'... or "pain perdu"

Much of French cooking follows the same thought processes.
Many of the rich, heavy and creamy sauces that are prevalent in French cooking were created to hide the fact that the meat or fish was, or was very nearly gone off. Obviously these dishes were created before fridges were invented. We are glad that our bread was not stale or it might not have been so tasty!!!

Be careful though, the French do not like to be reminded that their food was often less than fresh...

Click here to learn all about French Toast.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Sligo Rovers Foootball Final

Yesterday I went to the new Aviva Stadium to see Sligo Rover play against Shamrock Rovers. I went on a bus and I came back last night. It was the most exciting match I have ever been to because the score was still 0-0 after 30 minutes of extra time. It went to penalties and Ciaran Kelly the goalkeeper saved the day by saving 4 penalties. The team are coming home with the F.A.I. Cup tonight.

The last time that Sligo Rovers won the FAI Cup was 1994!

It was a brilliant day!
Written by Lauren.

Come on the Rovers!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Our New School Blog!


We have just launched our new school blog. Here each class can set up their own blog.
If you would like to have a look click here.
We especially like the video introducing our school, it would be nice to use this type of voice over animation and text to movie software in our classroom!
Of course the school website is also still up and running here.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Winter Poems

Here is a list of the poetry that we will be looking at over the winter months, well done to all the kids who decorated their poems, we all agree that they look great!

Tell us what poem is your favourite and why?
Winter Poems Full

Scrambled Eggs on Toast

This week we are making scrambled eggs on our new portable hob. It is a healthy snack and gives us all the right nutrients for our busy lifestyles! Well done to J.M. for typing this up!
Scrambled Eggs Final

Monday, November 8, 2010

Stone Soup Fable


We are doing the Portugese Fable of Stone Soup in the class this week, we really liked the story and all agreed with its message; what do you think?


A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows.

The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it.

Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear.

"Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot.

"Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share.

The villager elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day.

As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, it was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic."

Moral: By working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

Stone Soup

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Witch Witch Poem

We are a little late in getting our Halloween Poems up!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Junior Spiders Awards Entry

We have just submitted our class blog into the Junior Spider Awards. We think that it's great that there is a school internet awards because there a so many brilliant school websites and blogs coming from Irish schools up and down the country.

Good luck to all the entrants!!

In Touch Magazine

Hot off the press!! Here is a picture of the INTO's "In Touch" Magazine that was delivered today.

We are all delighted that our class blog got a mention!

Hip hip hooray!