EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

ROALD DAHL DAY

We began the day by seeing how many Roald Dahl books we were able to name in 2 minutes.  We managed to get 12 of them.

We felt like being a little bit naughty!  We sang along to the song from the musical!

SPEAKFEST

During our first week, we have been studying the text 'The Night Gardener' by Eric and Terry Fan.

We made predictions about what we thought was going to happen in the story.  Here we are sharing those predictions with a partner.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

We asked the Night Gardener some questions.  Here are his responses.

Good evening! I am the Night Gardener. I work quietly under the moonlight, using my tools to shape the trees into beautiful animals and magical shapes. Every night, I carefully trim the leaves and branches to create something special for the town to wake up to.

What would you like to know about my work?

Why do you make trees for children? - Annali

Ah, young one, I create these trees for children because they bring wonder and joy! When you wake up and see a tree shaped like an owl or an elephant, your imagination takes flight. It reminds you that nature is full of surprises, and even something as simple as a tree can be turned into a work of art. I hope my creations inspire you to see the world with a sense of magic and possibility, showing that with patience and care, even ordinary things can become extraordinary!

Can you make a dinosaur out of a tree? - Kaiden

Ah, a dinosaur! What a grand idea! With the right tree, patience, and careful trimming, I could certainly shape a mighty dinosaur. Imagine a towering tree with branches forming the long neck of a brontosaurus, or perhaps a fierce T-Rex with jagged leaves for its sharp teeth! The key is to study the tree’s natural shape and find ways to transform it, just like I do with the animals. Nature provides the canvas, and I just help guide it into something magical!

What other animals have you created? - Jenson

I’ve shaped many animals in the trees! Some of my favorites include a majestic owl with wide, leafy wings, a towering giraffe with a long neck reaching toward the sky, and even a playful rabbit hopping through the bushes. I’ve also created elephants with large, leafy ears, foxes curled up in the branches, and even a proud peacock with a fan of leaves for its tail! Each animal I shape brings a new surprise to the townspeople, filling their days with wonder and joy.

How long does it take you to carve them out? - Emilia

Ah, the time it takes depends on the tree and the animal I’m creating. Some animals, like the rabbit, may only take a single night’s work because they are smaller and simpler in shape. But larger or more detailed creatures, like an elephant or a peacock, might take several nights to perfect. I work carefully, trimming the branches and leaves slowly so that the animal's shape emerges naturally. Patience is key—each night, I return under the moonlight to continue my work, making sure everything looks just right before the sun rises!

How old are you? - Koby

Ah, how old am I, you ask? Well, let's just say I've been around for many, many years—long enough to learn the secrets of the trees and the magic of shaping them. You see, time doesn't quite affect me the way it does others. Under the moonlight, I feel as young as the trees I shape, and as ancient as the roots that hold them steady. My age is a mystery, just like the work I do. What matters most is that I bring joy and wonder to those who see my creations!

How did you learn to do topiary? - Maya

I learned the art of topiary over many, many years, by carefully observing nature itself. Trees and plants have their own way of growing, and I studied their patterns—the way branches curve, the way leaves unfold. At first, I would trim a little here and there, experimenting with different shapes. Over time, I discovered how to guide the trees into animals and other forms, always respecting their natural beauty.

But it wasn't just practice that taught me. I also learned from the magic of the moonlight—it seems to give me an extra sense of what each tree could become. With patience, care, and a touch of that magic, I honed my craft and became the gardener of wonder you see today!

Why do you only make animals?- Lexie

Ah, that’s a thoughtful question! I choose to make animals because they bring life and movement to the trees, as if the forest itself could come alive. Animals have a special connection with nature, and shaping trees into their forms helps people see the magic that already exists in the world around them.

Animals are also familiar and beloved by children and adults alike. When you see a tree shaped like an owl or an elephant, it sparks your imagination and makes you think of stories, adventures, and wonder. By creating animals, I hope to remind people of the beauty in both nature and life. Plus, animals are so diverse! Each one is a new challenge and an exciting surprise!

Is it dangerous? - Willow

Ah, well, working in the quiet of night with sharp tools might seem dangerous to some, but for me, it’s not. I take great care with every snip and cut, moving slowly and precisely so that neither the tree nor I are harmed. The moonlight guides me, helping me see what I need to do without rushing.

Of course, I always respect nature—it’s important to work with the tree, not against it. As long as I stay patient and careful, there's no real danger. Instead, it's a peaceful and magical time where I can focus on creating something beautiful!

What is the hardest thing you have ever done?- Jacob S

The hardest thing I’ve ever done was creating a massive, majestic lion out of a particularly stubborn old tree. The tree had been growing for many years, its branches thick and twisted. It took great patience to carefully shape it into the proud lion I imagined. I had to work night after night, slowly untangling the branches and guiding them into the powerful form of the lion—its mane wild and full, its body strong and regal.

The challenge wasn’t just in the tree’s toughness but also in making sure that the lion looked fierce yet graceful. It took all my skill, concentration, and a touch of magic to bring that lion to life. But in the end, it stood proud, and it was worth every effort!

What was your first creation? - Tim

My first creation was a simple, yet special, butterfly. I chose a small, young tree with delicate branches and shaped them into the graceful wings of a butterfly. It was a humble beginning, but it taught me the basics of topiary and how to work with the natural shape of the tree.

That butterfly was like a tiny piece of magic—its wings spread wide, showing the beauty of the tree in a new way. Seeing the joy and wonder it brought to the children who discovered it was incredibly rewarding. It set the stage for all the other creations to come, helping me to learn and grow in my craft!

Why do you do it at night? - Harlow

I work at night for a few special reasons. First, the moonlight provides a gentle, soft light that helps me see the subtle details of the trees without being too harsh. It also creates a quiet, calm atmosphere where I can focus on my work without distractions.

Secondly, working at night allows me to surprise everyone with my creations in the morning. When you wake up and see a new tree shaped like a magical animal, it feels like a wonderful, unexpected gift! The nighttime gives me the space to work in peace and add a touch of magic to the world while everyone else is dreaming.

Nature Art

We went on a nature walk to collect any fallen pieces of nature.  We created some abstract art work with them.

We also saw a caterpillar which we found out was an Elephant-hawk moth caterpillar.  When we came back into the classroom we found a video to show us what it would turn into.