Dancing with Chloe

The children at Kells Primary were lucky enough to have a professional dancer visit recently. Chloe Smith came and worked with each class choreographing and performing harvest dancers. the children had great fun and learned how to put a dance together. Many thanks to Chloe and to Dr Johnston for organising the visit.

Cooking with Jackie

P1-3 had a fabulous day cooking and icing carrot cakes with Jackie last Monday. We used the carrots that we had grown ourselves. Jackie helped us to weigh the ingredients and mix it together. We had fun cracking the eggs. They looked delicious and tasted even better! Thanks to Jackie for giving her time to us.

Produce donated to Community Shop

Last Tuesday the children of Primary 1-3 harvested their potatoes and carrots with the help of Jackie. We once again had a bumper crop. After a visit from Ms Keron to talk about the new Community Shop, the children decided to donate some of the potatoes to the Shop. On Wednesday the children walked to the Community shop to donate their potatoes. They were met by shop manager Jacqui who was delighted with the potatoes. A local customer even bought some for her tea while the children were there.

With the remaining produce the children are going to make potato salad and carrot cake. (Strawberry ice-cream might also be involved).

Dan Day 2

Whilst we, in the Glenkens, were raising money and building dens, charity workers across the globe were in refugee camps providing opportunity to educate children through play.

I am truly proud of the children and adults for participating in this event:

<swing>

…happy? check

…responsible? check

…safe? check

…cooperative? check

…motivated? check

…included? check

…fun? check

…good vibes?! check

…downright awesome and cool?  double CHECK!

YIPPEE!

A very big and warm thank you to everyone involved – the children have made a fantastic effort to show their gratitude, thank you’s have been delivered… to Jake Jordan Joinery, Wilkinsons Castle Douglas, Tam and Alastair at Stewartry Tyres, Laird from T.A.S. Castle Douglas, Allan Lang at Howdens Joinery, Donald Newbury, Zak Entwhistle, Michael Dutton and Mr Rothwell.

Jayne Brydson

Jake Jordan Joiners

T.A.S., Castle Douglas

Stewartry Tyres, Castle Douglas

Den Day

Friday the 16th of June saw Kells children celebrate Save the Children’s National Den Day.  This is a sponsored event that raises awareness of the importance of shelter as a human right and play as part of childhood.

Mrs Brydson had been fantastically resourceful; she had been in contact with many local businesses, shops and tradesmen.  As the day approached the children became more and more excited about the prospect of making dens.  Gradually Mrs Brydson, friends and family stacked supplies behind the school.  Amazingly, she had gathered pallets, reclaimed wood, cabinet doors, nails and screws, tools (saws, pliers, hammers) – a wholehearted thank you for this magnificent contribution.

The anticipation was mounting… what could be built with these resources?  Questions were asked.  Fears were allayed.  The chatter was increasing… Fortunately a calm, focussed and wildly ambitious plan was at the back of the adults minds.  We were very keen to allow the children to have freedom to create their structures (whilst facilitating a safe and fun activity).

 

We were extremely lucky to have the skill and expertise of Jake Jordan.  Jake is a local joiner who has previously worked as a lecturer in carpentry in Dumfries – he was an inspiration to the children and adults alike.  Having a professional show confidence and focus with the tools at hand meant the children were taught practical life skills and now we all, including Mister Thompson, have a few new tricks up our sleeves for cutting and hammering.

Did you know that blunting a nail of its tip will prevent it from cracking wood when hammered in?  Thanks Jake!

Safety was at the forefront of the day; this meant we were all to use the tools as shown, with respect and to cooperate well. Zak’s creative use of zip ties made for some excellent hinges and gave the children a whole new avenue to pursue. The children showed amazing creativity, work ethic, patience, motivation and dedication to the project.  Everyone can be proud of: taking turns, remaining calm when things changed and focussing on how to overcome a problem.

The result was a splendid day of happy learning, creating structures that had sliding doors, trap doors, doors that the children pointed out had to be redesigned so that everyone of all abilities could access the dens – roofs that made pirate ships, roofs that made children shout “WAAAAAAGH!  Just look at this roof in here!”, roofs that were waterproofed, and even roofs that doubled as escape routes – swings that were high, swings that were low, swings for standing on, swings for spinning on and swings that had to be assessed, reassessed and changed for safety.

The amount of progress and perseverance sent the adults giddy… Not to mention the children!

Lunchtime was spent with the children discussing their designs whilst eating their picnics inside their creations.

The afternoon session saw even more building and fixing. It was clear the children had made their imaginative plans come true.  Games and play were beginning to creep in to the building process and with an hour to go – time was called and the children were encouraged to use their dens.  This meant the children could assess and better their designs.  Jake, Donald and Zak went into overdrive explaining, suggesting and fixing the children’s recommendations.  Donald was spotted having a moments rest, lying like Bagheera in a tree after safely attaching a tyre swing. The energy was high and I myself would have loved to have stopped to see the activity from above (looking back on the photos gave me some perspective of the process and how much was achieved), the children working intently and playing enthusiastically.  We can all be proud of our achievements as we worked together to make a happy place!  Long may this kind of energy and enthusiasm last in schools – teaching and learning is AWESOME.

 

Highlights of the day were *everyone* participating positively; but special mentions go to these bits that were noticed:

Boy carrying enormous piece of timber carefully and safely whilst humming the Star Wars theme tune loudly.  Girl sawing foot after foot of hardwood timber “I’m loving this!”.  The parents, who rallied around to provide us with extra eyes, advice and helped facilitate this safe and successful activity.  Girl advising other girl to “Let the saw do the work!” (this became a bit of a catchphrase). Girl hammering happily and straightening nail again and again in an effort to be accurate and build well. Boy asking for modifications to structure to allow for his sister to be able to gain access and everyone heartily helping to solve problem.  The constant squeals of delight from boys, girls AND adults as the process of creativity developed.  Everybody being responsible and kindly reminding each other of safety tips.  The signs that read: “Keep owt. Espeshlee teachurs.  Pirates ownly.” And “No pirates, or teachers, but Mister Thompson can come in.”

So, despite the effort with the beard, I know my place – not reached pirate status yet.

I will keep trying!

“Aaaaaaarh me hearties.”

Transition

The P567 class were really happy to welcome the P3’s for some transition. Lots of activities and teamwork were enjoyed.  This meant that the younger children get a taste of how their classroom will run next academic year (they also got a taste of smoothies that they chose the ingredients for and prepared, yum!). Sophie got to point out that Mister Thompson might have been wrong about something and she bravely made her point and he conceded that he most definitely was wrong  – it happens to us all!  The P567 class were able to carry on the smoothie-making theme and have designed packaging and measured ingredients to make their own recipes all with no added sugar!

Kites

The P567 class have had great fun building, breaking, fixing, designing, measuring, improving and even flying (almost) our own kites.

This activity has shown us the value in persevering, being accurate, having fun, being active and learning to enjoy collaborating and share success – woohoo!

 

 

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