This week the school celebrated its 10th birthday! Pictures from the day have been shared from Mr Sam Kelly’s Facebook page, as he very kindly photographed events for us. More photos on our school Facebook page also.

On Friday, we welcomed visitors into school to talk about bagpipes. We were shown the chanter and the bagpipes. Please contact the school or local pipe band if this is something you would like to have more information about.

 

Primary 1

This week we have continued to learn in our groups. In our groups we have a variety of different ways to learn. Working in groups make up most of our learning in P1.
Duncan – “I like doing cutting and sticking in groups.”
Fraser “I like learning new things and doing new things.”
Tom “I like learning and doing my words.”

 

Primary 2

P2 has been developing French language. The boys and girls learned the names of some French food and how to ask for food and share their likes and dislikes. P2 tried some French food during a French tea party, to celebrate the school birthday.
“It tasted nice.” Ethan
“The croissant with chocolate was good.” Brody
“The cheese was too cheesy!” Mabel C

 

Primary 2/3

This week we went out and about to try and find the original location of Kirkcudbright Castle.
We also learned about why a castle would be built in a certain place and where the stones from that castle went once it fell into disrepair.

 

Primary 3/4

In class we finished off our dog fouling posters for Andrew.
P3/4 has been helping put a ‘History of Sports Day’ board for the open day.
Mia – “I’m really proud of mine and Aaron’s poster.”
Gavin – “I have been working on my pencil control.”
Cael – “I have enjoyed thinking about what future sports days would look like.”

 

Primary 4

Our main focus this week has been our Scottish History projects. These have sharpened up our note-taking skills, our research skills and our organization skills. They’re shaping up to be quite a collection!
Seumas said, “It was really good fun trying to figure out fractions, take away and division.”
Abbi said, “It was fun learning new things on the subject we were researching.”
Have a lovely break!

 

Primary 5

This week we have been learning how to make riddles and here is an example of Keir’s riddle… “What never comes back until tomorrow?” Leave your answers in the comments section.
We went back in time and finished our diary write up as a Celt.
We went on Zoopla and compared todays houses and the Celtic homes. We made a PowerPoint about the Celts and showed them to each other.
Paige said – “The diary write up was fun.”
Ryan said – “Our houses are bigger and better than the Celts lived in.”

 

Primary 5/6

We have been learning about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse. We had PC Brown visiting our class to discuss the consequences.
We have been working hard towards completing our 500 words creative stories.
We have also completed our home for the Borrowers. This completed our learning of design, construction and material choices.
“We are close to finishing our 500 words to put forward.” Elle
“We had PC Brown to come in to talk about drugs and drug medicine from a Doctor.” Aaran

 

Primary 6

This week, as part of our Scotland topic, we created stained glass windows with tissue paper, using Charles Rennie Mackintosh as inspiration.
This week it was ‘Safer Internet Awareness’ and we discussed how we can stay safe online and protect ourselves. For more information please visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk for some excellent guidance.
In writing we have been writing clear instructions for a partner to follow. After this we tried to write them in Scots!
Eliza – “I learned about beats in music with Mrs Pearsall.”
Asha – “In maths set we have been learning about time zones.”
Kaden – “I have learned how to use speech marks accurately.”

REMINDERS
On Monday 24th February, P6 are curling. Please remember warm clothing, clean trainers and a packed lunch.
Our Lockerbie Manor assembly is on Friday 28th of February at 2pm.

 

Primary 7

We’ve started to read our new class novel – ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne. We compared a variety of covers the book has had. We thought about why each cover was chosen and how it made us feel.
Mrs Thorburn and some S1’s and S6’s came to visit and talk to us about the Academy. We were able to ask questions and we each got a copy of the prospectus.
We spoke about how to stay safe on the internet for Internet Safety Day. We learned about our online identity and what is safe to share.
Nairn – “So far in our novel we have met Bruno who has moved from Berlin to the country and is not happy about it.”
Mahsun – “I asked if they sell sweets at the Academy. Some others asked if there was any bullying.”
Tal – “We completed a quiz about internet safety and I got 70%.”

Reminders
On Thursday 27th of February we have our P7 class photo.

Attached are details regarding our 10th birthday celebrations. We hope to see you all then! (click on picture to open a larger copy)

 

Each week we will endeavour to share something from each class but this may not always be the case. For further details and information about our school, please head over to our website at https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/kirkcudbrightprimary

A reminder that there is a drop in session from 4.30pm – 6pm on Tuesday 28th January, where you are invited to come into school to look over your child’s learning.
Also, all pupils are reminded and encouraged to keep practising their Scots poems!

 

Primary 1

This week we have been learning about money in class. We had fun working out the prices of items we could buy at the shop. Mrs Rozniakowska helped us to set up a class shop of our own. We sold a variety of things including bananas, strawberries etc. The whole class enjoyed playing roles such as a shopkeeper and customers.

Patrick – “I liked being the shop keeper.”
“I liked to do the shopping.” – Aiden McC
Duncan – “I liked playing with the till.”

 

Primary 2

P2 have been learning about water. The boys and girls learned:
– Where water comes from
– Why water is important
– How to change the ‘state’ of water – liquid to solid, solid to liquid and liquid to gas.
– How to make water less transparent (see through) by dissolving.

Eilidh – “When you put water into jar and into the freezer, it can turn hard and into ice.”
Albie – “You boil water to make gas. It bubbled lots.”

 

Primary 3/4

This week, in maths, we have been learning about co-ordinates.
In language, we have been learning how to take notes.
Also, we have been drawing polar bears in art and working with cool colours.

Mia – “I enjoyed doing the co-ordinates treasure.”
Xena – “Finding out about co-ordinates was quite interesting.”
Hannah – “My dad writes notes for his work.”
Rhys – “My dad writes notes for his exams.”

 

Primary 5

In P5 we all have been using thinkboards in class maths. We had lots of fun doing maths this way.
We made a PowerPoint about the Celts. Power points are more fun to work with.
Like last week, we learned more about French colours.
We learned lots of different adjectives! This was extraordinarily fun!

Scott said, “Think boards are fun!”
“Learning about adjectives was fun!” said Lucas
Jessica said, “It was amazing to choose our different backgrounds for our Celts PowerPoint!”
“I enjoyed learning French colours.” said Amy R

 

 

Primary 5/6

We are preparing for the BBC radio 2, 500 words writing competition. We have been outside, developing our ability to describe our environment and increasing our vocabulary.
We have been learning how to use gymnastic equipment safely. We then moved on to jumping/ landing and movement / rolling skills.
P5/6 are in a competition with each other to see who can read the most words in Accelerated Reading.

“This week we learned how to land with two feet on the mat. We jumped off the mat then landed with two feet. We also learned how to use equipment safely.” Tanya
“Entering 500 words as a class! I think it’s great competition, persuading children to write stories!” Ralph

 

Primary 6

As part of our Scotland topic, we have been listening to different Scots singing. So far we have enjoyed Lewis Capaldi, Biffy Clyro and The Bay City Rollers. Leave your favourite Scots musicians in the comments section!
In PE, we are developing our fitness by completing different activities as part of a circuit, such as: bench jumps, sprints and skipping.
We have been testing our knowledge on French days and months and we have also been learning the Spanish days and months too!

Alex – “I learned how to tell the time in math set.”
Murray – “I learned how to pronounce different Scottish words.”
Ewan – “I learned that a factor is a number that fits in another number e.g. the factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4 and 8.”

 

Primary 7

On Wednesday, we went to the Academy to learn about some signs of a chemical reaction in the science labs.
In Spanish, we have been learning about how to ask and answer “How are you?” and say good morning and afternoon and good evening.
This term our RME topic is Judaism. We`ve been learning about kosher foods and Jewish food rules.

Sean – “I learned some of the signs of a chemical reaction: sound, light, heat, changing state. I enjoyed using the Bunsen burners.”
Nico – “Spanish was fun. I enjoyed learning some new words.”
Ruby – “I learned that Jewish people aren’t allowed to eat dairy and meat together.”

This week has been full of fun and exciting Christmas activities throughout the school. Here are a selection of photographs from this past week.

From us all at Kirkcudbright Primary, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help and support throughout 2019 and we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In the new year, Primary 7 will be holding a ‘Launch Party’, to showcase their work about this term’s topic, ‘Titanic’. More details can be found in the letter attached.

Reminders for the whole school:

Monday  –  P5, P5/6, P6 Christmas party (afternoon)

Tuesday  –  P7 Christmas party (6pm – 8pm)

Wednesday  –  P1, P2 and P2’s from P2/3 Christmas party (afternoon)

Thursday  –  P3’s from P2/3, P3/4 and P4 Christmas party (afternoon)

Friday  –  Church Service 10am

 

Primary 1

This week we have been learning social dances for our Christmas party. We enjoyed dancing with our partners and can’t wait for our party next week!

Duncan said, “I found them easy to learn.”

Ross said, “I liked dancing. I liked the circle dance.”

Aria said, “I liked turning under the ‘arch’ in the St. Bernard’s Waltz.”

 

Primary 2

 The boys and girls in P2 have been learning how to dance traditionally ceilidh dances (The St Bernard’s Waltz and the Circassian Circle).

The dances will be a part of the Christmas party.

 “You need to look at the partner you are dancing with,” said Mabel C.

Lydia said, “I keep in time with the music.”

“They’re ceilidh dances,” said Archie.

Holly said, “I like the Circassian Circle!”

It is our Christmas party next Wednesday from 2pm – 3pm. Please come to school in your party clothes.

 

Primary 2/3

In Drama we have been acting out conversations between Plop the Owl and his father. The conversations were really good and it helped with our reading skills for the script and expression in acting it out.

We also debated in 2 groups. Nocturnal vs Diurnal. We respected views of others and putting our views across kindly.

We visited the Museum to find out all about different kinds of birds. We found more than 70 types of birds at the Museum!

Noah – “It was great fun!”

Kamelia – “It was really interesting.”

Anna – “I found a golden Eagle!”

 

Primary 3/4

This week we have been learning more about Antarctica and Penguins.

“I didn’t know children were not allowed in Antarctica.” – Gavin

“I didn’t know people could live in such a cold place!” – Madison

“I didn’t realise penguins could live in warm and cold places.” – Rhys

Our class party is on Thursday. Please bring a change of clothes to change into at lunch time.

 

Primary 4

We’ve moved from sound waves to light waves. We have been learning about colour and experimenting with inks.

We’re enjoying the environmental themes in ‘The Iron Woman’.

“I felt scared when the men turn into fish in ’The Iron Woman’!” – Lachlan

“I like when we talk about the things we see in our minds.” – Sylvie

 

Primary 5

This week we wrote letters to the Grinch. We had fun telling him what we wanted for Christmas. We don’t think he’d be very pleased with our letters as he hates Christmas and all of the lights on our Christmas trees.

In P.E we have been learning about Scottish dancing. We have been doing dances such as the Dashing White Sergeant.

In maths we have been learning about negative numbers. Negative numbers are the numbers that are below zero.

Lucas said, “Writing to the Grinch was good as he might reply!”

Paige said, “I learned a lot from the dancing.”

“It is nice learning a new thing I can do in maths,” said Carla.

 

Primary 5/6

We have been learning about the proportions of self-portraits in art.

Our homework challenge for the week was to bake some form of bread, cake or biscuit from scratch, with an adult at home.

We have learned how to safely use a variety of tools, including saws and hammers.  We will soon be building houses for the Borrowers.

“This week we have been making tables out of wood and card board with hammers and nails.”- Ollie

“We all did a performance in the Church. There was lots of singing, snacks and stalls.”- Elle

Can all P5/6 please remember to bring a reusable water bottle for class use only.

 

Primary 6

This week we finished our class novel “Street Child” By Berlie Doherty. After finishing the book we all did accelerated reading tests on it. As a class so far we have read 10.6 million words!

After loving the book so much we decided to do an informal book review, Amazon style! First we looked at real examples on Amazon to see what they were like. From there, we then wrote our own opinions and rated the book out of 5.

In class we have been practising multiplication. Some groups have been working on all of their times tables up to 10 x 10. Others have been multiplying two digits by two digits.

Fraser said, “I learned how to use negative numbers when doing co-ordinates.”

Anelle said, “I enjoyed using Microsoft Sway and recording audio.”

Ayla said, “I learned how to write an Amazon book review with our class novel ‘Street Child’.”

Reminders for next week: Projects are due in on Monday. If you want to, you can bring in board games to play on Friday.

 

Primary 7

We used Code.org to experiment with coding for ‘Hour of Code’.

Dr Davidson from the Academy visited us to do some work about forces.

We coloured in a picture and then viewed it in an augmented reality app. It was amazing!

We investigated how chemical rockets work by carrying out experiments with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda and with water and vitamin C tablets.

Evan – “It was fun to learn about chemical reactions and carbon dioxide.”

Carlie – “It was fun using the Van de Graaf machine giving Nico a shock.”

Tyler – “It was cool seeing my turtle picture come to life.”

Finlay – “I learned how to use repeat code to program a function of building a house.”

P7 Christmas party is on Tue 17^th of December from 6pm-8pm in the school hall.

 

Wider Achievement

Congratulations to our wonderful dancers who travelled to Castle Douglas to take part in a Stewartry competition. Out of all the participants, the girls were awarded 1st place! Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved!

Reminders for the whole school:

• On Tuesday evening we have our Christmas Celebration at the Parish church.  Further details are attached.

• Christmas Lunch is on Wednesday.

• On Friday, we have our Christmas Jumper day, in aid of Save the Children.

 

Primary 1

This week we have been making some tree decorations and we linked them to some 2D shaped triangles. We used different things to decorate them.

Patrick said, “I liked the glitter and pom poms.”

Anya said, “I liked the feathers and glitter. We made them triangle shapes.”

 

Primary 2

In science we have been exploring sound. We have used instruments to experience vibrations and pitch. Mabel H’s mum came to visit, talking about her job and explaining how a cello produces sound. We made instruments – a spin drum and jam jar lid guitar to explore and create pitch and vibrations by singing and plucking. It was great fun!

“You can use horse hair to pluck strings on a cello to make a sound.” – Mabel H

“If it’s a quiet sound it doesn’t travel far.” – Lydia

“When you pluck or strike, it vibrates and makes a sound.” – Demi

“The sound waves travel everywhere!” – Chris

Reminders for next week  – If you haven’t already done so, please send a scarf to school.

 

 

Primary 2/3

In class we have been decorating candle holders for selling at next week’s church presentation.

Also, we were making Christmas decorations while following the instructions. We were using A LOT of glitter and had so much fun!

Brooke – “I liked making the candles!”

KJ – “It was lots of fun using glitter.”

Anna – “I enjoyed collecting the jars.”

 

Primary 5

This week we made golden tickets from our class novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate factory”. The golden tickets are a ticket to get into Mr Wonka’s famous factory. We enjoyed making the tickets out of paper and then painting them with shiny gold paint.

We also decorated our class Christmas tree with wonderful bright coloured baubles. We enjoy looking at the twinkly lights hanging from the tree with tinsel around them.

As well as decorating the Christmas tree, we learned about the water cycle.

Molly said, “Making the Golden Tickets was fun.”

Gary said, “It was cool to learn how we have rain.”

 

Primary 5/6

We have started our learning of some popular Scottish Ceilidh dances, including the ‘Gay Gordon’s’.

Our current book study is ‘The Borrower’s’. We have been learning about the qualities of different materials as we will soon start our Borrower home construction.

We carried out some tower building, looking at structure and strength of materials.

“We all had a big smiles whilst we danced.” – Elle

“On Tuesday we described the qualities of materials” – Ollie

Reminders for next week  – Can all P5/6 pupils please make sure they have a water bottle in class.

 

Primary 6

This week we have been using Microsoft Sway. We have been creating a Sway all about what we have learned in P6. We are learning how to do new things including recording audio.

Every Friday, we go to the P2 classroom and look over their writing with them. We look through their checklist to find: capital letters, full stops, finger spaces, neat writing and to see if it makes sense.

Every day we all run or walk “The Daily Mile.”  We run or walk for fifteen minutes a day. Four laps of our playground is roughly a mile. We record our laps and transfer them to miles. So far we have travelled 1331.75 miles, which means we have reached Barcelona. Our target for the end of term is Morocco.

Anelle said, “This week I learned how to set out co-ordinates into four quadrants to make pictures.”

Stuart said, “I learned how to add backgrounds in Microsoft Sway.”

Murray said, “I learned how to use persuasive language in a letter.”

 

Primary 7

We investigated how Titanic sent distress signals. We created our own circuits and designed switches to send Morse code messages.

We investigated how the distress rocket from Titanic got so high in the sky. We designed and created our own rockets and tested them out. Sean, Yasin and Mahsun’s rocket went the highest. You can see videos of our experiments on our class Twitter feed (P7andMissG).

We visited the town library and learned about the Dewey book categorisation system.

Ruby – “I learned that the larger the force, the higher the rocket went.”

Sophie – “We used paper fasteners and card to make a switch and the touched our switch on and off to send an S.O.S signal.”

Freddie-“I learned about streamlining to make my rocket go higher.”

Reminders for next week  –  Chosen homework task due in class by Thursday 12th December.

Primary 1

We had great fun playing games in the afternoons. Tom’s mum came in to class to help with our learning. We played 4 games and these are some pictures of what we were playing.

Aiden McC said, “I love snakes and ladders because it’s my favourite game.”

Ross said, “I like playing all the games.”

Tom said, “I like playing 4 games in an hour.”

Reminders for next week  –  We are making tree decorations.

 

Primary 2

This week we have been learning to write a story and we discussed the features of writing a story: who? when? where? what happened?

We used different media to create and plan the story setting (where).

Finally, we annotated naming and describing words.

Billy said, “We drew and painted to make a magical forest.”

“We wrote what things were called,” said Chris,

Mabel C said, “We labelled feeling words and looking words!”

Demi said, “We described it!”

Reminders for next week  –  Please send in cardboard and other packaging, which is shaped like a cube, cuboid, cylinder or a cone. This will help P2 learn about 3D shapes.

 

 

Primary 2/3

This week we have been learning about changing the pitch of a sound using four jars. The sounds were high pitch and low pitch. We had loads of fun!

Also, we have been building ten more and ten less than a number within one hundred using blocks/cubes. We enjoyed this activity and it helped us with our writing work.

 We labelled items in Alphabetical order from A – Z and it was a good activity because it was active.

“I thought this was great fun!” – Noah

“I didn’t know we could do this.” – Emily

 

 

Primary 4

We have been mixing art and maths using new measuring skills (angles and length) to make a variety of 2D and 3D crafts.

We’re focusing on direct speech in language. We have been looking out for it in the books we read and trying to use it in our own writing.

“We’ve been measuring length, breadth and height to make iron men!” –  Sunny

“I’m enjoying learning the tin whistle.” – Maya

 

Primary 5

This week we took a school trip to the Cocco Bean Chocolate factory. We learned how chocolate is made and had fun mixing the chocolate and decorating with sweets.

With the topic theme of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl, we decorated stones with pictures from the book. Some of them had characters from the book and others had pictures of the amazing chocolate factory! After we finished decorating our stones, we went outside and hid them in the playground.

Jessica said, “The Cocoa Bean was really fun.”

Noah said, “The Cocoa Bean was good fun.”

Lucas said, “I enjoyed decorating the stones.”

 

Primary 5/6

This week we have been learning about homophones, specifically, “their, there and they’re”. We have also been learning how to write persuasively. We have now completed our letters to Mr Stevens, trying to persuade him to allow us to have either a class pet, no more homework, or no uniform.

Aiden – “We were writing a letter to Mr Stevens about getting a class pet or no homework.”

Elle – “We were learning about homophones and they were “their, there and they’re. They were quite fun but confusing.”

 

Primary 6

This week we have learning how to write a play. The subject of them was:  A Victorian Classroom. We enjoyed writing them and you never know, maybe one day we’ll perform in the West End!

We have also been learning how to use Microsoft Sway which is an app where you can make a presentation or newsletter. We each made a presentation about who we are and learned how to use this incredible app.

We designed posters for the EIS’s poster competition. They had the theme “Refugees” where we encouraged them to come to D&G. Our final result was lots of beautiful colourful posters.

Fraser said, “I enjoyed learning how to use Microsoft Sway!”

Ewan said, “I learned how to mentally multiply by 25, 50 and 75.”

Hazel said, “I learned how to set out a script correctly.”

Reminders for next week  –  our projects are due in on the 12^th December so only two weeks to go!!!

 

 

Primary 7

We worked collaboratively to create a map of the Titanic’s journey to scale.

We used press printing technique to create a picture of the Titanic sinking (we have attached a picture of it).

We held our sharing the learning assembly about the Titanic.

Lily – “I worked collaboratively to produce my map.”

Oliva – “Drawing the map was difficult because we had to make sure the scale was correct.”

Justin – “I was excited to make ice-cream during assembly.”

Reminders for next week  –  Movie night is in the hall on Thursday 5^th December.