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.

 

P7 would like to ask for donations of any old jigsaws to be sent into the office. They would help the class to make Christmas decorations. Any help would be really appreciated!

Information about the Breakfast Club was sent home recently and we would like to advise you that the start time for this is 8:15am every morning.

Christmas dinner choices have been sent home and we would ask these to be returned to the school no later than Friday (29th) at the latest.

Thank you.

(Please click on the pictures below to enlarge).

As we are still developing our website and Facebook page, there are only 3 classes work displayed. As the weeks go on, more classes will be sharing their learning so look out for more updates from the school.

 

Primary 5/6

We have started reading ‘The Borrowers’. This is our new class novel study.

This week we have been learning about the design process through our Christmas tree decoration challenge. We have added some pictures (below) of some of our class giving feedback on some of our initial ideas. We had to use constructive and positive language.

“I think ‘The Borrowers’ is decent so far.”  –  Aiden

“It’s nice to read an old book and a perfectly chosen story.”  –  Ralph

Can all pupils please remember to bring PE kit on Monday and Wednesday.

 

Primary 6

Primary 6 have been learning about homophones in language work. We identified examples of homophones and are able to tell you that they are words which sound the same but have different spellings (with very different meanings). Examples are: pear (fruit) and pair (two). Also, there is flour (used for baking) and flower (the plant). Can you think of any more? Please add your examples in the comment section.

In maths set, Mr McClune’s group have been looking at data and gathering information. As part of this, we constructed a Form in Microsoft and added all questions to it. We asked everyone in P5/6, P6 and P7 to take part and had over 70 responses! From this, we will now look at the data and produce graphs and charts.

 

Joseph –  “I enjoyed the rock, paper, scissors game in PE and encouraging my team.”

Jessica– “I learned how to work with percentages and fractions.”

Alex– “I enjoyed learning about homophones and like the different examples.”

 

Primary 7

We have investigated how Titanic moved by designing and creating our own boats with propellers. We recorded our results and evaluated and modified our designs.

We investigated how icebergs float in water and how different types of water affect how an iceberg melts.

We made ice cream and slushy drinks using ice and salt. We found out that salt lowers the temperature of ice.

 

Yasin said, “I learned that salt cools ice as it actually disrupts the ice crystals and causes it to produce energy.”

Tyler said, “I learned that most of the iceberg is under the water when it floats.”

Ruby said, “I learned that salt makes the temperature of ice go down.”

On Tuesday we have parents appointments from 4pm to 7pm and on Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

We have our class assembly next Friday (29th) at 2pm. We hope to see you all there.

 

Wider Achievement

Congratulations to all these karate experts who achieved their new belts!

Well done to all who took part in last night’s Youth Speaks Rotary competition. Children took part in this cluster wide event and presented talks about a subject of their choosing. 1st and 3rd place came from our school! A great effort from all involved.

• Pupils will be coming home with appointment times for next week’s Target Setting meetings. Please be sure to check bags for the slips. We look forward to welcoming you next week.

• P2/3 are collecting the little glass GU pudding pots for a Christmas craft venture. If you have any that you don’t want, please send them into school. P2/3 will be very happy!

As we are still developing our website and Facebook page, there are only 3 classes work displayed. As the weeks go on, more classes will be sharing their learning so look out for more updates from the school.

 

Primary 5/6

This week we have been learning about the design process. The 3 steps we looked at were: 1 – Initial ideas, 2 – Development, 3 – Final solution (product).

By using these steps we have been able to create Christmas tree decorations for the church festival.

We have also been learning about persuasive writing and have planned letters for Mr Stevens. We hope to share some of these with you soon.

“We have been practicing ’12 Days of Christmas’ for the Christmas Carol service.”  –  Tanya

“We have been learning about stamina in PE through basketball.”  –  Emily

 

Primary 6

This week we have been taking part in a Dumfries and Galloway Sumdog competition. This involved 112 classes and over 1,530 pupils. We were delighted as we WON!!!. We finished top after a week of maths questions. Not only that but we had one of our class finish in the top 10 student leaderboard, what a great achievement!

To mark Children in Need day, we took part in a fun online quiz and put our knowledge to the test. Here are our winners after some very tricky rounds and questions, ‘The 4 Quizzoteers’.

In maths we have been working on percentages and their equivalents, such as 25% = ¼ = 0.25. Please test our knowledge at home and see how well we can transfer between decimals, percentages and fractions.

Hazel  –  “I enjoyed learning about Louis Pasteur from the Victorian Era.”

Lucas – “I learned how Joseph Lister helped prevent infection in operations.”

Gracie – “I learned that workhouses were horrible and you had to do lots of work.”

 

Primary 7

This week we had a visit from Ella McLellan from Scottish Book Trust. We are thinking of an idea we can work on for our First Minister’s Reading Challenge. For more information about this challenge, why not have a search online where you will find lots of ideas.

We learned how to use Microsoft Teams through our Glow login. This is an app which lets us work together and communicate with each other.

We investigated how the heavy equipment used to build the Titanic was lifted by using pulleys and force meters.

 

Leo said, “I enjoyed investigating with pulleys.”

Eden said, “It was fun getting the chance to talk about what types of books we like reading and where we like to read.”

This Friday (15th November), the Pupil Council have organised a Charity Day.

It is a non-uniform day and children are encouraged to wear something bright.

There will be a cake sale.

Donations for non-uniform and donations of cakes to sell will be much appreciated.

Cakes will cost between 20p and 50p.

Thank you in advance.

The Pupil Council

 

Primary 5/6

This week in ICT we have been learning how to produce a PowerPoint presentation. We had fun and learned a lot of new tips and tricks to do so.

Also, we were learning about the Rights of a Child and the responsibilities. We learnt a lot about it and what it is.

Next, we learned about the water cycle and how it travels. We have learnt a lot about it and can’t wait to learn more!

Finally, we were learning how to make windpipes for different pitches and had a lot of fun doing so.

“We have been learning about evaporation, condensation and precipitation.” –  Tanya.

 

Primary 6

As part of our Victorians Topic, we have been learning about schools and how they compare to 2019. Following on from this, we created a persuasive writing text, giving our opinion on how we felt about the Victorian schools. The class have been encouraged to speak to their own families about their school experiences.

We were learning how to search for information online. We used Google and looked at keywords, result numbers and ads. Some of us only had to type 1 word instead of a sentence to find what we were looking for.

Remember to check out our Twitter page at, “P6 and Mr McClune”, for regular updates.

Ciara said, “I learned how to search accurately using Google.”

Imogen said, “I enjoyed learning about Victorian schools. I don’t think I would have liked the belt!”

Polly said, “I learned how to interpret line graphs and tell the story.”

Anyone who is interested in taking part in this years “Youth Speaks” competition, please keep working on your presentation and Mr Stevens will see you next week.

We have a charity day next Friday, so please remember to wear something bright!

Parents evening appointment times have been sent home and we would appreciate them being returned as soon as possible.

 

Primary 7

We measured the length of the Titanic. It was 269m long which is from the War Memorial to the dentists at St Cuthbert’s street! WOW!!!

We did some maths activities comparing the size of the Titanic to cruise ships now a days.

We worked collaboratively to create a Remembrance Day wall display.

Evan said, “My mum and dad were surprised when I told them how long the Titanic was!”

Brooke said, “I had to work well with others to help put the display up.”

Sean said, “I was surprised modern cruise ships could be even bigger than the Titanic.”

There are things which need to be returned to class as soon as possible:

• Christmas party sheets
• Signed topic overviews
• Parents evening slips