It was lovely to welcome everyone back to Term 2 after the October break, and what a busy week it was!

In Numeracy, we were looking at different methods to help develop mental strategies when adding and subtracting.  We found partitioning most helpful for additions and using an empty number line to ‘count back’ or ‘add on’ to solve subtraction calculations.

This week we have moved on to revising how to use the standard written method for addition and subtraction by talking through the processes of exchanging and carrying.  We have also used concrete materials to visualise what is going on when we solve a calculation in this way.

Our Literacy focus has been on descriptive language and how to create atmosphere when describing a setting.  Halloween was a perfect context for this and everyone made a great effort to write their own ‘Haunted House For Sale’ advert.  The big challenge was remembering to include some figurative language, such as: a simile, metaphor or alliteration, to help create a more detailed image for the reader.  We will use what we have learned over the next few weeks to write some creative poetry too.

Everyone is being encouraged to remember to use capital letters and punctuation in their writing and this term we will look at some of the different punctuation marks that can be used.

In reading, we have been moving forward with our class novel, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, and used reading strategies to draw conclusions about the main character, Michael.  We only have a few chapters left until we reach the end… will Michael be saved from the island?  What will happen to Kensuke?

In other areas, Miss Gibson has continued to work with the class using the drones which looks like great fun!

We also completed the Wellbeing Champion training today with the whole class learning about ways they can support other pupils who may be upset or worried about something. The class worked in small groups to create a name, logo and slogan for our Wellbeing Champions Team. They also learned about the, ‘R U OK?’ programme and were introduced to ALEC  (Ask, Listen, Encourage action, Check-in)  as a way of helping others.  There was a lot to take in and everyone did really well with listening and taking part, well done P7!