Primary 7 Term 2 Curricular Update
P7 have made a positive start to their final year at Mount Carmel and are continuing to grow into their role as the oldest pupils in the school. Many pupils have embraced opportunities to take on responsibility and be positive role models for younger classes, while our House and Vice Captains have made a great start in their leadership roles. We are very proud of the enthusiasm and effort shown across the class and look forward to all the learning and festive fun that Term 2 will bring as we approach their final Christmas at Mount Carmel.
Below is an overview of the exciting learning and teaching taking place this term.
Literacy
Reading
We’ll begin the term with a short poetry block, enjoying a range of poems and exploring features such as rhyme, imagery, repetition and personification. Pupils will share their thoughts, discuss the poet’s choices and develop their confidence in analysing different texts. Following this, we will move on to our class novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, which links with our Term 2 IDL. Through the novel, pupils will continue to develop their fiction reading skills by answering a range of literal, inferential and evaluative questions. We will encourage thoughtful discussion, prediction and reflection, using evidence from the text to support our ideas and deepen our understanding of the story and its themes.
Writing
Writing lessons will be linked closely to our reading activities. Following our poetry analysis block, pupils will write personal responses to poems, sharing their thoughts, opinions and feelings while referring to features of the text. As we move on to The Boy at the Back of the Class, pupils will continue to develop their response writing skills by reflecting on characters, events and themes, using evidence from the text to justify their opinions. P7 will also have opportunities to write across the curriculum. Pupils will also experience two taught handwriting lessons per week working on fluency, accuracy and legibility.
Talking and Listening
Pupils will discuss key chapters from The Boy at the Back of the Class, sharing their thoughts and ideas about the story. They will take part in activities such as hot seating, where they answer questions in role as Ahmet and other characters, helping them to better understand how characters think and feel. Through class discussions, pupils will explore themes such as kindness, friendship, inclusion and helping others. They will also continue to build their confidence in sharing their views, listening to others and responding thoughtfully to the ideas of their classmates.
Spelling and Grammar
For most group the spelling focuses this term will be on the etymology of words, exploring how words grow and change from their root words. Pupils will learn about word origins and make links between related words to help develop their vocabulary and spelling skills. In grammar, we will continue to focus on sentence structure, encouraging pupils to write in a variety of ways and use a range of punctuation accurately to make their writing more interesting and effective.
Numeracy
This term, pupils will continue to develop their understanding of the four operations using whole numbers and decimals. They will apply these skills in a range of problem-solving activities and real-life contexts. Pupils will also explore information handling, including collecting, displaying and interpreting data. Mrs Dunsmore will be teaching angles and shape this term. Pupils will build on their understanding of different types of angles and explore the properties of a wider range of 2D and 3D shapes, including more complex shapes. They will develop their reasoning skills by identifying, describing and comparing shape properties.
Primary 7 are encouraged to revise their multiplication tables as these permeate all areas of Numeracy.
Health and Wellbeing
With bikeability finished our PE return to a Monday and Wednesday. Pupils are required to have a FULL change to take part safely. P7 will start Term 2 with a block of gymnastics lessons with the focus on leaps and jumps, rolls and balances. P7 will also have full responsibility for safely setting up apparatus and putting it away. As December approaches, P7 will be swapping pencils for pas de basques as we take to the floor for Scottish dancing. Pupils will be brushing up on their Strip the Willow and Gay Gordons steps! I know they can’t wait!
Through a H&WB mini IDL focus P7 will discuss Substance Misuse of Drugs and Smoking/Vaping. Focus will be on how the media can influence young people’s attitudes and choices. They will explore how advertising, social media, and popular culture can use persuasive techniques to promote certain behaviours. The aim is to help pupils make informed and responsible decisions.
IDL
This term, our IDL topic will focus on Belonging, Diversity and Global Citizenship, using The Boy at the Back of the Class as a key text. Through reading, discussion and response writing, pupils will explore themes of friendship, kindness, inclusion and belonging while developing their reading and writing skills. Across Social Studies and Health and Wellbeing, we will learn about discrimination, equality, children’s rights and the experiences of refugees, helping pupils to develop empathy, respect and an understanding of how they can contribute to a welcoming and inclusive community.
Technologies
P7 have developed strong digital skills and are confident using technology to support their learning across the curriculum. This term, we will continue to build on these skills through a range of learning activities, encouraging pupils to use digital tools creatively, responsibly and independently. Pupils will regularly use their Chromebooks to research, create and present their work, further developing the digital skills that will support them as they move on to secondary school.
Expressive Arts
Dance
P7 will continue to build on their knowledge of popular Scottish dances, we are hoping to join in with P6 for more ‘ceilidh’ style lessons. Pupils are encouraged to give it a go as it is part of our Scottish culture and identity.
Drama
In Drama, pupils will take part in a range of activities to build confidence, creativity and teamwork. They will use role play, improvisation and group performances to explore characters, situations and emotions. Drama activities will also link to our class novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, giving pupils opportunities to bring parts of the story to life and develop their speaking and listening skills.
RME
P7 continue to work towards their Pope Francis Faith Award. This award encourages children to live out their faith at school, at home and in the Parish. Pupils will continue to develop their understanding of the liturgical calendar, exploring key events and celebrations. P7 will take part in activities and prayers linked to Advent as we prepare for Christmas.
UNCRC
As a school we are working towards our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award. We have reflected and reviewed our Class Charter from Term 1. We agreed as a class community that listening could be better and have included the responsibility to engage and listen to everyone without interruptions.
This term pupil will be looking at Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4 and 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.
Linking in with the Class Charter, Primary 7 enjoyed the Reward Card system last year and asked to use it again in P7. The reward card system allows pupils to gain reward cards for Wonderful Work, Amazing Attitude, and being a ‘Superstar.’ When the pupils gain five cards, they can choose an individual reward. They can also choose to go for a class reward once everyone reaches five reward cards; this promotes teamwork within the class.
Learner Journals
Pupils will continue to Learner Journals to reflect on their progress and celebrate achievements. We encourage parents and carers to login to Learner Journals as it provides a valuable link between home and school.
Personal Target Setting
P7 have set their targets for Term 2. We will monitor and review these throughout the term to support pupils in making progress and achieving their goals.
Thank you for all your support,
Mrs Terras and Mrs Dunsmore
