Category Archives: Primary 7 blog

P7 Curricular Update – Term 1

Primary 7 Term 1 Curricular Update

Welcome back. We hope everyone had a lovely summer and enjoyed the fabulous weather. It’s great to have Primary 7 back and we also welcome Mrs Canning to our classroom who will teach on a Monday. Primary 7 is such a special year and we are delighted to support your children through their final year at Mount Carmel.

Below is an overview of the exciting learning and teaching taking place this term.

Literacy

Reading

This term our focus is on fiction texts. P7 will read fiction text pertinent to their CfE level. They will complete daily reading to writing tasks and work on active comprehension tasks, both independently and as a group. Most groups will focus on answering comprehension questions using quotes and evidence from the text, a skill they will need in S1. We will also be expecting P7 to use active comprehension strategies across other areas of the curriculum.

Writing

P7 will focus on two writing genres this term: Descriptive and Discursive. Both genre’s link with our Term 1 topic – Land Uses. P7 will use their descriptive writing skills to describe and compare two different landscapes within our local area. Pupils will build on their discursive writing skills to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed land use development in Kilmarnock.

Spelling

The spelling groups will continue to experience the Active Literacy spelling program; this will introduce common words and focus phonemes pertinent to their level and stage. The pupils will revise the Active Spelling strategies throughout Term 1, these include diacritical marking, syllabification and words within words.

Numeracy

P7 start Term 1 by revising their fraction knowledge from P6 and moving on to identifying and using percentages in different ways, understanding the links between fractions, decimals and percentages. These are important skills so we will dedicate time to ensure pupils feel confident applying them in a range of contexts. Most pupils will focus on decimal place value and using decimals within the four operations. They will also be introduced to negative numbers and practice applying these in real life situations. Mrs Canning will focus on Beyond Number on a Monday. P7 will be building on their understanding of Area and Perimeter.

Health and Wellbeing

In P7 we continue to follow the PATHS programme to support pupils social and emotional wellbeing. In P7 there is a strong focus on developing skills for transition to secondary school. This term the PATHS focus is learning strategies to manage stress.

Primary 7 will be focussing on ‘Super Skills for Super Futures’, life skills that will support them in S1 and beyond. In Term 1 we will focus on positive mental health and how this can be nurtured and fostered collectively.

Our PE days are Monday (Mrs Canning) and Wednesday (Mrs Terras). Pupils are required to have a FULL change on these days. P7 will build on their Badminton and Hockey skills this term with some pupils encouraged to use their existing skills to ‘coach’ other pupils.

French

Mrs Canning will teach French on a Monday. P7 will learn vocabulary related to environment and become familiar use a bilingual dictionary to be able to read simple French texts independently.

Expressive Arts

It is not a secret we love signing and music in Primary 7! This term the Charanga music programme will allow pupils to discuss and learn about different genres of music, rhythm and tempo and instruments. It also allows them to sing different genres as well. Whole school hymn assembly on a Tuesday will allow pupils to learn and sing new hymns and songs together.

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 work towards their award by reflecting on Gospel values, taking part in acts of service, and sharing their faith through words and actions. The Diocese of Galloway planners will support the core teaching of RME in Primary 7 covering key events in the liturgical calendar.

IDL

Our main topic this term is Land Uses (residential, tourism and business). In this topic P7 will learn about how land is used in Kilmarnock for the purposes of housing, business and tourism. P7 evaluate a proposed land use in Kilmarnock and its impact on their community. Pupils will have the opportunities to analyse maps, discuss sustainability, and compare Land Use in Kilmarnock to another town in Scotland.

 UNCRC

As a school we are working towards our Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award. During the first week back at school P7 (the rights holders) discussed and created their class charter with their teachers (the duty bearers). The rights they chose were:

  • Every child has a right to an education
  • Every child has the right to play and rest
  • Every child has the right to be listened to.

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.

Thank you,

Mrs Terras and Mrs Canning

Head Lice

We have had reports of  unwanted “visitors”  to some children  we kindly ask that parents/carers routinely check their child/children’s hair for any of these  unwanted “visitors” and take appropriate action if required Thank you for your co-operation.  

P7 Term 4 Curricular Update

Summer is nearly here and we’re into our last term.  The last term for our P7’s.  Where has the time gone?!  Here is a brief overview of our learning this term.

Literacy

We are continuing to develop all reading skills through Bug Club guided reading texts but paying attention to summarising.  For writing, we are looking at responding to texts and will be conducting reviews of things we watch and read and giving personal opinions.

Numeracy

The emphasis of our numeracy this term is on algebra, number patterns and time.  We will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies using all four processes as part of our daily routine.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is ­­­­­­­­­continuing to develop and use de-escalation techniques during conflicts as well as looking at transitions.  Pupil of the Day will also continue.

Our PE days remain a Wednesday and Thursday.  We will be first playing cricket enhancing our throwing, catching and fielding skills.  We will also be participating in athletics activities in preparation for Sports Day.

IDL

The topic this term is politics.  We will be investigating how laws are made, the role of an MP and identifying the main political parties and some of their policies.

RE

This term we will be aiming to complete God’s Loving Plan activities.  As this subject is sensitive, please discuss these issues with your child at home.

French

Through a range of talking, listening, reading and writing tasks, this term the focus will be on the French culture and other French speaking countries.

Summer Show

Preparations are already underway for the upper school show.  Pupils will be participating in lots of drama, art, technology and enterprising activities to make the show a success.  Keep your eyes peeled for further updates of our show.

UNCRC

Our focus on Children’s Rights this term is centred on World Refugee Day and World Day against Child Labour and relevant Articles 10, 22, 32 and 35.  There will be a further focus on Article 24 during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.

 

I look forward to working with P7 in their final term at primary school.

Mr Bertoncini

 

 

 

 

 

P7 Transition Information

Please find below details and information regarding P7 transition visits to StJosephs.

Primary 7 Transition Dates StJoesphs Academy

With reference to your child’s transition to secondary school, I can now confirm the dates & times your child will attend St Joseph’s Academy for full day visits, these will be:

Visit 1:   Monday 12th May 8.50am – 3.40pm

Visit 2:   Tuesday 20th May 8.50am – 3.40pm

Visit 3:   Wednesday 21st May 8.50am – 3.40pm

Visit 4:   Thursday 12th June 8.50am – 3.40pm

Visit 5:   Friday 13th June 8.50am – 1.15pm (or 2pm if the school bus service)

The Pastoral Care team will distribute pupil timetables.  Pupils can access lunchtime facilities or opt to bring a packed lunch. Cash and ParentPay accepted.

Pupil must be in full primary school uniform (no leggings/tracksuits or hoodies including leavers’ hoodies). Pupils should ensure they attend fully prepared for example pen/pencil/PE kit if required.  It is hoped that the children who require transport to and from St Josephs will be able to access the normal school bus service this is yet to be confirmed.

Mobile phones are not permitted on campus. This will be a rule for all St Joseph’s pupils after the Easter holidays.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

P7 Term 3 Curriculum Update

Happy New Year and I hope Santa was good to you all. And so we enter P7’s final year at primary!!  Good to see all the pupils back after the holidays.  Here is a brief overview of our learning focus this term.

Literacy

Our focus this term will continue to develop all reading skills through Bug Club guided reading texts.  We will also be reading texts to identify fact and opinion and discuss the reliability of sources of information.  For writing, we are concentrating on discussion texts, building upon persuasive writing from last term until the February holiday then look at the recount genre where we will retell events from what we have watched or experienced.  For a short period, we will also be looking at Scottish texts, using Scots language and looking at Scottish poems and authors.

Numeracy

The emphasis of our numeracy this term is on fractions, decimals and percentages and how they interlink.  Having completed the set Number Talk discussions, we will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies using all four processes.  The class are also working on numeracy skills with Mrs McCreadie and will be investigating other aspects of measurement as well as data handling.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is ­­­­­­­­­looking at respect and how to deal with conflicts and identifying positive steps to de-escalate situations.  We will also continue to praise and compliment children through Pupil of the Day.  We are also exploring risk taking behaviour including substance misuse and practise basic first aid procedures.

Our PE days are still Wednesday and Thursday.  We will be first concentrating on fun fitness, creating personal fitness plans and setting personal goals.  We also aim to develop our team game skills through netball where we will understand different roles within the team.

IDL

The topic this term is Scottish based and is looking at the Highland Clearances.  We will be investigating important historical figures involved in the event, how people lived during that time and the mass emigration from the Highland area.

RE

This term we will be aiming to complete our Pope Francis Faith Award journals, revising all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and giving evidence of them being used in the school, at home and in the community or Parish.  As well as this, there will be a final reflection on how the Gifts will help support them as they develop and grow.

 

French

French this term will consist of learning how to say other countries and nationalities and looking in to current affairs within France as well as using the verb etre (to be).

 

Technologies

This term P7 will look at coding and understand its importance within society.  We will use block coding software to program small digital devices and explore various commands to create games and move characters within games.

UNCRC

We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.

I look forward to working with P7 in their final year and will enjoy accompanying them on their trip to Barcaple this term.

Mr Bertoncini

 

 

 

 

 

P7 Term 2 Curriculum update

Hello again everyone.  Here we are in term 2 with Killieween just gone and Christmas already on the horizon, where does the time go!  Here is a brief update of our learning focus this term.

Literacy

We will continue to read and complete our class novel, before moving onto developing ALP strategies through Bug Club guided reading texts.  There will be a particular focus on paraphrasing and identifying the man idea as well as continuing to explore and improve answering and asking a variety of question types. For writing, we are concentrating on persuasive pieces then looking at report writing and aim to use these skills on a topic that interests them.

Numeracy

This term our numeracy focus is on multiplication and division incorporating aspects of fractions decimals and percentages.  We will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies related to multiplication and division.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is ­­­­­­­­­looking at organisation skills before moving on to working on resolving conflicts.  We will also continue to praise and compliment children through Pupil of the Day.  We are also exploring food and dietary requirements of people and factors which influence food choices.  We will also be investigating different nutrients groups and the importance of each.

In school, our PE days will be a Wednesday and Thursday where we will be focussing on gymnastics and football. In gymnastics, we will develop our knowledge and execution of shapes, jumps, turns, balances and rolls and even try some mini parkour.  In football, we aim to develop coordination and adopt different team roles.  We will also spend a short time looking at traditional Scottish dances.

IDL

Our topic this term is science based and is forces and friction.  We will be investigating the life of Sir Isaac Newton and his 3 laws of motion and discovery of gravity.  We will also be conducting some scientific experiments and discussing fair testing and hypothesising.

RE

In the month of November P7’s will be looking at the lives of Saints and understand that this month is dedicated to remembering the dead.  We will also investigate the notion of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.  We will also look at the period of Advent focussing on the story from different Gospels and how Jews were waiting for a saviour.

French

This term’s focus for French is ordering food from restaurants and associated vocabulary.

Technologies

This term P7 will access 3D graphics programme and use Tinkercad to create a variety of 3D designs.

UNCRC

This term pupil will be looking at some articles from the CRC in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.

 

Mr Bertoncini