Welcome back! This term in Primary 5 we have not only moved up a school year, but ‘up’ in the school literally as we have relocated upstairs which will be an exciting new experience. The school week will consist of myself in class, Mrs McIntyre (Mon->Thurs) and Mrs McCreadie (Fridays). We are looking forward to engaging in more challenging learning this year within our class, and of course, we hope to share this with you throughout the year. This first blog post will overview the learning covered in the P5 class from August until October. So far, we have already established our class community, routines, expectations and  had our welcome meeting with parents.

IDL– ‘Knights and Castles’

Our focus this term is ‘Knights and Castles’. Pupils will use their developing research and note-taking skills to look at historical events in the Middle Ages. This will include the history of castles, the evolution of castle design, the feudal system and role of Knights, including the ‘Code of Chivalry’ and society at this time. We will be using various curricular areas within this topic to help, such as, ICT, Art, Literacy, STEM and problem-solving skills.

Literacy –

This term we will be reading ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ as a class novel study to loosely link with ‘Knights and Castles’ .

Through our study pupils will be able to

• Read using strategies, make notes and engage in dialogue with peers to discuss themes in the class text.
• Build skills on our 6 key Active Literacy Comprehension strategies.
• Writing Focus – Recount, Imaginative and Information Report (Newspaper Article).

The pupils will complete various reading and writing tasks related to this appropriate to their level. This novel study will also link to other areas of the curriculum.

We will continue to use Bug Club as our differentiated reading        resource and will be developing our fluency and comprehension skills using this resource, both in class and as homework.

Spelling

Spelling will take the form of active activities related to the ‘Active Spelling’ resource, the children will continue to experience phonemes and blends pertinent to the ability and stage. Please support your child by asking about their spelling words weekly.

Writing

P5 will focus on descriptive/ narrative writing this term. The class will learn the focus of their writing early in the week which will allow time to discuss ideas together in class, and at home,  to help with planning. This will be their ‘Talk Homework.’ In class, groups will look at planning their piece, punctuation, effective use of vocabulary and paragraphing to meet personal success criteria.

Numeracy & Maths –

• Place Value – looking at larger whole numbers. This will range per group from TTh/Th /H/ T/ U.
• Using our knowledge of place value to develop Addition and Addition strategies for all groups dealing with larger numbers, such as using friendly numbers, formal notation and partitioning.
• Estimation/Probability.
• Daily Mental Maths covering the 4 processes (+ – x /) and revision of strategies.

P5 will work on Beyond Number topics with Mrs McCreadie on a Friday. This will include subject areas such as shape, measure, data handling, time and money. This term the children will be looking at ‘Shape’.

At home, children will benefit from times tables revision and experience of telling the time in everyday situations.

Health and Wellbeing –

The class have worked brilliantly as a team in P4 and have been an integral part of our MC family. To ensure that our class strengthens these skills as we move into Primary 5, we will refresh, revisit and complete our class charter, to ensure to uphold the UNRC/ RRS rights we have selected as our focus. P5 pupils understand the responsibilities and expectations that will be placed upon them this year.

We are continuing to use our whole school ‘PATHS’ resource this year, which allows children to grow emotionally and channel their thoughts and behaviours in a calm and proactive way. Children are familiar with this programme and can name and identify their feelings. We will continue to provide them with scenarios and situations that will require their knowledge of ‘self’ to grow. We will focus on our unique talents and nurturing friendships as well as celebrating our ‘Pupil of the Day.’  Pupils will discuss aligned themes at assemblies and in class with Mrs McCreadie to link with this.

P.E

In P.E. we will cover the following in term 1,

• Team Games
• Netball

This will be on Tuesdays (Mrs McI) and Fridays (Mrs McC).

A gentle reminder, can you please ensure your child comes prepared weekly with a full PE kit (the office have limited spares available if you need and you can contact the school office to enquire), also we would be grateful if your child does not wear jewellery on these days preferably or can remove earrings etc. by themselves. Thank you for your support in this.

Religious Education –

August/ September/ October –

In class, we will introduce the Gospel of Mark, our P5 focus gospel. We will discuss our talents and skills, and this will form the basis of our class charter. We will look at Bible stories aligning with our learning about friendship focus and our faith community. We also will learn new prayers in P5 and look forward to attending mass as a whole school. In early October we will look at the Creation and St Francis of Assisi.

Important Primary 5 info… 

Homework distributed on Mondays to be completed, signed and returned by Friday.

P.E days are on Tuesday & Friday.

**Keep an eye on the school blog daily for regular updates to what is happening in class, photos and any information about relevant upcoming dates, also, learner Journals posts throughout the term. **

Thank you for your co-operation and we look forward to an exciting year ahead,

Mrs McIntyre and Mrs McCreadie

Welcome back! We hope you have all had an enjoyable summer. It
has been fantastic to see Primary 4 settle into their new classroom
and routines. During our first few days, we explored the UNCRC
Rights of the Child, and together created a meaningful Class Charter
to ensure that our classroom is a place where we feel safe, where we
can learn and grow together.

We have had a great start to the term, and look forward to a fun
filled term with lots of fabulous learning taking place.
Here is an update on the upcoming term.

Literacy
We will be looking at a range of texts this term, including our Bug
Club readers. We will be focusing on continuing to develop reading
fluency as well as becoming more confident using word attack
strategies for unfamiliar words. We will also use a range of
comprehension strategies as we show our understanding of the texts we have read.
During writing, we will continue to work on our sentence structure
and the use of description bubbles for various descriptive pieces,
with an emphasis on punctuation and the use of spelling strategies.
We will work on enhancing our descriptions with amazing adjectives
and adverbs.
Spelling will take the form of active spelling activities and the
children will experience phonemes and blends at their working level.

Numeracy & Maths
The class will review Place Value knowledge and will use this to build
on their sense of number. We will look at 3 and 4 digit numbers and
we will read, write order and recite these numbers. Through our
place value work, we will be able to identify the value of each digit.
We will then progress to looking at our addition and subtraction
strategies. The class will participate in a daily number talk, to
develop of mental maths strategies.
We will also explore 2D and 3D shapes learning to sort and describe
shapes based on certain criteria.

Health and Wellbeing
This term we will be begin our PATHS programme for P4. Lessons
will include setting up our class rules, looking at individual emotions,
building friendships and community within the school, Self-Control
and Anger Management. We will also continue with the Do Be
Mindful programme which will allow us, through the use of a range of strategies, to look at ways we can take a mindful moment each day.

PE
PE is on a Wednesday and Friday. This term we will be covering;
Team Games
Football
Children will require PE kit each PE day. Please make sure your child
is not wearing jewellery on these days as they will be asked to remove this. Children can not wear jewellery for health and safety reasons.  If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.

French
We will be looking at some basic French phrases and numbers this
term through, songs, activities and games.

IDL
This term we will complete a comparison of the climate zones of the
rainforest areas and the Arctic. We will explore the location of
these areas using an Atlas and digital mapping and will investigate
the weather and how it effects living things in both areas.

Expressive Arts
During art, we will explore some colourful rainforest inspired
artwork by Henri Rousseau. Using a range of medium, we will create
our own colourful pieces.

Religious Education
This term we will be reflecting on our uniqueness and thinking about
our God given talents. We will reflect on the importance of
friendship and link this with various stories from the Bible. We will
explore life at the time of Jesus, in particular the role of the
Synagogue and the importance of the Sabbath in first century
Palestine.
The children will take part in class prayers and School Masses, and
we will continue to build on our knowledge of common prayers and
Mass responses.

Homework will be distributed on a Monday to be completed, and
returned by Friday.

Keep an eye on the School app and your child’s Learning Journal
profile for a snapshot of some of our wonderful learning! Thank you as always for your support and I’m looking forward to a
really great term with P4!

Mrs. MacKinnon

Primary 3 – Term 1 Curriculum Overview

Welcome to the Primary 3 blog! As we begin a new school year, P3 have settled in beautifully to our new classroom and new routines. They are already working very hard revising and consolidating previous learning as they strive to become confident and independent learners. Primary 3 can’t wait to share their learning journey with you whilst keeping our school values; faith, kindness and responsibility at the center of everything we do. We have had a great start to the new term, and we are excited to see what this term will bring. Below is a curriculum overview for this term.

Literacy

Reading – This term, Primary 3 will develop their prediction and reasoning skills using context clues to understand new vocabulary. An awareness of the effect of full stops, commas, question marks and exclamation marks on expression will also be developed. Bug Club readers will be used mainly to improve reading fluency and extend comprehension. Daily opportunities for reading will be provided through personal reading time and weekly visits to the library.

Writing – In writing, Primary 3 will continue to work on sentence structure ensuring the use of capital letters, full stops and finger spaces as well as begin to use connectives such as “and”, “but” and “because” to add more detail to sentences. Daily writing tasks will be completed to develop independence with emphasis on the use of spelling strategies and punctuation. This terms writing genre will be descriptive. Description bubbles with be used to support the planning and purpose of each piece of writing. In addition to this, weekly handwriting lessons will ensure all letters are formed correctly (upper & lower case).

Spelling – New phonemes will be introduced weekly. Active spelling activities will be used to support this learning.

Listening and Talking – When developing talking and listening skills, P3 will initially revisit prior learning, including understanding when to listen and when to respond, taking turns and communicating with others.

Numeracy and Mathematics

This term, Place Value knowledge will be reviewed and revisited before building on this. Primary 3 will look at identifying the value of each digit within 2 and 3 digit numbers as well as read, write, order and recite these numbers. In addition to this, estimating and rounding skills will be developed through learning and understanding the rule of rounding. They will then begin to develop their addition and subtraction skills and use mathematical language to solve problems. Daily number talks will be completed, to develop mental maths strategies.

UNCRC

As we began the new term, we explored the UNCRC Rights of the Child. Together, Primary 3 created a meaningful class charter and classroom promise thinking of their rights, needs, and wants as well as our school values: kindness, faith and responsibility. This charter and promise ensure that the classroom is a safe space where all children can learn, play and grow together. A sea creature theme was chosen for our charter.

Health and Wellbeing

Primary 3 will continue to access our whole school PATHS programme this year to develop their understanding of emotions. Lessons this term will include setting up our class rules, looking at individual emotions, building friendships and community within the school, Self-Control and Anger Management. Each child will have the opportunity to be “Pupil of the Day”, they will receive compliments from their peers on this day. So far, the children have really enjoyed this experience. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through a range of different strategies, to think of the ways we can be mindful each day.

Physical Education

This term, Primary 3 will begin with a focus on team games. Following instructions and participating in a safe way will be a focus for this learning. In addition to this, Primary 3 will have the opportunity to develop their skills in hockey and badminton.

PE days are Monday afternoon and Thursday afternoon. All children will require a PE kit on these days. Please ensure any jewellery is taken off and left at home on PE days. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.

Religious Education

In R.E., Primary 3 will continue to develop their understanding that everyone is created by God in a special and unique way. They will reflect on how God can support us in our life and have created their own class prayer which reminds them to keep God at the centre of everything they do. This term, Primary 3 will look at the story of Jesus’ Baptism as well as share their own Baptism stories.

IDL

Our first topic this year is “Climates Around the World”. Throughout this topic, P3 will learn about different types of climates around the world, they will be able to describe how climate affects the way people live as well as compare the climate in Scotland with other parts of the world. They will make a number of cross curricular links during this topic including social studies, science, literacy and technologies.

French

This term Primary 3 will be learning to participate in conversations in French including asking and answering questions about themselves as well as numbers to 50 through, songs, activities and games.

Homework will be distributed on a Monday and should be completed and returned on a Friday each week.

Primary 3 look forward to sharing their learning and successes with you throughout the term! Look out on the school app as well as Learning Journals where some of your child’s fabulous learning moments will be shared.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding, we are really looking forward to a wonderful first term in Primary 3,

Mrs Dunsmore and Mrs Hope.

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