Pupils thought about their classroom experiences, how they felt inside, similarities and differences etc. They then chose a relative to ask the same questions to and filled out Venn diagrams for homework. We used views on our current classroom, a future classroom and classrooms of the past to create wordles.
We are excited to be sharing our research and project plans with parents next week. Pupils decided to make the most of our Atrium wall display to display their work and next steps. The pupils have been learning to use Excel and Publisher to produce charts and posters.
Pupils at Loanhead Primary had a visit from Professor Sean Smith BSc, PhD, FIOA, FRSA, HONFRIAS from the School of Engineering & the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University.
Professor Smith showed us some of the 50+ schools that he has designed and gave us some tips and ideas for our learning environment. He also showed us some really amazing buildings from all over the world which his company have designed and built…including telling us about an amazing top secret-ish project that he is currently involved in for a King.
Before his visit we took all the tables and chairs from the classroom and tried using the space in other ways during our lessons, we also measured up our space so we could have more meaningful discussions with him.
Pupils got busy measuring almost everything inside their current classrooms and have been busy making scale models of it using paper. They used these to think about dead space, areas of high traffic as well as potential areas for Zones. We think they look great.
Other groups worked on Build with Chrome and did a similar task – recreating their classroom thinking about space and possibilities. A homework task was to design a new classroom or zone and present this to the class.
A group of Primary 7 from Loanhead took to the local streets to seek out inspiration, ideas and advice (and freebies) from places in our local community.
We used all of the inspiration that they collected to create mood boards and discuss specifics for our “zones”.
Thanks to the amazing staff at these places, specifically Argos and Ikea who showed us around, made us feel at home (gave us some free fruit) and were so excited to hear about our project and ideas which we look forward to sharing with them.
Loanhead pupils researched inspiring workplaces in Edinburgh and when we discovered AVALOQ we just had to get in touch,
We read that “AT AVALOQ, employees go to work in a fun, vibrant office space. A great slice of office design inspiration, this workspace also has its own fantastic rooftop garden. Continuing the employee-friendly feel, there is also a breakout area complete with comfortable seating and great facilities, enhancing the ‘home from home’ feel that makes Avaloq employees feel so comfortable in the workplace.”
A small group of pupils have been emailing staff and arranged a visit to have a tour round this amazing space. When they fed back their information, photos and videos to the class they were so enthusiastic and bubbling with fresh new ideas and excitement.
Thanks to Avaloq for having us, it looks an amazing place to work!
“The employees could decided what worked best for each task every day, there was so many seating options and there was nothing there just because, everything had a purpose” Eliza .
“If workplaces are as amazing as that they why aren’t schools?” Emma
“It seems that the staff were really looked after, they were happy to be there and the ones we spoke to said that this layout really worked for them and they enjoy working like this.” Cameron
“The roof top garden is amazing, even up there there is an option of seating and tables with an amazing view, they can go there to relax and work.” Kyle
Myself and Miss Arkley have been visiting lots of schools since Thursday last week and we’re really impressed by all the work the classes have been doing. Here are a few images from some of the schools with some really inspiring ideas!
Making graphs and using key words at Hawthornden. Really great ideas for bringing together the groups ideas.
Keeping track of independent learning and the project timeline at Danderhall- a really good idea for keeping track of the impact on learning and how the pupils feel about their learning.
Loanhead have been really busy making models, doing class visits, doing class surveys and presentations, we were really impressed with all of their work!
A very professional presentation and wonderful tour of the space at Lasswade Primary. Some really exciting research for transforming their space.
Lots of great questions and a lovely scrapbook at Sacred Heart Primary. They’ve been trying out lots of different working places and positions in their classroom too.
Lots of post-it notes at Newtongrange, a great tool for sharing ideas and adding annotations to existing designs and drawings.
Innovative ideas and up-cycling at Kings Park, the classes had looked at the creative uses of colour, writeable surfaces and making floor plans.
Splitting up into task teams (finance, design etc) at St Andrews Primary, a very creative and professional idea for creating a very comprehensive group project.
Brilliant class model at Rosewell, a great way to let the class discuss elements they like and could change, also for creating an adaptable learning space.
