The Tallest Class in Banton Primary
The Biggies made a spring visit to Dow’s wood on Thursday afternoon. The sun shone and it was a lovely day. We started by gathering photos of mini beasts for our primary 1-2-3 pals. We will share that next week.
We also spent some time drawing the early bluebells, siting in the quiet and sun dappled slopes.
On Tuesday the Biggies set up some spring art.
Yesterday afternoon we were doing art with different materials like paint, pencil and pastels. There was different stations for the different materials and there was 2 pencils station one you have to look at what you see and the other is the idea of the flower.
I liked the pencil arts more than the others because the lines were thin, it was easier to draw and I could add more details.
I liked painting but not as much as drawing on pencil. I liked painting because I could put different shades on top of each over and I could choose if it was thin or thick.
Alexia
I prefer the chalk pastels over the oil pastels because I thought they felt a bit like crayons but they were a bit more precise than the chalk pastels but the chalk pastels I could blend. I also used them together and it looked really good. I really liked the paint because I think it was easy to use and it looked really good. Out of all of them I think I like pencil the best because it is easier to do the details and my favourite picture is the idea of the thing because I could add stuff that wasn’t there.
Juliet
I liked my experiment drawing because it was free I did not dislike anything about this material.
Next time I will try more details.
I think more time would help
Noah
There was two types of pastels oil and chalk, there was only one table for pastels we had to draw a bluebell. I enjoyed doing the pastels because I got to blend the colours together with my fingers to create shadows. I enjoyed drawing with the oil pastels because I liked the texture of it.
Billie
What I liked about my paint art was it turned out to be good but it was a little bit squinty. What I liked about my pastel art was I smudged to add detail.
What I liked about my pencil art was I drew very carefully.
Xander
Mr Johnston told us to think about what we liked and disliked about each of the materials. My favourite was the pastels, there were 2 types of pastels we used chalk pastels and oil pastels, I liked the chalk ones. I like the chalk pastels because of the way it feels to draw with them, it has a nice wee feeling in your body. There where a lot of differences between the materials, some of them are paints are a lot more smooth, pastels are messy and smudgy and pencil is simple and nice. I like the ones that are less smooth because you can really feel the drawing, the only ones that have that are pencils and pastels.
Robert
I enjoyed them all the were fun and nice to experience them all in different ways.
I enjoyed the painting the most cause it was a bit more relaxing than the others but I’m not saying the others were bad I just enjoyed that more.
The paint felt different than the others but I’m because you used it in a different way that made it feel delicate. Then the pencil felt smooth gliding around the paper it felt amazing. Also the pastels felt weird the first felt like very chunky crayon and chalk mixed together.
Tony
I think my drawing from what you see was quite detailed, if I had more time I could have added a bit more detail though. It was really fun drawing from what you see, because you then get to see what a flower actually looks like.
Drawing the blossom art was really fun and I would definitely do it again, and it is also quite calming to just sit there and draw. The teachers also get some quiet time.
Chloe
On Monday this week we had a meeting with Dr Graham Kerr who works at NASA in the USA.
On Monday this week we had a meeting with Dr Graham Kerr who works at NASA in the USA. Dr Kerr originally comes from quite close to Banton, about half an hour drive away!
Dr Kerr tooks us through an explanation of his work on Sun, solar activity, solar probes and lots more. He told us some incredible facts.
He also answered our questions on a whole host of space related facts.
After the meeting I asked the Biggies to do some research and create some art on anything that had caught their interest. They have worked really hard both in school and at home!
As today is the last day beforethe holidays, we spent some time making the solar system in Minecraft. Some of the builds were really inventive. The Sun, planets, astronauts and more. Juliet even had hollow planets with information boards inside.
For the Last six weeks the Biggies have been working in the MakerSpace with Artist Eilidh Manton.
This week we had a dash for the finish ending with a Exhibition in the Playground for the rest of the school.
For the Last six weeks the Biggies have been working in the MakerSpace with Artist Eilidh Manton.
You can see some of the progress on earlier posts.
This week we had a dash for the finish ending with a Exhibition in the Playground for the rest of the school.
I am incredibly proud of the way the children worked over the weeks. Especially on talking to Eilidh. She was very impressed at the children’s practical skills, the way they solved problems and their ability to talk about what they were doing and learning.
The class were especially impressive talking about their work to the other pupils and staff in the playground Exhibition.
Today the pupils continued to impress by writing about their projects. Some wrote about the technical details, some about the feeling and some wrote poems. All the writing below is by the artists.
I wrote a wee poem for ye
The auld swan shall come Tae me
Doon the wee canal
Ye may see it come round Tae ye
The auld swan shall come Tae me
I chose a swan because when I think of Banton i think about nature and in Banton there is a pond with swans in it so that’s why I did it. I also chose it because I like swans and think they are cool. I like this idea and enjoyed making it.
My creation represents jealousy.
It makes me happy when I look at it when I am jealous.
Its leaves are green like nature.
The leaves are crunchy when I step on the leaves.
When I look at the animals they are cute.
They are very fluffy and furry.
The birds are very noisy alll the time.
The trees are full of apples.
The apples are very tasty.
The forest is always there for me.
I made the water mill because I wanted to make some more complicated. I made a mechanism that made it spin round. It was hard to hot glue the curved cardboard.
My creation makes me feel accomplished.
A few weeks ago we started art in the makerspace. An artist named Eilidh Manson came in to do some art with us. We made some sketch books. I didn’t actually choose it. Mr Johnston showed me how to make a tree trunk. I made a tree but I made a leap of logic and it gave me a super lit idea so I made a forest. When I cut the cardboard it was a bit stiff. It was easy to make animal figurines. The finished project made me feel happy.
They where called spittles it took a couple weeks to do but I done it (hardly). Tt was hard at bits I used creative thinking, problem thinking And more. Then I made a susy and peep-corn they both hard to made. The materials I needed were cardboard, fabric and more!!
Once boxes and bags,
Now a tall Cherry tree,
And branches inside can’t you see.
Tissue paper flowers and packaging paper bark.
Held together by glue and duct tape and things like that.
Some real branches hiding,
They blend in so well,
you nearly can’t tell,
It’s a cardboard tree.
The flavour of door toes is like fire, burns your tongue more than a ghost pepper nothing else can beat it in spice.
Prongles is the biggest snack you can have it holds world records with it, it never expires you will love it especially the new giant flavour even bigger that the big flavour so EAT NOW.
The Swan is nice and relaxing,
The cam seats are so calm,
The atmosphere is quiet,
A wee nice feeling roams the air.
I made the swan (pub/bar/restaurant) because I felt like it really symbolised Banton in a good way. The community made it a nice place to eat or drink at.
It makes me feel happy, calm, and bit sad and a wee bit nervous. I feel happy because I finally finished the project. I feel calm because now I don’t have to juggle all the thoughts of what to do next in my head and sad because Eilidh Madison (who helped us build it) will not come back. I also feel nervous because it might collapse. I feel quite good.
Why I made it
I chose to build the shed and the tools inside it because at the start before we built anything I was struggling for ideas. I thought of tools outside in the playground and I thought of a shovel. Then after I built the shovel I built a broom then a bucket then the shed.
Exhibition
My class displayed the things we have been working on for the past few weeks. We told everyone about how we made it, features, why we made it and more like what’s above. Everyone liked the exhibition. It was very fun. Some things gone wrong but we had a great time. The exhibition was a success in the end.
This week we made a lot of progress in the MakerSpace. The class were so busy we did not have much time for reflection or taking notes. We can really see the ideas being brought to life. The class have a very wider range of ideas! Some of the ideas are beinging to expand, either in size or complexity.
This week we made a lot of progress in the MakerSpace. The class were so busy we did not have much time for reflection or taking notes. We can really see the ideas being brought to life. The class have a very wider range of ideas! Some of the ideas are beinging to expand, either in size or complexity.
I did ask the pupils how we could improve out teaching. This was met with a series of ideas for expanding the space. This included, planning & painting areas, Space for painting and being able to leave work in a more organised way. All good ideas but difficult to do given the space we are lucky have.
We had our second visit from Artist Eilidh Manson yesterday. Every one has started on a weird or wonderful piece of Art. We have mill wheels, cats up trees and giant packet of pringles, and a lot more great ideas.
The class are all now becoming increasingly independent in the MakerSpace, working safely with care.
Today in the maker space I started on making my water mill.
Calum
I filled my toilet roll with tissue but then I took it out and but a stick in then put tissue back in it.
I cut round card board and hot glued it on.
Today in the MakerSpace I made a tree and I made it into phase 2 Mr tree.
Xander
I made it in one WHOLE day.
When I cut the square on the bottom it was a bit stiff.
I wrapped even more tape to make it less fragile.
Today I made a drinkable slush made out of cardboard and I made a pop corn which I renamed peep-corn it’s called peep-corn because you can look thru a hole I learned loads of new techniques and you can drink out the slush because there’s a cup behind the cardboard.
Noah
Today in the maker space I made a swan.🦢
Tony
I have made the main body.
I have also started a slot so it can stand up.
I haven’t finished it yet but when I do it will look beautiful.
I learned that if something didn’t work try it again and if that doesn’t work leave it for later.
Today in the MakerSpace I started my art project. I started with making the roof for the first building. It was hard to do it but I kinda weaved cardboard to make it 2 times and put them together with an angle. The I added something to stop the angle from changing. Then I make 2 30x20cm parts and 2 30x30cm parts. I put them together to make a square. It got a lot better at making roofs with tiles and cutting with saws.
Robert
Today in the MakerSpace I started my art project. Im doing it with Chloe and we are going to do a tree with a cat stuck in it. We have got the base done and next week we are going to build it up then make the outside look like bark and add the branches and some flowers.
Juliet
Today we were in the MakerSpace and I made a giant Pringle can.
Jason
I started by using a giant tube, then put a lid on the bottom. then made 2 small Pringles then curved them to look like Pringles, then I but some hot glue on the so they would look like a actual Pringle with all the powder things then I add all the labelling and picture of the guys face.
Yesterday we had a visit from Artist Eilidh Manson who will be working with us for the next few weeks in the MakerSpace. Putting an artistic slant on our making.
Eilidh stated by talking about how important sketch books are and show us how to make our own. We started using these straight away thinking about Banton and places and things important to the pupils.
We then headed through to the MakerSpace, to experement with cardboard and other materials. This is a warm up for next week when the children will be working on turning their own ideas into art.
We will do some more advanced projects. I know what I’m going to make. I have ideas I want to try. What I think working with Eilidh will be awesome.
My techniques I have learnt.Xander
- Roll up cardboard to make a tree trunk.
- Scrumple up cardboard to make leaves.
I think I will do well over the next few sessions and also I think other people will do well too.
Gene
I know what I am going to make. I’m going to make the shed in the playground.
I think working with Eilidh will be fun.
I have learnt the technique stacking and I don’t really like it.
I think over the next few sessions we will start to work on the pieces of art. I think I am going to try to make a tree, I think I want to try using little pieces of wet cardboard as bark but glue it on. I think it is going to be fun working with Eilidh. A new technique I have learned is weaving cardboard.
Juliet
Robert
- I think it’s going to be a good bunch of sessions and it will be all calm and nice.
- I do know what I’m going to make and it is: The Swan (the restaurant in banton)
- The ideas I want to try are: making textured walls and making a roof that doesn’t fall.
- I think it is going to be nice.
- I have learned how to thread cardboard and make 2 walls support a small roof.
I think we will keep on experimenting
Noah
Im going to make a slushy and you can remove the lid and replace it
I’m still thinking of ideas I want to try
I think it will be fun and entertaining
Putting your finger into the top of a bottle and it will be easier to cut it.
I am going to make the Banton mill
Calum
I think that we are going to make interesting things
I think it will be good working with Eilidih
The Biggies had their first Trip to Dow’s Wood this year. Ice Hair, Adjectives & Land Art.
On Wednesday the Biggies had a trip to Dow’s Wood for some outdoor learning. The plan was to make some Land Art and gather some adjectives.
Our new pupil and Miss Baxter, who is working with the Biggies this term had their first trip to the wood so we had a look around first.
Eagle eyed Noah spotted some Ice Hair:
It is quite rare to find ‘hair ice’ in Scotland so I was quite excited. We also had a look at some hazel catkins.
On the way we gathers a few straight sticks and dead stems. We had been looking at some images and video of Land Art. This is art made from natural materials, that can be left in place after taking some photographs. We were careful not to damage any living things.
Most of the class were quickly absorbed in putting together some abstract shapes, some using their engineering skills to balance, and construct strange shapes. These things often go wrong, this class are becoming expert in making mistakes, meeting failure and pushing on to success.
The first thing we did in the woods was collect sticks and make art. We could work in partners or by our selves, I worked with Gene. The first idea I had was to make a circle but me and Gene couldn’t really get it very Sphere like. We tried making a stick out line first and filling it in with smaller sticks but that didn’t really work. Gene then had an idea of how to make a better one but we ended up making a monster on a giant mossy rock. Gene made a really cool stick line down for hair. I built the face out of muddy leaves and mud which made my hands freezing. But It was really fun.
Mud is the new Glue
Juliet
One morning we went to the woods. About half way through the trip, we made some sculptures next to the big rocks. I started making some gigantic but also wee structure, first I wanted to make a ball but I found out it was too hard to do it, instead I made Some pillars and connected them. I made it all with sticks. It was very hard but it turned out very well! It kind of looked a bit like a circle of pillars with one in the middle and a roof.
Robert
Me and Juliet built a sphere and a rock monster. First we built the sphere. It didn’t really look like one. We built it only out of twigs/sticks. Just a sphere. But I thought of a different way to build it. We didn’t build the different version because Juliet thought of and excellent idea. We built a rock monster on a mossy rock. It went tremendously. It went better than I thought. I’m still baffled that the twigs/sticks didn’t fall off. I had a lovely time working with Juliet.
Gene
This morning, we went to the woods. We made some art, we used sticks, rocks, and leaves, and maybe some moss. Me and my friend Alexia Were partners with each over. Luckily we both have creative minds. We started off putting a bunch of twigs together, and then we added the big sticks. Then Alexia’s strange but creative mind took over, she added hats to all the sticks! It was strange but it was also cool because it was a cup of an acorn, after a little while I asked Alexia about putting clear rocks in it and she put it around the centre we called these moon rocks. After that Mr. Johnston showed us other people ideas, after seeing Mr. Johnston’s we decided to do a leaf circle like him and then we were finished.
Chloe
For the last few weeks the Biggies have been spending their time in the MakerSpace tackling a Christmas Challenge.
We started off by making plans:
We talked a bit about the skills needed for carrying out or plans and the design cycle.
He results show not only our pupils imagination but a range of skills.
For the last few weeks we made some Christmas models in the Makerspace. We could make anything we wanted, as long as it is Christmas themed. I decided to make a Christmas tree! I was the only one who made a Christmas tree.
There was a lot of problems we had. Here are some of the problems I had:
- The motor didn’t work
- The tree was moving when the motor was on
- The motor was falling of a bit
Here are the solutions I had for the problems
Robert
- Check and re-wire the electronics
- Add some weights to the tree
- Tape it on a bit
I made a train with a carriage carrying presents. I thinked about connecting both the locomotive and the carriage together. So I used pipe cleaners to hook them together. The final product was a success. I liked how I added presents to the carriage.
Problems & Solutions
I used wood to make the presents but they were too tiny so I used Lego to make the presents. I wrapped some wooden circles in tin foil to make some presents.
Xander
I used lots of my skills but I used five main skills. 1. I used planning and organising because I had a plan on what to do. 2. I used ICT for my micro:bit. 3. Numeracy for measuring things. 4. Problem solving for my short and tall stuff. 5. Creative thinking to add details.
Tony
For the maker space Christmas challenge I made a sleigh pulled by a rain deer. It had a light collar and a micro bit in the sleigh. It also moved. We had to make it max 30cm wide, long and tall.
A few problems I had were I didn’t have enough space to make two reindeer like on my plan so I had to move the micro bit to my sleigh. Another problem I had was that my reindeer was to heavy causing my sleigh to tip forwards so I had to pup my rubber in the back until I got the wires and batteries in which held it down.
Some skills I used were planning and organising, ICT, creative thinking and practical skills.
Juliet
First I made a net. Then I hot glued the net together to make a square then I made a roll for the front. Then I added 2 light bulbs and with then I wrote Santas express on it. Lastly I added an spoiler and an antenna and that was me finished
I used my practical skills and my ICT. My problem was the clips would not connect to the light bulb. My idea totally changed at one point because my original plan was a slay that you pull Back against an elastic band.
Noah
Yesterday the coaches from Clyde FC Community Foundation came to run some training sessions.
You can read a bit more on the Bairn’s Blog
We had a great time, here is what some of the class thought:
First we did a warmup called traffic lights, Chris had 3 cones a green cone, an orange cone, and a red cone. When he held up the green cone we were to dribble about, but we were to keep the ball close and have control over it, Chris calls this penguin taps. If Chris held up the orange cone we were to do this motion called toe taps, a toe tap is when you tap the ball with the tip of your feet one after the other. If Chris held up the red card we are to hold it still and sit on the ball
Chloe
The second game was hungry hippos. We had to dribble a ball Back to our team and to get the ball we had to high five a partner and go on my team was Jason and Juliet we won 2 times in a row.
Noah
I got better at dribbling the ball the session was really fun I like the football training a lot because it was very fun.
Jason
At that lesson I got a bit better at football. I didn’t really learn anything as far as I can remember. I felt competitive in the session and I really liked it. I had a lovely day yesterday in school and I enjoyed the session so much.
Thank you Clyde football club for coming to Banton.
Gene
Lastly we played football we split into teams then to. Then we started Calum was great he would find away to get the ball of you every time. It was 1&1 it was great
Tony
Finally we played a game of football the opposite team got a point then I got the ball under every ones legs and Jason got it in the goal.
I learned some new games practiced and got better at dribbling the ball. It was really fun and I really enjoyed it.
Juliet
