P5 are just amazed at the speed in which the beginning of the school year has flown past.  Lots of  challenges were presented to them   which they have embraced whole heartedly,  whether this be in Literacy, (Reading/Writing/Spelling   Maths,   H&WB,  R.E, Science, Expressive Arts etc.

R.E/LITERACY/  EXPRESSIVE ARTS  & INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING  (IDL)

Throughout their journey so far the children have been revisiting and adding to their knowledge of  Liturgical Colours and Seasons.  For example from August to November the liturgical Colour and Season is represented by the  Colour Green.  And the  children had their first P5 opportunity to represent their school at Holy Family Church  for their First Friday Mass in October. This is the Month  which is dedicated to the Holy Rosary,  With our Lady of the Rosary celebrated on October the 7th.  The children  Introduced the Mass,  Some had the opportunity to Read, Bring the Offertory, Say bidding Prayers and lead the Singing  with the rest of the school and congregation.   They prepared so diligently for this and did so well.  We are all  so very proud of them.  Well done Children.

‘ST ANDREW’                                                                                                                       PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND

The feast of  St Andrew is on Saturday 30 November.   The children have been learning about him and how he came from being one of Jesus Apostles, being present during the feeding of the 5,000  with the loaves and the fishes, to  becoming the Patron Saint of Scotland.

The children made  St Andrews day flags, and learned Scottish songs.  In the photo’s below this post, you will see All the classes celebrating and sharing their St Andrews day, in song together.

Also many of our P5 children have joined our School Choir run by Mrs Cook and Mrs Preston. attending  lunch time and after school practises.   All of our Children in the choir, from all classes in the school are already wonderful ambassadors for our  school, singing at First Friday mass, Confirmations etc., and  making us all so very proud of them at every opportunity.

REFLECTING ON LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

As Part of their learning, the Children are reflecting on what they have learned.  Looking at approaches and  strategies that could be used  to help them to develop and progress in  their learning.  Asking questions.  What have they achieved so far?   What strategies work best for them as individuals.   To help with this, they  are working to  develop,  their self/peer assessment  skills.

LITERACY

For Example In  Literacy if you see the coloured highlighters discussed below, in your children’s Jotters this is what they mean.

The children (along with their teachers) are using coloured highlighters to assess their own and their peer’s work. ‘Pink’ for ‘Stop and Think‘ (for example, encouraging the children to take a second look at perhaps grammar or spelling etc,. what ever is highlighted.)  and ‘Green’ for ‘Great to be Seen’.  (Highlighting a well written sentence perhaps, or the use of exciting, descriptive words, in their piece of writing, encouraging their reader to want to read on.)  These colours can, at a glance, inform how they approach their next piece of writing too.  Perhaps that they are already on the right  path, and/or how  they could perhaps make an already great piece of work, even better.

MATHS & NUMERACY &  (IDL) Science/Writing/Measure/Expressive Arts

Estimating and Rounding, Number and Number Processes. Multiples, Factors and Primes and Measurement.

The children have had a very busy few months and have been working hard on these areas of Maths and Numeracy. They have particularly enjoyed actively participating in a variety of ways,  For example P5 used their Accurate measuring skills to work as part of a team, to make milk shakes, using  variable amounts of  a specific ingredient for taste and consistency.  The also recorded their preferred ingredients in the form of a recipe as part of a Writing Lesson.

MINI-TOPIC REMEMBRANCE DAY                                                          FUNDRAISER POPPY FRIDAY

As well as the Milk shakes  the children really enjoyed Making Poppy Biscuits for their Poppy Friday Fundraiser with P4/5. .  This time they also  use their estimating skills for the icing, colouring and filling for their biscuits.  Some children preferred to make  their  icing/filling   thinner/thicker than others. Some preferred the red colour to be deep red some lighter.  So these were the variables in this instance and also where the estimating skills came to the fore.  The children did a fantastic job.

The Poppy Friday Fundraiser included a Poppy Biscuits tables. and prior to this, all classes were provided with resources to make poppies to create a fantastic display of their work on the run up to Poppy Friday.   There was also craft tables,  face/hand painting, art , ICT and Snap Shot Picture, tables, as well as the Remembrance Poppy Merchandise and Poppy Bear Raffle Tables, with our  ‘Remembrance Day Poppy Bear’ Wearing his Holy Family school uniform and his Poppy.

The children did a fantastic Job and Raised over £120 on the sale of Raffle tickets alone.  So very well done P5 and P4/5.

TOPIC :

PLANET EARTH:  SPACE

The children have really enjoyed learning about The Solar System, and conducting  their own research at home and trying to find more information about their favourite planets, how they rotate and affect the seasons.  They have really enjoyed bringing in and  sharing their findings and  special  pieces of information with the class.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH                                                                                   KATHERINE JOHNSON & NASA

The children decided that the person they would like to find out  more about during black history month was Katherine Johnson. The cam back with lots of information.  Finding out that she was a Mathematician and Scientist and who eventually, was employed by Nasa.  The children presented their findings at Assembly .  Many of  of the children’s favourite piece of information was that  after all her hard work and dedication to her job, she was held in such high regard and trusted so much by the astronaut John Glen, that he would not fly unless Katherine Johnson approved the calculations.

ICT

As well as using their ICT time, to investigate and research topics also  making sure their  facts are from a trusted, reputable source.  The children have also been learning and developing their  ICT  skills,  For example.   Note taking, and  learning to use their notes to write/add to gathered information.   They are also developing their skills and knowledge about their way around their laptop and keys.  The have also been learning to Write a formal  e.mail,  using formal language.   Learning also about layout, headings and content.  Also that it is important to sign off correctly.  The children have also been learning about appropriate content language and how to use all technologies respectfully in an appropriate manner.

H&WB :  RESPECT for OTHERS ALWAYS

As the children continue to learn  about showing respect for others and themselves, and also understanding emotions and feelings,  through ‘Emotionworks’  these were  highlighted particular from  the 11th-17th November during Anti-Bullying Week.  The theme ‘Showing Respect for Others’,  and focuses on ways of prevention.  During discussions the children decided that being kind and treating other the way we would always want to be treated would  be the  best way to show respect for others.

P.E.

Most of the children look forward to P.E.  However over the last few months they have been particularly excited and some a little wary too, but did look forward to the Swim and Gym Sessions at the Sir Matt Busby Centre.  The children embraced their challenges and a lot of learning has been done.  We hope you had a wonderful learning experience everyone and be very proud of what you have achieved so far in these areas of P.E.

Well done so far everyone.  We are so proud of you,  Keep working hard as we approach and move into the Month of December and into the Special Season of Advent and Christmas.

1. DAILY ROUTINE                                                                                                          ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING (IDL)

P1 have been working very hard and have settled into their school routine nicely.  Remembering and recognising their name labels, the children  hang up the coats and bags carefully beside them. They have also been learning how to use our Active Registration and Lunch register. The children are becoming really confident and quick to  recognise their own  names and placing them on the  colour of the lunch band, they are going to be using.  They are even recognising some of their friends  names too.   Then when all the children have registered their names on the colour chart, they help their class teacher count the total number of children on red,  green, yellow and blue colours, to give to Mrs Stirling, to help her make the correct amount of dinners.  Fantastic P1!  Well done.

LITERACY

TALKING/LISTENING , READING AND WRITING

The children are  working hard to  stay focused as they learn about their Initial sounds and how to use them, through active participation.   Using, North Lanarkshire’s Active Literacy Programme. E.g.  Magnetic Board and Letters/ etc.,  as well as Jolly Phonics/Big books/Songs / Interactive  and Animated film clips/White board and Pen/ Cut and Stick activities, etc.,  help the children  to  engage  and  develop their skills through active participation, as they learn about their initial sounds and  common words.  Their reading books also help to reinforce these sounds and common words. The children are also working very hard to  remember to use their good listening skills as well.  Such a lot of learning P1. You are becoming very ‘successful learners’ indeed!

NUMERACY

The Children are really enjoying learning about the Days of the Week/Months of the Year, through song and rhyme and also particularly with number, having worked very hard to learn about their numbers from 1-10.  They have been learning about what each number looks like.  How to form it correctly.  What it looks like as a number and a word.  How to make each number with a variety of resources. (cubes/buttons/pencils/rulers/pasta shapes (whatever resources are available.)  What number comes before and after.  As they learn through song/rhyme, active participation and interdisciplinary learning, the children have also been naturally learning about number through real life situations.   As they go about their day, your child  may say to you “Oh thats a 5″.  Or, ‘I can see 2 apples in the bowl’   Or I am using a pink/green/blue/red/orange and yellow pencils to colour my picture .  Thats 6 pencils”  Which is wonderful, as they are applying what they have been learning in the classroom, to real life situations.

R.E.

The Children have been learning about  their daily prayers. (Morning when they come in.  Before and After Lunch and just before we go home.)  They are learning about being kind and giving thanks for all we have and do.  Also in  October the children have been learning that this is a special month dedicated to Our Lady where we pray and learn about the Rosary.

TOPICS  INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING (IDL) – AUTUMN//HALLOWEEN/EXPRESSIVE ARTS

The children have really enjoyed learning about Autumn and watching out for the different signs of this every day.  They have been able to learn about Autumn through a variety of disciplines e.g.  Maths, (Months and Seasons of the Year,) Literacy, (Spelling /Writing Reading) Expressive Arts Drawing/Art Work/Crafts etc., /Health and Wellbeing (Autumn Walks/Beat the Street).The children have really enjoyed learning about Autumn through a variety of different subject areas and experiences. The  children particularly enjoyed getting ready for Halloween and making lots of different decorations using a variety of media to get their class ready  for their Halloween party.

SCIENCE – MINI-BEASTS             (PICS TO COME)

The children have  really enjoyed learning about Mini-Beasts at home and in school.  Before the children began their new learning, they shard   what they already know.  Then, what they would like to know.  So their Mini-Beast Science topic was Pupil lead.  Then  When they children  have completed their  investigation we  will record what they  have learned from their  investigations.  cant wait!

P1  also noticing signs of Autumn and Mini-beast activity as they have fun with P2 at  our Community Park .

HEALTH AND WELL BEING   (H&WB)                                                                   P.E AND EMOTION WORKS (EMOTIONS/FEELING)

P1 have really enjoyed  P.E. and  have also been very lucky with the weather, as they have been able to have  P.E.  outside in the fresh air most of the time. The children have been learning about rules for Health and Safety, following instructions e.g. Listening carefully and turn taking.  Also  they have been learning about working together as part of a team to achieve a successful outcome.   Fantastic work P1.  We can see you a really working hard to develop these very important skills.

EMOTION WORKS  –  (WHOLE SCHOOL INITIATIVE)

The children have been learning about their emotions through Emotion Works.   At the beginning of our Emotion Works lessons the children love to sing and act out their Emotion Works song. (Ask your child if they can sing a little bit for you. It’s called ‘These are Our Emotions’) They also enjoy learning  through a variety of fun filled activities e.g. animated film clips games song/drama etc..  They  have been learning about ways to identify what they are feeling  and why?  Also they have been learning about  different strategies and ways to deal with this.  They have also   have been learning that sharing  how they  are feeling, with an adult they can trust,  is very important,   As  they  might be able to help them  understand why they  might feel the way they  do and give them the support they need.

Lastly P1 enjoying their very first Halloween party with P2 and P3

Wow ! Can you believe everything you have achieved since starting School in August P1.   Well done.  Mrs Stevenson and I are so very proud of you.

INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING (IDL) WRITING/SCIENCE and FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

P1/2 have been working very hard on their writing and they have enjoyed using Topics / Mini Topics (e.g. Fairyland, Fairtrade) and Science (e.g. The Water Cycle ) etc., as a stimulus for their writing.   The children particularly enjoyed watching a very simple u tube video on how to make Top Hat Cakes for P5’s Fairtrade Coffee Morning.  The children then recounted what ingredients they would need and each First, Next, Finally step to the teacher, which she wrote on the board.  The children then used this to help write their Suported recount of how to Make Top Hats.  In the afternoon when they made the cakes, the children were able to explain the First, Next, Finally  instructions as the used them, as they made ‘Fairtrade Top Hat Cakes…

…THE WATER CYCLE

As we used a Kettle to boil the water to heat the bowl that would heat up and help to melt the chocolate, we used our Mirror from the play corner. T

The boiling kettle represented the heat of the sun.  As the children noticed the steam coming out of the spout they were calling out ‘water vapour’ coming from the changing water in the kettle and as it began to steam up the mirror they called condensation. Then as it  ran down the mirror one of the children said it’s running back down the mirror like rain on the window and said ‘it’s precipitation.’  Then they all started to sing the water cycle song.   Fantastic learning!  So proud of you all P1/2.

RERC – THIS IS OUR FAITH /THINKING CIRCLES and EMOTION WORKS

As we approached Ash Wednesday and Lent the children with the rest of the the school through their R.E, Thinking Circles, and Emotiom Works, discussed what Lent and our Lenten Promise can mean to us as well as others, and how it can effect others in a very positive way, not just physically but emotionally.  That the very simplest if kindnesses that we do, can have an enormous impact on the lives of those around us.

SEAL and SUBTRACTION

The children have been working very hard on Subtraction using a variety of resources to help them in their learning. Using the SEAL approach to learning has helped the children to have fun with their learning as they engage with this very visual whole school initiative.

LITERACY / PEOPLE PAST EVENTS AND  SOCIETY – TRADITIONAL TALES

When the children returned to school after the Christmas Holidays,  they were very excited to begin their new  topics  and mini- topics. In particular Traditional Tales –  Fairyland.  After receiving a very special letter from the Friendly Dragon and Characters of Fairyland asking for help to rebuild Fairyland after it was lost,  the children couldn’t wait to get started!

ROBERT BURNS

The children were very interested in learning about the Traditions, life, poetry and songs of Robert Burns.  They particularly enjoyed learning about Auld Lang Syne, how it is sung with crossed over arms, holding hands in a circle.  That  it is  a well known and Traditional song, still sung today at the end of Weddings, Special  Occasions  and Every Year as the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve or Hogmanay.

LITERACY WEEK , THE LIBRARY  AND FORMER PUPIL VISIT

The children were very pleased to have some sunshine on their first visit back to the  library to change their books.  They also were very excited about some of our former pupils coming back to the school from Cardinal Newman, to read to the children and support them with their reading during Literacy Week.

The children have really enjoyed using many  of these  different experiences as a stimulus for their writing….Here  are some of January’s terrific Star Writers…

MATHS   –  NUMBER TENNIS AND TIME

As the children continue to develop confidence in number through the SEAL approach, they are very much enjoying and actively participating in their learning.  Through for example, active stations, songs, games etc.  They have enjoyed learning the rap time song and playing Number Tennis.

SCIENCE – THE WATER CYCLE

The children are learning about the Water Cycle and have  engaged fully in all their learning experiences and activities, enjoying in particular the Water Cycle Song. (See Link)

R.E.R.C. – This Is Our Faith  –  Feast of the Epiphany 6 January

On returning to School the children listened to the story of ‘The  Epiphany’ and discussed this Special feast day of The Three Kings bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.   After reflecting on the Birth of Jesus, the Holy Family’s final special visitors and their School Nativity,  the children were all very proud and pleased with what they had achieved in their learning, especially throughout  their practise and performance in their Nativity , ‘A Miracle in Town.’

HEALTH & WELLBEING (H&WB)  – EMOTION WORKS/ SHANARRI ACTIVE – Healthy Lifestyles/P.E

   

WORKING HARD/ADVENT/CHRISTMAS AND HAVING FUN

RERC/LITERACY/NUMERACY/EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND IDL

P1/2 have been working very hard throughout this term and as we approach the end  in this last month of December, the weeks before  these Christmas holidays have just flown past.

After writing their letters to Santa the children worked hard to get all their Christmas Fayre goodies all ready to go on sale. And with all their other Christmas activities and preparations for them. E.g. Their Nativity rehearsals, dance practise and preparation for our Christmas party,  etc. P1/2 have been rushed off their feet!

We have also had a little visitor to the classroom who keeps turning up in unusual places and so the children decided to make there very own to to help with the hall surveillance for Christmasin the hall…

NATIVITY

P1/2 really loved performing in their School Nativity with P2 and P3. and thank you so much to some of the P3’s for standing in at the last minute for our P1 children who were ill.  The children had all been practising and working very hard for weeks and I know you will agree that their performance was wonderful.

However as I mentioned, unfortunately some children were very unwell on the day and could not take part.  To those children, thank you so much, we really appreciate all your hard work too and hope you feel better very soon.

Finally P1/2 would love to wish everyone a very Happy and Holy Christmas and New Year when 2020 arrives.  God Bless x.

LITERACY

The children have embraced their new learning and have enjoyed using what they have learned in active literacy to enhance their writing lessons .

This month the children wrote about their Cinema Visit, learned the correct way to write a Beginning Middle and End (BME) Task and wrote out posters with visual Clues for the Christmas Fayre.  Here are some of this months star writers with their fantastic work. (Pics to come)

The children also enjoyed pairing up with their buddies during Book Week, when they came  down to P1/2 to read to them.

NUMERACY

The children continue to enjoy the progress the are making in the number prosess and their Seal  Training ,as the develop their learning in using the strategies .  They have also enjoyed learning about Measure and looking at different ways to identify Tall -Taller /Short-Shorter.  Big.-bigger/ small-Smaller etc.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING    (H&WB)                                                                 EMOTION WORKS

The boys and girls are learning about their emotions what they are, how they feel and how they are able to deal with them and use different strategies to help them to do this.

ENTERPRISE AND THE CHRISTMAS FAYRE

The children have had a fantastic time preparing for the School Christmas Fayre as they make Reindeer Food and Christmas Sweetie Surprise Bags.  The are also learning about how they can make money for charity by doing this. Here are some pictures of our little production line and one of our P1 pupils demonstrating how to seal the bags ready for display.

R.E   – Month of the Holy Souls/The Rosary and the start of Nativity Practise.

During the month of November the children have been learning about the month of the Holy Souls the Rosary , what it is and why we use this to pray, especially during the months of Our Lady and the Holy Souls.  However as we approach Advent and Christmas, with P3 and P2,  P1/2 are practising for their school Nativity and  the have all been working very hard as the look forward to their performance in December.

GOLDEN TIME

After all that hard work the children looked forward to, and enjoy their well deserved Golden Time each Friday afternoon.  Well done and keep working hard P1/2.

LITERACY

P1/2 have been working so hard over the past month, on their letter formation and writing. They have also been using their experiences to help them with their picture plans and visual clues.  For example the children were very excited about their up and coming school Halloween Party and so together we decided that it would be a good idea to make posters to advertise.  When their writing was completed, the children went with their buddies to display their posters around the school to remind everyone about it.  Great work everyone!

Here are our Star Writers of the month…Great work P1/2 keep it up

MATHS

Children are continuing to have fun as they learn about number through the seal S.E.A.L.  Approach  to learning and are enjoying  developing their number formation and counting skills  in a variety of ways.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

P1/2 had a visit from their lovely dental Nurses, who showed them the correct way to clean their teeth.  The children  have been following instructions and taking responsibility so that their mouth gums and teeth stay healthy.

P.E.  Emotion Works and Interdisciplinary Learning

Throughout October, we have been looking into the ‘H’ that represents ‘Healthy’ in our ‘sHanarri Wheel.   Bringing together  Emotion Works and Shanarri , we are learning about how our emotions work and how they can affect us and others in positive and negative ways. We are also learning what these emotions might look and feel like and how we can  recognise them.

Here are P1/2 Learning about Emotion Works and displaying and encouraging Healthy Emotions in P.E.   As they help and include each other, the children are learning  how their positive behaviour can begin to change how others feel,  for the better.

ART/MINI-TOPIC:   HALLOWEEN

The children also had a fantastic time  working on their mini topic and learning about Halloween. As they prepared for their party they created lots of fantastic artwork for the wall displays and moving images to hang in the classroom and take home.

P1/2 having a fantastic time at the Halloween Party

    

    

GOLDEN TIME

Here are the children enjoying their Golden Time/Clubs after working hard throughout the week.

well done boys and girls, great work.

NEW LEARNING

P1/2 have made a great start to the first term.  They have been learning about School Rules and have even created some of their own.  They have learned where to hang their coats, put their bag,  how to self register for lunch and have found out where many of their other classrooms are throughout the school.  However with   September’s  First Friday Mass coming up, P1/2 paid a visit to the church for the first time as a new P1/2 Class.

R.E.  – T.I.O.F. (This is Our Faith)

Here they are getting ready to go on their first visit to Holy Family Parish Church together…

… and here they are inside, learning how to sit and behave  respectfully.  The children have also been learning  about having respect for others, their faith and beliefs and to treat each other with kindness.  Saying kind words  and using kind hands.

Literacy

The children are learning to read spell and write, through ‘North Lanarkshire’s  Active Literacy Programme’ using lots of their different resources and strategies to help them learn their alphabet, but also to learn what each phonic letter of the alphabet looks and sounds like and how to blend them to make words.  The children  are also using animated film clips and  song to help develop their learning  and  having  a lot of fun (as in Maths)  using shaving foam and bubbles etc., to do this!

Numeracy and Maths

    

  

  

  

The children are learning about number. ( as well as shape) They are developing their knowledge of the  ‘ SEAL’ approach to learning and are having fun using  these strategies as well as  others  to  develop their learning  in a very enjoyable way.

Learning through Free Play and …

…Outdoor Learning

       

Children,  you have really worked hard in your first few weeks in P1/2.  Mrs Stevenson and I are so proud of you all.  Well done!

SCIENCE/MATHS/LITERACY

P1/2 have been working so hard as they approach the end of the School Year and Summer Holidays, it has all just flown in.

The children have really enjoyed Science and investigating Living and Non-Living Things.  As they leave to go home for the holidays, they take with them some of the variety of Sunflowers  they have brought on from seed in a propagator.   The children have  now re-potted  their seed pods into pots with more soil,  to take home to water and watch them grow.

Some will grow bigger than others and can be planted in the garden when they out grow there pots.

We’d love to see how they get on during the holidays if you have time to take pictures.

                 

                

The children also wrote out clear instructions on How to Grow your own Sunflower from Seed’  re-pot it and finally transfer it from the pot to the Garden.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING/R.E.

SPONSORED TEDDY BEARs PICNIC/WALK FOR ST ANDREWS HOSPICE

P1/2 enjoyed their Sponsored Teddy Bear Walk and Picnic, as they  helped to  raise funds for St Andrews Hospice.  The children enjoyed it even more as they were able to take along their own very special teddies, which  they brought in  to show the class and share a special story about them.

   

   

 

OUR SCHOOL TRIP TO ABERDOUR – Being Outdoors/ Spending Time with Friends and Having Fun

….With the whole school, P1/2 had a really terrific time just being together and having fun on the Silver Sands  beach, at Aberdour.

               

      

             

This was a fantastic end to the last week of term as the school holidays were about to begin.

Well done P1/2 for all your hard work over the school year. You have made Mrs Stevenson and I very proud of you.  Have a well deserved rest and we will look forward to seeing you as you move on to P2 and P3 when you come back after the holidays.  God Bless and have a lovely time.