This week in our Technology Masterclass we created some lego masterpieces using the Lego Wedo programme on the laptops. What fun was had! Even I learned something new today!
In groups of 2 and 3 you created some lego designs which you then programmed to move and make noises – the bird designs were very noisy and could be heard all the way down the corridor!
It was an absolute pleasure working with you all this afternoon. you worked so well together I am already looking forward to our session next week. Well done everyone!
Please click here to access photos from this afternoon’s session.
What another interesting Masterclass we had this week! Each group was given another design challenge and a selection of resources. You were asked to use these resources to create the Eiffel Tower. Your Success Criteria this week was:
Your Eiffel Tower must be:
- free standing (not leaning against something)
- as close in design to the original as possible
- worked on by ALL group members
How did your group do? Once again, ideas were being discussed and whiteboards were used to share design ideas.
We had some fabulous completed designs created. Have a look at the photographs and let me know what you think. Lots of fun was had this afternoon, so much so that one group have even asked if they can complete their design at lunchtime. I look forward to adding their completed tower at a later date. Well done to everyone for showing such enthusiasm.
Here are some photographs of you hard at work on your designs.
What an interesting Masterclass we had this week! Each group was given a design challenge and were then issued with one plastic cup, a length of string, a bundle of straws and a strip of masking tape. You were asked to use these resources to create a bucket tower. You were also given the following Success Criteria:
Your tower must be:
- able to hold a full cup of cubes
- free standing (not leaning against something)
- worked on by ALL group members
Did your group manage? I heard lots of chat and lots of ideas being shared. I liked the fact that a couple of groups used the whiteboards to share design ideas.
We had some wonderful designs created and after trying out your designs holding the cup of cubes some of you realised that you would need to make some changes. Well done, that is exactly what this challenge was all about!
Here are some photographs of you hard at work on your designs. Please show them to someone at home and let us know what they think.
Yesterday we had our first P7 only Masterclass. We started off with a simple recipe using ready rolled puff pastry, chocolate spread, banana and strawberries – what’s not to like?
The results were great and everyone enjoyed their sweet treat! Try it out at home by following the recipe below.
Sweet Puff Pastry Treats
Makes 9 individuals
| Ingredients 500g Puff pastry pack strawberry slices
Banana slices
Chocolate spread Icing sugar water to stick corners |
Equipment
pallet knife
teaspoon
small bowl
oven tray
baking/greaseproof paper |
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200˚C/ 400˚F/Gas Mark 6,
- Line your baking tray with baking paper.
- Lay out the puff pastry out on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar into a large square.
- Cut into 10cm squares (approx.), using a knife. Cut about 3cm into each corner.
- Carefully spoon one teaspoon of chocolate spread into the middle of the square.
- Place strawberry and/or banana slices on top of the chocolate spread.
- Dab the pastry with a small amount of water, then fold one corner into the centre, allowing for a slight overlap. Repeat with the other corners to make a windmill shape.
- Sprinkle with icing sugar and bake until they are golden and firm (about 12-15 minutes) where they have puffed up on the sides.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
What a busy hour that was yesterday afternoon! In our Science Masterclass everyone had the chance to make a lava lamp.
There was great excitement at how the water and oil mixed when we were putting the oil in the bottle. We then had to wait until the oil and water had separated before we could add our food colouring. Next we added a small piece of Alka-Seltzer tablet to create the bubbles.
Now for the science bit. Can you remember why the water and oil separate? The oil separates on top of the water because it has a lower density than water. The food colouring falls through the oil and mixes with the water at the bottom of the bottle. The Alka-Seltzer tablet releases small bubbles of carbon dioxide gas that rise to the top taking the coloured water with it. Alka-Seltzer contains citric acid and baking soda which react with the water to form the bubbles.
Remember to show someone at home how it all works. Here are a few photographs from our session. Chloe S was our photographer.
In this afternoon’s Art Masterclass, we learnt about the colour wheel, use of line, perspective and tonal shading. After a quick demonstration, you got to work and I was blown away with the talented artists I had in the class! Although we don’t have a Masterclass session next week, I offered for you to come to my class at lunchtimes to finish them and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished designs.
Learning Outcome
I can create and present work that shows developing skill in using the visual elements and concepts. EXA 2-03a
Success Criteria
Your colour wheel must:
- Include all 6 colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Have the colours in the correct order
- Show perspective of the buildings
- Have a variety of line and pattern
- Show tonal shading
This afternoon we started our second rotation for the Jewellery masterclass. What a lovely time we had! Everyone managed to make at least one piece of jewellery or a keyring. I heard polite conversation, sharing, laughing and advice being shared. What a joy to hear.
Learning Outcomes:
I have the opportunity to choose and explore an extended range of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing and combining them for specific tasks. EXA 2-02a
I can develop and communicate my ideas, demonstrating imagination and presenting at least one possible solution to a design problem. EXA 2-06a
Design Considerations
- Who are you designing this for? Who is the client?
- The design should use a limited amount of colour, no more than four and be related to your theme.
- The design should be easily worn
Are there any other design issues that you should consider as part of your brief?
This afternoon we had our second and final jewellery making sessions. What a chilled, co-operative time we all had. I really enjoyed watching you teach other how to make key chains, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and even a ring! You used and shared the materials well, allowing others to make a couple of masterpieces!
This afternoon we started our new Masterclass. P6-7 pupils suggested what activities could be done for Expressive Arts and a popular choice was jewellery making.
Learning Outcomes:
I have the opportunity to choose and explore an extended range of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing and combining them for specific tasks. EXA 2-02a
I can develop and communicate my ideas, demonstrating imagination and presenting at least one possible solution to a design problem. EXA 2-06a
Design Considerations
- Who are you designing this for? Who is the client?
- The design should use a limited amount of colour, no more than four and be related to your theme.
- The design should be easily worn
Are there any other design issues that you should consider as part of your brief?
This afternoon we had our final German Masterclass. Many of you managed to complete your Paul Klee painting and they look wonderful . We added the background to the paintings using watercolours and it really changed the whole look.
A few of you started creating your own version of another of Klee’s painting: Lemon Harvest. Again, they were looking great!
Well done everyone, you worked incredibly hard on your paintings over the last couple if weeks. Here are a few photographs from today’s Masterclass and of the completed paintings. Let me know what you think of them.
Your challenge for this afternoon was to work with others to create the tallest tower you can from a maximum of 50 pieces of construction material.
Success Criteria
The model must:
- Be able to stand on it’s own (not leaning against anything or being held up)
- Use a maximum of 50 pieces (can be mixed materials)
- Be creative (think outside of the box)
Who built the tallest tower? Did they only use 50 pieces of material? Did it stand on it’s own? Who learnt lessons from their first designs?
Today we had another German Masterclass with Vincent. Once again, Vincent introduced you to the work of Paul Klee. Klee was a Swiss-German artist who used different media to create his paintings: oil paint, watercolour ink, pastels and etchings.
Today we used oil pastels to recreate one of his designs. Next week you will be adding watercolours to the background to complete them. You worked very quickly today so next week we will be able to move onto another style of art.
Here are a few photographs from this afternoon.
This afternoon in the Creative Construction Masterclass we had to build a new creature. What wild imaginations you all have!
Learning Outcomes:
Through discovery and imagination, I can develop and use problem-solving strategies to construct models. TCH 2-14a
Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback. TCH 2-14b
You must work with others to create an imaginary being.
Success Criteria
The model must:
- Have a ‘head’ (of some description)
- Have some kind of limbs
- Be creative (think outside of the box)
In Masterclass today you completed your Paul Klee (pronounced “clay”) masterpieces and we had some fabulous examples of his work. Well done! I hope you showed them to someone at home.
This week we had some of P4M join us and they had to work really hard on their painting to catch up …… and that they did! A HUGE well done to you five!
Vincent then showed some of you how to complete drawings using squares. Can you remember what this type of art was called?
Here are a few photographs from this afternoon.
This afternoon we had our second Creative Construction. You had to work with others to create a safe place for an alien to live.
Success Criteria
The model must:
- Have an entrance
- Have at least two ‘rooms’
- Be creative (think outside of the box
Learning Outcomes:
Through discovery and imagination, I can develop and use problem-solving strategies to construct models. TCH 2-14a
Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback. TCH 2-14b
In our art Masterclass we have being learning a technique which allows us to make 3D drawings. Please talk to someone at home about what we were doing.
Below are some of your drawings at different stages. We have discovered that the most important thing to make the drawing 3D is the curved lines. Colour does not seem to make a difference.
Today we had the first of our German Masterclasses with Vincent. Vincent is our German expert who will be working with the upper school classes this term.
Vincent introduced us to the work of Paul Klee. Can you remember how to pronounce his name? Klee was a Swiss-German artist who used different media to create his paintings: oil paint, watercolour ink, pastels and etchings.
Today we used oil pastels and watercolours to recreate one of his designs. Can you remember what it is called? I can’t post a picture of it for copyright reasons but I look forward to showing off your completed designs next week.
Here are a few photographs from this afternoon.
This afternoon we had our first Creative Construction Masterclass using Lego, Magnetic strips, Emido building toys and Brainflakes.
Learning Outcomes:
Through discovery and imagination, I can develop and use problem-solving strategies to construct models. TCH 2-14a
Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback. TCH 2-14b
Task 1
You must work with others (2-4) to create a model of a form of transport.
Success Criteria
The model must:
- Be able to move
- Be able to hold a passenger (imaginary)
- Be creative (think outside of the box)
Here you are in action!
Today in our Just Dance Masterclass we played some new dances which were a lot of fun. You have great taste in dance choices!
Once again everyone mixed well and showed great enthusiasm. Well done! Here are some photographs from this afternoon’s session. Check out some of these dance moves!
This afternoon, we had our first origami masterclass. We discussed the origins of origami. The Japanese word “origami” itself is a compound of two smaller Japanese words: “ori” (root verb “oru”), meaning to fold, and “kami”, meaning paper.
You then had a choice of origami instructions to follow in order to make some paper creations! I was impressed with your co-operative skills when helping each other and sharing resources. I hope you show off your folding skills and works of art to someone at home. Visit the website below to find more instructions:
http://origami-amazing.blogspot.co.uk/
This afternoon we had our last origami session. You all have shown a definite improvement with your folding skills – well done! Here is the link to where we got our instructions from: http://origami-amazing.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/catface.html
This afternoon we had our final Just dance session …….. and what fun we had! Lots of song choices, lots of new dance moves and lots of red faces!
Well done to everyone for their enthusiasm and hard word during these sessions. It has been lovely to see. Here are a few photographs from our session.
Old Greenock Road, Bishopton, PA7 5BE
