As part of our number this year we will be working to use a variety of concrete materials to support our learning and understanding of number and maths. This week we will be using these Cuisenaire rods.

To familiarise ourselves with them, we played a game of 21. In small groups we worked to add multiple rods together to make 21. Whoever made the number 21 was out of the game.

We started by using all the rods ( we numbered them 1 – 10) and gradually took away the larger rods to make the game more challenging. As we played we discussed a range of ways we could make the game more challenging. Here were some suggestions:

-ban the use of the rod that is number 1

-only use one of each rod for a game

-only use one value rod (only 3s) for each game

-increase the target number.

As we played this we worked to develop our ability to add multiple small numbers together, find the difference between the total and 21 and develop our problem solving strategies and tactics to win the game.

We will be continuing to use these and other resources throughout the year to support our learning and understanding.

To finish off our War & Conflict topic, we used our learning from ICT this term to make quizzes on PowerPoint. We had to hyperlink slides together in certain sequences to do this as well as consolidate or knowledge on the Battle of Bannockburn and the Battle of Culloden.

Next term, we will email these to ourselves so we can show you at home and quiz you on your knowledge!

As we come to the end of our War & Conflict topic, we worked in groups to create our own Culloden grave markers. We have learned that each of the major clans that fought at Culloden were buried in mass graves. Years later, grave markers were made to indicate the spot in which each clan was buried.

Most of our display is already on the wall and we will be working to add some extra detail and facts throughout the week.

Why not take a look while you’re waiting outside the classroom at Parent’s Evening?

As part of our Friday numeracy we split into three groups to develop our number skills. The first group worked with our parent volunteer to explore concrete materials. The other two groups continued subtraction work and used prodigy maths. We aim to use variety of activities to develop our skills.

The children all have prodigy logins at the back of their homework diaries. They are welcome to play at home anytime! 

For Maths this term we have been further developing our knowledge of shape. Following on from our investigations of different types of triangles, today we explored the different parts of a circle.

Here we are creating the circumference, centre, radius, diameter and chord of a circle.

Maybe you could draw/make your own circles at home and label its parts?

This week, we have been learning about the Battle of Culloden as part of our War and Conflict Topic. We have previously learned about the Battle of Bannockburn and we were interested to find out about a battle that Scotland did not win.

During our ICT time, we worked to use digital research to answer questions about the Battle of Culloden and Bonnie Prince Charlie. We found out lots of great information and will use this to create our own Culloden Battlefield display next week.

Why not ask us what we have learned? Do you have any family connections to those that fought in Culloden? 

We were very lucky to have a visit from a Ghanaian drumming group this afternoon. They taught us about different rhythms, African drums, a few songs and some African dance moves.

The children loved it! Maybe they could show you a few moves that they learned?

As part of the primary 6 spelling programme we are working to understand root words, prefixes and suffixes.

This week we are learning about the prefixes audio- and aero-.

Can you think of any other words we may have missed?

We have been revising our French alphabet. We played a game of alphabet bingo to consolidate our learning.

The week beginning 30th September is Maths Week Scotland. As part of this, we have been discussing how maths and numeracy is used in various careers and why it important for our future learning, life and work. We have also been discussing how maths is all around us and not just in the classroom.

Pupils were given an activity sheet which had suggestions of maths activities they could do at home to develop their skills. This is not a compulsory activity, but children are encouraged to take part in at least one activity (either from the sheet or another) throughout the week.

Please feel free to email any pictures of maths home activities to the school email address and we can add them to our blog!