We have had a busy 4 weeks in Primary One. We have met the first 6 Jolly Phonic sounds, been to the Number Zoo with Penguin One, Ticklish Two and Butterfly Three. We are learning about 2D shapes and went for a walk to find shapes in our environment. We have enjoyed our play activities in class where our activity wheel shows us what we can choose and understand what balloon day means. We also had a visit from Tidou who was a bit shy until we realised that she could only speak French.
Tag Archives: cooperative learning
Bagging Peats
On Monday 24th August, P3-7 and secondary 4 went to the peat hill to bag peats for the school. First Mr Garrick split the primary children into groups of 3 and each group had a secondary pupil. We walked to where the school peats were then we started bagging. We stayed in our groups and each took a bag. Most of the peats were bone dry. Because the peats were so dry there was a lot of dust, so we had to wear safety goggles. It was really hot but quite windy. I was in a group with Ishbel and Marley. When we finished filling a bag we had to lift it to the side of the road. The bags were super heavy but the secondaries were there to help. We had to fill lots of bags and we had to keep moving since there were so many of us. While we bagged peats Mr Garrick took the bags to the school in a trailer.
Certain spots were very muddy but it was very fun and tiring. I saw a spider in one of the bags when I carried it down to the road. We filled over 100 bags altogether for the school. Everyone worked really hard.
We also did some research on Shetland peats when we got back to school. Here is what my group found out:
Peat is cut for burning in fires in many parts of Shetland. They make great fuel but the stages they go through take a while. First the heather and grass is removed from the top of the peat bank. Next the peat is sliced into brick shapes with a special tool called a tushkar and it left to dry out. After a few days the peats are raised into small pyramids to let more air reach them. Then when they are properly dry they are bagged and brought home. By Elsie Msalila
P7’s go to Voxter!
For the John Muir award P7 went to Voxter for two days, with our teacher Mr Balfour and Miss Spall. When we got to Voxter we met a man called Rob who led the outdoor activities. We got ready to go up to Eshaness. We got our old clothes on and old shoes or boots.
When we got to Eshaness we went to the ‘Land of Rock’. Rob lead the way and we had to follow him. We could go through small tunnels and go over big rocks. There was a steep passageway we had to climb up. We followed him until we came to a cliff that was a different colour than the rest. He told us that it was a different colour because the sea had recently knocked it down. We had a break to have our packed lunches and then we carried on until we got to the end. We looked over the edge at the end of the cliffs. The view was really cool! It was a really good trip.
By Bobby Moffat
We were on top of a high cliff with a 200ft drop, and we learned a safe way to be able to look over the edge. We had to lie down on our stomachs and carefully put our heads over so we could see it. It was amazing! Rob showed us an amazing geo. It had a waterfall and a bridge made of rock. It was a once in lifetime activity!
by Flora Quinnell
Being up on the cliffs made me feel very lucky to be a part of Shetland. It was truly breathtaking to see the wonderful views that Shetland has to offer. As we left the cliffs, Rob asked us to think about how the wild made us feel inside, and what we’d thought of the first day. Personally, I thought the trip was amazing, to me each step felt like a new challenge to enjoy and conquer. I would say it just makes me feel ready for anything. I had a wonderful time.
By Aimee Irvine
Back at Voxter we made our own tea, mince and tatties. We cooked the mince, peeled the tatties, chopped the onions and peeled the carrots. The meal was spectacularly scrumptious!
by Nicol Smith
While we were having tea we played ‘Chinese Whispers’. It was really funny! Overall I really enjoyed this trip.
by Matthew Marshall Lewis
After tea we played lots of games including a Scavenger hunt and a relay game. Me, Flora and Aimee won them all. Then we made hot chocolate and toast for supper.
by Sinead Wood
On Tuesday we went canoeing but before that we had to face a much bigger challenge, putting on the wet suits! The wet suits were very tight and hot, then we went to Crogaholm near Muckle Roe and Rob showed us how to make a secure raft with 2 canoes.
by Scott McKearney
After the rowing some of us jumped into the water and everyone was soaking wet and water was all over the floor of the bus. I enjoyed the entire trip besides getting on the wet suits!
by Callum Maclean
Aith walk
For the social studies project we are doing with Mrs Mouat, we went for walk around Aith to find out information. We had to find out places to work, relax and interesting places to visit. We visited Michael’s Wood and the lifeboat station and some people asked Ray and Betty Ferrie and Hylton Henry questions. In our pairs we had to make a presentations with the photos and information when we got back. We really enjoyed the trip out. By Sophie Bain
Schiltrons!
Primary 3 and 4 have been finding out about William Wallace and the Scottish Wars of Independence. Here they are demonstrating what a schiltron looked like. It was a great circle that bristled with spears like a giant lethal hedgehog – yikes!
