This term both P5 classes have been learning all about the Scottish Wars of Independence. To finish off the topic, we worked in small groups to create a stop motion animation using lego. This was really enjoyed by everyone. Here are just a couple of examples.
Both Primary 5 classes had an excellent visit down to the Clickimin Broch today. We all enjoyed our walk there and had lots of fun exploring the historical site. So much fun that we forgot to take photos!
We then enjoyed a peerie picnic before heading back to school. As an end of term treat we stopped along Hayfield Park on our way.
Primary 5s have created their own ‘alternative’ fairy tales. We spent some time exploring a variety of picture books which had alternative endings to the traditional stories we all know. The children then had to write their own version and turn it into a picture book which they then shared with P1n.
The boys and girls in P1 loved this and said that they recognised the stories but they were much more interesting and really liked the illustrations! P5 really enjoyed being able to share their work with some of our younger children and P1n were excellent listeners!
On Thursday, P5s went to visit the Shetland Times. We had a fantastic trip and really enjoyed being shown all the steps in publishing the local newspaper. 
Not only did we watch how they loaded the machines full of newspaper ready for printing we also got to have a look at all the other machines they have in the building. We learned all about the other types of products that they can produce including our very own recipe book.
A big thank you to the staff at the Shetland Times for making time for our visit and also for providing all the children with a mock up front page of the paper to take home.
The recipe book is currently in production and should be ready before the summer holidays. There will be some extra copies available to buy from the school office at a cost of £6 each.
As part of our ICT lessons over the last few weeks, some of the P5 pupils kindly agreed to share their knowledge on coding using a programme Scratch with both Primary 5 classes.
They started each session by doing some direct teaching using the interactive whiteboards in the classroom. The pupils then used the ICT suite where they have been responsible for their own group of pupils to help them learn how to code their own computer programme.
All the pupils have been really engaged and love using Scratch and it has been excellent to see the children sharing their own knowledge and skills with their peers and taking ownership over their learning.
Our choir members from P5 and P6 were welcomed along to the Over 60s Club in Islesburgh on Tuesday. They entertained their audience with a selection of Christmas songs.
Huge thanks to the members who donated £45 to the choir- all monies being donated to the Archie Foundation.
This term both Primary 5 classes have been learning all about waste and recycling. We went on a visit to the Energy Recovery Plant and Gremista Waste Management Facility. We got to see the incinerator where they burn rubbish to heat water for Lerwick district heating scheme. We also got to see how waste in currently recycled and spoke about changes happening this Summer to improve recycling in Shetland.
On Thursday 31st of August both Primary 5 classes went to Mareel to watch Dhanak (Rainbow) which was being shown as part of the Screenplay festival.
Before going we watched the trailer and then worked in groups to predict what we thought was going to happen in the film.
Everyone really enjoyed the film which was in Hindi with subtitles. This was a new experience for all. We then attended a workshop with other schools to discuss and retell the story of the film.
Since watching Dhanak both classes have been researching facts about India and using these to create fact files. We have also begun writing our own adventure story.
Both classes would like to thank the parent helpers who accompanied us on the trip.
Today the Primary 5, 6 and 7 classes were lucky to get to visit The Magpie Big Top to take part in circus workshops. It was a beautiful day for the classes to walk to the playing park and learn new skills with the performers who are visiting Shetland.
The pupils all had a fantastic time. Ellis and Callum from P5S said it was their first time at a circus and they had really enjoyed using the flower sticks to try out tricks.
Alfie from P5s had found it very satisfying when he had been able to master a skill using the sticks.
The photos below show how much fun the children had!
Both P5 classes had a visit today from Sandie Robb from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. This visit linked in with the Mandarin lessons they have been receiving in school.
The pupils learned all about Pandas and the country they live in.
