Big Question – The Digestive System. This week we started to look at the digestive system for our big question. After learning about how it works, we did an experiment to show how food travels through your digestive system and what happens at each stage. There was a lot of laughter as the class worked in groups to complete their experiment.

Following on from this, we investigated different organs in the body. Each group was given 2 organs and full creative license to show their learning how every they wanted. We had posters, presentations, models, quizzes and more. It was great to see all of the different ways the groups worked together.

Writing – Japanese Folklore posters. This week, one of the writing tasks for the class was to create a report about a story or creature from Japanese folklore. The class could choose to use Canva or handwrite their posters and I was blown away by their creations. They all really thought about their creature and created designs linked to their colours, features or stories. Well done P6/7!

Our first PE block of the New Year was 3 weeks of a flexibility and yoga sequence.  We learnt how being more flexible can have a positive impact on every aspect of our life.   We also learnt that flexibility is a very personal skill and it only improves with practice.

We did the same routine each week, but changed the focus.  The first time through was to learn the movement and technique of all the different actions.  The second emphasise was on developing each stretch or pose.  Thirdly we performed the routine as a flow, moving through the exercises much more fluently.  We then had time to put some of the positions and skills into practice, performing partner poses.  Here we had to use the descriptions on the cards to work out how to perform the pose.

 

 

 

Maths – Fractions. This week we spent a little bit of time outside learning about equivalent fractions.

Big Question – The Skeletal System. This week we were learning about the skeletal system and the different bones. We worked in pairs to draw skeletons and label as many bones as possible. There were lots of laughs whilst drawing the skeletons but the results are super.

Last week’s Big Question. Here are the last two group presenting information about the respiratory system and problems that can sometimes occur within this system.

A Whole New World – National Chopsticks Day. To celebrate National Chopsticks Day, we took part in the ‘Great Chopstick Invention Challenge’. The class were all given a set of chopsticks and had to invent something different with them or use them in a different way. The results were amazing and I was impressed with the level of creativity and problem solving on show.

This week’s Big Question – The Heart! This Wednesday, Sean Thuis came in for the afternoon to teach us all about the heart and the Circulatory system. We took part in a fun simulation to learn about how blood travels around the body and how much work the heart does to facilitate this. We then had a chance to see how different pieces of equipment are used to monitor and check the heart.  We all had a splendid afternoon and a big thank you to Sean for coming in to see us.

Writing and ICT. This week as part of our writing tasks, we have been using Canva to create posters about endangered animals from Peru (our writing stimulus for the week is ‘Paddington in Peru’). We went over the basics for using Canva and then the class were paired up, one ‘expert’ and one ‘soon-to-be-expert’ and given a Peruvian animal. Our ‘Canva experts’ were so good at supporting their peers and showed great leadership and collaboration skills. I was so impressed with how quickly everyone was able to use Canva and the results are amazing. They have all created excellent posters about different endangered animals from Peru. On top of this, they all achieved their writing targets so they have joined the ‘100 club’ again! Well done P6/7!

Table Tennis with Mrs. Smith. On Monday Mrs. Smith and Chris came in to do some table tennis with the class. We started with some ‘bat basics’ and then took part in different challenges and games. We are looking forward to more sessions with them in the coming weeks.

Big Question. This week our big question has focused on the Respiratory System. We looked at the body parts that make up the system before trying a peerie experiment to see how powerful our diaphragms are. The class then worked in groups to create models of the respiratory system and researched some key things that affect this system, like asthma, allergies or smoking. (Two groups are still to share so more photos to follow next week).

Cunningsburgh’s got Talent. Last week, P4/5 held a super ‘Cunningsburgh’s got Talent’ on Friday afternoon which was enjoyed by everyone. There were so many amazing acts, they had to hold a grand final this Monday afternoon. Some of the class showed off their amazing talents which I was so impressed with. Well done to P4/5 for a brilliant show and a super well done to those from P6/7 who took part. Cunningsburgh really does have talent!

A visit from the Coastguard team. On Wednesday afternoon, Dave, Kat and Liam came in to speak to us about the role of the coastguard and how to keep safe around the coast. We also got a chance to try on some of the key pieces that are used and have a go with the rescue lines. It was great to have the team in and we are very thankful to them for giving up their time.

 

Big Question – How do we keep our bodies balanced? This week we have been focusing on living ‘balanced’ lives and what this means. We began the week by looking at exercise and why that is important for our bodies. We took part in a couple of Joe Wicks workouts throughout the week which we mostly enjoyed by all. We then looked at sleep and how vital it is to get ‘the right amount’ of sleep. We made some very creative dream catchers linked in with this.  We finished the week thinking about rest and how thought about ways we can ‘Relax, Eat something, Step outside and Talk to someone’ to help us rest and give our bodies and minds what they need.

French fun. For our French focus this week, we’ve been doing more work linked to countries. We played a ‘match the flag’ relay race before looking at simple phrases to say ‘I live / he lives / she lives’ in different countries. We practiced this by playing bingo which is always a favourite with the class.

Shining Bright in 2025. As a back to school activity we looked at ‘SHINE’ and how we can all shine bright in 2025. The class all thought about each letter and wrote things linked to being Successful, Happy, Independent, Nurtured and Engaged.

Paper Cup Challenge.  We looked at some team working skills at the start of the week and took part in the ‘Paper Cup Challenge’.  The groups had 10 minutes to build a pyramid of paper cups by using string and an elastic band. There were lots of different strategies at play and some teams completed it very quickly whilst others showed great perseverance and used all of their time.

Big Creative Play. Miss Hunter and P1/2 came for a big, creative play this week. The learners picked someone to work with as well as having the freedom to do whatever they would like. We were absolutely blown away by all the creative things that we saw.  We had paintings, penguins, computer tasks, tractors, snow art, posters, painting, a whole lot of fun and plenty more! We also saw creativity, collaboration, communication, kindness, imagination, joy and so much more! Thank you to Miss Hunter and the amazing P1/2 for such a special morning.

Big Question. This week we have been looking at how we keep our bodies safe and healthy. We looked at mental health and how we can help ourselves and others when we are finding things tricky as well as practicing some mindfulness activities. We spoke about emergencies and what we can do in different situations. We then looked at germs and in groups researched different aspects in groups – Cleanliness Champions, Handwashing Experts, Cough and Sneeze Patrol and Food Safety Sleuths.

We’ve had a really lovely last week of Term 2. We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. 

Christmas Maths Games. This week, we have played two different maths games that were both thoroughly enjoyed by all. The first was the ‘Christmas doodle game’ where the groups had to decorate empty strings with different things. Once decorated, the value of each thing was revealed and the teams had to calculate their totals. The winners were Rocco, Calen and Lauren. The second game was ‘The Paper Chain Race’ and the teams competed to create the longest paper chain with limited resources. There were lots of different strategies at play and modifications that needed to be    made throughout the challenge. The winners were Rocco, Evie, Jack, Libby, Cheryl and Eildih S. The whole class showed excellent problem solving, teamwork and communication skills throughout both tasks.

Christmas Party. We had a super fun Christmas party on Monday afternoon. After games and challenges in class, we had some snacks in the hall before taking part in a whole school ‘Grand Old Duke of York’.

Prime Minister Day.  On Wednesday, it was Vaila’s turn to rule for the day and I think it is safe to say, the whole class very much enjoyed it. “We had hot chocolate and biscuits in the morning while building dens. Then we made posters about Christmas around the world on laptops and we got to work in our dens. Then we watched Home Alone in the afternoon.” I think the class may want Vaila in charge more often.

The 12 Days of Christmas. Promote Shetland along with Bruce from Shetland fir Wirds, came to school on Thursday to record the class performing the 12 Days of Christmas. We are all very much looking forward to seeing the final video and will share the link as soon as we get it. Below are some photos of the class doing the ‘Rubber Chicken’ warm up.

The Last Day. We had a lovely last day of term. We went to the church across the road to hear about the Nativity story and then enjoyed a time playing different games in class. In the afternoon, we had a Christmas movie and some Christmassy drawing time.

What a busy week we’ve had in Primary 6/7!

Community Cafe. Last Friday we held our community cafe for the older members of our community. We had delicious homebakes and drinks, lots of games and activities, live music and great fun speaking with our visitors. The class did an amazing job at welcoming people, serving, clearing and washing up and most of all, interacting with the people who came along. They were just amazing!

Christmas Concert. This Tuesday the class did an wonderful job performing in a ‘A Story for Christmas Eve’. I was so proud of their whole class performance of ‘Da Night afore Yul’ and Shetland dialect songs as there were some tricky words in the lyrics. After working with Bruce from ‘Shetland fir Wirds’, we used their dialect word ideas to write ‘Da 12 Days of Christmas’. They were all shining stars!

Christmas Dinner. On Thursday this week, we all enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner. The P7 pupils helped to set up the hall and then served everyone their food. They were then able to sit down as the staff served them. It was very much enjoyed by everyone.

Hanukkah. For our Big Question this week, we were exploring the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and some of the key artefacts associated with it. The pupils then had a peerie Hanukkah party with donuts and gold coins.

Cinema Trip. On Friday morning, we all headed to Mareel to watch Moana 2.

Big Play with Nursery. The pupils requested a chance to play through in the nursery at some point. So we organised with the nursery staff and the class got to head through to the nursery for the Big Play Time. I think it is safe to say they had ‘the best afternoon ever!’