This term in PE we have been doing activities from the Better Movers and Thinkers programme.

“Better Movers and Thinkers (BMT) is an approach to learning and teaching in physical education designed to develop the ability of all children and young people to move and think in a more cohesive way with a specific focus on developing, enhancing and fostering Executive Function (EF) skills within the learning process.” Better Movers and Thinkers Resource Pack.

Although our main focus has been on Coordination & Fluency, we have worked on many different Specific Aspects of Learning including, kinaesthetic awareness, gross and fine motor skills, communication,  decision making and stamina are just a few.

The following videos show the class, in 2 groups, performing a sequence.  The activity started with each person creating their own sequence.  The second stage was to pair up and choose one of the sequences to perform together.   5 pairs then grouped together to, again, choose one of the sequences that the whole group learnt and performed together.    The pupils used lots of skills to be able to perform the final sequence, including communication, cooperation, decision making and respect & tolerance.

Maths. This is a favourite activity in class as we practice counting skills in the 5 minute challenge. The learners showed different skills as some looked for patterns in the numbers to help them whilst others used their tables knowledge to help count backwards and forwards.

Writing. This week, P7 were asked to help the P3/4 class with editing their writing. It was lovely activity and the learners enjoyed reading the wonderful writing P3/4 had produced. I was also really impressed with the Primary 7’s understanding of the writing process and their awareness of all the elements needed within any piece of writing.

Big Question. We have been looking at batteries this week and had a go at building our own using vinegar, cardboard, 2p coins and silver washers. The learners were not sure that it would work but every group was able to light a bulb using their created battery cell.

Big Question. This week we have continued with our science focus and thought about different ways that materials go together or can be separated. We looked at the different states of matter and used our awesome poster making skills to make posters, either handwritten or on the computer. We then carried out some different experiments linked to dissolving and separating materials and are trying to grow our own salt crystals (watch this space). We also had some fun creating Oobleck which is a non-Newtonian fluid (it can be solid and liquid).

This or That. There has certainly been a lot of creativity and hilarity surrounding our independent learning tasks this week as our focus was clocks, Hansel and Gretel and ‘Talk like a Pirate Day’. The learners were keen to perform plays, write raps, host talk shows and more linked to these different topics.

Maths. For maths this week, we have been very busy. We played the silent count game where we had to take it in turns to count to 100 by finding the numbers on a number board. It seemed like a simple task but was actually quite tricky. We then did some ‘blether stations’ outside to practice learning about using timetables. We’ve also had a lot of fun playing ‘Blooket’ to practice our times table knowledge.

Symmetrical Artwork. For an art this week, Mrs Adamson challenged the learners to complete the picture of different animals. The results are incredible and the learners all did such an amazing job.

Big Question.  This week we have been thinking about different materials and their properties. We had a scavenger hunt to find as many different materials as we could in and around the school. We  also looked at reversible and irreversible changes and did a fun experiment to test this out.

Writing. This week for writing we have used Monsters Inc as our stimulus. We have written stories about monsters in the house and then created wanted posters about their made up monsters. The learners still kept their writing target in mind and did a super job at ensuring their posters had a range of connectives.

Big Question. This week our big question focused on key events in space exploration. As a class, we looked at a timeline of key events that took place from 150BCE until the present day. The learners then worked in groups to create their own timelines and fact files. I was so impressed with the variety of timelines and fact files and how each group did something completely different. Collaboration, creativity, problem solving and digital skills were very evident across the class.

Life Skills. On Thursday afternoons, Carrie-Ann is working with groups to focus on some basic life-skills. This came after the learners requested to do more baking and cooking. Over the last two weeks, the learners have been learning all things eggs. They’ve been taught how to scramble eggs, fry eggs, make eggy bread and make omelettes. As well as this,  they have been shown how to make a cup of tea or coffee and make toast. Through this, they have also focused on safety in the kitchen and how to clean and tidy up. You’ll maybe all be treated to breakfast in bed this weekend.

Maths

This week for our times table practice we did some times table relays. We had to work in teams, taking turns to write out different times table facts in order. It seemed like a simple task but it maybe wasn’t as easy as expected.

Writing

For our writing stimulus this week, we have been focusing on the Good Dinosaur. The learners have produced some amazing persuasive posters and also fact files about different dinosaurs.

Big Question 

This week our focus has been on the moon. We learned about the different phases of the moon using Oreo cookies. Learners also created moon spinners and some super ICT based posters on the moon.

This or that

We have focused on World War 1 and National Dog Day.  The learners made fact chains with information about dogs and then some super posters, PowerPoints, or artwork linked to WW1.

Maths 

This week we were focusing on our counting skills and the learners had lots of fun challenging themselves with a 5-minute counting challenge. I was so impressed with different strategies the learners were using throughout the challenge and they were able to identify different patterns within their numbers.

Writing

We started to our writing this week by entering into the world of ‘Toy Story’ as our stimulus. The learning target we are focusing on at the moment is connectives and I am so impressed with how hard all learners have worked to ensure they are using ‘high-level’ connectives in their writing, even in their poems. The learners all produced an acrostic poem this week all about ‘their room’. The results blew me away as it was a very tricky task.

Big Question

The Big Question this week has been focused on the different planets within the Solar System. We started by learning about the order of the planets and then some learners helped to act out how the planets orbit the sun. The learners then worked in groups to create posters about the 8 planets. We also created pictures of the Solar System to try and show the scale of the planets and how far apart they are from each other.

This or That

This week we have been focusing on National Rollercoaster Day and Radios. The learners have been super busy building and creating their own rollercoasters and radios. I am so impressed with the level of imagination and creativity on show from everyone.

Hello everyone and welcome to our P6/7 blog for 2024-2025. It has been so lovely to welcome the pupils back this week and they have already shown they ready to learn and have fun.  There has been some incredible writing, fantastic independent learning and a lot of skills spotted throughout the busy learning taking place. Our class motto ‘Believe in the Power of Me’ now has pride of place in our classroom too.

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