Primary 6/7 - 2022/23 - Cunningsburgh Primary School

This week we have been revisiting the Zones of Regulation and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing; be giving, be learning, be active, be mindful and be connected.  We have been discussing the importance of having a variety of tools in our wellbeing toolbox to ensure that when things are not going well and we find ourselves in the yellow zone (anxious/ over excited), red zone (uncontrollable anger/ excitement) or the blue zone (sad/ tired) we have lots of strategies at our disposal to help.  The pupils learned about the importance of having a Growth Mindset which promotes approaching challenges with a positive outlook. The learners then chose their own inspirational quote to illustrate.

We were lucky enough to have Dynamic Earth visit the school yesterday.  It was great having Blair, a marine scientist, in to share is knowledge.  We learned about the zones of the sea, the creatures that live there, food webs and so much more.  We conducted experiments to investigate the effect of pressure as you get deeper into the ocean, the impact of acids on coral reefs and how some creatures use light to camouflage themselves and attract or deter creatures.

This week the pupils have been learning to use a computer programming website called Scratch.  They have learned how to animate a character, change backgrounds, make music, tell a story and even to make a simple game.  This has meant using lots of ‘meta’ skills such as critical thinking, adapting, creativity, sense making and initiative. I have been really impressed with what they have created so far and I can’t wait to see how they develop their skills further.  Your child can log on to their Scratch account at home (using their username and school code  from Sumdog combined as their username for Scratch and the same password as their Sumdog) meaning that you can see their creations too!

This week we were lucky enough to head to town to see the Jarl squad.  Thankfully the weather held out and we had a fantastic morning.  The kids were incredibly well behaved and were a credit to the school.

Three Cheers for the Cunningsburgh Bairns!

This week we were learning about different types of renewable and non-renewable energies, I wonder how many the kids can remember?

On Monday afternoon P7 worked on a, really tricky, set of loop cards about energy where each question led to the answer and the next question.  Both team worked exceptionally well together and showed great perseverance when the loop didn’t quite work leading to a successful outcome for both teams.

Meanwhile, P6 were busy with active schools coordinator Jennifer Thompson working on the Young Leaders Programme.  This award trains them to lead play sessions with younger pupils developing key skills such as collaboration, communication, leadership and initiative.  

We have an exceptional reading culture in the class with all learners reading on a daily basis.  There is nothing I love more than to hear them swapping book recommendations or negotiating how to get the book they want.

This term we are reading The Boy at the Back of the Class as a class novel.  This is an excellent book with themes of friendship, belonging and war.

T3 W3 – Homework Grid

HAPPY SNOW DAY!

Please find attached a grid filled with valuable learning activities that the kids can do today if you are looking for something to occupy their time.  If, however, you would rather your child get outside, enjoy the snow and take advantage of this extra downtime that is absolutely fine, there is no pressure. Please send in some snow day pictures, I would love to see them all sledging, building snowmen and making snow angels 🙂

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023 and back to school.  Today the kids have been creating new year themed artwork inspired by a piece of art that we saw at the museum when we visited with Mrs Burr.  I think  they  have  done  a fantastic  job  with  their graffiti murals.  

Christmas Themed Homework Grid

I hope that you are all keeping safe and warm. Here is a home learning grid with some activities the kids can do (click the link).  There is no need to do anything at all but it is there if you are looking for something.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back at school

Mrs Johnson

On Wednesday this week we were lucky enough to head to the museum for a trip.  We attended two sessions while we were there.  First we went to look at some of the WW2 artefacts at the museum and Yvonne told us lots of stuff about Shetland during the war.  I wonder if the kids can tell you about anything they learned? After that Mrs Burr took us to the Gadderie and we were able to see art work created by kids all over Shetland.  It was brilliant and the kids were very engaged and inspired by the pieces they saw.

On Thursday morning the kids arrived at school to see that some helpful elf had decorated the classroom and the class advent calendars to celebrate the run up to Christmas.  Their peerie faces when they saw it were just joyful!