All posts by Mrs Henderson

Wind Turbine Challenge!

As part of our topic work, we have been learning about Renewable and Non Renewable energy sources.  We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of these and which ones would work best in Shetland.

Last week, we worked in teams to design and create a wind turbine using a selection of materials.  The turbine had to turn when  we used a hair dryer on it and it also had to lift a plastic cup!  Lots of things to consider in their designs!

It was lovely to watch everyone interacting and taking turns to contribute.  Everyone showed consideration towards the ideas shared and compromises were made as to what the design would look like and how it would work.

It was important to try little tests now and again, to check if any changes needed to be made.  Some groups found that when the hair dryer was switched on, the blades of their turbine were not strong enough and required further reinforcement.  Some found that there blades were the wrong size or shape and some discovered that they needed to attach their cup differently so that it would lift without getting tangled in the turbine blades.  Lots of learning going on!

We tested all the designs and everyone had the chance to add their thoughts on what they thought had worked well and what could be done to improve their designs further.  I was impressed with how the children were able to make suggestions in a such a positive, caring and considerate way.  Look out world…some future engineers here!

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Playtime

We have been so lucky with the sunny weather this week!  It was lovely to see everyone having fun with friends at playtime.

Hopefully we can continue to enjoy bright, sunny days after the October holidays too!

 

 

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It was just too nice to work indoors!

On Monday we had a “Time Scavenger Hunt” for our Maths session.  Some helpers hid various time cards around the playground for others to find.  Everyone had to work out  the time shown on their sheets and look for the matching time in the playground.

On each time card was a letter.  When all of the letters were found, we were able to work out the secret message!

 

On Tuesday it was so sunny and warm outside our classroom that some of the children wanted to work outside on their multiplication problems.

 

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Bikeability

For 6 weeks this term, P6 have been learning about how to stay safe when cycling out on the roads.  On Monday this week, they had their final session.   They have all done so well!

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Climate Change in a Bottle

This week we have been trying to recreate what is happening to our planet….in a bottle!

We measured out some vinegar and added a thermometer to two bottles of the same size.  Both bottles had a balloon fixed to the top, but to one balloon we added some bicarbonate of soda first.  When emptied into the bottle, it with the vinegar, giving off carbon dioxide, which is one of the gases causing harm to our planet.  This is contributing to Climate Change.   Both bottles were set on the window sill to catch the heat from the sun.

Some pupils predicted that the temperature would rise, some said it would fall and some thought there would be no change!

It was very exciting seeing the carbon dioxide inflating the balloon!

We took the temperature of each bottle before the experiment began and again after 1 minute to see if there was a change in temperature.  We read the temperature again after 10 minutes and again 24 hours later.  We are leaving the experiment out for a week to see what happens.

We’ll let you know the results of our experiment next week!

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Time to get outdoors!

We grabbed our chalk and headed outdoors last week to show what we had been learning about telling the time!

Some helpers drew clock shapes on the playground ready for our task.  Each person gave their partner a “time” to draw on the clock face.  These varied from o’clock/half past/quarter past,/quarter times to minutes past/to the hour.  We also wrote a digital time to match, sometimes including a 24 hour clock too!

Some pupils gave their partner challenges to find things like 27 minutes after a given time.  This took a bit more thinking!

Keep having fun showing time when you are out and about P4/5/6.  Perhaps you can make a clock on the beach next time!

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Animations

During P6 Bikeability time on Monday afternoons, P4/5 have been busy working in small groups to create their own animations.  The plan was to create an animation to help children in the school learn something that they might find tricky.

Our groups are making animations showing alphabetical order, 3 Times Table, Tricky Words and Telling the Time.

We have a couple of weeks left to tweak our animations and then hopefully we can share them with you!

Some people chose to use words and pictures in their animations…

Some groups chose to use items in the classroom to make their animations…

We can’t wait to see the finished products!

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World War II Stories

We have been so impressed by the efforts of the pupils in P5/6 to find out about a family member or important people who lived during World War II and create a presentation for the class.

Below are just some of the presentations that we got to enjoy this week.  Other pupils chose to create PowerPoint presentations.  It has been fantastic to see everyone developing their presentation skills and having the confidence to give it a go!

We heard about German captures, escapes from work camps, sunken submarines,  medals from the King and so much more!  We have discovered how important it is to pass on these incredible stories and keep it going for the next generation to enjoy.

Well done P5/6!  What a brilliant way to end such a fabulous year with you!

 

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