We explored electricity by building circuits this afternoon. We worked in groups to try to light a bulb using the equipment we were given. After that we investigated how to add a switch so that we could stop the flow of electricity in the circuit so that we could switch off the bulb.
We made some predictions about materials which would conduct electricity and it was fun testing them all to see if we were right!
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)
Loading...
We tested the last of our wind powered cars today. Some groups needed more time to make slight modifications to their sail or car structure. As well as engineering skills being developed here, the pupils were working with a partner to share ideas, make decisions and persevere with the task when it didn’t always work first time. What a lot of learning going on!
Some cars didn’t get finished in time, but those pupils will still get the chance to test their sail making abilities, using a ready made toy car.
As each car was tested. it was lovely to hear the positive feedback given to each group, along with some helpful tips on how to improve on each design. Some common themes were:
With Mrs Smith, the class have been working on their measuring skills and these skills were put into good use for this task! There were lots of helpful pupils who were keen to read how far each car had travelled. Very accurate measuring from all!
All of the cars moved when wind energy was provided, even if just a little bit. However, the most successful wind powered car travelled a massive 1m 80cm!
Even when things didn’t go to plan, it didn’t matter! We had fun watching the results and learning from the process. This car was even pushed over by the wind!
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
Primary 4/5 visited The Shetland Museum on Wednesday 5th June to learn more about Shetland in World War Two.
Lots of changes were taking place in Shetland during that time and it was interesting to learn about how people lived and adapted to these changes.
We looked at World War Two exhibits, learning about the Home Guard, The Shetland Bus operation, stories about men who were fighting in other countries and how soldiers created their own entertainment here in Shetland to boost morale.
We learned that materials were rationed and it was common for children to make their own toys out of things they could find around the house. We made our own peg dolls! What a creative bunch in P4/5!
(4 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
Week 3 was another busy one with lots of opportunity to work with others and be creative.
We played a variety of word building games and revised some common high frequency words. These words are used regularly in our writing, so we will work hard to learn them in many different ways.
Thank you for sending in resources to help with our Rainforest in a Box project. We started building them this week and it has been lovely to see so many creative ideas being shared amongst the class. We plan to have them ready to show parents towards the end of term.
In Maths this week we have been looking at Place Value and how to construct larger numbers. The class had fun using the Place Value blocks to build models and then work out the value of each model. It was great to hear the children sharing their thinking and supporting each other to understand. We will be moving on to comparing numbers and ordering them too. I’m sure everyone will be keen to challenge themselves with even larger numbers!
We love to hear about any achievements outside of school and this week enjoyed hearing about one P4’s success at a recent athletics competition. Well done!
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
This afternoon we got the chance to share our learning with each other and the P6/7 class. For the past few weeks, P4/5/6 have been busy researching and learning new things about Shetland in the past.
Each pupil got the chance to choose an area of local history that interested them and they could decide how they wanted to present their information. Everyone was encouraged to think creatively about the different ways information can be shared.
In our classroom, we displayed posters, leaflets, models, and stop motion animations.
Pupils chose to find out about The Braer disaster, Jarshoff, Shipwrecks, Historical landmarks in Shetland, World War 2 in Shetland, The Quendale Mill, Sumburgh Lighthouse, The Shetland Bus, Sumburgh Airport, Mousa Broch and Whaling.
We also got the chance to see what P6/7 had chosen to research. It was a lovely afternoon of sharing and learning new things. How lovely it was to hear so many wonderful compliments being given by everyone!
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
Over the past few weeks, the upper stages pupils have been supporting Mrs Inkster in her Music classes when she teaches the younger pupils. She has been so grateful for their help and we’re sure that all the children, both young and old, have gained from this experience. To tie in with our local history topic, we have been learning ‘Da Trowie Sang’ which is sung in Shetland Dialect. Some of our pupils have taken to this so well, Mrs Inkster asked them to perform it for the Orca class today. They did an amazing job!
(2 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
What a week it has been in P4/5/6!
On Monday, P4/5/6 and P6/7 spent the whole day in Virkie, learning about what went on there throughout history.
First we took a little walk to see the remains of the Braer oil tanker, which ran aground 30 years ago. Some pupils have chosen this topic to research further and we look forward to seeing what they have to share with us later in the term.
Next it was time to visit Old Scatness and the iron age village. Archaeologists from The Amenity Trust took us around the site and gave us a little insight into what life was like and how archaeologists can learn more about how people lived in the past.
After some lunch in Betty Mouat’s Bod, we set off to Mrs Leslie’s farmland to find out about what was going on there during World War 2. We were amazed to find out that around 5000 men were stationed there at that time! There are still some remains of buildings and roads that were built for them. We had fun trying to guess what some of the different structures were used for.
On Wednesday we walked to the Crofthouse Museum to find out about life in Shetland over 100 years ago. It has been so well looked after, one of the pupils asked if it was a reconstructed house. We are grateful that it continues to be cared for and enjoyed by so many visitors.
We learned about the crofting way of life and all of the different things people used. Everyone listened really well to the information and there were some super questions being asked too.
Thank you again to all of our parent helpers who accompanied us on our trips this term. Your support is greatly appreciated and has given the children the opportunity to safely explore all of the wonderful things on offer in their local community.
(4 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
What a day! The pupils in P4/5 had an exciting day in Lerwick today, learning about life in Shetland in the past.
On our way to set sail with The Swan, some pupils were unsure and feeling a bit nervous. It wasn’t long before these feelings disappeared as we got busy on deck with the skipper and his 2 crew mates. We got some hands on learning to see what it takes to sail a traditional vessel, the history of the Swan – and our maritime heritage.
It was good fun, working as a team to raise the sail and have a go at steering the boat! Some future skippers at Dunrossness perhaps…? One of the highlights was definitely exploring the bunks downstairs. Most folk thought it would be quite a comfortable sleep in there, apart from when you would have to put in the extra plank of wood across the bunk opening, to keep you from falling out on a rough night out at sea! On Wednesday, P6 will have a whole day on board The Swan, learning “the ropes” and working as a team. We know they’ll have great fun!
As well as our sailing experience, we spent time at the Shetland Museum, hopping through the ages and discovering the different people who have settled in Shetland over thousands of years.
We learned about crofting and fishing life in Shetland and the different jobs men and women were responsible for. After our tour, we got a chance to do some “carding” with sheep’s fleece, to make it soft enough to then spin into yarn. We can certainly see how hard life must’ve been in the past!
(3 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
In Term 3 we were learning about Fairtrade. We talked about what it means and who it affects. We learned about people in other parts of the world and the different things that they can grow in their warmer, tropical climates.
We all love chocolate, but do you know what happens before it arrives at the shop for you to buy? We do! Our class learned about where cocoa comes from and all of the different parts of the chocolate making process. It is important that people involved in this process are paid a fair price for the food that they produce.
We looked for the Fairtrade logo on different products and tried out a couple of different recipes containing these products. Everyone helped to either measure, mix, whisk, fill muffin cases or wash/dry dishes. What a busy morning we had! Then we each enjoyed a muffin at snack time. Yum!
There were several requests to have the recipes posted on our blog so that they can be tried out at home too.! See below for the recipes.
Working with a partner, we spent time researching different foods that we want to see being traded fairly. Our research posters are on display now for all to enjoy.
Banoffee Overnight Oats
Ingredients
80g porridge oats
2 tsp sunflower seeds
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
200ml semi-skimmed milk
clear honey (optional)
2 tbsp toffee sauce
6 tbsp fat free Greek style yogurt
1 Fairtrade banana, sliced
40g fruit and nut granola
Method
Divide the porridge oats, sunflower seeds and ground cinnamon between 2 clean jars with lids, then pour 100ml milk into each
Cover and leave in the fridge overnight
In the morning, top each jar of overnight oats with 1 tbsp toffee sauce, 3 tbsp yogurt, 1/2 of the banana and 20g fruit and nut granola.
Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Muffins
We used Fairtrade products where possible.
This week we have been exploring saturated sugar solutions to see if we can make some sugar crystals.
We can already see crystals forming in the jars and hope that some will form on the string dipped inside too!
(2 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)Loading...
