A lovely week for Primary 6 where they met and spent quality time reading stories to their buddies who are about to start school in August.  We also planned a healthy lunch for our buddy as part of Fitness Fortnight. We had to think very carefully about the nutrition and the flavours that would appeal to our new friends.

Lots of new skills were introduced this week too. In Numeracy we were learning how to work out percentages and how they relate to fractions and decimals. We made our own compass and then used them to follow directions to discover treasure that had been hidden in the classroom !

In Literacy we were developing the skills of skimming and scanning to discover facts about Stonehenge. We also used a picture cue to write mystery story about a creature with huge tentacles! We also created a discussion piece of writing debating the arguments for and against shorter lunchtimes. The outcome ? The majority decided to opt for lunchtimes that had no changes.  We looked at the AR results and had two AR Rockstars for the month of May. Our first Rockstar had a pass average of 97% and our second Rockstar passed 32 tests.

In outdoor learning we tried out the ‘Shake a Tree’ method to find some tree dwelling mini-beasts and identify them using our ID sheets. Our first creature found was a weevil.

Finally, we planned our outdoor learning day for next week together. We are looking forward to learning some new skills using nature, water and fire !!

Last week Primary 6 had quite a few new learning experiences. We tried out making some sculptures using model magic for the first time. It was a strange texture but we quickly used our skills in creativity to make a snail sculpture and a textured tile landscape scene. After a couple of days drying out we could then add colour to our creations.  We had also been learning the names for collective nouns and had a few guesses at the correct name for a group of snails. We discovered that the correct name is a rout of snails.

Outdoor learning provided two tasks. Exploring a method to measure the height of the tree in our playground. Our estimates were too low as the correct height was 57 metres. We also used twigs to create 3D shape creations which were very challenging but we managed it.

Our exposition writing topic this week was about the process of making bubble gum. It was very enlightening and put some people off eating it again ! Using Languagenut on our ipads and computers to learn more phrases in Spanish and French has become very popular. It is a fabulous resource.

We began our studies in God’s Loving Plan and thought about the changes we have already experienced in our lives and our gifts and talents. We also read passages from the Bible to help us understand about the journey of Paul as he spread the good news about Jesus.

Our first week back at school has been so enjoyable, the good weather helped and it was great to be back and seeing one another again.

What did we do?

We learnt how to spell words using the phonemes, se and ce.  We learnt that when these letters when grouped together sometimes make the ‘s’ sound.  We practised the spelling of these words using a variety of methods including: rainbow writing, fancy writing, bubble writing.  We also made word searches.  We also learnt how to use personal pronouns effectively and the difference that these make to our writing.

Numeracy – We moved on to percentages. We learnt that percentages are out of 100.  We learnt how to convert percentages to fractions and decimals and are have just started learning how to find percentages of amounts.

Health and Wellbeing– We spoke about all of the strategies that we can use to build up resilience.  We also spent a lot of time outdoors this week due to the weather being kind and played team games and walked our daily mile.

R.E – We learnt that God has given us talents that he wants us to use well.  We spoke about our talents, (we REALLY are a talented bunch) and advise you all to look out for us all as we are stars in the making, ha!

Topic – We started our sustainability project, ‘Life Below Water’. We learnt that on 25th the September 2015, the United Nations agreed to 17 Global Goals to end extreme poverty and improve our world by 2030. One of these goals is to improve things for life under water. The goals are;

• By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas.
• By 2025, marine pollution will be reduced.
• Enforce laws which stop illegal fishing, overfishing, and other destructive fishing practices.
• Minimise and address the impact of ocean pollution.

We will work hard over the next few weeks to learn what we can do to help with these goals.  One thing that we can instantly do is to take our litter home with us or bin it each time we visit the beach.  Earth Day, (which we celebrated this week) was a reminder to us all that we only have one earth and we need to cherish it and look after it for us and the creatures and animals that live on it too.

We started our week sharing our experiences whilst taking part in Earth Hour on Saturday evening. Some pupils enjoyed family time, others played board games or had a candle lit indoor picnic.  We enjoyed learning about Holy week and created some Easter crafts and cards with a peace dove.

Outdoor learning was based upon Spring. We created an artistic expression of ‘Spring’ by Vivaldi after listening to the music in class. We also went on a scavenger hunt to find signs of Spring within our school grounds.

We ended our week reviewing our learning within term two to create a learning across the four contexts display board and also thinking about our personal improvements and next steps for term three.

We ended our week with a few April Fools pranks which included researching the endangered tree octopus !!!

P5 have had a great week and worked well.  What did we get up to?

Literacy – In literacy our spelling this week focussed on ci, cy and ce words. We learnt that these letters when grouped together sometimes make the ‘s’ sound.  We practised the spelling of these words using a variety of methods including: rainbow writing, fancy writing, bubble writing, and we also made word searches. We also recapped how writers use similes and metaphors to create effective imagery.  We were astounded to learn that every day expressions that we use are in fact, metaphors and silmiles!

Our writing focus this week was functional writing.  We looked at information reports and deconstructed them paying close attention to the key features.

Numeracy – We consolidated our learning with fractions recapping how to add, subtract, find equivalent fractions and simplify.  We moved on to area and perimeter this week too and know how to find the area and perimeters of shapes, a useful skill to know  for when we get our own houses and need to buy materials for the garden etc…

Health and Wellbeing– We spoke about all of the strategies, including: staying connected, exercising, talking, mindfulness, deep breathing that we can use when we are faced with challenges and difficulties.  We know that a problem shared is a problem halved.

R.E – Lent continued to be our focus this week. We enjoyed the community Mass and are really looking forward to the day that we can go to Church again as a school.  As part of our Lenten journey we looked at the Stations of the Cross and were once again reminded of the sacrifice and suffering that Jesus went through on that journey.

RRS – We looked at Article 29 which says that children have the right to an education system that nurtures their talents and skills.  We had a very thought provoking discussion about about how lucky we feel to be in a school that promotes talents and offers such a wide range of after school clubs.

Topic – We used our research skills to find out about the captain of the Titanic, Edward Smith.  We learnt that:

Edward Smith was 62 years old when he sailed on the Titanic  – HI

He was born on the 27th of January, 1850 – DD

He died on 15th of April 1912 when the ship sank – BP

It is said that his last words were, ‘Well done boys, we have done our duty’. – JZ

Finally….

We created beautiful Spring art work in the style of Pablo Picasso. We drew butterflies, daffodils and tulips and carved up the images drawing a series of straight lines in all directions.  We then used the different tones of colours to bring each segment of the picture to life.   We are so proud of them as they look wonderful and have brightened up the room!

P5 have worked well again this week.  What did we get up to?

Literacy – In literacy our spelling this week focussed on ci words. We learnt that sometimes, ‘ci’ makes the ‘si’ sound. We also learnt about suffixes and learnt some rules for adding suffixes to the ends of words.  We focussed on imaginative writing and are in the process of planning and writing a story.  Watch this space!

Numeracy –  We recapped the layout and practised dividing 3 and 4 digit numbers using the short division method.  We also looked at equivalent fractions and learnt that to find equivalent fractions, what you do to the top number you must do to the bottom.

Spanish – We learnt how to talk about the weather this week and pets.  We played a variety of games and sang to help us with this.  It was so nice to be able to say ‘Hace calor’ for one of the days this week instead of ‘Hace frio!’

R.E – Lent continued to be our focus this week. We all have a picture of a stained glass window in our house and every time we do something kind we colour in a part of the window.  By the time Lent finishes we hope to have each part filled in.

Topic – We learnt how the Titanic was constructed and about the materials that were used.  It was really interesting to see where the first and second class passengers slept and the grandeur of the ship.  What a beauty!

What a fantastic week of learning in Primary 6. So many facts and skills covered in only a few days.

• Using grid references
• Spelling using ‘ly’ at the end of words
• Grammar using contractions
• An introduction to the Scottish Wars of Independence
•  Fairtrade Fortnight
• Books from other cultures
• How to cope with challenges
• Creating a Crazy Golf Course
• Exploring being nurtured
• Using brackets in numeracy
• Writing a recount of a school trip
• Telling the time in Spanish
• Problem solving within a maths escape room
• Learning about St Bernadette and St Therese of Lisieux
• Daily Mindfulness

Thank goodness it is the weekend and time to charge our batteries.

P5 have worked well again this week.  Here is an overview of it!

Literacy – In literacy our spelling this week focussed on sion words.  We also learnt about prefixes and how they can change the meaning of words.  We hadn’t realised that there were so many pre prefixes and that they all mean something!  For our writing we moved on to procedural writing and learnt how to write detailed sets of instructions on revolting recipes.  Some of the recipes were sooooo disgusting that they made the teachers feel sick whilst reading them.

Numeracy –  We recapped the rules for adding and dividing by 10/100/1000 and worked on finding fractions of whole amounts.

Health and Wellbeing – We learnt how important mindfulness is for our health and wellbeing and how crucial it is to take time out to relax.  We used some relaxation techniques including meditation, doodling, listening to peaceful music and deep breathing. It was really enjoyable.

R.E – Lent was our focus this week with us thinking about what we can all do during this important time to prepare for Easter.

Topic – Exciting news! Our new topic for the next few weeks will be on ‘The Titanic’.  We were over the moon when we learnt through the use of picture clues what our learning is going to be. We are looking forward to sharing our learning with you all and working through each of the tasks that we suggested to our teachers as specified on the KWL grid that we constructed as a stage. Some ideas included: learning songs about the Titanic, constructing models of the Titanic, learning about the survivors and much, much more.  Super job Primary 5!

P5 have worked well again this week.  Here is an overview of it!

Literacy – In literacy we learnt the rule for adding ‘tion’ to words that end in e, you drop the e! We practise our weekly word using a variety of methods including: rainbow writing and bubble writing and we also looked for hidden words within words. We also participated in spelling challenges on Sumdog. We also recapped when to use ‘where’ ‘were’ and ‘we’re’.

Numeracy – We looked at electronic timetables and learnt how to read these which will be an invaluable skill for us throughout life.  We also built upon our previous knowledge of multiplication and practised solving calculations using the standard written method.

Health and Wellbeing – We spent this week focussing upon food from other cultures.  We really enjoyed learning about the delicacies from other countries.  We also spent time revisiting food hygiene.

R.E – We learnt about the importance of forgiveness through the Old Testament Bible story. ‘Joseph and his Brothers’.  Joseph forgave his brothers despite their poor treatment of him.  We used this Bible story to reflect on times when we have shown or needed to show forgiveness. .

Topic – We continued with our topic, ‘Body Systems with focus this week being the digestive system.   The digestive system consists of the parts of the body that work together to turn food and liquids into the building blocks and fuel that the body needs. It is so interesting!

Chinese New Year– To round off the week we celebrated Chinese New Year and familiarised ourselves with some of the customs surrounding this important event. A very ‘Happy New Year’ to you all!

We learnt that it is the year of the Ox! Those born in the year of the Ox are said to be reliable, strong and sometimes stubborn! Do you know anyone who has these traits? If so, they fit the Ox personality according to the Chinese Zodiac.

P5 have worked well again this week.  Here is an overview of it!

Literacy – In literacy we learnt other spelling rules for making words plural and practised our sets of words using a variety of methods including:  rainbow writing and bubble writing and we also looked for hidden words within words which, is a great strategy for helping us to remember some of the trickier words.  We continued to hone our skills in persuasive writing and researched different persuasive skills that writers use. We also recapped the different uses of the homophones ‘their’ and ‘there’.

Numeracy – We learnt how to calculate durations of time and continued with multiplication.  and used our knowledge of the number talks strategy, ‘partial products’ to help us to solve more multiplication calculations.

Health and Wellbeing – We spent this week focussing upon tasks for mental health.  We know how important it is to look after our mental health and had some great discussions throughout the week sharing strategies for keeping ourselves healthy.

R.E – We learnt about Saint Teresa, a lady who could inspire us all! We learnt about her life and how she dedicated herself to the poor.

Topic – We continued with our topic, ‘Body Systems with the main focus being on the respiratory system.  We made a set of lungs and learnt where they they are in the body and of the importance of looking after them.

STEM – To round off the week we were given another super STEM activity to work on, ‘The Catapult Challenge’.  Through making one we learnt what potential and kinetic energies are and learnt all about the projectile of an object.

Another a busy week in P5!   Lots of engagement across the class with super work being produced!

Literacy – In literacy we were learning how to make words plural, how to write contractions and we learnt some persuasive techniques that can be used in our writing. We created awesome adverts for a product of our choice using a variety of methods including IMovie and and Sway. We used some persuasive techniques that advertisers use to engage the consumer and had lots of fun whilst creating these.

Numeracy – We moved on to the written formal method for multiplication and learn how to read and convert 24 hour times. We used our fantastic knowledge of different number talks strategies to complete a solve a variety of different calculations.

Health and Wellbeing – We spent this week focussing upon our talents and it goes without saying, P5 are definitely a talented bunch!  Some of us are very sporty, others are musical, some of us are entertainers and lots of us are very creative!

R.E – For R.E we focussed upon a really important quality, ‘Kindness’.  We shared ideas on what we can do to spread kindness and took time out of one of our afternoons to do a random act of kindness for our parents and teachers.

Topic – We continued with our topic, ‘Body Systems’.  It is fascinating to learn that parts of your body are linked and won’t work properly unless other parts are healthy! We are focussing on the respiratory system now and will continue with this next week.

STEM – To round off the week we were given a STEM activity to work on which involved making bubbles. STEM activities are great because they make you look at the world in a different way and they involved us using maths, science and technology skills.  And there we have it, another great week in  P5!

Curriculum Areas

This week we wrote letters to The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, we chose a world problem and we tried to encourage her to help solve these problems.

We created a Christmas Quiz for other children in the class.

We created snow catcher art work.

In P.E. we did a sports quiz – it was tricky!

In Numeracy we were working on budgets. We had to plan a party with a specific budget.

Opportunities for personal achievement

This week Iga was our star of the week for excellent WW2 homework.

We took part in a Sumdog competition.

Ethos and Life of the School

We have been working on our Christmas Concert – we have chosen our hosts and been practising hard.

We have made our St Nics Come Dancing videos for the live final!! We can’t wait.

Interdisciplinary Learning

We brought in our WW2 homework and shared out learning.

We presented our learning and gave one another feedback.

We are looking forward to our last week!

Outdoor Learning

We have been working on our team work by playing rounders. We are improving all the time!

We did a skills competition with Ross from Active Schools. We had to do things like dribble, jump, step ups. We hope we win!

We have been continuing to do our Daily Mile. We are trying to improve our time.

Maths and Numeracy

We have been learning about decimals. We have been adding them and subtracting. We also had to work out missing number calculations.

Literacy

We wrote an imaginative story. We were given a door as a stimulus and you had to write a story about what was behind it. It allowed us to be very creative.

We wrote another story about a girl in a jar. We were working on character development.

World War 2

We began our world WW2 topic. We learned about the Blitz, Blackout and evacuation. We also learned about the battle of Britain. We also learned about Pearl Harbour.

We are looking forward to another busy week next week.