We had lots of fun during our Judo taster session yesterday, we learned how to do forwards, backwards and side break falls and then tried out some moves with a partner.

We started off the new term with a bang!  We tried to re-create a volcanic eruption using everyday chemicals.  We mixed vinegar and bicarbonate of soda in a bottle.  This caused a chemical reaction which created foam and gas.  The pressure built up inside the bottle until the lid was pushed off and the foam ran down the sides of the bottle and all over the ground (and Mrs Robley’s trousers!!!)

Here’s our thoughts:

I now know what a chemical reaction is that things mix together to create something new.  (Kieran M)

I now want to show my gran how to do it – I think I could teach her.  (Brad)

If I were to do this again I would advise the person shaking the bottle to do it quickly and run out of the way as fast as they can so they don’t get covered a.k.a Mrs Robley!  (Madyson)

We have had a busy term, facing lots of challenges and gaining new skills.

In Maths we have been learning about number bonds; learning more tables; using rulers to draw straight lines; and measuring with rulers to draw accurately measured straight lines. We even went outside and measured with sticks! This helped us realize the need for standard measurements. We continued to practise our addition and subtraction skills too!

In language we have been learning about Adjectives, Adverbs  and Similes. All of these have helped us with our writing. We have written imaginative stories; personal recounts; poems (including one written using Scottish words); instructions and letters.

Our Topic is about Islands. As well as learning about what islands are and how they could have come about, we have been learning about Food Chains on the island and how life continues.

In French we have learned how to count up to 20 in French, what the colours are in French and have started learning the Days of the week and the months of the year.

Our reflections from the term:

“It’s good learning the tables. We have games we play which helps us to learn. They are fun and make the tables fun too! I think the x10 is the easiest to do, but the x4 is the trickiest for me just now” – Hannah

” I liked writing the instructions for making a sandwich. The best bit was following the instructions then eating the sandwich I had made” – Dylan

“I like learning French. I can count to 20 in French now and I know the colours in French too”- Keris

“I liked our trip to Polkemmet Park. We learned all bout trees and we saw a tomb” – Cory

“I liked building dens with Greenrigg ” – Leah

“I enjoyed going to the Ecology Centre in Fife. We played games and had fun learning about water” – Charley

“I really enjoyed meeting and working with the pupils for P4 in Greenrigg at the Ecology Centre and in Polkemmet . I have made lots of new friends.” – Fraser

“I enjoy doing Cursive writing, it’s sometimes hard, depending on what letter you are doing, but it is fun” – Callum

“Rachel from college did football with us, I liked doing her games and it added to the skills I already have” – Alfie

“I liked writing my name in Cursive writing, I think it looks great” – Katie

“I enjoyed learning the 10 times table, it was fun. I thought it was quite easy but I had to think about it sometimes” – Jack

” I like handwriting. I think Cursive writing is easy to do” – Aimee

” I like handwriting. I like learning new things” – Zara

“When I do Cursive, I think my handwriting is neater. It helps me keep my letters the same size and not too big” – Eve

“Our trip to Polkemmet Park was fun. It was good to work with the pupils from Greenrigg. We were building dens together” – Phoebe.

I think you’ll agree we have had a busy term!

Here is a quick summary of what we have been learning this term:

Maths = 3D Shape, Co-ordinates, Logo, different multiplication and division strategies, adding and subtracting tens and ones, describing arrays, number patterns and sequences including magic squares.

Language = Book reviews, converting scripts to stories and stories to scripts, speech marks, apostrophes for contractions, poetry – similes, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhyme, difference between fact and opinion, debating and philosophy.

Topics = Loch Ness then Mountains, Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Science = Tim Peake’s mission to Space, space weather, food in space, writing scientific reports, making and testing our own rockets.

Health = Online safety, communicating safely with people online, friendships and bullying.

ICT = PowerPoints, E-mailing Norwegian E-pals

French = Pets

Polish = Numbers to 15 and greetings

Reflecting on Term 3:

My favourite part of this term was doing the ‘Magic Squares’ in maths although it was quite hard.  (Sarah)

My favourite part of this term was learning about when Tim Peake took off in the rocket.  (Leon)

I now know how to say the names of some pets in French (Robbie G)

The hardest part of this term was trying to complete the ‘Magic Squares’ but to make it easier we used a whiteboard to try it out first.  (Katie)

Something that puzzled me this term was how to create a face using Turtle Logo on the computer.  (Matthew)

I thought that saying the animal names in French was a bit tricky.  (Jessica)

My favourite part was watching video clips about volcanoes (Keiron H)

I now know how to make the skeletons of some 3D shapes.  I couldn’t do this before.  (Alexandra)

The person that helped me the most this term was Mrs Robley because anytime we need her she is always there to help.  (Brad)

Something that still puzzles me is trying to remember the names of pets in French because I sometimes get mixed up.  (Leah)

To extend our vocabulary, we have been learning about antonyms and synonyms (words with opposite or similar meanings).  Have a look at Katie, Matthew, Sarah and Robbie G after they completed a set of loop cards:

We are looking for YOUR help! We are trying to “Run to Rio” before the Olympics begin in August this year.  As a school, we are trying to improve our levels of fitness by aiming to run a mile each day while we are in school and through this, we are collecting the miles we run together as a school, to try to make it to Rio, Brazil.   We would like parents to join us in our running on a Friday morning at the very start of the school day.  On Friday 8th April, we hope as many of you will join us to run or walk together for 15 minutes outside and help us meet our target.  We will be doing this every Friday morning and hope that you will be able to join us each week or as often as possible.  We really hope to see you there!

Last Friday we said goodbye to Ben.  He has been attending Stoneyburn Primary with us on Fridays for quite a few years but last week was his last day with us.  We celebrated Ben’s time with us with a whole school party, together in the hall.  We were visited by Magic Mac- a very funny magician who entertained us with lots of tricks, jokes and music.  We all had a great time.

We were sad to see Ben go, but as Mrs Gibson says- “Once a Stoneyburn Wean, always a Stoneyburn Wean!” 🙂  Here are a few pictures from our fun in the hall!