Calderwood Primary and Nursery

Number Sequences

This week, Rannoch clan have been learning about number sequences. We have been learning about how to describe and create a number sequence.

To begin with, we looked at different number sequences together as a class. We thought about each number given and decided on how much we had to add or subtract to produce the next number in the sequence. From doing this we were able to work out ‘the rule’ for each number sequence. We practised this by playing some interactive games online using snappy maths.

To follow on from this we went outside, making the most of this lovely September weather, and created our own number sequences using materials we found in the playground such as sticks and stones. We worked with a partner to create our own sequences and took photos of our creations. We then challenged our classmates to work out ‘the rule’ for each sequence we had created. We also extended our learning and thought about what the next number in the sequence might be. We had great fun working them out and felt confident in doing this.

Our next steps will be to work on sequences using larger numbers and to challenge ourselves to start from a larger number rather than 1,2 etc. and try starting, for example at 14 or 19.

To practise more at home we can use the number sequence interactive games on this website http://www.snappymaths.com/counting/sequences/sequences.htm and/or we can create our own sequences at home using materials indoors such as pasta or outdoors using different materials. We also made connections with these sequences to our times tables so practising these will also help us to develop our skills.

Share your learning by taking a photo of any creations you make on your seesaw account.

Writing: Where would you take your invisible string?

In Tay clan, we have been learning to use conjunctions to join our sentences together. We learned how to use the conjunctions: and, because, but, so. We also learned alternative conjunctions and tried to challenge our learning by using these in our sentences.

Last week, we played conjunctions corners where Miss Redmond read out two sentences and we had to decide what conjunction we would use to join the sentences together. We had to dance and then go to the corner with the correct conjunction.

We then practised using conjunctions in our own writing. We had to think of a place that we would want to take our string to. Some of the places we decided to write about were: Australia, the jungle, the ocean, fidget land, Fortnite land, space and America. We had to describe what our place would look like and explain what we would do there.

We read our writing to Miss Redmond and others, and we noticed that we all tried really hard to use the four different conjunctions in our writing. We have discussed as a clan that we need to work on reading over our writing, making sure that we are using full stops and not writing too many conjunctions in one sentence.

To help us continue learning about conjunctions at home, Tay have come up with some ideas. We could spot conjunctions when we are reading at home. When travelling in the car, we could go on hunt for conjunctions around us. We could also write postcards to our friends and family.

What have Bramble Clan Been Up To This Week?

We’ve had lots of fun in our Clan this week including playing hopscotch in the sun.

In numeracy, we explained to each other what odd and even numbers were. We then recapped on counting up in 2s, we did it together, silently whispering our odd numbers and then shouting out our even numbers. We did really well and some of us even attempted to count up in 11s!

In literacy, as part of our ‘Invisible Strings’ topic, we wrote letters to people we love, we then shared these with our class. We remembered to use capital letters, full stops and finger spaces. Mrs Findlay was so proud of us for sounding out tricky words.

In health and wellbeing, we listened to a story called ‘Bounce Back’ which was about resilience. We learned that even if we can’t do something at the moment, if we keep trying we will eventually be able to do it. We completed sheets with 3 things we ‘can’ do already and 1 thing we ‘can’t’ do YET. Mrs Findlay is a bit concerned as lots of us want to learn to drive so she explained that we will need to wait until we are older but in the meantime, we can practise riding our bikes and scooters. We decided not to use the word ‘can’t’ in our Clan and instead use the phrase ‘I will try’.

We are looking forward to our last day based in Mid Calder Primary and can’t wait until we move into Calderwood on Wednesday. Only 5 more sleeps to go! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Ness Clan’s Digital Rainforest

Learning Intention: I can create a poster using digital media.

This week in Ness Clan, we have been sharing our knowledge of rainforest animals and exploring our digital literacy skills. In pairs, we chose our favourite rainforest animal to create a flashy poster about! We brainstormed interesting titles for our work. After that, we used Microsoft Word to experiment with different fonts, colours and sizes to make our posters stand out and look beautiful! We also recapped our internet browsing skills from last week by searching for images of our chosen animal and transferring them onto our posters. We saved our work on the laptops and hope to have a finished product soon!

Pupils engaged really well with the task, showing enthusiasm and creativity in their learning of new digital skills.