Category Archives: Outside of School

Expressive Arts, Outside of School, Primary 5, Second Level

A Feast for the P5s’ Senses – Textures, Colours, Sounds, Movement and Shapes!

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The P5s, Mr Renshaw, Miss Brolls and four parent helpers went to the Scottish National Modern Art Galleries (MOD1 and MOD2) off Belford Road in Edinburgh on the 13th of September to take part in an Art Workshop and a tour around our national collections of modern art and enamelled and bejewelled works by the artist Raqib Shaw.

We split into two groups with Art Educators Poppy and Heather and headed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

outdoors to explore the sculptures and question, “What is Art?” We went onto the Charles Jencks’ landform, looked at Reclining Figure by Henry Moore and touched Conversation with Magic Stones by Barbara Hepworth.

The childrens’ responses were fascinating. What interested them was very different and they recorded their focus of interest with our i-pads. They then selected from these and used Pic-collage and Book Creator apps to make photo-journals of the day.

Then we took part in using our imaginations and making sculptures ranging from wind turbines, a fox linked to a carving in the artscape, faces within faces, castles, and other ideas based on conversations, digital images or their imaginations. It was fantastic to see them so immersed in the creative task that some children didn’t want to leave to go for a sneak tour at the Emil Nolde colourful paintings exhibition.

Lunch was outside amongst the artworks and a temporary art playground where you are encouraged to touch the works. The Sun Gods were kind and we enjoyed our picnics on the benches.

Then it was inside to see the Tesco Bank Competition winners to give us inspiration for next year and a look at the incredibly detailed artworks by Raqib Shaw. Utterly mesmerising but don’t just take my word for it. Ask your child what inspired them the most from the day and what was their favourite artwork and why.

Most of the two modern a rt galleries are free and you are welcome to picnic in the Resource Room there or outside on the picnic benches. They invite you to Walk, Talk, Move and Make. See nationalgalleries.org. or sign up for their newsletter at nationalgalleries.org/ebulletin. They are always looking for volunteers!

 

 

 

 

 

Other outdoor family fun ideas at RSPB.org.uk/families.

Outside of School, Primary 5, Second Level

Curious and Curiouser at The National Museum and P5s

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Curious and Curiouser
The P5s and 6 parent helpers went on a STEAM outing to The National Museum of Scotland on the 23rd of April 2018. We were met by the two Ruths – Ruth the Enabler and Ruth the Director of Public Programmes (and a parent of Theo) and were introduced to the curious world of possibilities that are our National Museums. Ruth told us about the 25000 objects on display and roused our interest in how we might explore further the excess of 1 million artefacts across all their museums. We were told we might see only 100 in 1 day! Lots to spark the imagination…
We started in the Wildlife Photography exhibit with the finalists in a worldwide annual competition and some very young entrants under 10 years. We then had the challenge to find interesting ways to digitally photograph some of the animals in the Natural World galleries. We are going to select and edit from these to have our very own wildlife photography competition. Our next creative challenge was to sketch in some of the other galleries. Theo suggested the diorama of Scottish wildlife in the basement and we started to draw in our artists ‘sketchbooks’ and did quick drawings as well as more detailed studies with notes. These will be used in creating an artwork back in class.
Finally, we went to the Science and Technology galleries where there is a lot of fun stuff in their great new exhibition spaces – highlights were:
My favourite part of the museum was the Energy exhibition because of the Fun activities:Matthew C

My favourite part was the basement because I saw all the fossils and I also liked the exhibition Oliver doak
My favourite bit is when we got to do free time I loved the hamster wheel. And the exhibition the pictures were cool: Sophie G
I loved playing with the plasma ball and I loved looking and at the pictures though some were really sad . Charlotte C
I had a good time at the museum my favourite part was seeing what we weigh as an animal : Kaylie P
My favourite bit was all of it especially the exhibition we saw weird crazy funny happy and sad things it was a really good experience I had a amazing time me and primary 5 had a great time and I deffinetly go back : Freiah T
The museum was very big and packed with enormous adventures it was also extremely fun one team which was my team lost track of time and almost missed the coach until Miss Anderson found us. We got lost because we were so amused by the wonders of the museum. My favourite area was the animal area because it was very interesting and mesmerising (did you know most of the stuffed animal skin is real!) I also had fun designing a bike but I only got 1/5 stars my star was for her position apparently she could see well. I would go back to visit the museum again to see the art exhibition again and to see Tim Peakes space craft. I HAD AN AMAZING TIME! :Joni Rafferty 

I loved when we went to the energy bit it was my fav bit I liked the hamster ball it was fun :katy 

It was very fun when we sketched the animals .My fav part was the dinosaur bones and the stuffed animals .I found the Viking grave cool because it was a skeleton bones.Emme E

I HAD to then take Miss Anderson’s class to visit my favourite secret part but I’m going to keep that a secret and you will have to discover it for yourself. The only clue that I can divulge is that it is watched over by a mysterious Bog Lady?! AND I didn’t even get to take the pupils to the rooftop for a great view of Edinburgh. A million or more reasons to return. Miss Brolls and P5A

Look out for P5C blogpost of their recount of the visit and for our photography exhibition!

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Expressive Arts, Outside of School, Technologies

Snow Day Antics and Building Ideas

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Move over George Clark and your Amazing Spaces TV programme. I hope some of you took up the Igloo Challenge. Did you manage to make a roof? How did you build it? How could you make it better next time? I know some people made an igloo that could fit ten people inside. How big would that need to be? What questions would you ask an Innuit about their igloo-building skills? What other small shelters are there in warm countries? There are great design ideas on the Tiny House/Homes website and in Scotland some people build huts in woods that can be very inventive so look at the Reforesting Scotland 1000 Huts Movement. How would you design a great den/hut?

I hope you are working on using French every day. In class we are using French colours and in P5-7 Spanish too. Use Google translate or YouTube to find ways to practise these – rouge, orange, jaune, vert, bleu, rose, noir, blanc.

Finally, I hope some of you tried to help others that may have found it difficult to get to the shops for milk and bread. For some people who are HOUSEBOUND this is a problem that faces them every day and not just a Snow Day.

Early Level, Expressive Arts, First Level, Modern Languages, Outside of School, Second Level, Winter Ready, Winter Ready P1, Winter Ready P2, Winter Ready P3, Winter Ready P4, Winter Ready P5, Winter Ready P6, Winter Ready P7

Forget The Beast from the East. Ice Art from Harbin Anyone?

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CREATIVITY IN THE SNOW ANYONE?

Have a go at making an igloo? With help from adults you can make snow bricks and a great den. How will you decorate the interior?

The Scandinavians have long dark winters but try to create warmth with candles, blankets etc What is Danish hygge?

Check out images of Harbin in China and their amazing snow and ice sculpture event for 3-D ideas.

Go to new places to enjoy the snow and the views. Take some pictures of wintry trees and then use these as an art inspiration. Victoria Crowe is an artist who has done just that. Google her.

What can you make with icicles? What can you make with powdery snow or another kind of snow.

Il neige. It is snowing in French. How many other languages can you say that in? The winner wins an ice-cream. Try making a fun-flavoured ice-cream outside!

If you can get on skis and sledges and swish through The White Stuff!

 

Expressive Arts, Outside of School, Primary 7, Second Level

P7s’ Eye and Mind-Opening Visit to the Gallery of Modern Art One and Two in Edinburgh on the 28th November

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Miracles at Mid Calder

A Leither who Left us all Thinking!

P7s went to the National Galleries of Scotland MOD2 on the 28th of November for a tour of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s studio and to explore a few of his sculptures in the gardens and cafe there. They went to explore further the work of this famous Scottish artist, born in Leith, who had great success not only in 3-D work but also in printmaking, collage and textiles.

In class we had discussed the Pop Art movement and worked on Pop Art posters with bright coloured backgrounds and collaged onto these with drawings of what they thought were the most popular cultural items of their times. Now it was time to find out from Duncan and Mo at the National Gallery more about his sculptures of man and machine such as the monumental Vulcan and The Master of the Universe.

So what did we think:

I was amazed by the fantastic responses of the children about the meaning of the artworks and what creative ideas they had. When we looked at the recreation of Paolozzi’s studio we discovered that maquettes were small models for sculptors to work from and we saw the explosion of interesting things he had around him.

Olivia enjoyed seeing the studio that Eduardo Paolozzi had and seeing all the finished and unfinished works that he made. She wants to learn more about him and how he fell in love with Art. Kiera thought it was interesting to see the artwork in his studio and there was lot to see.

Then we got the chance to “play with shapes” and were free to make our own 3-D artworks from card and tape and the pupils rose to this imaginative challenge and got the opportunity to evaluate their peers’ work. The parent helpers, Mrs Ramsay and Mrs Smith were invaluable in encouraging and supporting the frenzy of work.

Bethan enjoyed making the sculptures with her friend but wanted more time to finish them. Calum enjoyed making models and having fun with his friends.

Afterwards some of the children chose to look around some of the NOW exhibit at MOD1 and others chose to play in the sculpture garden. With a smaller group wandering through the sounds and sights of the Turner prize-winning Susan Philipsz’s work it was quite an eerie, melancholic experience with 7 turntables each playing single notes for 17 minutes and in the next room salt paintings of different kinds of tears that linked with the sad music. Really moving. Especially to see some of the least engaged pupils at the start of the day truly immersed in the experience. We had an opportunity to look into the mind and work of a great new artist and in doing so this allowed us to open our minds.

Cade liked the turntables because the men in the rooms told us about them and we got to listen to the sounds but he got bored quite quickly.

Well done to everyone! Great creative thinkers.

Outside of School, Sporting

Mid Calder Swimmers

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It was great to hear that three pupils from Mid Calder PS took part in the West Lothian Schools’ Swimming Championships on Sunday. Bethan, Olivia (both P7) and Fraser (P7/6) had to qualify for these championships and then took part in two races each on the day. Well done to each of them for their achievements! Their results are below:

Bethan

16/27 Girls 12 and under 50 metre freestyle.

11/17 Girls 12 and under 50 metre butterfly.

 

Olivia

12/27 Girls 12 and under 50 metre freestyle.

6/15 Girls 12 and under 50 metre backstroke.

 

Fraser

16/21 Boys 12 and under 50 metre freestyle.

5/5 Boys 12 and under 50 metre butterfly.

Health & Wellbeing, Highlands 2017, Outside of School, Primary 7, Sporting, Uncategorized

Loch Insh Residential

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As our residential week comes to end, I would like to say a big well done to all the pupils who attended. They all demonstrated their resilience and perseverance by trying all activities and not giving up. They also showed our school values of being responsible and respectful when visiting Culloden and the Highland Wildlife Park.

A big thank you also to Ms Richmond, Miss Sherlow, Miss Anderson, Mrs Combe and Mrs Findlay got attending camp with the pupils and making this trip possible.

It was great to see all the likes and comments on Twitter and we will try and add more photos to the blog next week.

Hope you all don’t have too much washing!

Expressive Arts, Outside of School, Second Level

P6 Artland Adventures in the Natural World

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P6s have been engaged with Environmental Art for the past few weeks.

LI – EXA 2.07a to look at others’ artwork and use these ideas as inspiration for their own work

SC- I can create a hall display to detail my Land Art experiences

I can create a blog response of my thoughts and feelings

They also created artworks in teams and on their own in the school playground using natural and scavenged items that they found.

They researched the art of Andy Goldsworthy and other sculptors whose work they saw on a visit to Jupiter Artland near Wilkieston.

After their tour the pupils were set a challenge to create an artwork with a repeating pattern or sequence in the outdoors.

Health & Wellbeing, Information for Parents, Outside of School

Free Swimming

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Youngsters who are aged 15 and under in West Lothian can swim free during the school summer holidays.

The free swimming programme is funded by West Lothian Council and allows youngsters aged 15 and under to swim for free, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, Friday 30 June –  Friday 18 August.

Swiming is available at Xcite pools in Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn, Linlithgow, and Whitburn, as well as West Lothian Leisure pools in Deans and Inveralmond Community High Schools, and West Lothian Council’s Fauldhouse Partnership Centre. Free swimming is available for one session per day per person (max 1 hour). Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Limited spaces are available. Terms and Conditions apply. Xcite Livingston will be offering a discounted rate of £1.00 per swim session for 15yrs and under, Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm, 30 June – 18 August.

For more information about free swimming during the summer and for swim guidelines please visit: www.westlothianleisure.com

Expressive Arts, First Level, Outside of School, Primary 2, Primary 3, Sciences

Ice-Cream and Fun in the Sun! by P2/3

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P2/3 and P3 set off on a mystery tour to North Berwick on Monday. It was a long journey and a last-minute change from the planned trip to Yellowcraigs at Dirleton but fine weather and a good team spirit meant that we had a fantastic day out together and managed to complete a team sandcastle building challenge.
Some of our LIs were:
Expressive Arts
I can create and present work using the visual elements of line, shape, form, colour, tone, pattern and texture. We did this by creating sand sculptures and there are two of the winners in the pictures. The winners enjoyed playing with their mini-kite prizes.
EXP 1-03a
Sciences
I can distinguish between living and non-living things. I can sort living things into groups and explains my decisions. We looked at different types of shells and learnt their names – limpets, clams, winkles, cockles but we didn’t find any cowries or the elusive Pelican’s Foot.
SCN 1-01a
As Class Teacher it was great to explain to some children about the different edible sea vegetables such as kelp, sugar kelp, sea lettuce and bladderworts. Some of these can make a delicious miso soup. Next time they go to the beach they might remember what they looked like.
PICTURE EDITORS
Annalise said, “Before I went for the bus I loved my vanilla ice-cream. My favourite bit was going into the paddling pool and collecting shells. On the way back we got stuck in a traffic jam.”
Lauren said, ” My favourite bit was the sandcastle contest because me and Myah worked as a team.”
Amorie explained, “Going in the paddling pool was a little bit deep and it was fun.”
ICE-CREAM DREAM TEAM
Jessica and her team found out that ice-cream is made from many things such as milk and sugar. We went for the best ice-cream with dairy ingredients from Lucas in Musselburgh. It was scrummy! Jessica’s Mum organised a great deal with Mr Whippy and Lucas but the ‘healthy’ ice-cream was the best choice even if it did cost more.
SEA MONSTER TEAM
James and Rory said ” In the paddling pool everyone thought it was freezing and the rules were we could not go any further than up to your knees and we were not allowed to swim or push. We were playing tig in the water and it was really fun.”
Rory saw a crab in the water and they saw unusual pink stripy small jellyfish. What could they have been?
SEAHORSES TEAM
Cara imagined that she was a mermaid on the beach and created imaginary play with friends about exploring the seaworld full of fish and shells. Great imaginations indeed.
SANDCASTLE TEAM
Brandon said, “When we were working in teams we were building sandcastles.”
Aidan said, “It was a race to build the best sandcastle.”
Nathan made a moat and a hill and built up the sides with wet sand in a bucket.

A huge thank you to our wonderful sun-kissed parent helpers. It was a grand day of fun in the sun!