Category Archives: Maths & Numeracy

Interdisciplinary Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 5, Sciences, STEM 2016

Creating Craters

May 14, 2016 Miss Sherlow Leave a comment

This week, Primary 5 have been learning about how craters are formed. We learned all about the key features of asteroids, comets and meteoroids, and the differences between each. We know that a meteoroid that survives falling through the Earth’s atmosphere and hits the Earth’s surface is known as a meteorite, and, if these are big enough, they can cause craters. The Moon is scarred with millions of impact craters as it doesn’t have an atmosphere to protect it. We experimented witch creating our own craters using a tray filled with flour to represent the inner crust of the Moon and cocoa powder to represent the outer crust. We dropped ‘meteorites’ onto our surface from different heights, then measured the depth and diameter of our craters, recording our results. Next week, we will transfer the data we have collected into a graph using Purple Mash to help us to analyse and compare our findings.

Maths & Numeracy, Primary 2, STEM 2016, Technologies, Uncategorized

The Great Deserted Island STEM Challenge One

May 13, 2016 User deactivated Leave a comment

LI. We are learning to construct a model using measurement, area, force and motion, scientific process and properties of shapes.

SC. We can plan, design and build a hut that will with stand a small wind storm

SC. We can work together to share ideas.

SC. We can adapt and change our plans as required.

SC. We will test and evaluate our design as appropriate.

This week P2 have been trying to help Sir Harley Houndstooth III survive on the deserted island by constructing a hut that he could use to shelter in away from the tropical storms. We worked in teams and each team built our own hut. We learned lots about the skills we need to work effectively as part of a team such as, good cooperation, good listening skills and effective use of time. After we built our huts we then tested them to see if they would survive the storm (using a hair drier.) We discussed what a fair test is and decided how to make the test fair. We are very happy to report that none of the huts fell over but most of them moved and we recorded how far then moved in centimetres. Each team then set group targets for what good team work will look like and sound like for the next challenge.

Next week we will be helping Sir Harley Houndstooth III by building a bridge we will keep you posted on how we got on.

Maths & Numeracy, Primary 3

Have you been Making Maths Meaningful?

April 29, 2016 User deactivated Leave a comment

In P3 this year, we decided to do our class assembly on Maths and in particular focus on how we make maths meaningful within class and in our own lives at home.

Over the last term in Maths, we have been learning about multiplication and division. Through grouping and sharing activities, making and finding arrays and then looking at multiplication and division calculations, we have been developing our knowledge and understanding of the links between these operations.

To make it real within our own lives, we went on an array search within our homes to find different array patterns. Some of us went on an array search within school. It was great fun!

In order to help us develop our mathematical language and talk about different strategies we use to solve calculations and worded problems, we have loved doing number talks. We get to share with our peers ‘what we see’ and ‘how we see it’. Sometimes Miss Kerr visualises what we see and sometimes we do. We also get to apply what we talk about in number talks to solve mild, spicy and hot calculations within mental maths.

So we continue to make maths meaningful in our lives, currently learning about analogue and digital clock times and using time in school and at home.

How are you making your maths meaningful in your lives right now?

Enjoy our video and Maths song to remind you why maths is fun and meaningful!

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Sciences, STEM 2016, Technologies

Mission 3: The Solar System

April 27, 2016 Miss Burton Leave a comment

Creating a Human Solar System

Today we braved the weather to create our own human solar system to scale in the playground so we could put into perspective the distance each planet was from the sun.

Making a Solar System Factfile

This week in our home teams we have been busy researching the planets in the solar system. We had to use websites to use find out specific information about planets, and had a list of questions to research. We use Yammer to share useful websites that were reliable so we did not waste time. We also used the key questions to search for key information. We learned that the phrases we use in a search engine is important to finding answers quickly. We also had to skim and scan websites for key information. We supported each other with using a range of search engines and finding the AAL network. Then we shared our notes with each other. Our next steps are to look at reliable sources on the internet as we realised some of us had different answers. We will now use this information to create an electronic factfile.

Maths & Numeracy, Uncategorized

Primary 6 investigate negative numbers

April 25, 2016 Mrs Ross 1 Comment

This term we have been learning about negative numbers through our Number Talks sessions and linking them to our daily mental maths.

LI: We are learning to count forwards and backwards on a negative number line

SC: I can identify zero as a place holder

I can count forwards and back from zero

I can identify number patterns within negative numbers

We completed lots of Number Talks to gain a good understanding of numbers below zero and linked our learning to real life situations, for example, when reading temperature gauges.

We then used our knowledge to place ourselves in a human number line along our classroom wall and practiced counting forwards and backwards. Then we up levelled the challenge to count forwards and back in 2s, 5s and 10s starting at different places along the line.

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 5

Coordinated Maths

April 25, 2016 Miss Sherlow 6 Comments

Learning Intention: We are learning to explore the use of coordinates to plot points and describe positions and movements on a grid (MTH 2-18a)

Success Criteria:
I can use coordinates to locate a point on a grid
I can use coordinates to describe and locate a unique point on a grid
I can plot coordinates on a grid

Primary 5 have been learning all about coordinates in maths. We know that you use coordinates to locate a specific point, usually on a map. We have been learning how to read coordinates accurately by finding the number that appears on the horizontal, or x axis first, then reading the number on the vertical, or y axis. Last week we looked at how to find and read coordinates in a grid with 1 quartile, but this week we challenged ourselves by locating and reading coordinates on a grid with 4 quartiles! That meant we had to use our knowledge of negative numbers to help us.

We rotated round three stations to demonstrate our knowledge and understanding:

Teaching group- we plotted coordinates on a grid to create a pictures of an alien creature
Game group- some of played a game of Spinning Coordinates, and others played Coordinates Bingo
ICT group- Sumdog Challenge

We also used the AAL network to use our own and the school’s devices to try and and find the coordinates of our houses, learning about the meaning of latitude and longitude.

Interdisciplinary Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 2, Sciences, STEM 2016, Technologies

The Great Desert Island STEM Challenge!

April 22, 2016 User deactivated Leave a comment

This week P2 found out about our new exciting interdisciplinary context which is the Great Desert Island Challenge. We started by listening to a story about a group of sea travelers who were exploring the seas when their ship became wrecked on a desert island. There was only one survivor, Sir Harley Houndstooth III. We now have to help him survive on the desert island and get back to the civilized world. We were all very excited and up for a challenge!

Over the next few weeks P2, P2/3 and P3 will be given a series of challenges in which we will have to help Sir Harley Houndstooth III. We will be developing our skills in group work through carrying out different roles and developing our knowledge of the STEM subjects (Science, Technologies Mathematics and Engineering.)

Parents and carers can help by bringing in materials from the list in your child’s homework jotter. We will keep you posted on the challenges we do,

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Nelson.

Health & Wellbeing, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 1, Uncategorized

P1 Funny Faces

April 21, 2016 User deactivated 1 Comment

LI: We are learning to use a simple map with a key and symbols.

SC: I understand the concept and function of a map.

SC: I understand the use of symbols and a key.

SC: I can transfer information on a map to reality.

Last week, both Primary 1 classes started to explore positional and directional language, and enjoyed creating and navigating simple mazes.

This afternoon, we went outside to progress our learning in the sunshine. After discussing our prior experiences with maps, we talked about their features and clarified how to use a key with symbols.

In small groups, the children then had to work collaboratively to recreate a ‘funny face’ using a map with a key. This was even more challenging than the children first thought. Only one team member could move one object to the ‘face’ at a time. Furthermore they couldn’t bring the map with them, so they had to analyse the map very carefully before travelling to the ‘face’. Evie pointed out that it would have been much easier if they could just take the map with them!

We hope to apply our new mapping skills to increasingly challenging orienteering games during the next few weeks.

English & Literacy, Expressive Arts, Maths & Numeracy, Nursery

Story Telling and Number Talks in the Nursery (AM Class)

March 11, 2016 Mrs Aikman 1 Comment

Rosie said, “I writed my name then told the story of Jack and Beanstalk.”

ROSIE’S STORY

Jack went to the market to sell the cow. He got some beans. His mum threw them out. The beanstalk grew up and up—-very big. Jack climbed to the castle. He met the giant–fee,fo,fi,fum.

Nairne said, ” I was writing my name in my little notebook. I drew some pictures.”

NAIRNE’S STORY

Jack went to the market. He saw a man with magic beans. His mum threw the beans out of the window. The beanstalk grew. Jack climbed up the beanstalk to the castle. A giant was there. Jack ran away with the pennies and the hen.”

Carlie has been making numbers.“It is a countdown, 10, 9, 8 ,7 ,6 ,5 ,4 ,3,2,1,0, Blast Off ” she said.

Jack said, ” I am writing my numbers –hundred eight. I took it home to show mum. I like writing big numbers.”

English & Literacy, Expressive Arts, Maths & Numeracy, Nursery, Sciences

Spring Has Arrived in the Nursery (AM Class)

March 11, 2016 Mrs Aikman Leave a comment

The children have been noticing lots of bulbs growing in the garden. Mrs Barber has taught them a new song. “Snowdrop,snowdrop, little drop of snow.”

Coryn said “I was painting some snowdrops. They are growing outside. I used a feather to print the stems then added white for the petals.”

“I am making daffodils. I printed the stems of the daffodils. I made 8 daffodils.I mixed red and yellow to make some orange for the centre.” said Imogen.