This week P4B have been working in their space teams to investigate space travel from specific key dates. We have used our research to start creating a timeline of space travel in the form of a whole class sway and a class timeline book. During this activity we have developed our research, team work and digital technology skills.
We can’t wait to complete our timeline Sway and book after the Easter Holidays.
Even though it was the first day of Spring, the nursery children had great fun playing and exploring the snow. They made snowmen, slushes, pretended to be snow ploughs and all this was filmed by our GoPro team! They even filmed themselves giving an update on the new nursery. By lunch time the snow had cleared so the boys and girls asked to have bubbly water, pretending it was snow and burst into Christmas songs! The children were very excited to wear their new waterproof suits.
Today, Mid Calder Primary School were invited along to West Lothian’s Literacy Across Learning Event to share how we improve literacy using digital technologies. Calum, Ben, Grace and Kirsty joined Miss Burton and Miss Sherlow to present to Head Teachers, teachers and a range of other practitioners from across West Lothian. They did a fantastic job in sharing how we use a variety of digital platforms and tools to enhance learning in our school, and received positive feedback about how confidently they presented. Well done Calum, Ben, Grace and Kirsty!
We are learning to use an online database to locate information
Success Criteria:
– I understand what a database is, the different forms they can take and what they are used for
– I can select the key words needed to retrieve the specific information I need
– I can filter results to discount irrelevant information
As part of their IDL context, Kidnapped, Primary 5B received another mission- to use an online database to identify the type of getaway car used in the kidnapping. Chief Anderson had sent us a partial tyre track found at the crime scene, and we had to use our knowledge of line symmetry to complete the track. We then searched an online database to identify the make of the car it came from, hoping that this would help us to eliminate some of the suspects. We were able to narrow down our search to 3 types of getaway cars that could have been used. Another online database helped us to find out about the vehicles owned by each of our 6 remaining suspects, locating the registration number, vehicle type, model, colour and any other distinguishing features of their vehicles. We had to ensure that we used the correct spelling and our skimming and scanning skills to locate the key information. We recorded our notes in our case files.
We then shared this learning with our parents, carers and family friends during our STEM open afternoon, along with 4 other activities to demonstrate some of the new knowledge and skills we have gained from our Kidnapped topic so far. We rotated around 5 different stations:
1. Handwriting Analysis
2. Fingerprint Analysis
3. Forensic science careers research
4. Completing a partial tyre track
5. Deciphering a secret code
We enjoyed showing off our evidence wall and our Yammer page, as well as having help from our parents/carers to complete some of the missions.
This week, the nursery children visited the P1 and P2/1 classes to share what they had observed and learned during the construction of the new nursery building. They confidently used the GoPro to film their visit, explaining which materials were used, what held the bricks together and why the pipes were under the ground. The P1 and P2/1 children exchanged their knowledge, showing us their Architect drawings and building area. Thank you for letting us visit your class to share our learning.
This week, we had the opportunity to set up a number of experiments and activities, that are part of our STEM topic ‘Project Planetarium’. This included designing and building a rocket launcher, which we then tested according to how high the rocket would go from the launcher.We had some help from the parents that came along top our open afternoon.
We created an experiment using a rocket, balloon and string to test the most effective way of forcing the rocket to move. Lastly, we were able to reinforce our knowledge of constellations using marshmallows and toothpicks by carefully following the design of different constellations. Well done Primary 4A and thank you to the parents that came along to see our hard work.
This week, P4b have taken part in a range of exciting STEM activities that has developed our understanding and knowledge of our solar system. We worked together in our space teams to experiment with a range of materials and used a range maths skills.
We created galaxy jars, marshmallow constellations, balloon rockets and moon craters. On Thursday we were able to share what we had learned with our relatives and parents and the STEM Open Afternoon.
‘It was fun and exciting to teach our parents how to do different experiments’ Daisy
‘I really enjoyed seeing our parents around the classroom’ Megan
P2/3 for their STEM challenge at open day on Wednesday 15th March had to design a bike seat for Mr Tickles or Snuggles.
We learned to:
consider a design brief
take part in a group discussion in our bike teams
draw a design sketch
make a seat from cardboard that had fastenings and would be of an appropriate size
evaluate their designs
Alfie said it was quite hard to make the seat. He thought the cutting and shaping to make it fit was tricky.
Nathan thought it was fun and a little bit hard. It was hard to decide on who had the best design in his group.
Jessica thought it was fun to have the parents and grandparents come into the class to help. She thought her design was fun to make but was not so sure how practical it was.
This afternoon we opened our doors to parents, carers and friends to come and explore our STEM interdisciplinary learning. In the different areas we had:
Visitors had an opportunity to take part in a range of science, technologies, engineering and mathematical activities with their children including chemistry experiments, designing the front of our new nursery, making parts of a bike, trying out toys for our baby gyms, making star constellations, fingerprint analysis and showcasing how we use digital learning.
The Nursery used this opportunity to try out their Go Pro, and Scarlet and Archie recorded the STEM afternoon through their eyes.
Our Technical Troopers also tried out using Microsoft Forms to collect information about out visitors’ experiences. This was a fantastic and instant way to gain feedback. You can complete the form by clicking here if you did not have time to do so during your visit.
Some of our feedback so far has included:
The most popular Science, Technologies or Mathematical skills evident during your visit:
We use a range of ways to involve parents/carers in their children’s learning. The methods you prefer are:
At Mid Calder we use digital technologies in a range of ways to enhance learning and teaching experiences. How do you feel the use of digital technologies enhances your child/ children’s learning?
Thank you to everyone who came along to support the event.
