Category Archives: Learning Stories

Primary 5, STEM 2016

3, 2, 1… lift off!

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P.5/4 have been enjoying designing and creating their own space craft over the last week or so. During the parents’ open morning we started our designs based on what we had already found out about space craft and these success criteria:

  • I can include the following features of a space craft in my design:
    • Rockets to provide the thrust needed for launching into space.
    • A fuel tank.
    • Compartments to carry astronauts and their equipment.

Currently, we are creating our space craft out of all kinds of ‘junk’ that would otherwise just be recycled e.g. drinks bottles, cereal boxes, plastic tubs etc.

Watch this space for photos of our completed creations!

Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 1, Sciences, STEM 2016, Uncategorized

Bye, Bye Butterflies!

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We are learning to recognise and describe the stages of the Butterfly Life Cycle

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 I can describe the changes I see using appropriate vocabulary

I can sequence pictures and create a diagram to show the Life Cycle of a butterfly

The last two weeks  have been very exciting in Primary 1. We have watched very carefully as our tiny, wriggly caterpillars have grown, formed chrysalises and eventually turned  into beautiful butterflies.

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Last week we took the butterflies outside and released them in the garden.

Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see them as they fly around Mid Calder!

 

 

Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 2, STEM 2016

The Great Deserted Island STEM Challenge Three

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The Great Deserted Island STEM Challenge Three

LI. We are learning to apply our knowledge of linear and weight measurement, buoyancy and scientific processes.

LI. We can plan, design and create a water tight container that can float.

LI. We can describe the problem what we wanted to happen and to share our ideas.

LI. We will test and discuss what happened, what worked and what we would do differently next time.

This week P2 Sir Harley Houndstooth III asked us to make a waterproof bottle or container that he could put a message in so that it wouldn’t get wet in water. We all came up with different designs in our groups and then decided which design we would use. We had 45 minutes to make and test our designs. Each design had to be water proof so that the message wouldn’t get wet and had to stay floating for 30 seconds. We are happy to report that all of our designs floated! In this challenge we were able to apply lots of the team work skills that we had learnt about from the previous challenge such as: good cooperation, team working skills and good listening skills.

We will keep you posted on how we get on in the next challenge!

P2.

Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 5, STEM 2016, Technologies

Mission 5 ready for lift off…

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Learning Intention:

We are learning how to design a space craft of the future.

We are learning how to use a range of materials to create a space craft of the future.

Success Criteria:

I can work as part of a team to create a labelled design of a space craft of the future

I can work as part of a team to create a model of a space craft of the future

 A successful model will:

  • Show an awareness of scale
  • Be well constructed using a variety of materials
  • Use appropriate colours

 

Mission 5 landed in Primary 5 last week, and we are happy to announce that it is ready for launch. We were challenged to design and create a space craft of the future. We began by watching two videos to help us to understand more about space crafts and how they operate.

A History of Space Shuttles

How Rockets Work

After a little research, we discussed the idea of scale and technological developments and how we could incorporate these into our designs. We decided to draw our designs out on whiteboards before beginning our final diagram so that we could experiment and be creative.

When we were happy with our final sketches, we transferred this onto our design briefs, labeling each component and their function.

Next, we got to work on building our space crafts using recycled materials. We presented our finished products to the class, justifying our choices and explaining how we constructed our rockets.

Who knows, maybe one of our designs could end up being used by NASA! Watch this space…

 

Maths & Numeracy, Primary 3

Measuring fun in the sun!

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We are learning to compare and order measurements of different objects-MNU 1-11a.

In P3 this week, we have been learning about different types of measurement.

We started by getting into groups and brainstorming creative ideas for things that are heavier than a hippo, smaller than your fingernail, longer than a football pitch and lighter than a sandwich.

We came up with some great ideas!

“4,000 pieces of paper stuck together”- Georgia.

“A speck of dust”- Adam.

Then, we learned more about length, weight and capacity and the different measuring tools you can use to measure. We found out more about length, weight and capacity and the metric system that is used to record measurements.

When learning about length in real life, we went outside and recorded the length of different objects and distances within our school playgrounds and trim trail. We used rulers, metre sticks, measuring tapes and trundle wheels to record in millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm) and metres (m).

When finding out more about weight, we measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg) and used different scales. We recorded the weight of books, pencil cases and even our own bodies!

Finally, within groups, we measured in millilitres (ml) and litres (l) to find out more about capacity. We had a speed challenge to see which group could fill their container quickest with water. We discussed why certain containers filled quicker and what would make it a fair challenge.

“If the containers were all the same size”- Oliver.

“If we could all use cups to collect the water”- Nathan.

“We would all have to be the same distance from the tap”- Theo.

Before we went to lunch, we had to complete a ‘bus pass’ of information on measurement to get out and onto the bus for lunch.

We have really enjoyed learning about measure and discussing how it is real and meaningful in our own lives.

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Expressive Arts, Nursery, Sciences

Experimenting with sounds

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We have been experimenting with sounds. Through discovery and natural curiosity, we can make quiet sounds and loud sounds using recycled materials. We have made a drum from an orange carrier bag, a painttub and some string. We habe made a guitar from a cereal box and elastic bands and a rain stick using a cardboard tube with cut up pieces of straw inside. Our sound tubes makes a whizzing sound when we rotate it. We have enjoyed experimenting with sounds.CIMG0036 CIMG0037 CIMG0058 CIMG0061

Nursery, Parent Mail, Uncategorized

Nursery newsletter – May 2016

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Dear Parent/Carer,

Here are a few updates about our curriculum and events which are coming up in the next few weeks. The pre-school children are very excited about moving into primary one and have enjoyed their recent visits to the classrooms. The transition arrangements will continue with visits to the school playground as well as a buddy meet and greet. We will also be beginning to practice for our Nursery Leaver’s Assembly.

Our new nursery children have settled into our nursery routines. This term, we are continuing to encourage all of the children to develop their self-help skills such as changing their coats and shoes and looking after their own belongings.

Please can all payment and forms for the Seabird Centre be handed in by 10th June. Due to the large number of volunteers we will be pulling names from a hat.

Fiona Barber

Nursery Teacher

Nursery newsletter May 2016