Category Archives: Primary 5

Events, Interdisciplinary Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 5, STEM 2017, Technologies

P5B’s Mission 9: Vehicle Database

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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.

Anytime Anywhere Learning, Community, Events, Maths & Numeracy, Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7, Sciences, Technologies, Uncategorized

STEM Sharing the Learning Afternoon

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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:

  • Nursery: STEM activities
  • P1 and P2/1: Building our Nursery
  • P3/2: Bike Challenge
  • P3: Baby Gym
  • P4: Project Planetarium
  • P5: Kidnapped: CSI
  • P6-7: Cool Chemistry

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:

  • Creativity
  • Observation
  • Problem Solving
  • Scientific inquiry and investigation
  • Discussion

We use a range of ways to involve parents/carers in their children’s learning. The methods you prefer are:

  • Newsletter
  • Parents Night
  • Sending jotters home
  • Sharing the Learning Afternoon

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?

  • To enhance learning for the future and modern living. Knowing what is safe and secure online. Learning new things that I may not be able to help with or understand.
  • Excellent , as technology is the future and will be used more and more as my child gets older and becomes an adult. I would encourage more use of technology in school and support the use of all types of digital technologies.
  • The use of digital learning will enhance their learning experiences and translate to real life.
  • I think they find it more engaging and interesting. Technology is everywhere, in leisure and the world of work and it helps to learn about it now. In the case of Sumdog, learning can be continued at home.
  • I feel that the digital technology used in the nursery is a great way to help the children’s understanding of how the things in the real world work. Everything is digital now and learning to use these technologies at a young age is beneficial as these can be used in a range of ways. We have a range of different devices in the household and although used more as a treat, I feel that my child knows how things work and can’t believe how quickly things can be picked up.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the event.

Community, Events, Outside of School, Primary 5, Primary 7, Pupil Council, Self Evaluation, Uncategorized

Pupil Council Learning Walk … Take 2!

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Today our Pupil Council went along to Addiewell Primary School, along with Woodmuir Primary to continue our Cluster Learning Walks. The Pupil Council gave us a presentation about their school and showed us a video.

We asked the Pupil Council some questions about their school:

  • What IDL topics are you learning about?
  • How do you use digital technologies in your school?
  • What kind of outdoor learning do you have?
  • What is your school motto and values?
  • What type of whole school events does your school have?

We also asked Mrs MacMillan, their Principal Teacher some questions about her job:

  • What is your favourite part of your job?
  • What are you most proud of in your school?
  • How do you deal with behaviour in your school?
  • How do you plan your assemblies?

There were lots of things that we found interesting about Addiewell Primary:

  • Together Time
  • How they eat their snack together
  • Wheelie Wednesdays
  • Improvements they had made in their playground
  • Their school motto
  • Everyone was very friendly
  • Cozy Corners in their classrooms
  • Their movie models in P5/6/7
  • That it was a combined school with St. Thomas Primary

Thank you to Charley, Jessica-Lee and Ryan for being our tour guides and answering our questions.

Events, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7

West Lothian SumDog Competition

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P1-7 have been entered to take part in West Lothian’s latest Sumdog contest. This runs from 10-16th March and can be played at both home and at school using the SumDog website or app. All pupils should have their SumDog log in their homework diary/ book.

The children have to answer 1000 questions and their score is based on accuracy, not speed or winning games. There are also prizes to be won and certificates will be given out at Assembly for those children in the top 50 from across West Lothian.

Good luck everyone!

Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Technologies

Leadership through Digital Technologies

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Several of our classes have created a class Yammer page to share their learning journey throughout our STEM IDL contexts. Last week, Primary 5B supported Primary 3/2 and Primary 3 to help them to get logged on to and explore the features of Yammer. They helped them to access the tool through the Glow launchpad, join their class group, contribute to a poll, and to comment on pictures. Maya and Brooke also took the lead as administrators on each Yammer page, accepting new requests to join and keeping the teachers informed with progress.

To support the use of other Glow tools, P5B also shared their knowledge of Sway with Primary 4B to help them to create a fact file about the solar system. P5 gave them a tour of the key features of the Glow tool, then supported them when they began to explore it themselves while making their presentations. They also logged on to P4’s Project Planetarium Yammer page to view the completed Sways, giving them two stars and a wish feedback based on their success criteria.

This week, Primary 4B were then able to use this new knowledge and skills to support P4A when they were creating their Sways about the solar system. A fantastic example of our pupils becoming digital leaders!

English & Literacy, Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 5, STEM 2017

MISSING!

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L.I. We are learning to select key information from a description.

As part of our STEM topic, ‘KIDNAPPED’, Primary 5 have been helping the police in their search for the missing Green children who have been kidnapped from their home. This week we decided to create some Missing Persons posters to help with the investigation. We revised all the information we already had about the children and the circumstances of their disappearance.

In our investigation groups we discussed the information we had and selected the key points to include in our posters. We agreed that they had to:

  • be eyecatching, to hook people in
  • provide as much accurate information about the children as possible
  • give details of the date and time of the disappearance
  • give an accurate representation of how the children look
  • provide details of who to contact with information

Once we had planned our posters, we got to work in our teams and managed to produce some really eye-catching posters. We are hoping to get permission to display some around the school – look out for them!

Primary 5, Sciences, STEM 2017, Technologies, Uncategorized

Mission 6: Fingerprint Discovered

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Learning Intention: We are learning what a fingerprint is
– I understand that everyone has a unique fingerprint
– I can identify the key features of my own fingerprint
– I know how and why the police use fingerprints to help them solve crimes

As part of our STEM IDL context, Kidnapped, P5B have been receiving missions from Police Chief Anderson to help Police HQ to find Jack and Sarah Green. This week, we discovered that a fingerprint was found on the strap of a watch belonging to Jack. Chief Anderson sent our investigation teams a fingerprinting kit so that we could find out more about our own fingerprints. 

We learned there are 3 main characteristics to look for; loop, whorl and arch. We put our fingerprints onto a balloon first and inflated it so that we could see our print pattern more clearly. We used magnifying glasses to get an even closer look.

We then took prints of all ten of our fingers and analysed them to find the specific characteristics of each one. It was interesting to compare all ten fingers and see which was the most common characteristic. We recorded out findings and added this to our growing case files.

We also discussed how difficult it must have been for the police to match fingerprints in the days before technology. We used our own and the school devices to find out when the first crime was solved using fingerprint evidence- all the way back in 1892!

Community, Events, Primary 5, Primary 7, Pupil Council

Cluster Pupil Council Learning Walk

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Our Pupil Council decided that they would like to organise a Learning Walk in different schools so they could find out what it is like to be a pupil in a different Primary school. Our cluster schools Addiewell Primary and Woodmuir also agreed that they would like to join us.

Today was the first part of the learning walk, pupils from Addiewell and Woodmuir joining us. The Pupil Council put together a presentation with information that they would like to share about our school.

https://www.slideshare.net/midcps/pupil-council-learning-walk

Then we had a question and answer session, the pupils asked us and Miss Burton questions about our school, some of them really made us think!

  • What is the best thing about our school?
  • How do our assemblies run?
  • Do you feel safe in school and why?
  • How does the Pupil Council run?
  • How does the Pupil Council organise events?
  • What sporting events do we take part in?
  • Why did you want to become a teacher?
  • How do you ensure the teachers plan interesting learning?

Then the Pupil Council took the pupils on a tour around the school, the pupils from the other schools then gave us some feedback about our school. They all commented on how we had a fun and welcoming school which was bright and open.

What Mid Calder Primary looks like?

  • It is very open.
  • I like the library.
  • The displays are colourful.
  • the new Nursery building looks good so far.
  • P.E. looks good.
  • Open space.
  • Very creative.
  • Tidy.
  • Pretty.
  • Very productive.
  • Big.
  • More children than our school.
  • A lot of work happening.
  • People look like they are having fun.

What Mid Calder Primary sounds like?

  • Sounds very welcoming.
  • Loud.

What Mid Calder Primary  feels like?

  • Happy.
  • Hard working.
  • Friendly atmosphere.
  • Warm.
  • Fun.
  • Our school – Addiewell.

Thank you to the pupils from Addiewell and Woodmuir and Mrs  MacMillan and Miss McLaren for visiting us, we look forward to visiting your schools soon.