Category Archives: Uncategorized

Health & Wellbeing, Internet Safety, Primary 7, Technologies, Uncategorized

P7 Internet Safety

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On Tuesday the 9th of February it was Internet Safety Day. P7 took part in some activities based on Internet Safety. Miss Anderson gave us some cards with actions on them such as, you are annoyed, disagree with everyone, you are sad, agree with everyone. We then had to walk around the classroom and when someone spoke to you we had to act them out to create the online feel. Miss Anderson then showed us some online messages and comments,we then had to go to the emotion that it made us feel; upset, happy, curious, laugh it off, not bothered, angry and worried. We then discussed why the messaged made us feel a certain way. Finally we watched a video about the ‘Magna Carter’ ( a document that establishes the principle that everyone is subject to the law) of online rules. As a class we then thought about what rules we would like to see the internet have to ensure that everyone is safe online.

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We hope that everyone has a fantastic but safe February break!

Miss Anderson & P7

Primary 7, Technologies, Transition, Uncategorized

P7 Transition – CDT with Dr Cherry

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Over the last 5 weeks P7 have been working with Dr Cherry, a CDT teacher from West Calder high school. On the first week he taught us how to draw straight lines without using a ruler, on the second week we learned how to draw geometric shapes. On the third and final week of Dr Cherry coming to our class we drew  3D cubes also we did some shading with help from a colour scale.  On the fourth week we went up to the high school, when we first arrived we had to pick a template of a spatula either a cat or fish, we had aprons waiting for us on our desks so the first thing we did is put them on. Once we had put our aprons on Dr Cherry went through some safety procedures. Once we had gone through safety procedures Dr Cherry then showed us how to draw a line about half a centimetre far from the template then we drew an x on every part which would be the wood that we were going to cut off. We used a coping saw to cut the excess wood off. Today when we went to W.C.H.S  Dr Cherry had cleaned up our spatula then we had to sand it down to make it soft using 2 different types of sandpaper. We were also very lucky to see some of the big machines in action. Then Dr Cherry put olive oil on our hands and we had to  rub it on our spatula to make sure none of the wood came off in our food. At first it was very sticky and not very nice on our hands. When we washed the oil off the spatula and off our hands they were very soft. He then showed us some models that he was working on and trust us they were amazing.

We all enjoyed this experience very much  and cant wait to go to  High School,  we all hope that you enjoyed reading about or transition up to the high school.

written by Olivia, Laura and Caitlin. 044047

English & Literacy, Primary 5, Uncategorized

The Legend of Spud Murphy

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P.5/4 have just finished reading ‘The Legend of Spud Murphy’ by Eoin Colfer. This is a very funny story with interesting characters. It is full of twists and has an important theme running through it about enjoying reading. There have been lots of learning opportunities throughout the four weeks we have been studying it, such as:

  • Discussing and writing about the characters’ attitudes towards books and reading.
  • Exploring the relationships between the main characters and how they change throughout the book.
  • Writing an email in the role of Will (the main character) to one of his friends.
  • Describing the librarian, Spud Murphy, using interesting vocabulary and evidence from the text.
  • Writing an informal letter from Will to his granny about his experiences at the library.

Here are some questions that you could discuss at home about the book. Maybe chatting about it will make you want to read it too!

  • Who was your favourite character and why?
  • Was there anything that surprised you about the plot?
  • Would you recommend this book to a friend and why/why not?

the legend of spud murphy

English & Literacy, Homework, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7, Supporting homework, Uncategorized, Useful Websites

Sumdog

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As P3-P7 now have access to Sumdog to support their learning in maths, and P2-P7 have it to support their learning in reading, P5 buddied up with P3/2 today to show them the wonders of Sumdog. The Primary 5s showed their buddy how to login, how to play some of the games, how to earn coins as well as explained how to get their first pet and how to decorate their Sumdog house.

Sumdog will be used to support learning in school, but can also be accessed at home where the children can complete challenges set by their class teacher. They can access this account at home by using the log in provided in their homework diary/book.

To access Sumdog, go to: https://www.sumdog.com

Community, Events, Health & Wellbeing, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 5, Primary 7, Pupil Council, Uncategorized

Morning Blether: Profiling

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This morning the Pupil Council held a Morning Blether to explain to parents what profiling is, how we are profiling at Mid Calder Primary School and how was can improve our approaches to profiling.
We also shared a new profiling tool that our staff have created in order for parents to understand what a level looks like in Maths and Language. This will be launched at the Curriculum evening on February 25th at 6pm and will be made available to all parents at this event and on the blog.

Thank you to the Pupil Council for organising this event and to the parents who attended, you can find a copy of the PowerPoint below.

http://www.slideshare.net/midcps/profiling-morning-blether

Information for Parents, Newsletter, School News, Uncategorized

January 2016 Newsletter

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Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope that you all had a lovely festive period and wish you all a very happy new year. We have a very exciting term ahead at the school. Every class will experience the curriculum through a topic designed to stimulate children. Primary 1, inspired by British astronaut Tim Peake, are learning about space; Primary 4 and 5 are applying key maths skills in their Grand Designs project and Primary 6 and 7 are going back in time to learn about Jacobites. Primary 2/3 are finishing their topic from last term and before starting a very exciting topic on Mid Calder. You will find more details in your child’s Learning Letter and on the school blog.
Nicola Thompson
Head Teacher

January 2016 newsletter

Community, Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 5, Uncategorized

Grand Designs

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This afternoon, the middle area were lucky enough to have a special visitor to come and help them with their IDL context, Grand Designs. Mr Cargill, the Depute Headteacher at West Calder High School, came to share some wisdom and words of advice based on his experiences of being involved in the design of the new high school. He discussed the budget for the school, how some of the money might be spent, and how he knows that tough budgeting decisions will have to be made based on what’s best for the learners and staff in the school. He also shared the questions that those involved in this process have been asking themselves, some of which were the questions we have been asking during our own design challenge. We also learned about the different places Mr Cargill has gone to find ideas to help him. He even travelled as far as Liverpool to visit a newly built school, speak to those who now learn and work in the school, and to take pictures to remember ideas that he liked. Although we might not make it to England to  get some great ideas, we were certainly inspired by the creative layouts and designs he showed us.

A big thank you to Mr Cargill for sharing his experiences. We can’t wait to use what we have learned in our classroom designs and to share our finished designs with him!