Mid Calder Primary School Learning Blog

November 12, 2019November 12, 2019

Mummified apples in P3!

P3 were curious to find out what had happened to their mummified apples. Were they the same? Did they look any different? Did they smell any different? P3 have been learning about all things Egyptian and had previously learned about the the mummification process and how something called ‘natron’, helped preserve the body for afterlife.

Using a mixture of salt and baking powder, our version of natron, the children covered a quarter of apple and left another quarter uncovered. We made our predictions, thought about the process and what might happen to each apple. Max and Miah predicted that the apple covered with salt and baking powder would be preserved, Scarlett and Charlotte W predicted that the ‘Nitron’ would dry the apple and make it soggy, and Kristen and Alyssa predicted that the apple in ‘Nitron’ would fizz up and turn brown. We left the apple in a cupboard for 7 days. After 7 days we had a wee look to see what the results were. Some of our predictions were correct. The apple covered in ‘Nitron’ dried out and was a bit sponge like in nature, it had preserved!

P3 are now looking forward to their trip to The National Museum, our Egyptian workshop and looking at Egyptian artefacts first hand.

Miss A

November 11, 2019

#saveourseas

P5 have been engaged in their learning this term through their save our seas IDL this term. Their favourite tasks so far have been creating seascape textured art, exploring a range of different media to create an image. They also learned about the angers of plastic pollution and demonstrated this by adding plastic to sea-creatures. Although P5 enjoyed creating the art work, we discussed how moving the finished product made them feel.

They have also created a “Tweet wall” after finding out that you have to return single use cups to coffee shops to be successfully recycled. They are extremely passionate about this and we plan to send a class tweet to a coffee shop.. watch this space!

November 10, 2019

P1 Descriptive Writing

Primary one have been working hard over this term to learn about the 7 different describing bubbles (colour, shape, number, position, texture, doing and size), using our new whole school writing resources.

We have been using and choosing different bubbles to help us describe ourselves, our class mates and different objects.

Last week we went outside to explore and describe autumn trees, focusing on texture.

This week, we focused on shape and applied what we have learned so far to describe our class T-Rex, who appeared in our class with a mysterious egg!

November 9, 2019

Ready, Steady, Cook with P4

Primary 4 have had a busy term so far and have loved learning all about the journey of food through their Field to Fork IDL Context. The highlight of our IDL has to be our class visit from Jennifer from Scotch Kitchen. We were able to share our learning with Jennifer and also cook Moroccan Spiced Lamb with new and familiar ingredients. The food was delicious and some of us even had second and third helpings!

November 8, 2019

Primary 2/3 become pyramid builders!

Primary 2/3 have loved learning about how and why the pyramids were built as part of our Ancient Egypt IDL. The children had the opportunity to build pyramid using different resources. We had to think carefully when we were building to make sure that each layer was smaller than the one before. This helped to create out pyramid shapes!

November 8, 2019

Tinkering in the Top Block

This term in P6 the children have enjoyed our ‘Tinkering Table’. This learning station has provided them with opportunities to investigate, design, plan, invent, create, rebuild, and construct. The children have enjoyed experimenting, exploring and taking apart objects safely using appropriate tools. P6 have been using screwdrivers and other equipment to get inside the objects and make sense of how they work. Putting them all back together has been more challenging!

Thank you to everybody who donated interested items.

November 8, 2019November 10, 2019

Outdoor Art with P7/6

This term, P7/6 have enjoyed creating artwork inspired by Andy Goldsworthy. We spent time researching and discussing the shapes, colours and materials that he uses in his work. We then spent time in the school grounds looking at the resources available to us. We planned how we might use natural materials to incorporate art techniques such as blending colour. Thinking about the seasons, we were able to layer autumnal colours to great effect. The children were very proud of their efforts. Here are the results: