What a busy week in P7a! Here’s what’s been going on…
Numeracy and Mathematics
Our learning this week has allowed us to extend our knowledge of angles. We started on Monday by recapping on our prior knowledge of angle types and identified examples of these in school, the playground and the wider built environment. These were acute, right angles, obtuse, straight lines, reflex and complete turns. Following on from this, we were able to measure and draw angles of varied sizes using a protractor. Angles can be named using the letters representing the arms (lines) and vertex (where the lines meet). The vertex must always represent the middle letter, e.g. < ABC where B is the vertex. We have also been introduced to complementary, supplementary and vertically opposite angles. Complementary angles add up to 90°, supplementary to 180° and vertically opposite angles are always the same.
Literacy and English
Yesterday, we finished reading Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which has been our shared reading text over the past few weeks. We discussed different symbols within the text and the themes that they represent. For example, Ethan commented on the fact that the striped pajamas symbolised the persecution and dehumanisation of Jewish people. A fantastic and worthy contribution! There were a number of context clues within the final chapters which we used to infer what was going to happen. We found the ending to the story incredibly powerful and rather upsetting. Although it was hard to listen to, we all agreed that the key learning point to take from the story relates closely to the final line; “Of course, all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age”. Always be kind to others and treat people fairly. Race, religion, skin colour, gender, physical appearance and sexual orientation are irrelevant. We are all human beings, so celebrate diversity and allow equality to prevail. On Thursday, Miss Baillie and Mr. Ritchie visited class to see what a writing lesson looks like in P7a. We were writing letters from the perspective of a child evacuee in WWII whilst attempting to portray their feelings and emotions during this traumatic experience. Finley was chosen as our Star Writer for February and we’re incredibly proud of him. What a great addition he has been to our class and school!
Health and Wellbeing
Our football season kicked off on Tuesday at Xcite, with 30 of our footballers in action. Mr. Logan was incredibly impressed with the positive attitude, enthusiasm, sense of fair play and skill level demonstrated by all children. He’s incredibly confident that it will be another successful year for our football teams, as they follow in the footsteps of last year’s trophy winners. Thank you to Miss Baillie, Mrs. Tomczynski and our former pupil Robbie Tomczynski who assisted with the coaching on Tuesday afternoon. We couldn’t have managed without them!
In P.E this week, we were continuing to develop our skills in dodgeball before applying these in different match adaptations. Below you can see some of us practising our throwing and catching. In between each throw, we had to create a finger-tap sequence (our fingers were numbered 1 to 4) before catching the ball. As we improved our ability to do so, we added in 5th and 6th numbers to our sequence before sharing these combinations with a learning partner. In game situations, we developed the accuracy of our throw by not only trying to eliminate opponents but also striking targets on our opponents’ side of the court. Next week we aim to further improve our peripheral vision, spatial awareness and positioning.
Learning Across the Curriculum
As part of the Developing the Young Workforce initiative (DYW) our Skills for Learning, Life and Work programme continued this week with four more visitors in class. We welcomed in Marlous Peterse (a Theatre Manager), Ben Johnson (an aircraft engineer), Joe and Claire from Sygenta (agrochemicals) and Iain Fyfe (volunteer in school, retired HR Manager and ex-professional referee). These visits have been a fantastic learning experience, allowing us to extend our knowledge of the variety of careers, occupations, business and workplaces out there. The important message this week was not to assume that everyone leaves school, goes to college or university then finds a job in that field. Our visitors alluded to the fact that everyone’s journey into work takes a different route and there really is no right or wrong way to get there. Find something which is suited to your unique skill set and make sure you’re passionate about it! We look forward to hearing from more visitors next week including a Procurator Fiscal, Defense Lawyer and Policewoman.
Coming Up…
Here are important upcoming dates for the P7 diaries…
- 4.3.19 – Deborah Demick (Procurator Fiscal) and Neil Hay (Defense Lawyer)Â visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 4.3.19 – After school football outdoors from 3.15-4.15pm
- 4.3.19 – Football kit to be returned please
- 5.3.19 – Scottish Opera workshop (all day)
- 6.3.19 – Claire MacPherson (Police Scotland) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 7.3.19 – P6 Fairtrade Bake Sale
- 8.3.19 – World Book Day assembly
- 8.3.19 – Pupil Voice Committee meetings
- 11.3.19 – Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood lessons begin in Health and Wellbeing
- 11.3.19 – Fidelma Guest (Dietician)Â visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 12.3.19 – Grant Armstrong and Scott Brown visiting P7 for S1 transition talk
- 12.3.19 – Deborah Paton (Sustrans)Â visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 12.3.19 – Jennie King (NHS – Nurse)Â visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 14.3.19 – P7 Information Evening for children, parents and carers at Linlithgow Academy
- 15.3.19 – Natalie Boyle (Eye Surgeon)Â visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
We’ve lots to look forward to! Have a great weekend everyone!
P7a and Mr. Logan
