Numeracy and Mathematics
Our learning this week has progressed from angles to compass points before rounding off the week with coordinates. We have been reading and plotting points in a single quadrant which we discovered is called a Cartesian grid system, based on the theories and work of mathematician René Descartes. It was important to remember to mark our x and y axes with an evenly distributed scale, label them and plot our points precisely. The line where the two lines meet is called the origin (0,0) and a point will never be named O to avoid confusion. We extended our learning to reading and plotting points in four quadrants using negative coordinates before reflecting across both the x and y axes.
Literacy and English
The two reading techniques we have explored this week are pathetic fallacy and dramatic irony. We found that dramatic irony is when the reader of a text is aware of something that the character isn’t. For example, in Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, we used context clues to infer that Bruno should not enter the concentration camp but he was naive as to the dangers that this entailed. We found that pathetic fallacy is when the author reflect human emotions and the mood through inanimate objects, such as the weather. In the penultimate and final chapter of the novel, John Boyne builds tension and atmosphere through persistent heavy rain and a storm approaching.
In writing this week, we have been compiling book reviews of Boy in the Striped Pyjamas that incorporate persuasive techniques and include the main features of this genre of writing. We used questions at the beginning to hook the reader and ensured there was a short summary of events within our initial paragraph. Without giving away the ending, we described the plot and main characters through the use of powerful verbs and adjectives. To conclude, we provided the reader with our personal opinion on the text and gave examples of what we had particularly enjoyed. I think we’d all agree that Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is well worth a read for older children and adults alike!
Health and Wellbeing
In P.E this week we have been developing the accuracy of our slingshot and underarm throw within dodgeball whilst incorporating some thinking skills through Better Movers and Thinkers work. We played in 1v1 situations to strike a central target using both our stronger and weaker arm to throw before moving up or down the league depending on our success. Whilst exchanging dodgeballs we had to ensure that both our feet were off the ground as we received the ball. This led to some interesting methods of catching, including sitting on the ground with our feet up to do so!
The Sports Committee were defining ‘achievement’ this week within a sporting context and coming up with examples of what this may look like. For example, Ellie has achieved through leading her peers, Callum achieved by showing bravery and courage to try a new discipline within fencing and Sarah achieved by persisting for over a year to master a move in gymnastics. We collated our ideas on the board and came up with a ‘recipe for success and achievement in sport’ at Springfield Primary School. This will be displayed in our gym hall in the coming weeks.
Learning Across the Curriculum
Here are some photos from our learning across the curriculum this week, including STEM and Skills for Learning, Life and Work…
Coming Up…
Here are important upcoming dates for the P7 diaries…
- 11.3.19 – Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood lessons begin in Health and Wellbeing
- 12.3.19 – Grant Armstrong and Scott Brown visiting P7 for S1 transition talk
- 12.3.19 – Deborah Paton (Sustrans) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 12.3.19 – Jennie King (NHS – Nurse) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 12.3.19 – P7a pupils to St. Michael’s Day Care Centre (x4)
- 13.3.19 – Scottish Opera performance from 2.15-3.00pm (1 x guest per child)
- 14.3.19 – P7 Information Evening for children, parents and carers at Linlithgow Academy
- 15.3.19 – Natalie Boyle (Eye Surgeon) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 19.3.19 – Richard Vereker (Rope Access Engineer) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 20.3.19 – Denise Schofield (Kilt Maker) visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 21.3.19 – Tom Robison visiting P7 for SfLLW programme
- 22.3.19 – Pupil Voice Committee meetings
Have a great weekend everyone!
P7a and Mr. Logan
