P5 mapping the way for learning.

Maps, maps all around.  The children have all embraced our new topic this week with enthusiasm and interest.  They have seen how we are joining up our learning and developing skills,  in particular through our imaginative writing.  The children have been asked to write an imaginative story about finding a treasure map and then the adventure which follows.  This week the focus was the planning and introduction of the story.  We then used our learning from our Social Studies lesson about the features of a map to design and create our own treasure map to accompany our story.  Here are some of the maps which have been started,

Our Success Criteria is to ensure that we include a TITLE, COMPASS and KEY.  We will then used a tea bag to create an aged staining effect on our map, tune in next week and there will be more photographs of the finished products.

In preparation for next week the children can continue to think about their adventure story and the events which will occur.  We have discussed having a “twist in the tale”, perhaps the treasure is not money, gold and jewels…it might be something completely different!  Get thinking, I can’t wait to read some of your ideas.

Our Maths next week will involve us using measurements and scales from maps to work out distances.   The short video clip (which can be accessed by pasting the below address into your search engine) from the BBC will help the children link their learning in class to real life application of these Maths skills.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/z3rd2hv

Alongside this we will begin to look at different types of graphs and charts through data handling.  To prepare for this you can look at this website, you need to make it full screen and you can differentiate what level you want to work at.  This game will form part of our carousel fruity groups smart starts. Good luck.

http://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/51/bar_charts

The Daily Mile has also been launched this week.  At the minute some of us are finding it quite difficult (especially Mrs Currie).  In improving our general fitness and improving our growth mindset we hope to achieve” healthy bodies and healthy minds make for good learning!”  Next week we will use our Big Talking Book in class to record our own thoughts on the Daily Mile.

Have a lovely weekend, and if you manage a daily mile over the course of the weekend you can post a blog reply telling me all about the route you took (this could link with our Mapping topic if you can draw or mark on a map the route you took!)

Mrs Currie