Author: Miss Diamond

Learning Highlights

This has been a very difficult week for us and we have faced a lot of challenges as a school family. We have tried to continue as normal and the children have had lots of fun learning experiences to help lift spirits!

In numeracy, we have been learning about time and how to convert 12 hour to 24 hour.

In literacy, we made an upper school newspaper called ‘Happy News’! We included happy world news, happy school news, healthy recipes, everyday hero interviews and positive quotes, puzzles and some art work.

Pupil Voice

“I enjoyed finding recipes on the internet and we used a site called BBC Good Food to find these!” – Oma

“I liked making a positive quote because I was trying to keep spirits high at this time!” – Alishba

“I enjoyed making the paper face sculptures using different folding techniques!” – Chloe

“I liked doing numeracy learning about the 12 and 24 hour time!” – Zoe

“I enjoyed basketball because we all had fun together and I even managed to score 2 goals!” – Leo

“I enjoyed interviewing Mrs Roy at the office for our ‘Happy News’ Newspaper!” – Marcus

“I enjoyed writing about our crazy day at school!” – Annayah

“I enjoyed making our own puzzles using a website to create a word search!” – Matthew

“I enjoyed learning how to speak Irish Gaelic with Mrs Docherty on St.Patrick’s Day!” – Alice

Parental Involvement

Help us stay calm and relaxed during this difficult time by participating in some mindfulness activities with us!

Take care and stay safe! Hopefully we see each other soon. J

P5 and Mrs Diamond.

Learning Highlights

This week we have been learning about fractions, decimals and percentages. We have learned how to convert fractions to decimals and percentages and we have also learned about improper fractions.

In literacy, we have been reading our class novel ‘The One and Only Ivan’. We are enjoying this story so far but it also quite sad. We also had the opportunity to meet Dave Sutton, a real life illustrator at the library this week where we got to take part in an illustrating workshop with him. He taught us that you never make mistakes in art it is just about tweaking what you have done to get the end result you are looking for.

In art, we have been making 3D sculptures using paper. We had to use different techniques to create our sculptures including roll, loop, fringe, curl, cut and fold, spiral, crimp, tabs and cone.

In PE we have been playing basketball and were taking part in a friendly class competition where we had to try and get the most baskets. We were in 2 teams and we were using different baskets. This was helping develop our teamwork, leadership and risk taking skills. We had to use our knowledge of shooting strategies to decide on the best option to use depending on where we were situated on the court.

Pupil Voice

“I liked getting to take part in the illustration workshop with Dave Sutton because I got to create my own character and explore the world of art!” – Alishba.

“I liked doing PE because I really like basketball, one because I would like to play in the NBA and two because king of the ring is one of my favourite games!” – Yaroslav.

“I liked doing the 3D paper sculpture in art because we got to learn different techniques that make paper 3D!” – Angelina.

“I liked getting to take part in ‘Chooseday Numeracy’ where I chose to do an outdoor learning task!” – Filip

Parental Involvement

Why not try drawing some of your own illustrations as a family. You could base characters on members in your own family or be creative and come up with new characters.

To help deepen our understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages, why not make some snap cards to practise finding the corresponding fraction/decimal/percentage. We have been focussing on tenths and hundredths.

Have a great weekend, P5 and Mrs Diamond

Learning Highlights

We have continued to develop our understanding of fractions this week. We have been looking at converting fractions to decimals and vice versa and introduced equivalent fractions using a fraction wall. We have had lots of different experiences including written, practical and outdoor learning experiences.

In writing, we have been learning about ‘Discussion’ text. We learned that a discussion text is when you have a 2 sided argument about a topic. We focussed on whether or not children of St.Ninian’s should be allowed to bring devices to school. We learned the key features of a discussion text include a title, and opening statement, series of arguments for and against (must have evidence to back the argument up) and finished with a concluding statement.

In PE, we have moved on to learning about the skills involved in basketballs. We practised dribbling the ball using both hands and had to try and stay in control. For a challenge we had to try and bounce the ball around us whilst sitting on the ground and dribble using alternate hands.

Last week, we had our committees. As part of Fairtrade fortnight, the Mini Vinnies Committee went to Asda to search for Fairtrade products.  One of the activities was to look at the different prices. We found bananas that were Fairtrade and normal and discovered that the Fairtrade were slightly more expensive. We think that Fairtrade bananas may be better quality but also understand that more of the money goes to help support the workers/farmers who have grown these bananas.

To celebrate world book day, we watched the 10 year anniversary of authors live and listened to Jamie Littler and Laura Ellen Anderson discus the importance of characters in a book. We then created 2 characters of our own who had to be different, have different strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes but would work well together as a team.

 Pupil Voice

“I liked making our characters for world book day because we had to be creative!” – Oma

“I liked doing basketball in PE because I am learning new ball skills!” – Alishba

“I liked doing fractions outside using sticks to make a fraction wall and using natural materials to show a particular fraction e.g. 2/5 of 20!” – Maeve

“I enjoyed a workshop from the RSNO and am looking forward to the concert!” – Madison

“I liked doing the world book day characters as I liked getting to design my own and make it personal and unique!” – Ahmad

“I liked PE because I like doing basketball!” – Matthew

Parental Involvement

Create/ build a fraction wall with families in your garden or Local Park using natural materials. Practise aim and shooting skills for basketball using a ball and washing basket at home.

Have a great weekend, P5 and Mrs Diamond.

Learning Highlights

In art this week we have been learning about Fairtrade and were making the Fairtrade logo using collage.

In PE, we have been doing themes, sequences and routines using the apparatus. We had to use our imagination to come up with ideas and then use our teamwork skills to work together to create the final product.

In maths, we have been learning about fractions. We have been trying to find of an amount or quantity. We started with basic fractions and have developed onto finding more difficult fractions.

In writing, we have been writing an explanation about the life cycle of a frog. We had to make sure our text had a title, an identifying statement, an explanation sequence and a summary statement. We had to use verbs and sequential language and make sure it was written in the present tense.

In RE, we have been learning about St. Bernadette. We were learning about her feast day and her life. Did you know that Mary appeared to her 18 times?

Pupil Voice

“I liked doing PE because it was fun doing gymnastics!” – Madison

“I liked doing the Fairtrade logo.” – Alishba

“I liked doing fractions in maths, it was a bit tricky but fun!” – Maeve

“I enjoyed doing gymnastics because we had to do a theme.” – Oma

“I liked doing writing because it was really fun learning about the life cycle of a frog because most of the parts I didn’t know before!” – Angelina

Parental Involvement

We would like to learn about the life cycle of another animal so if our parents could give us an animal to research we could learn about it.

We would also like to try and buy as many Fairtrade products as we can wen doing our food shop with our families. Why not add a photo to one note profile to show us the Fairtrade products you buy.

 

Have a great weekend, P5 and Mrs Diamond.

Learning Highlights

Science

We have been learning about endangered animals and how to classify them. We have been learning about the difference between invertebrates and vertebrates and how they are different. We were looking at mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.

Numeracy

We have been learning about fractions and the correct terminology to use when discussing fractions. We know that a numerator is always the top number and represents how many parts of the whole and a denominator is always on the bottom and represents how many parts altogether. We learned some songs to help us with this.

Literacy

We have been learning about an explanation text and what it is. We were looking at how it differs from a set of instructions and at the important features of this type of text. In spelling, we have introduced ‘wraparound’  spelling to help us try a different way of learning.

HWB

In PE, we have been doing gymnastics, focusing on rolling, balancing, jumping and climbing. We have been working on building up our core and upper body strength.

Pupil Voice

“I really liked learning about fractions because it will make reading recipes easier.” – Yaroslav

“I liked doing PE because I like climbing on the bars.” – Lennon

“I liked doing PE because I liked doing the balances.” – Kayden

“I liked doing art because I liked doing the pendulum painting.” – Alishba

“I like doing the comprehension box!” – Abdullah

Parent Involvement

The children would like to bake a cake or a pizza with an adult at home and cut it into equal parts for each member of their family to put fractions into a real life context.

It is safe internet day next week and we will be focusing on staying safe and using the internet in a respectful way, particularly if using social media.
Please chat with your child about the importance of this. Resources can be found at the website below.

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2020/i-am-educator

 

Have a great weekend, Miss Diamond and P5

 

Learning Highlights

This week some of our highlights include our performance of ‘Scotland the Brave’ for the school and for our parents. We really enjoyed the Scottish treats as a reward afterwards.

We have been learning about negative numbers and enjoyed making information posters that we can use as a helpful hint and put on our maths working wall.

We have been learning about the features of an explanation text and are ready to write our own over the next couple of weeks.

 

Pupil Voice

“I liked practising for the show!” – Alishba

“I liked learning about integers and negative numbers!” – Yaroslav

“I liked doing art. We had to do a portrait of Robert Burns!” – Julia C

“I enjoyed making the poster about negative numbers!” – Elenta

“I liked doing the negative numbers posters. I liked finding out what they are and when you might use them in real life!” – Wojtek

“I liked playing ‘Kahoot’ to play a quiz abut negative numbers because it was challenging!” – Abdullah

 

Parental Involvement

We would like parents to play kahoot with us and focus on negative numbers.

 

Have a great weekend, P5 and Miss Diamond.

Learning Highlights

We have been rehearsing for our Scottish celebration assembly where we are the telling story of Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns and Saint Andrew.

In PE we have started our gymnastics block. We have been focusing on floor gymnastics and making a sequence with a partner and using balances.

In numeracy, we have been learning about factors, multiples and prime numbers. This was quite tricky to begin with but after lot of practise we have now got the hang of it.

In literacy, we have been learning about explanation texts. In an explanation we have to use sequencing words and use a flow chart at the planning stage to help gather and organise ideas.

In art, we have been making a portrait of Robert Burns. We were using pencils to do this.

In technology, we have been introduced to flipgrid

 

Pupil Voice

“I am enjoying doing the show!” – Madison

“I liked doing PE because I liked trying to make a sequence with different types of balances!” – Alishba

“I enjoyed doing PE because we got to make our own balances using different body parts!” – Maeve

“I enjoyed writing a description of a dragon using adverbs, adjectives and verbs!” – Wojtek

“I like rehearsing for the show because we get to see all the different parts and we get tossing songs!” – Oma

 

Parent Involvement

We would like parents to quiz us using questions about factors, multiples and prime numbers.

We would like to make a video using ‘Flipgrid’ at home to help us become more familiar with the app/website.

Try out some yoga at home to help everyone feel calm and relaxed.

 

Have a great weekend, P5 and Miss Diamond.

 

 

Learning Highlights

This week has been fun in P5. We have been busy preparing for the school Christmas Fayre and learning all about enterprise and how to run a successful business.  We made sock snowmen to sell! These were a big hit at the fayre and every single one was sold!

We have been doing Scottish country dancing in PE to prepare for our Christmas party and Mr McCurdy taught us some new dances because we are so good at it.

In art, we learned about an artist called Banksy who is a mysterious stencil spray paint artist.

Pupil voice

“I liked making the snowflakes for our stall at the fair. It was fun because when you were unfolding it, it was a bit like a surprise to see the final result!” – Wojtek

“I really enjoyed making the sock snowmen! It was fun making them and choosing what colours we wanted to use! I chose pink and purple!”

“I liked watching a video all about having a successful business and the importance of cash flow!” – Angelina

“I liked learning about Banksy because he is an unknown graffiti artist!” – James

Parental Involvement

Ask your child how to make a paper snowflake and make some together to complete your festive décor!

Learning Highlights

In maths we have been continuing to develop our understanding of symmetry. We decided to use the outdoor environment to create symmetrical designs using natural resources. We have enjoyed participating in Free Writing Friday again this week. In literacy we enjoyed using the reading comprehension box cards to challenge our understanding of what we read. In PE, we have started our Scottish country dancing block to prepare for Christmas parties.

Pupil Voice

“I liked doing the comprehension box card challenge because you had to try to figure out the answers.” – Alishba

“I liked doing PE because it was fun learning the dances!” – Madison

“I liked doing symmetry in maths because it was fun trying to draw the other half of the picture and it was hard.” – Lennon

“I liked doing art because we got to work in pairs to make a symmetrical design outside!” – James

Parent Involvement

After discussion with the children, they would like parents/guardians to draw one half of a symmetrical design and get your child to complete the other half! Good Luck and enjoy!

 

Learning Overview

This week in P5 we have had many learning highlights.  In maths we have been learning about symmetry and we made links across the curriculum and continued to develop our understanding of symmetry through art.

We enjoyed free writing Friday as it gives us the opportunity to use our imagination.

We had an exciting trip to Jupiter Artland where we got to meet the different sculptures and made our very own journey sticks to bring home.

As part of our writing lesson, learning about writing procedural texts, we made slime. It was a great learning experience for us and made us appreciate the importance of measurements of ingredients when making slime.

Pupil Voice

“I liked doing art because we made a silhouette to celebrate Remembrance Day” – James

“I liked doing the symmetry art because we didn’t just make pictures we also got to use dots and rulers to make a really cool shape!”- Wojtek

“I enjoyed making the journey stick at Jupiter Artland” – Alishba

“I enjoyed the trip to Jupiter Artland and I guessed that the stone on the first sculpture was Obsidian and loved when we got to go into the Amethyst cave!” – Ahmad

“I liked free writing Friday because I wrote about a racing game called “Forza Horizon 4!” – Kayden

Parent Involvement

Big Talk – Ask your child about the key features of a procedural text.

Search for symmetry in your local environment/ play a symmetry game/ design a symmetrical picture together (tip- using graph paper will make this easier….we have tried!).