P7 Lego Robots November 27, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P7 , comments closedWell done to the boys and girls of P7 in winning the teamwork trophy today.
Children from both primary 7 classes have been working hard to complete a robot challenge. On Monday, 1st December they will get the opportunity to demonstrate their talents at the University of Edinburgh.
Hopscotch Theatre Company presents - October 15, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P4, P5, P6, P7 , 1 comment so farthe story of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace
Maisie was there too. Can you spot her in the photograph?
A Curriculum for Excellence - Social Studies experiences and outcomes
‘Children and young people participating in experiences and outcomes in social studies will: develop an understanding of how Scotland has developed as a nation, resulting in appreciation of their local and national heritage within the global community.’
P6A K’nex Challenge - Technology October 15, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P6 , add a comment
Primary 6A have been working on a K’nex Challenge. The challenge – using a gym shoe, design a roller skate to fit the shoe and travel at least 1 metre. First of all, they drew their designs and discussed ideas. Next, working in small groups the pupils chose the favoured design and used K’nex to make the model. Finally, each model was videoed to find out if it had met the success criteria. All six models were successful, with some travelling a lot further than 1 metre.
Literacy Circles - P7B October 10, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P7 , 1 comment so farLiteracy Circles in Primary 7 provides a context in which the children can apply reading and writing skills flexibly. The programme is structured for pupil independence, responsibility and ownership and is guided primarily by pupil insights and questions.
Children should: -
• Enthusiastically participate in group work and discussions
• Begin to ask more thought provoking questions
• Follow up others ideas effectively
• Encourage all members to participate
• Disagree constructively
• Ensure their opinions are supported by evidence
• More able children should rely less heavily on notes as prompts
Quotes from the children: -
• “Reading roles test you and make you think about what you are reading.”
• “It is more interesting than just answering questions and it’s good to chat about your work.”
• “Some people never used to read their book, but say they did, with this you actually have to read it.”
• “We get to choose our own books which is good and if we don’t like it it’s our fault.”
African Assembly by P3 October 6, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, Enterprise, Global citizenship, International work, P3 , add a comment
Back Packs for Africa
As you will know, children in P3 are studying Africa this term. Along with the wildlife and landforms, we will be comparing our own way of life to that of many African children. Our children have discovered how privileged they are compared to thousands of others. To encourage our pupils to become Responsible Citizens, we are going to make this year’s enterprise venture Back Packs for Africa. Briefly, thousands of children all over the globe have no school bags! Nor do they have anything to put in them.
The idea will be to collect and fill as many back packs as possible. If you and your child would like to fill a bag, it need not be a new one. Many of our children change their bags to suit the fashion. Poorer children will have no such notions – as long as it is in good condition. Suggested items to put in the back packs are –
exercise books/notepads, pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, rulers, sharpeners, pencil case, towel, school dress/skirt, t-shirt, shorts, flip flops/sandals, small ball (tennis ball), soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, spoon, small toy. REMEMBER, SECOND-HAND IS GOOD!
Any contributions, however small, will be welcome, and our children will be responsible for collecting and organising these back packs. For more information visit: www.marysmeals.org
Thanks for your help.
V. Beveridge/J.Wood (class teachers P3)
P5B The Outdoor Classroom October 4, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, Eco schools, Health, P5 , 2comments
Steve Bretel is an environmental musician. Money was allocated from our lottery grant to provide some of Steve’s workshops on music in the outdoors. So far he has worked with P3, 4, & 5. Future workshops have been arranged with other classes.
P4 and P5 experienced music in our outdoor classroom. P3 participated in a drum circle.
P5A Maths Measuring October 3, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Assessment, Curriculum for Excellence, P5 , 1 comment so far
Measuring the horizontal length of our classroom windows
Estimating the length of the playground steps
Exploring how to measure with trundle wheels
Measuring the circumference of a basket ball
Using team work to record our findings
Estimating the length of the benches
Primary 3 - Drumming October 2, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P3 , 3comments
Woodland Finding October 1, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, Eco schools, P6, School grounds , 3commentsPrimary 6B are studying woodlands. We are comparing our woodland to rainforests.
We went outdoors to take a look at different types of leaves we could find and the different trees around our school. We found more than we expected.
Jack McKenzie found a caterpillar feeding on a leaf. Miss Storrar told us to take it inside and we put it in a tub with some oak leaves. We studied the type of leaf we found it on and discussed what the caterpillar looked like.
We then used a caterpillar identifying website to find out what type of caterpillar it was. http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.com
We looked at various pictures of caterpillars and narrowed it down to a few possibilities.
We decided that it must be a ‘Dichonia aprilina’ caterpillar because of the markings on his body and the type of leaf it was eating, an oak leaf.
We thought it was pretty strange that a caterpillar was out at this time of year, because you rarely see butterflies in the autumn. We then found out that this caterpillar was actually going to turn into a moth. We found a picture of what the caterpillar will look like when it changes! We also learned that his appearance helps it to camouflage, because the lichen on the trees is the same colour as its body.
European Day of Languages September 13, 2008
Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, Global citizenship, International work, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 , 6comments
European Day of Languages is on 26th September and to celebrate this event Mid Calder Primary School is having a French theme. Staff and children are wearing blue, white and red and the upper primaries will be open to parents to wander through and find out about the different French activities their children are learning.
From 8.45 – 10.30am there will be a bistro, with croissants, tea and coffee on sale.
Also during these times, primary 6 have an internet café. It is hoped parents will come and have a look at the new Mid Calder Primary School blog and even leave a comment!
For one hour, between 9.00 and 10.00am, primaries 4, 5, 6, and 7 open up their classrooms for parents to move around and find out about the variety of French learning activities.
Last, but not least at 9.30am primaries 1, 2 and 3 will perform some of the French songs they have been learning with Miss Cotter.
