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P7 Lego Robots November 27, 2008

Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P7 , comments closed

Well 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 far

the 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.’

Hopscotch Theatre Company performed a play about William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Below is a short excerpt.

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.

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Literacy Circles - P7B October 10, 2008

Posted by wgordon in : Curriculum for Excellence, P7 , 1 comment so far

Literacy 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 , 3comments

Primary 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.