We were focusing on the critical skill of collaboration and making sure that everyone had a say and that everyone took a fair share in the work.

Mrs Mackay came in to answer questions and support the children. Thank you very much we enjoyed having you and look forward to    seeing you again on the 10th of May.

Social Studies:
We will be mainly looking at democracy and the Scottish Parliament. We will be having a visit from someone from the Scottish Parliament to tell us all about what goes on there. She also, shows us how a debate happens and then we can have fun debating a few issues. We will run our own elections following our “Elections Challenge”.
There will be a mini project set as a homework piece on Lilongwe the capital of Malawi and Edinburgh the capital of Scotland. Some of this work will be done in school, but mostly it is about researching information and selecting what is reliable and interesting. There is a challenge to follow.
We will also be designing a tourist brochure for Gullane and the surrounding area for the visitors who come to the Open. Maybe we can get it put into the local library etc.

Expressive Arts:
We will be writing and performing our own plays this term, based on a short picture story of the pupils’ choosing. We will learn how to set out a play and what makes for an interesting play performance.
I am still trying to source African dance and this is still on the agenda. Failing which we will do some creative dance. Any parents out there interested in teaching a bit of dance? If so please let me know.
In art we are going to be welcoming a local Scottish artist Gail (Pope) McGregor into the class for a few weeks to teach us still life drawing and painting. This should build on the skills that the children have developed so far in line, tone, shade, proportion, perspective and colour. We are also studying Scottish painters and we will hopefully be able to visit our local gallery as they exhibit mainly Scottish artists.

Technology:
We will, hopefully, be working with North Berwick High School on SCRATCH programming this term. I would also like to use Comic Life this term and make greater use of video and filmmaking. This might link to our topic on “designing a brochure on Gullane for the Open” it could perhaps be a video instead.
Lots of the real life maths that we are going to be doing this term will also cover many of the technology outcomes.

HWB (Health and Wellbeing)
This term we will be looking at human organs and moving that work onto the reproductive system and how it works. We will also cover all that happens at puberty for both girls and boys. If parents have any questions or concerns about this topic they should make an appointment to see myself as soon as possible as this work will commence round about week 4. The four sessions will be taught by myself, with the support of a video designed for year 6 children. I have taught this subject for many years and it is all very matter of fact. Be prepared to answer questions for your children as they may feel they cannot ask them in the class – though I would hope they would and a questions box is provided for them.
“The role of being a parent” is an outcome and will be a class discussion.
Keeping myself safe and e-safe will also be taught using interactive based videos with scenarios for discussion.
Substance abuse is also tackled and I usually keep this to one session with the community police. It is tackled again later in school and this is an awareness raising session of what is “out there” and the dangers associated with misuse of any drug. The legal position is also made clear.
We will also look at food journeys and there will be a homework task of looking at your shopping basket and seeing how far the food in there has travelled. There will also be a task on assessing the environmental impact of this.
We will also continue with all the mental and emotional activities that are embedded in our classroom practice.
PE will continue to be taught by Mrs Barclay and be followed up by myself. It might be nice to add in some cricket sessions or tennis session towards the end of term – if anyone knows of anyone who might like to take this on with me.

Maths
This term we will be learning our maths through real life maths scenarios. The children will be working in threes – mixed maths ability- and work through a text- book with a difference. Each text-book is linked to an actual real life job and how maths is used daily in its execution. One is called “Solving a Crime” another “Making a roller coaster” and so on. Within the books all aspects of maths at second level is worked on. As the children come across unfamiliar maths we will have lessons on that aspect so they can complete the job. I am hoping that this will show the children that maths is in everything that we do and it is very, very important to understand it and use it.
Mental maths and class warm-ups will also continue to be a feature.

Reading
Personal reading and book reviews will continue to be a large part of the reading work that we do. We will also be completing a class novel this term where the children will practise their reading aloud skills to the class as we make our way through “Babe”. We will work on performance reading, expression, fluency and accuracy. As we have a class community of trust, it will be taken for granted that all will get the support and encouragement that they need for this work together. We will be able to discuss a variety of aspects of author’s craft as we make our way through the book. When we have finished we will be comparing it to the DVD. Research reading will also feature again this term with the main focus for this being the election work, Lilongwe and Edinburgh comparison and the Gullane brochure.

Writing
We will be continuing with some story writing and also writing plays. I will be looking for the writing to continue to mature and for the pupils to develop greater awareness of engaging the reader in the story through detail on setting, characters’ thoughts, feelings and actions.
Functional writing will take the form of: brochure, manifesto, speeches, advertising posters etc.
Talking and Listening
This is daily and ongoing work through; class discussion and debate, challenges where children have to take on roles and work together, partner work, presentations, reading aloud etc.

Mrs Cunningham will continue to teach RME, practical maths, science, grammar etc.

Important News:
We will have a student teacher this term. She is a Post Graduate student and this will be her final placement before she takes on a class in August. We will make her very welcome; she has a super class to work with.

I am very much looking forward to this term, and I thank you in advance for all the support I know you will be giving to your children.

Mrs McG.

Monday 4th March – 3.50 – 5.30 in blocks of at most 20 minutes
Tuesday 5th March as above.
I hope some of you will find this helpful and opt into one of these dates.