Newsletter
Spring 2022
Languages and Literacy
This term, Primary 7 have engaged in a range of literacy experiences. Some of our children had the opportunity to create their first critical essays on 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. We also embedded Reciprocal Reading strategies into our week, to give pupils the opportunity to explore and discuss novels without adult input. Learners also had the opportunity to write for a real purpose, writing brilliant descriptions for our Robertson Homes Project. Our weeks would not be complete without a class debate, where learners have discussed issues such as modern art, alien life, and the origins of the universe! Reading for enjoyment still plays a large part in our day, as we continue to read for pleasure for 20 minutes each day to develop our vocabulary and improve our writing.
Reciprocal Reading: Learners take on different roles to understand their text in-depth and ask high quality questions.
Critical Essay: Pupils read an abridged version of 'Little Women' and chose their own essay question to reflect their interests. Topics included wealth, gender roles and the place of women in society.
Winning smiles: Our Robertson Homes winners posing outside of the Stewart Garden Room showhome. Their writing was featured in press materials for the company, with an accompanying video which you can access here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0jBRpdHCtA
Numeracy and Mathematics
In Numeracy and Mathematics, pupils have been working with a range of concepts including: Triangles and their properties, data handling, fractions/percentages/decimals, and measure. Pupils have had the opportunity to apply their skills in a range of different ways, by creating accurately measured Viking Longboats and scale-model planets. They have also completed research on a range of scientists and mathematicians through our 'Boffin of the Week' work, in which they research and present information on the life of a famous 'boffin'. This term, learners will be preparing for high school by completing work on algebraic reasoning, circles and their properties, and angles.
Complementary and Supplementary angles: Children created posters to showcase the difference between complementary and supplementary angles and created problems for their friends to solve.
China Project (Data Handling): As part of our interdisciplinary learning project, pupils gathered information on an aspect of Chinese life that interested them, then selected the most appropriate type of graph to showcase their information.
Scale Drawing: As well as creating model planets, pupils have also had the opportunity to draw small-scale replicas of famous landmarks. Children were to gather the exact measurements of the landmark, choose an appropriate scale, and then recreate it accurately using a rule to check their work.
Health and Wellbeing
In P.E. this term, pupils have been developing their fitness and athletics skills through a range of stations and group activities. Learners have been encouraged to track their stamina by recording their scores and setting manageable goals for themselves. In class, we have been discussing friendship by creating advertisements for an ideal friend and crafting short dramas centered around common friendship issues. This month, Primary 7 also had the chance to visit Lockerbie Manor where they developed their teamworking skills and engaged in lots of vigorous outdoor pursuits.
Ismail flying high on Lockerbie's 'Crate Stack' -using his balance to stay put and receiving lots of encouragement from his classmates.
Getting ready to race: Children enjoying a wheelbarrow race as part of 'movement hour'.
Party time: Pupils getting ready to spend some time with friends at Lockerbie.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Primary 7 have recently completed a block of learning on 'The Vikings' where they completed research projects, timelines of historical events, and even made historically accurate Viking longboats using their design and engineering skills. They have also looked at China's language and culture and explored how the land is used in cities versus the countryside. Primary seven have also been looking at Banksy as part of an artist study, in which they learned about the artist and recreated their own protest art on a subject of their choice. They are currently taking part in an artist study on Vincent Van Gogh, looking at his life and works and recreating their own 'Sunflowers' or 'Starry Night' painting. Primary 7 will also continue to learn about space as they create their own scale planets and take part in a 'soft-landing' STEM experiment.
Ship-Shape! A group showcasing their Viking longboat to the class, explaining their design process and choice of materials.
Ni hao: Pupils show off their traditional Chinese calligraphy and paper lanterns. Accompanied by lots of Mandarin songs, of course.
Viking Research: A super example of some research using primary and secondary sources, combining text and layout to create an engaging piece of work.
So...What's next?
After the holidays, Primary 7 will start to look at their next Interdisciplinary topic which focusses on Scottish artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. They will be working with textiles to recreate his raincoat for the modern age and will be looking at the links between his work and the architecture of Glasgow. They will also be looking at land-use with Mr Edge, creating their own eco-friendly housing development (watch out, Maidenhill!).