Throughout May, our interdisciplinary learning (IDL) topic has been working towards completing the John Muir Discovery Award, and then preparing for our class assembly on presenting this learning. In literacy, we have been writing biographies of John Muir and revising apostrophe rules. In numeracy, we have been learning about different types of angles and using protractors to measure, and draw angles.
Below is a summary of our learning concepts in outdoor learning and some pictures from our learning experiences. Mostly all of our learning experiences took place in the woodlands just next to our school.
We learned about the Scottish access outdoor code, and created social media style short videos explaining the principles and choices you can make to follow them
We felt that the woods could do with a wee tidy up and so following the way of John Muir, we decided to go on a class litter pick to get the area ready for all of the classes in the school
We also built small teepee fires, and safely lit these. We learned about the fire triangle and worked in teams when the fires wouldn’t light
We learned how to tie two different camping knots - the bowline knot and the taut line hitch. These are knots that can hold our body weight and don’t over tighten. Even when we used them for zip lines, it was easy to undo them. We used these knots to create what is called an A Frame Tarp shelter
We collected rocks and painted them to decorate an area of the playground just outside the outdoor learning container
We learned making 4 and 6 figure grid references using ordinance survey maps. We also learned how to measure the approximate age of a tree. Did you know that if you measure the circumference of a tree at 1.5m high, you can divide the circumference by 2.5 to get an approximate tree age? This is because trees grow 2.5cm in width on average each year
We went on a local community hike and applied our map reading skills to identify where we were on the map at a given time and discussed north, east, west and south directions…
In listening and talking, and reading, our learning targets are to:
Ask and respond to literal, inferential and evaluative questions to inform their understanding.
Recognise and discuss aspects of writer’s craft, for example, theme, style, setting, character, to show an understanding of techniques.
In writing, our learning targets are to: Uses sentences of different lengths and types and varies sentence beginnings. • Links sentences using a range of conjunctions. • Uses paragraphs confidently to link separate thoughts and ideas. • Writes in a fluent and legible way
Use sentences of different lengths and types and varies sentence beginnings.
Link sentences using a range of conjunctions.
Use paragraphs confidently to link separate thoughts and ideas.
Writes in a fluent and legible way.
We are learning about time, and our learning targets are to:
Reads and records time in both 12 hour and 24 hour notation and converts between the two.
Knows the relationships between commonly used units of time and carries out simple conversion calculations, for example, changes 1 3 4 hours into minutes.
Uses and interprets a range of electronic and paper-based timetables and calendars to plan events or activities and solve real life problems.
Calculates durations of activities and events including situations bridging across several hours and parts of hours using both 12 hour clock and 24 hour notation.
We will also be learning about angles, and our learning targets are to:
Measure and draw a range of angles to within o ± 2.
Knows that complementary angles add up to 90° and supplementary angles add up to 180° and uses this knowledge to calculate missing angles.
Uses knowledge of the link between the eight compass points and angles to describe, follow and record directions.
Interprets maps, models or plans with simple scales, for example, 1 cm:2 km
We are learning about relationships, sexual health and parenthood, and our learning targets are to:
Describe human conception and birth, for example, sexual intercourse, egg and sperm, giving birth.
Gives reasons why contraception may be used, for example, to prevent pregnancy and infection.
Describes some symptoms of pregnancy.
Describes skills and qualities required to be a parent / carer, for example, commitment, love, patience, sense of humour.
Our interdisciplinary learning (IDL) topic this term is caring for our local environment. We are undertaking the John Muir Discovery award which means lots of outdoor learning and the development of skills in:
Filming and editing a social media style short video on the Scottish outdoor access code in the local woods.
Working in small groups to build shelters when learning about knots.
Collecting firewood and being safe around campfires.
Learning about 4 and 6 figure grid co-ordinates and mapreading on a local community hike.
Applying our measurement skills to build a birdbox out of wood. Being safe when using tools.
Demonstrating care for our local community by working in groups to go on a team litter pick to make our local woods look, and feel better.
In literacy, we have almost completed our class novel "Varjak Paw" by SF Said and have been discussing the importance of individuality, believing in yourself and speaking up for what is the right thing to do through the events in the story. In writing, we have completed a balanced discussion essay on the advantages and disadvantages of homework and have also written Spring poems which follow a rhyming pattern. Below are some examples of our excellent poetry and creativity skills.
In numeracy, we have moved on to learning about time - converting 12 and 24 hour timings and also using the empty number line strategy and the counting on method to calculate time durations.
In topic, we have been learning about the Scottish conservationist John Muir ahead of our outdoor learning topic in Term 4 when learners will undertake an outdoor learning programme as part of their John Muir Discovery Award. Through this context, we have also learned to identify locations using 4 and 6 figure grid references.
We have recently made Easter bonnets for our upcoming class parade and revisited and rented books from St Ninians Library - thank you to Miss Gray and the parents and carers who supported the trip. Below you can see us in our bonnets holding our newly rented books.
In literacy, we have almost completed our class novel "Varjak Paw" by SF Said and have been discussing the importance of individuality, believing in yourself and speaking up for what is the right thing to do through the events in the story. In writing, we have completed a balanced discussion essay on the advantages and disadvantages of homework and have also written Spring poems which follow a rhyming pattern. Below are some examples of our excellent poetry and creativity skills.
In numeracy, we have moved on to learning about time - converting 12 and 24 hour timings and also using the empty number line strategy and the counting on method to calculate time durations.
In topic, we have been learning about the Scottish conservationist John Muir ahead of our outdoor learning topic in Term 4 when learners will undertake an outdoor learning programme as part of their John Muir Discovery Award. Through this context, we have also learned to identify locations using 4 and 6 figure grid references.
We have recently made Easter bonnets for our upcoming class parade and revisited and rented books from St Ninians Library - thank you to Miss Gray and the parents and carers who supported the trip. Below you can see us in our bonnets holding our newly rented books.
In literacy, we have been reading our class novel "Varjak Paw" by SF Said. So far, we have been discussing the themes of courage, and family relationships which have been present in the opening chapters. In our bug club reading programme, we are developing confidence using quotations in our written answers to reading questions. Learners are doing well coming up with different phrases to introduce quotations that is different from "I know this because it says in the text..." Well done to all as this is by no means an easy skill to learn and apply when in P6! In extended writing, we have been writing scientfic reports on the impact of smoking. This is also part of our HWB topic on legal and illegal drugs and their effects.
In numeracy, we have completed our fractions topic, and are now undertaking learning tasks on percentages. Learners have done well in applying their learning from fractions in this topic, particularly when they have been calculating percentages of an amount. We have also learned how to convert fractions to percentages by dividing the numerator by the denominator and then multiplying the decimal number by 100 using calculators.
In topic, we have been learning about Scottish landmarks, inventors and their inventions. We are working in pairs to create a presentation for the class on an inventor of our choice. Following this, we will learn about the geography of Scotland, and use our topic to learn more about map reading skills and co-ordinates in maths - both on paper and digital maps.
We continue to enjoy our weekly Mandarin sessions. We are currently working on learning numbers within 20. We have also learned how to say colours in Mandarin. We continue to explore songs, rhymes and playground games from China whilst learning about the culture and lifestyle.
A huge thank you to P3H for letting us be your reading buddies this month. This was a special experience in which learners came together from different year groups to read to one another and apply their reading aloud skills. P6 learners demonstrated great leadership skills and were excellent role models to our younger leaders. Please see some of the pictures below!
In literacy, we have been reading the short novel "The Longest Night." This is part of our bug club reading programme. So far, we have been revisiting skills from term 1 focussing on using evidence from the text/ quotations when answering inferential questions.
In numeracy, we have been calculating the perimeter, area and volume of shapes using formulae. We have also launched our new topic on fractions.
In topic, we started off this term by looking at the life and work of Robert Burns and have worked in groups to recite the Scottish poem "Beasties" by Helen Cruickshank. Well done to learners who performed a solo recital in the class competition - Tegan, Aria, Tawsul, Eilidh, Josh, and Owen. Well done to Tegan who came 1st place, and Aria who came 2nd place in this class competition.
In PE, Mr Logan has been teaching football skills and Mr Kirk has been leading gymnastic lessons. So far, learners have created group balances and solo gymnastic routines as well as having fun on the indoor climbing frame. All learners have made progress in their forward and backward rolls and some learners have been developing their cartwheel and round off skills.
In art, we have been applying our sketching skills and knowledge of colour theory from term 1 within our pointillism topic. We then created our own version of Georges Seurat's "The Seine at Le Grande Jatte."
In literacy, we successfully finished our Christmas stories “Stuck inside of a snow globe.” Writing skills and use of figurative language techniques for all learners have improved by doing this project so a massive well done to all learners and a huge thank you to parents and carers who came to our literacy showcase of learning to read our stories.
In numeracy, we decided to focus on measurement conversion and so our topic on fractions, decimals and percentages will begin in January 25. All learners were able to measure accurately to 0.5cm when designing their Christmas story front covers and for creating Christmas cards. These were good opportunities to then learn about converting mm to cm and m and vice versa!
P6K performed our song “Hot Chocolate” amazingly at the Christmas concerts and many thanks to Josh and Luca who accompanied Mr Kirk on his guitar with Josh playing guitar and Luca playing his trumpet.
Our Christmas party was great fun too! This was a special afternoon with all learners demonstrating kindness and positivity towards one another. All learners, Mr Kirk and Miss Hutchison had an absolute blast!
And finally, thank you to Mr Logan for the indoor Santa dash on the final day of term!
From all in P6K - have a great Christmas and see you in the New Year!
In literacy, we have been busy writing our Christmas stories based on the title “Stuck inside of a Snow Globe.” Throughout this project, we have been learning about figurative language, use of quotation marks and sentence openers. Before we started writing our chapters, we worked in groups to create short descriptions to apply our figurative language skills. Take a look at some of our group writing in the pictures below – can you spot examples of similes, metaphors and personification?
In numeracy, we have been learning to add different money amounts and then using our answers to calculate change by counting up using empty number lines. In December, we move on to learning about fractions, decimals and percentages which will continue to be our focus in Term 3 after the school holidays. We have also learned to convert between grams and kilograms and then applied this understanding in the school lab when we worked in groups to bake brownies. Thank you to Miss Gray for leading this lesson with the class!
As the start of December approaches, it is sadly time to say goodbye and good luck to Miss Gray who has had a hugely successful placement with us. Everyone at Borestone PS would like to wish her all the best as she returns to Stirling University to complete her final year before becoming a probationary teacher in August 2025.
In literacy, we started our new group reading novels and have been learning about figurative language techniques in imaginative storywriting. Soon we will start writing out Christmas novels where we will apply our understanding of figurative language techniques. So far, we have learned to identify and write similes, metaphors, hyperboles and use of personification to enhance our description.
In numeracy, we will be applying our learning on the four operations from Term 1 within the context of learning about money. After this topic, we will be moving on to learning about fractions and data handling.
In HWB, we will be learning about personal and food hygiene as well as preparing and cooking up some healthy dishes! We will also be developing our skills in handball in PE with Mr Logan and will be learning four different Scottish ceilidh dances for our P6 Christmas Party with Mr Kirk.
Stay tuned for more information, and photographs of our learning outlined above in November’s update!
In literacy, we are developing our note-taking and summarising skills and are now exploring how to write newspaper reports. Well done to our first six star writers of Term 1. In their diary extracts, they applied their understanding of using the first person and adjectives to convey feelings as well as varying their sentencing and paragraphing.
In numeracy, we are learning about different types of strategies for the four operations in maths. We are already applying some of these strategies in our problem solving lessons. All learners are collaborating well in their problem solving groups and we are looking forward to tackling more multi-step word problems in numeracy lessons and problem solving lessons going forward.
In art, we have been learning about the colour wheel, and how primary colours are mixed to create secondary colours. In our artwork below, we mixed primary colours to create background colours for the night sky and our ocean and then added white to create tints/ lighter shades of these colours. We then applied our cutting and gluing skills to create a collage of the Titanic sinking. Well done to those who were chosen to have their artwork displayed.
In HWB, we recently considered our own individual coping strategies for dealing with tricky emotions.
Please have a look at some of our September pictures below!
Primary 6K have made a great start to the new school year and have been very busy working through their new topics. Here are some of the most significant aspects of learning we have covered so far.
In literacy, we have been reading Below Deck! A Titanic story by Tony Bradman. We have been learning to answer comprehension questions and leave evidence in our written answers when completing inferential questions. We have also used this text to develop our note-taking and summarisation skills. In extended writing, we are enhancing our description by writing diaries from the viewpoint of the main character in this novel and will be focusing on handwriting, grammar and punctuation across our diary entries.
In numeracy, we have been learning about place value, rounding and addition and subtraction strategies.
In HWB, we have been learning about our individual coping strategies for our mental health. We have already considered our confidence crew and have created our own confidence crew posters. In PE, Mr Logan is developing the children’s basketball skills on Mondays and Mr Kirk is leading a unit on invasion games on Thursdays.
We have revised all articles in the UN Convention on a Rights of a Child (UNCRC), specifically looking at article 28 - every child has a right to an education. Through these discussions, we then generated a class code for behaviour and positive choices so that we always do our best to make sure everyone’s right to learn is being met. This is called our class charter.
Stay tuned for more information, and photographs in September’s update!