Author: Amy Dunnett

Music With Emmeline – Wednesday 24th June

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Here are today’s musical activities from Emmeline.

Musical Soundscape: A Bird In The Sky

Today’s soundscape is going to be imagining you are a bird soaring through the sky. We have provided this picture of birds flying in a clear blue sky as a visual stimulus but perhaps you would like to close your eyes and imagine you are a bird flying through the sky. Do you have any toy birds or anything that makes the sound you imagine a bird to make as it flies.

Please relax, listen to the music, look at the picture, are there any birds you can see or hear from your window?

Shine: Part 3 – Verse 2

We are now going to sing and sign the second verse of Shine. The words are;

Stop (stop)
Being so hard on yourself
It’s not good for your health
I know that you can change
So clear your head and come ’round
You only have to open your eyes
You might just get a big surprise
And it may feel good and you might want to smile, smile, smile

Don’t you let your demons pull you down
‘Cause you can have it all, you can have it all.

Bedtime Story – Tuesday 23rd June

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Welcome to tonight’s bedtime story.  Every week night we will bring you a bedtime story for you to watch and listen to.  The stories are read by staff and pupils and we hope you enjoy seeing some familiar faces and hearing some familiar voices.

If you would like to join in and record a new bedtime story to share, please contact Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk for more information.

So get comfy and cuddle up because it’s time for a new Bedtime Story. Tonight’s story is…

The Paper Dolls (written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb)

A string of paper dolls go on a fantastical adventure through the house and out into the garden. They soon escape the clutches of the toy dinosaur and the snapping jaws of the oven-glove crocodile, but then a very real pair of scissors threatens.

Music With Emmeline – Tuesday 23rd June

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Here are today’s musical activities from Emmeline.

Musical Activity: Simon Says

Today’s musical activity is going to be a game of Musical Simon Says. Can you listen carefully to what Emmeline plays and play it back on an instrument you have at home? Or can you sing back what she plays or clap the rhythm with your hands? Listen carefully!

Shine: Part 2 – Verse 1

Today we are going to learn the first verse of Shine. Here are the words.

You, you’re such a big star to me
You’re everything I wanna be
But you’re stuck in a hole and I want you to get out
I don’t know what there is to see
But I know it’s time for you to leave
We’re all just pushing along
Trying to figure it out, out, out

All your anticipation pulls you down
When you can have it all, you can have it all.

Bedtime Story – Monday 22nd June

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Welcome to tonight’s bedtime story.  Every week night we will bring you a bedtime story for you to watch and listen to.  The stories are read by staff and pupils and we hope you enjoy seeing some familiar faces and hearing some familiar voices.

If you would like to join in and record a new bedtime story to share, please contact Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk for more information.

So get comfy and cuddle up because it’s time for a new Bedtime Story. Tonight’s story is…

There Was A Wee Lassie That Swallowed A Midgie (written by Rebecca Colby and illustrated by Kate McLelland)

In this hilarious twist on a much-loved rhyme, the wee lassie swallows a succession of Scotland’s favourite creatures to catch that peskie midgie — including a puffin, a Scottie dog, a seal and even Nessie! After all that, she can’t still be hungry?

Google Classroom App

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We are now into our second week of digital learning via Google Classroom and we are delighted with the number of pupils accessing their classes.
 
Following the parental online learning survey, it has been highlighted that there are difficulties with using Google Classroom across different devices. There is an app available which will allow you to access Google Classroom and other GSuite applications via mobile devices which may be helpful to many of our parents. Links to download the app can be found below.
 
Apple Store:
 
Google Play Store:

Children In Scotland Webinars

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Children In Scotland have secured funding from the Wellbeing Fund to deliver five free webinars aimed at parents and carers of children with additional support needs.

The webinars aim to provide a space where people can connect, share and learn together under the guidance of expert trainers. They are also continuing to develop an accessible and varied programme to support children, young people and families.

The online webinars are held throughout July and the topics are listed below.
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Tuesday, 7 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Discussing coronavirus and lockdown with children/teens with ASN
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
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Monday, 20 July 2020, 3pm-4.30pm (FREE)
Supporting children/teens with ASN to manage health anxieties
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
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Thursday, 23 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Understanding children’s rights and additional support requirements
Delivered by My Rights, My Say
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Tuesday, 28 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Creating positive home routines for children/teens with ASN
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
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Friday, 31 July 2020, 3pm-4.30pm (FREE)
Supporting children/teens with ASN with their transition back to schooling
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
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Sessions can be booked via the Children In Scotland eventbrite page (link below) along with further details of their upcoming webinars

Children In Scotland Eventbrite page

Book Bug Online Library Session

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Our colleagues at Aberdeen City Libraries are continuing to deliver Book Bug sessions digitally via their Facebook page and YouTube channel every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while libraries are closed.

They had planned to have Gill White author of “Leo and the Lightning Dragons” deliver a sensory storytime as part of the Bookbug Week celebrations but sadly that had to be postponed. However Gill has kindly recorded a storytelling session and a version signed in Makaton which will be shared this week (week beginning 22 June) to mark Childrens’ Hospice Week. The library service will also share activities related to the book and highlight stories which help children explore their emotions and develop communication.

Please feel free to join in by visiting Aberdeen City Libraries website and social media

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 22nd June

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Our Google Classrooms have gone live!  Your child’s teacher will be using Google Classroom to share activities with you but we are aware that some families are waiting on technology and other supports to enable them to access Google Classroom so we will still be posting a selection of activities here too.  If you haven’t logged in yet or having difficulty accessing Google Classroom please contact your child’s teacher who will be able to offer you support and advice.  Here is a short video to show you some of the exciting things happening on Google Classroom.

If you would like to share how you have got on with our activities, please share any photos via your child’s teacher, through Google Classroom, the Orchard Brae School Facebook Messenger page or email Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  Downloading videos from the Orchard Brae School Facebook Messenger page appears to be working again (fingers crossed!) however if you are having any issues, please send them using a free transfer site such as Dropbox or WeTransfer.

Virtual Sports Day:

This week we are holding our first ever Virtual Sports Day and we would like to thank our PE teachers, Amanda and Salvi for organising this.  Our Virtual Sports Day will start on Monday 22nd June and we would love for as many of our pupils, families and staff as possible to join in.

There will be 8 challenges for you to try at home and you will have the whole week to complete as many challenges as you can. Each challenge will have a short video clip which will include a demonstration of the task and suggested equipment to use. Challenges can be copied, adapted or you can even devise your own.

If you would like to participate, please check your child’s ab-ed.org email where you will find an invitation to join and access the Virtual Sports Day Google Classroom.

Story Of The Week: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

This week’s story is a wonderful shimmering underwater adventure – The Rainbow Fish.  Troughout this story, the Rainbow Fish gradually realises the importance of friendship and sharing!

Using the link below you can watch and listen to the story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifXlc0QI2kY

The book study below has some great activities for you to try at home based on the story.

Links and additional documents to support the activities can be found below:

Activity 1: Fish Outlines

Activity 3: Aquarium Sensory Bag

Activity 5: Fishy Biscuit Recipe

This recipe can also be found at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easiest-ever-biscuits

Other Activity Ideas:

Be Resilient!

Education Scotland, in conjunction with Aberdeen City Council, produced a Resilience Alphabet full of fun think, say, do activities designed to promote resilience and develop coping strategies.  There are a series of activities for each letter of the alphabet, so pick a letter and give it a go!

https://education.gov.scot/improvement/scotland-learns/health-and-wellbeing-activities/resilience-alphabet/

Learning Grid: Life Skills

Here is a learning grid for Life Skills.  It contains 16 activity ideas for you to help develop and promote your child’s independence in a range of household and life skills tasks.

These activities are only suggestions and we would recommend that, where appropriate, you adapt these activities to meet your child’s ability level.

Expressive Arts – Week Beginning 22nd June

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We have some more activities from our Expressive Arts team for you to enjoy at home throughout the week.

There is an art activity from Diane for you to copy and drumming from Keith.  There is also information about Sam’s online dance classes and don’t forget that Emmeline’s musical activities will be posted daily.

And finally, get ready to join Keith and Emmeline in a pirate adventure on the high-seas in this week’s Trash Band!

If you would like to share how you have got on with our activities, please send any photos via your child’s teacher, the Orchard Brae School Facebook Messenger page or email Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary) adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  Downloading videos from the Orchard Brae School Facebook Messenger page appears to be working again (fingers crossed!) however if you are having any issues, please send them using a free transfer site such as Dropbox or WeTransfer.

Art: Waterscape Reflections

Art: Rotary Appeal

Bon Accord Rotary Club are hoping to spread some joy by organising for pictures to be sent to care homes and to those living on their own.  The theme for the images is ‘The Seaside’ and they would like you to get involved so get your creative imaginations going and help to brighten up someone’s day.  Full details of how to participate can be found in the picture below.

Drumming: Session 12 – Notation Continued

Dance: Online Classes

Sam is holding two online dance classes this week on Wednesday 6th May and Friday 8th May at 1pm.

Both of these classes will be taking place through his YouTube channel.  You can join in by searching Sam Stephen on YouTube or you can subscribe to his channel by following the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqBDh0VNpocZvdW29VlfPg/

Trash Band:

Music With Emmeline – Monday 22nd June

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Here are today’s musical activities from Emmeline.

Vocal Warm-Up: Horse

This week’s vocal warm-up is going to be making the sounds of a horse! Can you take a deep breath in and make a horsey sound with Emmeline to warm up your voice?

Shine: Part 1 – Chorus

This week’s Makaton song is going to be ‘Shine’ by Take That. A song that we are sure most of you are very familiar with! Today we are going to learn the chorus, the words are;

So come on, oh come on, get it on
I don’t know what you’re waiting for
Your time is coming don’t be late, hey hey
So come on
See the light on your face
Let it shine
Just let it shine
Let it shine