Category: Numeracy

Within the curriculum area of numeracy we aim to enable our pupils to develop skills and knowledge to help them make sense of the world around them.  Numeracy is not only about exploring and mastering skills in counting and developing an understanding of number, but it involves developing a curiosity in the world around us, working out problems relevant and appropriate to the pupils’ age and stage.  We practice numeracy skills across all areas of the curriculum and our targets guide specific numeracy focus within functional contexts.  We aim to progress skills which will enable greater independence as our pupils move through the school toward qualification in the senior phase.  Numeracy is a core skill for life and work; our pupils practice and develop lifelong learning skills in community contexts and at home.

A Busy Week In Primary

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All the staff at Orchard Brae are missing seeing all our pupils every day and we are always eager to see and hear what you’ve been up to.  We love seeing what everyone has been busy doing while they are at home and we have some wonderful photos and videos to share with you this week.

If you would like to share what you have been up to at home, please send any photos or videos 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.

Rainbows

We’re still on the hunt for more rainbows to brighten up our day and to say thank you to everyone who is looking after us.  Here are some we’ve been sent this week.

Working Hard

We’ve been delighted to see how well some of our pupils have been working at home on continuing their learning.
Some have been enjoying spending time listening to stories…

…others have been working on the ‘story of the week’ activities from the website…

…developing their switch skills…

…practising their writing and spelling…

…and finding things to count out on their daily walks.

Getting Crafty

We love seeing how you are all exploring your creative side!

Making Music

It certainly looks like there has been lots of fun making music this week and playing along with the music videos on our website.

Life Skills

We’ve been very impressed with how busy you’ve all been in the kitchen – making cakes, biscuits, smoothies and bread!

And one young man enjoyed spending time outside in the sunshine giving the dollies a good bath!

Having Fun!

Whether you’ve been having fun outside, with your family, on your own or even with you favourite animals, we love seeing your smiles!

We can’t wait to see what you get up to next week!

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 4th May

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Here are some fun activities for you to try at home this week.

Remember, we’re always delighted to see what you’ve been doing so please, feel free to share you photos and videos with us.   Please send any photos via your child’s teacher, the school Facebook Messenger page or email adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  We are having issues downloading videos from the messenger page so if they are too large to send via email, please use a free transfer site such as Dropbox or WeTransfer.

Story Of The Week: ‘We All Go Travelling By’ By Sheena Roberts

This week’s story is one of our favourites from Barefoot Books.  So get ready and hop aboard the yellow school bus as it makes its way through town.

Click below to watch and listen to the story:

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:

Activities1 and 2: Transport Pictures

Activity 5: Transport Colouring In

These can also be downloaded from Twinkl using the following link:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-23663-transport-template-activity-sheets

Other Activity Ideas:

Transport Sorting:

This can also be downloaded from Twinkl using the following link:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-4901-transport-sorting-activity

Transport Pencil Control:

This can also be downloaded from Twinkl using the following link:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-8005-transport-pencil-control-path-worksheets

Science: Forces Experiments

In keeping with our transport theme, we have some fun experiments for you to try based on movement and friction.

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.

 

Learning Grid: Get Active!

Here is a learning grid for Getting Active!  It contains 16 activity ideas for you to help promote physical activity both in and out of the home on a daily basis.

These activity are only suggestions and we would recommend completing one activity each day.  However, we would love to see what other creative ways you and your family are using to Get Active daily!

Links to YouTube Channels and websites can be found below.

Oti Mabuse Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mosetsanagape

Joe Wicks – Body Coach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1

Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.cosmickids.com/

Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Learning Station YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLearningStation

Bumble Bee Physio: https://www.facebook.com/bumblebeephysio/

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 27th April

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Here are some fun activities for you to try at home this week.

Remember, we’re always delighted to see what you’ve been doing so please, feel free to share you photos and videos with us either through the school Facebook messenger page, your child’s class teacher or email adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk

 

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:

Science: Rainbow Experiments

In keeping with our Story of the Week, The Rainbow Fish, why don’t you have a go at some more of our Rainbow inspired science activities?

 

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.

 

Learning Grid: Get Active!

Here is a learning grid for Getting Active!  It contains 16 activity ideas for you to help promote physical activity both in and out of the home on a daily basis.

These activity are only suggestions and we would recommend completing one activity each day.  However, we would love to see what other creative ways you and your family are using to Get Active daily!

Links to YouTube Channels and websites can be found below.

Oti Mabuse Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mosetsanagape

Joe Wicks – Body Coach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1

Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.cosmickids.com/

Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Learning Station YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLearningStation

Bumble Bee Physio: https://www.facebook.com/bumblebeephysio/

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 20th April

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Here are some fun activities for you to try at home this week.

Remember, we’re always delighted to see what you’ve been doing so please, feel free to share you photos and videos with us either through the school Facebook messenger page or email adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk

 

Story Of The Week: We’re Going On A Beat Hunt by Michael Rosen

This week’s book study is a favourite with many of our our pupils – We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.  In this story, a family go on a fun day out, looking for bears and exploring a variety of wonderful places, but they’re in for a BIG surprise!

Below you can read and listen along to the author Michael Rosen retelling the story:

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

 

Science: Rainbow Experiments

The rainbow has become a popular symbol of support during this time, so why not have a go at some of our rainbow inspired science activities!

 

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.

 

Learning Grid: Get Active!

Here is a learning grid for Getting Active!  It contains 16 activity ideas for you to help promote physical activity both in and out of the home on a daily basis.

These activity are only suggestions and we would recommend completing one activity each day.  However, we would love to see what other creative ways you and your family are using to Get Active daily!

Links to YouTube Channels and websites can be found below.

Oti Mabuse Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mosetsanagape

Joe Wicks – Body Coach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1

Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.cosmickids.com/

Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Learning Station YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLearningStation

Bumble Bee Physio: https://www.facebook.com/bumblebeephysio/

Story Of The Week: The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch

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Our Story Of the Week is ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’ by Ronda and David Armitage.  In this story, Mr. Grinling, the lighthouse keeper, finds himself in a disagreement with some ravenous seagulls. See how he comes out on top with a little help from Mrs. Grinling.

You can read and listen along to the story at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46wCRq50Wwg 

There are also activities which you can complete each day which cover a range of curricular areas.  We would love to know how you get on and if you would like to share you photos, videos or comments with our school community, please email:

Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary)

adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Template For Lighthouse:

Story Word Mat

3 Dimensional Lighthouse Model

**Please note that these additional resources can also be downloaded from www.twinkl.co.uk**

You can currently join for free using the code UKTWINKLHELPS.

 

Room 3 – What is Christmas?

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Three weeks ago, Room 3 started exploring the question ‘What is Christmas?’ as part of our Winter Festivals theme and as you will see from the photographs…we have certainly tried our hardest to answer it!  We have been building on our prior learning and have used means of learning which are motivating to help us discover more about Christmas.

We have participated in many music sessions where we have used Christmas props and have been practising our Makaton signing – we look forward to performing some of the Christmas songs to an audience at the show tomorrow.

Exploration of a wide range of objects has happened through Sensology sessions as well as focussed turn taking games as we continue to develop our awareness of each other – Christmas pass the parcel was a lot of fun and we did so well at sharing what we found inside with our friends.  We have explored exchanging money as part of a Christmas counting song where we bought mince pies at the bakers shop.

During free play we have explored a wide range of Christmas items and found some of them very interesting.  One boy found it great fun to knock bells off his standing frame, meanwhile another young lady was delighted to find a chocolate coin hiding in the Christmas exploration bowl as you will see from her selfie!  There have been many Christmas activities set up including festive playdough which we made together and our favourite exploration tubes which we have been motivated to request through vocalising or move towards by crawling or in our equipment.

There are so many lovely Christmas stories and poems and we particularly enjoyed learning about the ‘Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell’ – there was much hilarity as she swallowed bows, parcels, a sack and even a sleigh which we made fly across the classroom!  We learnt about the Christmas story and joined up with friends in Rm 2 and 8 for this – we took on different roles, dressed up and acted the story out.

We have loved exploring Ian Bean’s online Advent Calendar with a daily activity we could do using the switch or eye gaze machines.  The Christmas tree lights have been a real motivator to press the switch for too.

A real highlight was the sensory 12 days of Christmas…unfortunately there was so much fun and hilarity that it was tricky to get still photos but the classroom was very animated as we anticipated each item coming back – one boy was beyond excited about the 5 gold rings which he shook with gusto each time!  There were lights flying, crackers cracking, tooters tooting, Christmas puddings and a beautiful dancing snowflake which sparkled on the tree.

We have been busy doing lots of crafts including using the salad spinners to make pictures for each season – this is definitely one of our favourite art techniques!  We posed to take a picture for our Christmas cards and have done lots of crafts in art with Diane too.  The room smelt amazing when we made jam to take home as a little Christmas gift.

We all looked fantastic today for our Christmas party before going to visit Santa and having a wee sing song with him.

Is it any wonder everyone is tired?!  Yet another busy term in Room 3 with so much hard work.  Enjoy your well deserved holiday and we look forward to what 2020 has to bring.

 

Halloween In Room 3

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The children in Room 3 have been busy having lots of spooky fun this week.  We had our own (home grown!) pumpkin patch in class and enjoyed exploring the story of ‘Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin Picking Plan’.  We went jumping in leaves after sweeping them up, had lots of fun picking the perfect pumpkin while taking in the sights and smells of the patch then it rolled all the way home!  The children particularly liked our very interactive spooky singing session.  We have explored lots of interesting toys and objects which might dance, sing, light up or blow bubbles – some amazing visual and auditory tracking has been happening.  Halloween messy play was a big hit…we tried out jelly, gloop, spaghetti and rice crispies – some of us even tried it out with our feet!  We participated in the school pumpkin carving competition and took great delight in getting hands on with a drill to make a starry night pumpkin.  Everyone looked fantastic in their costumes on the big day itself and we even celebrated a Halloween birthday.  Well done Room 3 for your very active participation.

 

Our First Week In Room 3

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This week the pupils in Room 3 came back to school and some of our pupils celebrated their first day of Primary One.

We explored the story ‘First Day at Bug School’ and the children engaged so well as we moved through the different classes that the bugs attend!  We started the story and went through the grass (Pom Poms helped set the scene!) then listened to the ‘tiny school bell ring’ which took us into bug school.  We started by doing the register where we hid under the cloths before pulling them off our heads just like we do in our class!  In Spider science class we loved watching the water fall down the spout (there was quite a lot of splashing too!), in Ladybird maths class we spun the spinner before listening to/feeling on body counting to the same number, in PE class we worked hard to push the huge gym ball off our trays and it was so much fun to watch it bounce across the classroom and music class with the Crickets was a huge hit too!  Almost as much fun as a day at Orchard Brae.

We are super impressed with how quickly the children have settled into the school routine for the first time/after the long holidays and are very excited for all the learning ahead of us in Room 3 this year.

Looking Back And Moving Forward With Room 8

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The beginning of summer is upon us! As we head into the final stretches of the school year, everyone should take time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. What worked? What flopped? How can you improve for next year? What from your old job will you bring to your new one? What must you definitely leave behind?

However, when we take time to reflect on our year and take stock of how we’ve grown and changed, we are more able to acknowledge the gifts of this passage and harvest our own learning for the future.

Let’s find out together our best moments.

Technology With Room 11

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Technology is fun!

All children in Room 11 have been participating in language and numeracy lessons and have been encouraged to use technology. Some children in our class use switch to operate a range of educational programmes, some use touch screen to navigate pages and the other ones are really good at using eye gaze to wider their experiences and develop communication skills.

We all like our sessions as they are fun!