Category: Primary

 

Broad General Education

The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is Scotland’s education framework for ALL learners; its main aim is to enable children and young people to develop the four capacities; successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. In Orchard Brae School each learner is enabled to become as independent as possible, developing skills for life, learning, leisure and where appropriate work. Our curriculum offer is personalised to each pupil throughout their learning journey, as we maintain a focus on positive future destinations.

Our learners in P1 – S3 work within Broad General Education (BGE) at a level and pace that is suited to their individualised needs.  Personalised targets focus core skill development within Literacy and Communication, Numeracy and Health and Well Being.  The ethos and life of the school community is structured to enable pupils to learn and practise life skills as part of their daily routines. Through interdisciplinary approaches and specialist courses, we offer real life learning contexts, deepening and practicing knowledge and skills within Expressive Arts, RME, Science, PE, Technologies and Social Studies.  Interdisciplinary learning, through ‘Our world’ contexts over a 5 year cycle, facilitates pupils’ exploration, experience and learning which is practiced within community contexts, ensuring confidence and success is generalised and secure.  Family learning is a vital part of our pupils’ success and, along with our termly learning challenges, we offer a range of workshops, activity nights and holiday schemes for families. Achievement and success is recognised and celebrated.

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 27th April

  By , , , , , ,

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/

POSTPONED: Friends of Orchard Brae 5k Fun Run

  By , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 our planned Fun Run is postponed until further notice. We will maintain contact with the City Events Team at Aberdeen City Council and hope that we can have our event at some time in the future. For now, our priority is to keep our school and wider community safe and well.

 

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 20th April

  By , , , , , , ,

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/

Easter Activities

  By , , ,

This is a list of Easter Activities ideas, which can be adapted to your child’s needs.  They are suitable for the whole family.  Remember to take time to enjoy the sounds, smells, sensations as you go

 

  1. Parachute games – get some small teddies or balls and a blanket. Everyone holds the blanket and shakes, quickly, slowly, in time with a song, can you make the toys bounce or roll towards people

 

  1. Decorate boiled eggs – poster paint or felt tips or cut out bits of coloured paper and stick them on

 

  1. Rolling eggs – in whatever outdoor space you have or take them on your daily walk/jog

 

  1. Upcycle some eggs – use cardboard from the recycling bin like a cereal box or pizza box, open it out and paint/draw / scribble inside, before cutting it into an egg shape. You might want to stick it in your window for others to see.  Or you might want to do lots and have an egg hunt in your house

 

  1. Bunny hop races – your garden who can go fastest / furthest / highest

 

  1. Egg and spoon race – use a ball and soup ladel if you are worried about the mess

 

  1. Easter Songs – have an old fashioned singsong with Easter/animal theme – e.g. Peter Rabbit’s got a fly upon his nose. Why not learn the Makaton versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIRpmxkmGE

 

  1. Easter Movie

 

  1. Edible Bird’s nests – make chocolate and cereal birds nests https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/chocolate-rice-crispy-cakes.html

 

  1. Birds nests – collect twigs when out on your walk, when you get home use an old container e.g. margarine tub, snap the twigs into small pieces, enjoy the feel and sound they make. Maybe make a Bird from a pine cone (draw eyes and wings on paper and stick them on) or maybe you will be lucky enough to find feathers on your walk.

 

  1. Easter colouring online – https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/makes/peter-rabbit-make-a-peter-picture?collection=creative-play-for-kids

 

  1. Peter Rabbit Masks – https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/makes/cbeebies-house-lily-bobtail-mask

 

  1. Cut out a large egg shape from old cardboard and use coloured paper or clean food wrappers cut up into pieces to make a collage’s Easter egg, if its big all the siblings can do it at the same time

 

  1. Decorate some biscuits – some supermarkets sell gingerbread kits to decorate.  But Digestives and shortbread work just as well!

 

15. Activity Village have a range of free activity packs for different age ranges including Easter and Spring activities https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/school-closures

(Normally a subscription is necessary)

 

16. Stop and listen to the birds on your walk – they are particularly noisy at this time of year

 

17. Spot the spring flowers on your daily walk – notice the shape, smell, size colour, number of them.  Are they Daffodils or crocuses or Tulips

 

18. Have an Easter egg hunt, indoors or out in the garden.

 

For older students with SUPERVISION

19. Boil eggs

20. Help prepare the Easter meal

21. Toast and spread hot cross buns

Playdough Recipe

  By , , ,

Thanks to Room 12 for sharing their playdough recipe. This works well and can provide a wonderful sensory experience when different scents and colours are added to the mixture. Please keep an eye on your children when they’re using playdough as it’s not ideal for eating due to the high salt content.

 

Playdough Recipe

 

3 cups plain flour

1 ½ cups salt

3 tablespoons oil (e.g. vegetable)

6 teaspoons cream of tartar

3 cups of water

Food colouring/glitter/scents e.g. ginger, peppermint, mixed spice

 

I normally half these measurements and that makes a decent sized amount.

If you’re making more than one batch at a time, start with whatever is the lightest colour.

 

Slow cook altogether in a pan. Keep stirring.

When it starts to stick to the bottom, work it a little longer.

Remove from pan and work the dough with hands.

Wrap in cling film or put in a tub.

This will keep in the fridge for weeks.

Get Active!

  By , , ,

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!

If you would like to share your photos, videos or comments with our school community, please email:

Amy Dunnett (Principal Teacher Primary)

adunnett@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Scavenger Hunts:

The Primary Playground website has some good, ready made ideas for different themed scavenger hunts.  You can find out more at https://primaryplayground.net/scavenger-hunts/

Story Of The Week: The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch

  By , , , , , ,

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.

 

PE with Hannah: Joe Wicks Adapted Sessions

  By , , , , , ,

We’ve had a message that Bumble Bee Physio (find them on Facebook) are doing adapted sessions of the popular Joe Wicks PE. There’s a session at 11 am on Tuesday that may be worth tuning into. If 11 am doesn’t work, please check their Facebook page later in the day as live videos stay up.

The sessions will include options for lying, sitting and supported standing. Perhaps if you have other children at home they could also join in and support their brothers and sisters. Let us know how you get on.

Animal Discovery: Live Webcams

  By , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some of our pupils show an interest in animals and nature. There are Live Webcams at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park that the children may enjoy.

https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/webcams (Highland Wildlife Park)

https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/ (Edinburgh Zoo)

For our Secondary pupils, the National Geographic Kids website can provide more information. Although not all pupils can access it fully independently, there are pictures to look at and discuss, and some interesting video clips to watch:

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/

Have a look and find out what your favourite animals are.

 

 

Fun Activities In Room 10

  By , ,

These are some of the activities Class 10 have taken part in recently. We have enjoyed listening to the guitar-playing of one of our teachers, and having the opportunity to get up close when an instrument is being played, and to touch and to explore as well as listen to it.

We have enjoyed a brief spell of sunshine in the afternoon now that the weather is beginning to improve and have puddled with our feet in paint, looking at the marks we have made. We really enjoyed that.  It was messy and squishy.

We have enjoyed pouring between tins and pots and learning about ‘empty’ and ‘full’ in our maths lessons.

We are doing well at snack times, requesting our food nicely and showing our lovely manners. We all enjoy each other’s company in class 10 and particularly enjoy our sociable activities.