Google Classroom App

  By ,
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:

Autism Outreach Service – Free Webinars from Children in Scotland

  By ,

 

 

Children in Scotland is a national charity that is delivering some free webinars throughout the month of July. The webinars are on a range of topics and are aimed at parents and carers of children with additional support needs. The webinar titles and dates are listed below.

If you are interested in joining in one of the webinars you can book by clicking the link here which will take you to the Children in Scotland booking page on eventbrite.

 

Tuesday, 7 July 2020, 10.30 till 12.00

Discussing coronavirus and lockdown with children/teens with ASN

Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy

 

Monday, 20 July 2020, 15.00 till 16.30

Supporting children/teens with ASN to manage health anxieties

Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy

 

Thursday, 23 July 2020, 10.30 till 12.00

Understanding children’s rights and additional support requirements

My Rights, My Say

 

Tuesday, 28 July 2020, 10.30 till 12.00

Creating positive home routines for children/teens with ASN

Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy

 

Friday, 31 July 2020, 15.00 till 16.30

Supporting children/teens with ASN with their transition back to schooling

Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy

 

 

 

Children In Scotland Webinars

  By

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.
________________________________________
Tuesday, 7 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Discussing coronavirus and lockdown with children/teens with ASN
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
________________________________________
Monday, 20 July 2020, 3pm-4.30pm (FREE)
Supporting children/teens with ASN to manage health anxieties
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
________________________________________
Thursday, 23 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Understanding children’s rights and additional support requirements
Delivered by My Rights, My Say
________________________________________
Tuesday, 28 July 2020, 10.30am-12pm (FREE)
Creating positive home routines for children/teens with ASN
Delivered by Corrie McLean, Three Sisters Consultancy
________________________________________
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
________________________________________
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

  By

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

Secondary Update: Wk Beg. 22nd June 2020

  By , , , , , , , , ,

We had a very successful start to the use of our Google Classrooms last week with a large number of pupils getting involved and lots of positive feedback. Some of our Senior classes have very much enjoyed catching up on Google Meets and it’s been lovely for our staff to see you all ‘in person’ and chat with you as we’re all missing the social contact and communication that is such an integral part of what we do at Orchard Brae.

This week is our Virtual Sports Day for the whole school. Running for the whole week there are a range of activities for us to join in with and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Please do share your photographs through the Virtual Sports Day ‘classroom’. Everyone that has signed up to Google will have an invitation waiting in their Gmail account if you’ve not already signed up to participate.

Over the last week we’ve engaged in a range of activities across the Department.

 

A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea

Barefoot Books are a favourite of many Orchard Brae pupils. Room 12 chose to base their learning around the Barefoot Book, ‘There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea’. Pupils enjoyed listening to the song and produced some amazing art work in response. It was lovely to hear how focused this young man was and how well he concentrated in order to hold his paintbrush and work on his pictures.

Here is the song if anyone wishes to watch and listen:

 

 

Life Skills

This week we tried making fruit smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to use up any extra fruit. We also made Father’s Day biscuits. I think one Dad is in for a very special treat. These look delicious!

 

 

Enjoying the Outdoors

It’s great to get outdoors and to see the sunshine. We have been exploring a range of outdoor spaces around our local areas. Have you managed to get out and about?

 

We hope you all have a good week. Keep the photos coming and have fun with our Sports Day activities!

Primary Department Activities – Week Beginning 22nd June

  By , , , , , , ,

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

  By ,

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

  By , ,

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

A Busy Week In Primary

  By ,

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 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.

Google Classroom

It’s been an exciting week with our Google Classrooms going live and there has been lots of fun activities and Google Meets happening over the week.  If you haven’t yet signed up, here’s a little video to show you some of the things you can find on Google Classroom.

If you are having any issues logging into Google Classroom or would like further help, please contact your child’s teacher who will be able to support you.

Magnificent Minibeasts

We’ve loved seeing how much fun some of you had exploring minibeasts this week.  You went on minibeasts hunts and found some on your travels…

…you got creative and designed your own…

…and you also enjoyed making art with things you found in nature.

Working Hard

You’ve continued to wow us with the amazing work you’ve been doing at home, practising your fine motor skills through writing and painting…

…reading a story…

…sorting by colour, and ordering numbers…

…and identifying shapes and sorting money.

Life Skills

It’s been a busy week for you all, exploring and developing your life skills.  We were really impressed with how you’ve been helping with the shopping!  And one pupil got a special visit from the tooth fairy.

And Always Remember…

…keep having fun!

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