Middle school are celebrating success this morning! They have each successfully completed the personal challenge they set at the beginning of the year:
Today they are setting new challenges. And, they are creating a whole class challenge! This week they are going to be positive in all their comments one another!
Middle school pupils were working on presentations about their design projects today. They will present these in a dragons den situation next Tuesday where the 5 best products will be chosen. These products will be made into prototype models of their designs.
Pupils began work on an individual design project today. Their general brief is to design an iPad accessory so today they were defining the specifics of their design brief, researching ideas and generating some designs.
On Monday middle school pupils were completing their tablet prototypes by adding the correct weight. They measured out the correct weight in plasticine and attached it to the back of their foam board tablet. This allowed them to get a realistic idea of how the device would actually feel in your hand.
Middle school pupils were working in groups to research how different aspects of style and design have changed over the last 60 years. Topics they chose to focus on were fashion, technology, transport and music. We will collate all their findings into a class book.
Middle schoolers have wrapped up their Edinburgh topic with an end of unit exam- they've all passed demonstrating great knowledge and understanding and vastly improved enquiry skills.
S1 and 2 are carrying out an investigation into the effect on the rate of photosynthesis at different light intensities. This will be assessed by a written report and video.
After discussing the collaborative photo editing challenge with Dawson School in Colarado, middle school pupils took some time to explore some of the photo editing tools on their iPads. Some pupils created some interesting pieces of abstract artwork:
Middle school pupils have all submitted entries for a photography creativity challenge. This challenge is being run as part of a partnership between students at Cedars School and Dawson School in Colorado who will view the gallery of entries and then vote on your favourite.
We are also undertaking a joint collaborative challenge between Dawson in Colorado and Cedars. Our first project together will be a photo ping pong challenge where pupils in each school have been paired together in a photo editing battle of wits...
The whole school is taking part in the Europe wide Safer Internet Day. In Senior Assembly Mrs Speirs spoke on how to present yourself online. Miss Rukin outlined some of the recent changes to Facebook and how to protect your privacy. In class, everyone from P1-S5 has looked at the Insafe posters (see below) and discussed safe Internet use.
How can we show a plant needs light for photosynthesis. We set up two bijou tubes with bicarbonate indicator in them and the water plant Cabomba. We then put one in the dark and one in the light. If photosynthesis happens the indicator will turn purple if there is no photosynthesis it will be yellow. We will see our results tomorrow.
Today, middle school were working with primary 1-4 as peer tutors. We were looking at the difference between traditional and digital art, examples of different art media, and introducing the concept of abstract art. It was a very successful afternoon and middle school pupils were superb assistant teachers!