Peer tutoring & Danish delegates...

We had an exciting afternoon in middle school today. Pupils worked with primary 2 then primary 4 in pairs to teach them the basics of ArtRage and to help them create some paintings. Middle school pupils did an excellent job in working with the younger children and simplifying their explanations and the process involved - it was a great way to consolidate learning. Well done middle school!

In the middle of this we also had 20 Danish delegates visiting the class. Pupils were both able and willing to demonstrate and explain about apps, the iPad and the middle school structure with confidence and clarity - well done to all!

Public Speaking!

Pupils in middle school were learning about different public speaking and presentation techniques:







They discussed and evaluated a range of TED talks:







It was very worthwhile and something we will continue to develop in middle school.

Fungi and temperature

Middle school were investigating what temperature yeast liked to grow at. They found 25oC was the best.

S1 French

S1 pupils have been revising what they did in Primary French. Last week, we looked at countries and how to say where they live. This week, we did brothers and sisters. Have a look at some of their work - more to follow next week!










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chromatography

P7 have been learning about DNA and about dissolving. Today we carried out a task called chromatography. This process is involved in DNA finger printing except an electric current is useful help separate the DNA. Here are their results - next week we will use electricity to separate out the dye's - a technique called electrophoresis.




















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Group work skills

S1-2 are working on identifying key principles of successful group work. They've come up with:
Compromise
Kindness
Listening
Equal share of ideas and work
Staying on task
Hard work
No negativity

Now, they are thinking of words and phrases that will be useful in group work to make sure these principles permeate their group!

This is harder- here are some of their ideas:
'what do you think...'
'I like thar idea...'
'any ideas anyone?'
'perhaps we could try...'
'I'd like to do that. Does anyone else want to do it?'
'thank you!'
'that sounds good!'
'maybe we could combine that with...'




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fingerprints!

Pupils were looking at fingerprints today and how these are unique to each individual. We took fingerprints and spent some time investigating the different patterns and identifying our prints:










Then Mrs Stinglehammer introduced the true scenario of mistaken identity based on a fingerprint error... Pupils then started to plan an imaginative essay around this theme: