My P3 class (and probably every class I’ve ever taught) know this game. Show your grown ups how it’s done. Set a timer for 5 minutes and see how many good ones you can find. Post your best answers in the comments.
Tally Rally
Author: msjmorrison
Notice!
Hi P3s – Each morning I take my puppy for a walk in Lochend Park. I’ve noticed that I can hear the birds more as the traffic is quieter. And today, I happened to see a bird just settling into her nest.
I hope you are getting a chance to notice more things. What little thing have you seen?
How’s it Growing P3?
Just before we left last week, P3A got a little bit of planting done to take away home. For most of us there were radishes in the round-topped pot and sunflowers in the square topped pot. Are they starting to sprout? (You can see from the photo that Douglas’ are.)
To the grown-ups of the P3 classes
We understand that each of our families have different circumstances. Some will want to complete every learning activity we can provide (and then some!); some will not be able to manage that for reasons that we competelyunderstand.One of the most important messages we can give you is that we do not want home learning to create additional stress in an already stressful time.
The guidance we have received is that some routine is important for all of us during these long periods of isolation, but that said, a fixed schedule will suit children and families and add terrible pressure to others. Last week, I sent a letter to the P3A class reminding them to do some things every day and I encouraged them to be as independent as possible and without a computer, tablet or phone (we know that access to these may be limited). These include:
- Read (20 minutes)
- Solve a puzzle or do some maths sums (20 minutes)
- Play a game (20 minutes)
- Learn something, make something, build something, sing something (30 minutes)
- Be active (at least an hour a day, in short bursts or longer sessions)
- Practice handwriting and spelling (20 minutes)
- Write (20 minutes)
- Listen, think, imagine or pray (20 minutes)
- Be helpful to people around you. (20 minutes)
We’ve set most things at about 20 minutes as there are some children who find it difficult to remain focused. It may help to set a timer so that the activity at hand is achievable and not endless.
We would like to stay in touch with the pupils as best we can and to provide some community and connection for them. We are still working out the best way to do that and will keep you posted.
The activities and lessons we suggest will build around this basic plan. Please use this as a guide only as you make your own way through this with love, fun and understanding for your young ones and yourselves.
All best wishes and regards –
Janet Morrison and Portia Ryrie-Horak
Twende Pamoja -Let’s Walk Together
Today a group of Primary 5 and 6 pupils went to Royal High Primary to take part in the launch of this year’s Twende Pamoja project. Twende Pamoja is a group to develop links and partnership with schools in Tanzania.
St John’s was one of 11 schools represented and the children were there to discuss problems facing the environment, what we are doing in our homes and schools and what more we might do. There were two representatives from Tanzania to give their perspective. We were all a bit shocked (and impressed) to learn that Tanzania has made plastic bags illegal!
Our St John’s pupils represented us brilliantly, working with pupils from other schools, contributing ideas and speaking to the larger group.
If ever you want to be hopeful for the future ask a group of young people for their ideas to address environmental issues.
