Thursday 7 December 2017

SEAL in Primary 3/2

SEAL is a new initiative that is being used for teaching numeracy in West Dunbartonshire.  It is new and it is different and we are all working hard to ensure that it benefits the learning of the children.  But I can imagine you really want to know what it actually looks like when we teach it and this is how we do it in P3/2.

We have 3 stations - 1) A working station 2) A teaching station 3) An active station

Here are some pictures from the working station:




Here the children complete differentiated laminated sheets which allow them to pick a number in their number range and show it in different ways.  They also have to complete a set of differentiated sums in their jotter which change on a daily basis.  The children are questioned by a supporting member of staff as to how they are achieving their answers and this is noted in their jotter for reference.

Here are some pictures from the teaching station:



Here we work a lot with dots, counters, cubes, ten squares and number/picture cards.  We identify numbers, we count out loud both forwards and backwards, we make arrays, we share, we add and subtract, we identify missing numbers.  Basically we cover the maths curriculum in a more active and hands on way where we really get the children involved in thinking about their learning and looking at different strategies when we approach a problem.

Here are some pictures from the active station:






Each groups has a box with a set of differentiated resources that help reinforce the teaching. They independently access these resources and are always motivated and engaged (as you can see from the pictures).

Every group gets the chance to go to every station during a numeracy lesson and we have also been incorporating some big SEAL lessons where we take bigger resources outside or to the hall to reinforce some of the teaching that we have been doing in class.

I have definitely noticed a difference in the way that the children are explaining their answers and talking about their strategies during numeracy. Their growth in confidence in such a short timescale is amazing and hopefully it transfers to their confidence in other areas too.

Sunday 19 November 2017

Numeracy - Outdoor Learning

We decided to change the setting of our classroom and ventured into the great outdoors to learn more about numeracy.  We all agreed it was great fun and we are going to try and incorporate this into our weekly learning whether it be the playground, the gym hall or anywhere else that will support our learning.

"Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery"










P3/2 and the Beanstalks

Inspired by Fairyland and the story 'Jack and the Beanstalk' we decided to grow our own beanstalks.  We looked at the life cycle of plants from seed to stem, predicted how tall they would grow and how long it would take for them to shoot. Most importantly we looked after them and took delight in watching them grow.  Unfortunately not all of our plants made it.  These were the ones that kept growing until the end, and I've heard stories that some of them are now in soil at home! Any pictures of the beanstalks' progress at home would be gratefully appreciated. E-mail: schooloffice.carleith@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 



Sunday 12 November 2017

Reading with P7

We love when Primary 7 come down to our class on a Wednesday to read with us.  They model good reading strategies, give us feedback and help us with tricky words and questioning. Here are some pictures of us hard at work.




Monday 6 November 2017

Halloween Biscuits

P3/2 made some spooky Halloween biscuits just in time for Halloween.  We then used the process to write instructions for our Big Writing the next day.

Here are some of our finished designs.
















Tuesday 10 October 2017

Judo Taster Session

On Tuesday morning pupils in Primary 3/2 enjoyed a Judo workshop in partnership with Active Schools.  They had lots of fun and learned some Judo techniques.