Remembering the Dead of the Great War

For the last two weeks, we have been preparing for our Remembrance Assembly.  Room 3 and Room 1 children were given the honour of leading the assembly marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Apart from selling poppies around the school, the children were busy making artwork and researching the names of some of the soldiers who are recorded on the war monument outside the school.  


With support they used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website to find information about their chosen soldier. For info you can follow this link here https://www.cwgc.org/

Jack chose to find out about a soldier called Jackson

The Renton memorial

Mackenzie reads the names.

One of the War Graves in Millburn Churchyard

Emily chose Hugh Baird as the soldier she would talk about.

   

We were given a copy of a photo of Alexander Ralston
and his sister, both from Renton to use in the assembly.

Ben told the school about James Gerald Brown who was
originally from Thimble Street

Emily tells the audience about Hugh Baird.

Paul, our Learning Assistant brought his grandfather's  WW1 medals
 for the children to see.

 

Rory reads his words to the audience.

We have a very busy week coming up with Children in Need events in school and Emily and Nicole will also be performing live next Friday at BBC Scotland as part of the school choir.  Exciting times!

Our first blog - What are we learning?

Welcome!

Welcome to the new Room 3 blog. Most parents will already know me as I have taught many of the children in the past.  I will try to keep you updated on at least a fortnightly basis on what the children are doing in class. The children will also be encouraged to post photos and information about their learning.

We are close to finishing our history topic.  The children visited Stirling Castle this week and were shown around by a 'real' knight - Sir Phillip Mowbray.  He was very informative, even though [as he told us] he is 700 years old! He was honest in telling us he changed sides during the Wars of Independence and you can find a little more about him

here.

Sir Philip shows Emily the ball and chain flail.

                                                                                                                                         

Rory tries out lifting a heavy shield.

We estimated the length of the
Great Hall and will compare it to information
on  Robert the Bruce's hall at Pillanflatt,
reportedly situated near Renton.

Rory and Mackenzie found a number of unicorns
which Rory found particularly interesting due
to his love of mythology.

Nicole plays the tambour.

The boys also posed for photos at the High Table in the
Great Hall.

We also visited the children's exhibition where Nicole recalled playing with instruments on her last visit in Primary 2.  We had prepared questions to ask about Mary of Guise [Mary, Queen of Scots mother].  The children had also chosen a historical figure they wanted to investigate.  The answers they found at the castle, in our classroom books and through research on the internet will be the basis of their writing this week and used to complete timelines of events in the Wars of Independence.

Stirling Castle has a good website with further information and games that you might want to use at home. You could also use the images there to aid discussion at home about the outing.  Follow the link here to access.

We will also be venturing out into the village next week to seek out the place where it is believed Robert the Bruce lived the last few years of his life.  More information on the evidence that Renton was the home of King Robert, his knights and even a lion can be found here if you are a history enthusiast!

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Communication between home and school

I hope to have a new form of diary ready for you to trial next week and will be looking for feedback on how helpful you find it as well as suggested changes that could make it more effective in communicating what is happening in class / at home.  Please be assured that I am also available after 3:00 pm most days if you want to chat about anything of concern.