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.