Pupils were learning about the properties of a fire extinguisher and how the science behind it works. By mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda pupils were able to produce CO2 and discovered that the flame went out because the CO2 was heavier than the air around it and settled round the flame, extinguishing it.
Pupils were learning all about paper – its properties, how it is made and used and how we can recycle it. Pupils then made their own paper using shredded recycled paper from the office.
A very big thank you to Oliver and his mum, Hannah, for bringing in their beautiful pet Guinea Pigs – Leonardo and Raffaello – for us to meet. We all thoroughly enjoyed having a wee cuddle with them and were reluctant to see them go!
Pupils investigated how to make plastics using alternative materials and what applications this might have. Using milk, vinegar and water a simple plastic was created which pupils are making into a kilt shape and painting for Burns’ Day.
As part of Science lessons, pupils made their own lava lamps which involved mixing different liquids and noting the reactions that take place. Oil and water were mixed and a vitamin C tablet provided the CO2. The reaction from the CO2 and the water enabled the ‘bubble’ to float upwards. We also used food colouring and glitter for effect.
The school held an Assembly on Martin Luther King Day where pupils discovered about the life of Martin Luther King. They were then challenged to create their own speech bubble reflecting what their dream would be for the world if they were a present day Martin Luther King. Pupils in P5-7 wrote the following:
Tabby P7 – “I have a dream to have world peace. For everyone to be able to get an education. For people in poorer countries to have a proper meal, a proper toilet, clean water, just the things I have without even thinking about it. To end world hunger. To end global warming. To end war. People are dying too young, they are starving and not getting what they need to survive.”
Nelly P6 – “I have a dream to have world peace. People are starving, they don’t have education, homes, toilets, fresh water.”
Thomas P5 -” I have a dream to stop the war in Syria because people have to leave their homes.”
Noah P5 – “I have a dream for people to have proper meals and wars to stop. People are dying in wars and starving.”
This term pupils will be studying ‘Micro-organisms’ and ‘Materials’. During the study of Micro-organisms pupils set up experiments to discover how decomposition takes places under difference conditions. They will be finding out how long it takes for mould to grow on bread under different conditions and also how decomposition sets in with different items buried in the garden. They have also been looking at the properties of Materials.
World Braille Day is held every January 4th – Birthday of Louis Braille. Pupils took part in an Assembly which recognised the experiences of people with visual impairment. After researching Louis Braille and his life, they created their own messages using the Braille system.
Rounding off our term with a Christmas Visit to Robert MacRae’s Deer Park at Borve. The pupils had a lovely time learning all about the deer and how they are managed. They also had the opportunity to feed and stroke the deer and visited the young deer in the shed. Robert also showed the pupils some of the farm equipment and the processing of logs.
A huge thank you to Robert and his wife Jeanette who made us so welcome.
Raasay Primary School T-shirts are in production for those who ordered them. Such is the demand that some orders won’t be ready before the holidays but we will be working on the list and get them out early next term.
