Literacy Learners

This year's group of S1 Literacy Learners are powering ahead in their learning. Guided by the two Mrs Murrays, pupils have been improving their skills in spelling, punctuation, reading comprehension and Rainbow Writing. The small group of pupils are having great fun whilst learning skills that they will use across all their learning. A pupil said, "I love writing now, it just makes more sense and my reading has really improved." All students and staff wish the group good luck in the second half of its programme.

Literacy Across Learning Research Challenge

S3 pupils from the Supported Learning Centre took part in a Literacy Across Learning Research Challenge in the library with Mrs Whitson and Mrs Bax. Students spent two days learning different researching skills such as mind mapping, how to use keywords to search the internet and how to identify good resources. From this they then went onto research a topic of their own choice which ranged from horses, classic cars, forensic science, dogs and Dr Who. They all worked very hard and produced excellent final products that included, information leaflets, posters, auctioneer brochures and information leaflets for a museum. Well done to all involved.

Poetry Workshop at the Sea Fever exhibition

S3 Art and Design students took part in a poetry workshop with author and poet Kate Tough at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock on Monday the 19th of November. Students firstly had a tour of the Sea Fever exhibition and then created their own poems based on the exhibition. All students really enjoyed the workshops and had fun writing their poems. Students will now take what they have learnt and write a poem about themselves based on the self portrait they have been working on in class.

Creative Writing Workshop with National Theatre of Scotland

Thirty seven pupils from S1 and S2 recently had the opportunity to take part in creative writing workshops run by National Theatre Scotland at The Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock. Pupils experienced two workshops in character creation, script writing and movement and were enthusiastic in their engagement.

Scott Kennedy, S1 said: “It was really great. It was fun to make up characters and act out a scene between them.” Later in the evening pupils attended a performance of playwright and workshop leader Rob Drummond’s show in which they played an integral part. Daniel Dutton, S1, was chosen from the audience to be the focus of the show. The audience watched amazed as Rob created his show in front of their eyes with the participation of the audience.

Tyler Hiddleston, S1 said: “I couldn’t believe it when Rob told us to take out our phones and make sure they were switched on! He asked us to text our friends for advice.” She was further amazed when, during the show, she received a text from the playwright. Pupils have been encouraged to keep writing and submit their work to Rob for his comments and advice in future.

Literacy Wall

The Science department is May's contributor to the Literacy Wall. In Science S1 pupils investigated energy in food. In S2 pupils researched scientists from Scotland and presented their findings. In S3, Biology pupils wrote a report on the journey of oxygen from the air to skin cells. The best pieces of work were produced by: Ryan McCreath (S1); Elleis Peters and Stephanie Bell (S2); and Ashley Mitchell and John Anderson (S3). Congratulations to them!

Art on Literacy Wall

The Art department is March's contributor to the Literacy Wall. S3 pupils evaluated a painting or design and wrote a brief report of their findings. The best pieces of work were written by: Lorelle White, Naomi Allan and Jordan Goodwin. Congratulations to them!

Literacy Wall

The Music and Social Subjects departments are February's contributors to the Literacy Wall.

In Music S2 pupils worked in groups of four or five researching a genre of music and producing an information poster.

In Social Subjects S1 pupils learned about local government and wrote letters of complaint. In S2 pupils wrote pieces discussing the Holocaust. Another S2 group studied Mary Queen of Scots and wrote murder reports about Darnley. 

The best pieces of work were written by: Chole Chalmers, Wendy Roulstone, Fallan Smith, Chole Halliday, Amy Collins, Rebekah Copeland and Katie Burrell. Congratulations to them!

Liz Lochhead talk

S2 pupils joined a special online presentation, organised by the Scottish Book Trust, by the Scottish Makar, Liz Lochhead, who is the National Poet of Scotland for a very special celebration of Robert Burns. 

Ms Lochhead discussed why Burns means so much to her, as well as treating us to some readings of her own poems. Everyone really enjoyed the talk.

Literacy Wall

The Maths and Art departments are this month’s contributors to the Literacy Wall. In Maths S2 pupils worked in groups of three to research famous mathematicians.
In Art S1/2 pupils, for homework, researched a famous artist or designer and wrote a report. Congratulations to Tori McDicken, Tyler Hiddleston and Jamie Geddes who produced excellent reports.

Reading Stars

Well done to Accelerated Reader of the month for November Rebekah Copeland. She was chosen for her outstanding achievement of passing five quizzes in a month and earning 30 points.

Congratulations to S2 pupils Danni Cullen and Katie Roberts who have achieved Accelerated Reader word millionaire status this year. Between them they have read over 2,750,000 words. This is an amazing amount to have read so early in the school year. Also, there are several other pupils who are working towards their first million words.

Science Literacy Wall

Congratulations to Sophie Paulin, Brooke Paulin, Jade McClymont, Melanie Connell, Frazer Buchanan and Heather Dunn on their science work being selected for this month’s Literacy Wall.

Literacy Wall

 Congratulations to Iain McWilliam, Alexander Nutt, Darren McLarty,  Kayley Hancox, Melanie Connell and Brooke Paulin whose work from Social Subjects has been selected  for the Literacy Wall this month. Pupils showed off their writing talents by producing high quality news reports about historical events.

Literacy Wall

The Literacy across Learning group has set up a Literacy Wall to celebrate high quality writing produced in all subjects. This month the French and English departments contributed to the wall. Congratulations to Mitchell Ewing, Blair Wilson, Samantha Torbet and Nicole Cuthill who produced the best work in S1 English and to Morgan Davis, Samantha Halbert, Charelle Boyce and Arron Ogilvie who produced the best work in S2 French.

Burns by Bonnie Doon

The ‘Burns by Bonnie Doon’/P7 Literacy and Numeracy Day was held on Thursday 27th May and was a tremendous success. P7 pupils from our Learning Partnership primary schools: Bellsbank, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Patna and Littlemill took part in a round robin of 6 workshops. At the Doon Valley Museum the P7s had a workshop on the life and works of Robert Burns with Mr. Wilson and made willow trees with local artist Geoff Forrest assisted by Ms. Fuller, student teacher Ms. Forrest and S1 pupils. Back at Doon Academy the P7s had workshops in ICT with Mr. Power, French with Mrs. McKenzie, Maths with Ms. McClue and Ms. Laughan and Literacy in the Library with Mrs Bax. Everyone really enjoyed their day. Thank you to Mrs. Lohel and Mrs. Dorans for organising the event and to all the staff and pupils who took part.

Literacy Across Learning

Doon Academy's teachers have scheduled a meeting with Literacy Across Learning Working Party (LALWP) to discuss the development of a booklet of literature activities for use in every subject. This will increase students' literacy skills through means of fun tasks and games.