Year 5 Curriculum Newsletter

Reading

This term we will be linking our Reading and Writing sessions closely with the Inquiry units. Students will compare and contrast elements of Asian cultures with Australia’s through the viewing of educational clips, reading relevant non-fiction texts and through whole class discussions. We will continue to explore and apply a range of effective reading strategies in order to extend our comprehension of texts and retain information. In particular, we will be focussing on synthesising, which is building on or changing our understanding of something as we are presented with further information, points of view and experiences. Students will also explore the author’s message and the ‘big ideas’ in both fiction and non-fiction texts throughout the term. Some students will embark on Literature Circles (also known as Book Club) this term and enjoy engaging in rich discussions about increasingly complex texts. 

Maths

This term the students will embark on a unit on Measurement, building upon their knowledge and to measure length and convert units of measurement, such as centimetres to metres, metres to kilometres etc. Students will become familiar with Area and Perimeter, using formulas as well as working backwards to identify the measurements of a shape from a given perimeter or area. We will also be exploring features of 2D and 3D shapes using concrete materials within the broader learning environment. The students will develop an understanding of Financial Literacy through the creation of budgets and plans, learning skills and priorities that they will use all throughout their lives.  The students will then apply their multiplicative thinking skills that were developed throughout Term Two, during an extensive unit on Fractions. 

Writing

Linking our Writing with our Inquiry unit, students will write to describe the differences and similarities between Australia and a range of Asian countries by exploring the varied food, education, social interactions and economics within these two continents. In the second half of the term students will revisit writing to persuade, which was introduced in Term One. We will engage the students in discussions, brainstorming sessions and informal debates to support the generation of ideas and opinions on a range of issues. The students will use a range of persuasive devices and language features to support their reasons for deserving a Grade 6 Leadership position in 2024. 

Inquiry

As part of the Inquiry program, students will be immersed in a Geography focussed unit entitled ‘A Diverse and Connected World’. Throughout this unit students will read, view and write about the diverse cultures within Asia as well as Australia, with a specific focus on exploring the similarities and differences between the two continents. During the second half of the term we will embark on a ‘Coding’ unit which will encourage the students look at creating algorithms using technology as well as critical and creative thinking.

Wellbeing

We will be enhancing our wellbeing this term with the continuation of the Resilience Project, as well as through Respectful Relationships lessons. Students will build upon their understanding of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness through a series of carefully planned and targeted learning experiences, as well explore effective ways to communicate and interact with each other.

Visual Arts

This term in Visual Arts, students in Year 5 will explore the art mediums of construction, painting and print making. They will demonstrate the use of different techniques and processes in planning and making artworks. During construction, they will cut shapes from cardboard to create a relief sculpture. When exploring painting, students will focus on the art elements of line, shape, colour, texture and space. They will explore new mediums as well as using their fingers as a painting tool. Students will learn to create ‘collagraph prints’ using cardboard or foam glued onto a cardboard background.

Performing Arts

Production! Production! Production! This term all students, in all year levels will be spending Performing Arts classes rehearsing for our upcoming whole school production 'Kismet in Story Land'.  Students will be rehearsing two separate dances, as well as the retelling of their cohorts' chosen story. Students will be exploring creative and expressive dramatic skills during their scene, as well as enhancing their co-ordination and gross-motor skills when learning their stage entrances, exits and on-stage rotations. All students are encouraged to participate in rehearsals, regardless of whether they intend to perform on the night, as these are important skills in confidence and teamwork. 

Japanese

This term in Japanese we are having a whole school focus on self introductions. The Year 5/6 students are learning how to say “Nice to meet you”, “My name is…”, “I am … years old”, “I like…”, “I live in…” and “I’m in grade…”. On Tuesday 1st August, Kismet Park Primary School will be hosting some Japanese students for a day. These students are from Nagano High School, the sister school of Sunbury College. We hope that our students will get the opportunity to introduce themselves in Japanese to our visitors. Year 6 students will also be learning a Japanese song in Japanese classes for a special “Buddies” scene (with their Prep Buddies) in the Kismet in Storyland whole school Production.

Physical Education

This term, students will be exploring moving their bodies through Aerobics. Students will be working on creating their own aerobics session and presenting this to the class. They will be working with a partner or in small groups. Students will select their music and create aerobic exercises. They will show movement and the ability to create a short sequence of movements. After their presentation, feedback will be an important part of the process.