Grade 3

READING:

The Grade 3s have been hard at work enhancing their reading abilities this term. They've not only focused on building their reading stamina and fluency when reading aloud but have also delved into understanding authors' points of view and purpose in writing. They have also extended their skills in distinguishing between fact and opinion. Connecting our reading units with our writing focus has been instrumental, providing students with a platform to explore persuasive devices like emotive language through a diverse range of persuasive text examples. As we transitioned into the exploration of picture story books, students have further developed their understanding of how authors craft engaging pieces of writing. This involves a thorough analysis of a story's elements, including characters, settings, problems, resolutions, and the deliberate publishing choices made by authors. 

WRITING:

In our Writing sessions this term, we began by brainstorming a variety of writing ideas. These ideas laid the groundwork for our upcoming persuasive writing cycle. We delved into the nuances of persuasive writing at the sentence level, exploring how conjunctions and subordinate conjunctions could add flair to our sentences. Progressing further, we transitioned into developing persuasive paragraphs, ensuring each paragraph followed the right structure. The writing cycle concluded  in a persuasive piece of writing linked to our Bike Ed inquiry. Following our persuasive units, we ventured into the realm of picture story book writing. Here, the students showed their creative skills, developing ideas tailored for a specific audience. The students will conclude the term by publishing their Picture Story Books, ready to take home with them for the holidays!

MATHS:

In the realm of mathematics, our students have delved into a diverse array of concepts throughout the numeracy curriculum this term. Commencing with a thorough exploration of fractions, they engaged in activities ranging from modeling and representation to the construction of whole fractions, while also mastering the art of comparing and ordering fractions. Following this, the focus shifted to a revisit of time, with a particular emphasis on analouge clocks and problem-solving involving elapsed time. They then transitioned into the realms of mass and capacity, where the use of metric units for measurement was a focus. Further expanding their mathematical toolkit, students deepened their understanding of perimeter and area, including the application of relevant formulas to problem-solving scenarios. Students then revisited data and graphing, with a focus on developing their ability to analyse and interpret a range of graphs. As the term progressed, students fine-tuned their problem-solving strategies, especially when tackling worded problems. The term is concluding with students showcasing their understanding of chance by developing their own chance board game, drawing inspiration from games enjoyed in their leisure time. 

INQUIRY:

This term has seen our students deeply engaged in an inquiry into Bike Ed, promoting safety and community awareness. From learning the essentials of bike maintenance to ensuring their bikes are road-ready, students have grasped vital skills to ride safely. Lessons extended beyond the pedals as they absorbed crucial knowledge about road safety and the steps necessary to ensure their well-being while navigating the community on their bikes. The culmination of this enriching inquiry was our much-anticipated 'Bike Celebration Day.' Our students, accompanied by special guests from the Bellarine Police Station, rode to Ocean Grove Beach for a day filled with camaraderie and activities. A big thank you to Mr. Rice for organising the Bike Ed program, our  parent volunteers who contributed to the day's success, and the police officers for their invaluable assistance in ensuring a safe journey and their enthusiastic participation in our beach activities. The day was a perfect blend of learning, fun, and community spirit.