Level 5 & 6
Welcome to Week 2!
Literacy
Reading
Students will continue exploring our mentor text, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, as we further develop our Literature Circles program. This week, students will be introduced to the roles of the Discussion Director and the Literary Luminary. Together, we will learn about the purpose of each role before reading sections of the text and completing the associated tasks. These roles encourage students to think deeply about what they are reading, ask meaningful questions and identify important passages that contribute to key themes and ideas within the novel.
Writing
In Writing, students will continue reading Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering and exploring the author's use of figurative language and descriptive writing techniques. Students will practise emulating Jodi Toering's writing style by crafting their own descriptive paragraphs centred around a place that is personally important to them. Through this task, students will experiment with figurative language to create vivid imagery and evoke emotion in their writing.
PhOrMeS
This week, students will begin investigating the complex base word "form" as part of the PhOrMeS spelling program. Students will explore how this base word contributes to the meaning of a range of words and deepen their understanding of morphology and vocabulary development.
What you can do at home:
- Ask your child to explain the role they completed during Literature Circles and share their favourite part of Wonder.
- Encourage your child to describe a favourite place using figurative language and sensory details.
- Look for words containing the base word form (e.g. transform, perform, reform and formation).
Maths
Students will continue developing their understanding of fractions throughout Term 3.
Grade 5 students will build upon their fraction knowledge by working with related fractions, learning how to add and subtract them and applying these skills to solve a range of addition and subtraction worded problems.
Grade 6 students will extend their fraction skills by exploring adding and subtracting mixed numbers and simplifying fractions, developing efficient strategies for solving increasingly complex fraction problems.
What you can do at home:
- Encourage your child to explain how they simplify fractions and identify mixed numbers in everyday contexts.
- Use cooking or baking activities as an opportunity to discuss fractions and measurements.
- Challenge your child to explain the mathematical thinking behind their answers when solving fraction problems.
Ask your child to create their own fraction worded problem for you to solve.
CBL
Big Idea: How can we use our power to create positive change globally?
Guiding Questions:
- What is economic power?
- What makes a business successful?
- How can we use resources responsibly?
How can people use their ideas, skills and resources to improve the world around them?
Challenge:Create a small business, social enterprise or circular economy initiative that generates a profit for good.
Wellbeing
This week, students will participate in the Cyber Safety Project lesson, Emotions in Order. Students will explore how emotions can influence the way we communicate and interact with others in online spaces. Through class discussions and activities, they will consider how feelings such as frustration, excitement and anger can impact the choices we make when using technology and social media.
Important Dates
July
13th Curriculum Day/Parent Teacher Interviews
22nd VSSS Mass Choir, Melbourne Town Hall
August
3rd Parent Evening – Cyber Safety Project
6th House Athletics Grades 3-6
7th VSSS Mass Dance Rehearsal Excursion
12th VSSS Mass Choir, Melbourne Town Hall
24-29 Book Week
26th Book Week Author Visit
26th Book Week Dress Up Parade
27 – 29th VSSS Tech Rehearsal Day
September
31-4th Annual Book Fair
10th Hoop Time basketball