Grade 5 News

English:

Over the past few weeks, students have been exploring how words are formed and how authors use language to communicate ideas. In morphology lessons, students investigated the suffixes -ant, -ence, -ible, -ion and -ary, building new words and discussing how suffixes can change a word's meaning.

Students have also been developing their grammar skills by learning how to use parentheses to add extra information and explain abbreviations, and appositives to add detail and interest to their writing. Through whiteboard activities, sentence-building tasks and class discussions, students have been practising these skills in their own writing.

As we completed our class novel, The Velveteen Rabbit, students explored how the main character changed throughout the story. They wrote diary entries from the Rabbit's perspective, tracked the character's development and reflected on the themes and messages within the text. Students also shared personal responses to the novel and discussed the connections they could make between the story and their own experiences.

Mathematics: 

Students recently completed their learning on fractions, where they used number lines and visual models to compare, add and subtract fractions, while developing confidence in explaining their mathematical thinking.

We have now begun our new unit on Multiplicative Thinking, where students are exploring the relationship between multiplication and division and how these concepts can be applied to solve everyday problems. Students are learning to recognise patterns in numbers, use efficient mental and written strategies, and identify multiple ways to solve the same problem.

Throughout the unit, students are investigating:

• multiplication and division fact families
• identifying and extending number patterns
• solving multi-step problems involving multiplication and division
• using arrays, area models and visual representations to support their thinking

Students are being encouraged to share their thinking, compare different solution strategies and build confidence when tackling increasingly complex mathematical challenges.

Humanities: 

Students recently completed their Immigration unit, where they explored why people migrate, the challenges migrants can face when settling in a new country and the contributions migrants have made to Australian society. To demonstrate their learning, students completed an assessment that allowed them to communicate their understanding of migration through a creative response. Students drew on their learning from across the unit to explain migrant experiences, perspectives and the impact immigration has had on Australia.

Students have now begun their Economics and Business learning and have explored how people make choices about using resources, money and services. Through discussions and practical activities, students investigated the difference between needs and wants, considered how consumers make purchasing decisions and explored the role of businesses in providing goods and services within a community. Students have also examined how resources are used to produce goods and services and discussed how advertising and personal preferences can influence the choices people make. As part of this learning, students will soon participate in a Money Talk incursion, where they will explore how people value and manage money, discuss strategies for setting savings goals and investigate how different payment options can influence spending decisions.

SEL: 

Students have continued learning about positive coping strategies and developing their understanding of how thoughts can influence feelings and actions. Through class discussions and collaborative activities, students have explored positive and negative self-talk, reflected on their personal strengths and discussed strategies that can help them manage challenges and setbacks. Students have also been developing their problem-solving skills by considering different ways to respond to everyday situations, working through challenges with others and practising strategies that support emotional wellbeing. These learning experiences have encouraged students to build resilience, confidence and positive relationships with their peers.

Camp: Phillip Island

Our recent Phillip Island camp provided students with many opportunities to learn, explore and spend time with their peers outside the classroom. Students visited Churchill Island Heritage Farm, the Penguin Parade, A Maze'N Things and the Koala Conservation Reserve, while also participating in a range of environmental and outdoor learning experiences.

Camp offered students opportunities to develop independence, teamwork and resilience while creating many memorable experiences with their classmates. We thank families for their support in making the camp possible.

Reminders:

• School Diaries: Don’t forget to send your child’s reading journal to school daily to encourage consistent reading practice. Please sign the dairy each night you read.
• Tissues: We encourage families to please bring a box of tissues for our classrooms, 1 box per family truly goes a long way. Thank you.
• Wednesday 17th June - Athletics Day: Please ensure that you have completed the compass event for your child. This includes permission and payment.

Thank you for your support, have a lovely weekend. Kind regards, The Grade 5 Team. Mrs Henderson, Mr Broadbent & Ms Mamone