STEM with Lauren & Alex

In Term Three, Prep students will become scientists as they explore the exciting world of living things. They will develop their scientific thinking by asking questions, making predictions and observations, and sharing their ideas through drawings and labelled diagrams. Students will explore the different parts of plants and discover what plants need to survive. They will explore real plant parts, create a plant collage, and conduct a simple experiment to observe how different environments affect plant growth.Students will also learn about the important features of familiar animals and what they need to survive. They will use their creativity to design an imaginative animal by combining the features of two different animals. Students will then apply their learning by creating a simple habitat using craft materials, considering what their animal needs to live safely and happily. Throughout the term, students will continue to build their curiosity, observation skills, and understanding of the natural world through hands-on investigations and creative learning experiences.

In Term Three, students in Years 1 and 2 will explore the living world by investigating the adaptations of plants and animals and how these features help them survive. They will learn to identify the different parts of plants and their functions, compare and classify animals based on features such as fur, feathers, scales, wings and legs, and investigate how body coverings, teeth and feet are suited to different environments. Throughout the term, students will develop their scientific observation skills by examining real plants and flowers, using scientific drawings to record their observations, and applying their learning to design a dragon with features adapted to survive in their chosen habitat.

In Term Three, Years 3 and 4 students will investigate the characteristics of living things and learn how to distinguish between living, once-living and non-living things, including exploring how fossils provide evidence of life from the past. They will examine the life cycles of plants and animals through ongoing butterfly and bean plant investigations, discovering how living things grow, change and produce offspring that are similar, but not identical, to their parents. Students will also explore the roles of producers, consumers and decomposers within habitats, construct food chains and food webs, and investigate how changes to one organism can affect an entire ecosystem.

In Term Three, students in Years 5 and 6 will investigate how habitats provide the conditions living things need to survive and explore how changes to physical conditions, including human activities, can affect ecosystems. They will explore how plants and animals respond to different environmental conditions, investigate the relationships between organisms in food webs, and discover how adaptations help living things survive in a range of habitats. Drawing on their understanding of habitats and adaptations, students will complete a major design challenge by creating their own habitat-adapted animal and justifying how its features enable it to survive in its environment.

Art with Gen and Charlotte

In Term Three, Year 4 students will unleash their imagination to create a striking Dragon Eye sculpture using air dry clay. Students will explore texture, colour, and form as they design an eye inspired by mythical dragons. Students will begin by shaping a slab of clay into an oval-sized base. Using sculpting tools and techniques, students will learn how to cut and shape clay into different features seen on a dragon, such as eyelids, horns, and scales of varying sizes and textures, from bumpy, bubble-like scales to a beaded, dotted pattern. They will learn the technique of score and slip to securely attach these features to the base. Once dry, they will paint their dragon eye using vibrant colours and blending techniques, layering darker shades into the crevices to bring out depth and textural detail.

In Term Three, Year 3 students will be exploring various artworks, including why, when and how they were created and presented. They will develop visual arts practices through exploration and experimentation of visual arts conventions and processes such as colour combinations and drawing technique. Students will use this knowledge to create visual artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and meaning that will be presented and displayed through collaborative murals around the school. In Term Three, Year 4 students will unleash their imagination to create a striking Dragon Eye sculpture using air dry clay. Students will explore texture, colour, and form as they design an eye inspired by mythical dragons. Students will begin by shaping a slab of clay into an oval-sized base. Using sculpting tools and techniques, students will learn how to cut and shape clay into different features seen on a dragon, such as eyelids, horns, and scales of varying sizes and textures, from bumpy, bubble-like scales to a beaded, dotted pattern. They will learn the technique of score and slip to securely attach these features to the base. Once dry, they will paint their dragon eye using vibrant colours and blending techniques, layering darker shades into the crevices to bring out depth and textural detail.

In Term Three, Year 5 and 6 students will think like sculptors, creating a Modroc creature using a variety of materials. Students will study the whimsical, reality-bending creatures of artists Gustavo Ramirez Cruz and Shaun Tan before sketching their own imaginative creature and learning to build it from 2D to 3D form.Students will begin by using armature wire to create the skeleton of their creature. They will learn about the importance of correct proportions, to ensure their piece can stand on its own. They will gradually build form using scrunched paper and masking tape, layered with a skin of foil to secure the shape, and lastly strengthen it with Modroc. Students will bring their creature to life with careful attention to colour choice when painting, and added detail using Posca markers

Chinese with Shan

In Term Three, Prep students will continue learning about Family while expanding their Chinese through the topic of Occupations. Students will learn vocabulary for a range of jobs and explore some interesting occupations from ancient China, making connections between language and culture. Through songs, stories, games and interactive activities, students will build confidence using simple Chinese words and phrases. We look forward to another fun and engaging term of learning Chinese together!

In Term Three, Year 1/2 students will explore Chinese language and culture through a selection of traditional Chengyu (Chinese idiom) stories. As they discover the stories, students will learn and use vocabulary related to body parts and descriptive language in meaningful contexts. Through storytelling, games, songs and interactive activities, students will build confidence communicating in Chinese while developing an appreciation of Chinese culture. We look forward to another enjoyable term of learning together!

In Term Three, Year 3/4 students will continue building on their learning about fruits and vegetables from last term by expanding into the broader topic of food. They will develop practical language for talking about food, expressing preferences and communicating in simple dining situations. Through interactive activities and cultural learning, students will continue building confidence using Chinese in meaningful and engaging ways.

In Term Three, Year 5/6 students will explore the richness and diversity of Chinese food culture through the theme of the Eight Great Cuisines of China. They will learn about regional food traditions while expanding their language skills to describe foods, express opinions and communicate in authentic contexts. Through inquiry, discussion and collaborative activities, students will deepen both their Chinese language skills and their understanding of Chinese culture.

Music with Charlotte

In Term Three, Prep students will explore music through play and imagination as well as how and why music is important for people and communities, including music composed and performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They will learn to sing with pitch awareness and respond to beat and simple rhythm patterns with body percussion and various percussion instruments.

In Term Three, Year 1 and 2 students will expore how people across cultures and communities experience music, including music composed and performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They will develop their listening skills through various music genres and sounds and develop the skills for singing and playing percussion instruments.

Physical Education with Curtis and Megan

In Term 3, the Prep students will participate in a mini athletics unit designed to develop their running, jumping, and throwing skills while encouraging cooperation with others. The students will practise the fundamental movement skill of the vertical jump through various activities using equipment, including hoops, mini trampolines and jump ropes of different sizes. They will continue to follow rules of simple games while demonstrating fair play and turn-taking with their peers.

In Term 3, the Year 1 and 2 students will participate in a mini athletics unit designed to further develop their running, jumping and throwing skills through a variety of fun and challenging activities. Students will continue to develop fundamental movement skills, with a focus on jumping for height and distance, sprinting, and underarm and overarm throwing using a range of equipment. The students will practise the fundamental movement skill of the vertical jump through various activities using equipment, including hoops, mini trampolines and jump ropes of different sizes. Throughout the unit, students will apply strategies for safe participation, follow the rules of games and activities, and demonstrate fair play, respect and encouragement towards others.

In Term 3, the Year 3 and 4 students will perform movement sequences that link fundamental movement skills during an athletics unit. They will engage in track and field events designed to develop their throwing, jumping, and running skills to prepare for our athletics carnival. The students will participate in a Hockey unit, where they will practise the skills of dribbling, dragging, tackling, and passing while taking part in various games. They will play modified games of hockey and apply scoring systems with their peers. They will explore the sport Quickstix, which is a modified game of Lacrosse. Students will learn and practise the basic skills of scooping, catching and throwing while developing their hand-eye coordination, quick decision-making, and footwork. Throughout the unit, students will apply strategies for safe participation, demonstrate fair play, respect and encouragement towards others.

In Term 3, the Year 5 and 6 students will perform movement sequences that link fundamental movement skills during an athletics unit. They will engage in track and field events designed to refine their throwing, jumping, and running skills to prepare for our athletics carnival. The students will participate in a Hockey unit, where they will practise the skills of dribbling, dragging, tackling, and passing while taking part in various games. They will play modified games of hockey that focus on attacking and defensive strategies and apply scoring systems with their peers. They will explore the sport Quickstix, which is a modified game of Lacrosse. Students will develop and refine the fundamental skills of scooping, catching, throwing, and moving into space while applying these skills in game situations. They will build their hand-eye coordination, agility, communication, and decision-making as they work collaboratively, apply attacking and defensive strategies, and demonstrate fair play during modified games.

Carlton Gardens Primary School

Curiosity, Inclusivity, Resilience, Respect

Term 3 Issue 1 · 31 Jul 2026

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