Level 6: Connect

Homework

We have made a few further adjustments to our homework grid this fortnight, with the aim of making it easier for families to support their children's learning at home.

As homework in Victorian government primary schools is optional and is not routinely marked by teachers, we have been gradually refining our approach to ensure that the activities we provide are worthwhile, accessible and manageable for families.

How our homework program has developed

Over the year, we have introduced several improvements:

• Victorian Curriculum links: Each activity includes curriculum codes showing its connection to Level 6 learning outcomes. Parents can copy any of these codes into a search engine to find further information about the learning being addressed.
• Parent-friendly checking tips: Each activity includes guidance to help parents check their child's work. The aim is to move beyond simply checking whether a task has been completed and help families recognise whether their child has demonstrated the intended understanding.
• Nevermoor podcasts: We have introduced AI-generated weekly podcasts covering the readings from our mentor text, Nevermoor, along with suggested conversation starters. Parent feedback has been very positive, with families encouraging us to continue. These discussions are now incorporated into the homework grid, with QR codes providing convenient access to the podcasts.

Two further improvements this fortnight

1. Mathematics glossary for parents

We recognise that some mathematical concepts and terminology may be a little rusty for parents, particularly when they haven't encountered them for many years.

To help, we have created a parent-friendly glossary explaining the mathematical terms used in this fortnight's homework activities. It includes straightforward explanations, examples and diagrams where appropriate.

Our hope is that this resource will provide a quick reminder when needed, making it easier for parents to confidently check and discuss their child's mathematical thinking.

2. Parent-selected homework commitments

We would also like to strengthen the connection between students making a commitment to complete homework and following through on that commitment.

When you sit down with your child to select the activities they will complete over the fortnight, we invite you to initial or sign the boxes you have agreed upon together.

When we collect homework, we will check that the activities you have signed have been completed in your child's workbook.

Where an agreed activity has not been completed, we will provide an opportunity for your child to complete it at school. This is intended as a supportive measure to help students develop responsibility, independence and an understanding of the importance of following through on commitments.

If no boxes are signed, we will understand that you prefer not to participate in this additional accountability arrangement. Homework will remain optional, and we will continue to monitor your child's work as we have previously.

We welcome your feedback

Our goal throughout these changes has been to make homework more meaningful for students while providing practical support for families. We recognise that every family's circumstances are different, and we want homework to remain a positive experience.

If you have any feedback on these changes, or suggestions about how we could further improve our approach, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Nevermoor weekly podcasts

Market Day Preparations Are Underway!

The buzz around Year 6 Market Day has officially begun!

Over the past couple of weeks, students have formed their teams, selected the stall they'd like to run, and have started to think like real entrepreneurs. While it's easy to focus on the stall we would like to create, students have been challenged to think about something even more important: what will attract the most customers?

To help make informed decisions, students analysed the financial data from previous Market Days, exploring which stalls were the most popular and profitable. They discovered that successful businesses don't just sell what they like, they sell products and experiences that people want to buy!

It's been fantastic to see students collaborating, negotiating ideas, and beginning to develop the business skills they'll need as they prepare for Market Day.

The next stage of the process will see students bring their ideas to life by planning how they will deliver their goods or services to customers. From sourcing materials and managing budgets to designing engaging experiences and promoting their stalls, students will begin building their businesses from the ground up. We look forward to seeing their creativity, problem-solving and teamwork shine as their plans start to take shape over the coming weeks.

We can't wait to see their ideas continue to develop as Market Day draws closer!

Maths

This fortnight, our mathematicians have been dividing their class time (get it?) to get stuck into our Conceptualising Fractions unit, and they’ve been discovering that fractions are much more than "pieces of a whole".

Through investigations, visual models and rich mathematical discussions, students have been developing a deeper understanding of what fractions represent and how they can be used to describe quantities in different ways. We've explored how fractions can be modelled using area models, collections and number lines, helping students see fractions from multiple perspectives.

A major focus has been building students' conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions. Students have been challenged to explain their thinking, justify their reasoning and make connections between different fraction representations. Rather than simply learning procedures, they have been encouraged to ask questions such as "How do I know these fractions are equal?" and "What patterns can I see?"

Students have also been comparing and ordering fractions, identifying benchmark fractions, and discussing how the numerator and denominator influence a fraction's value. Collaborative tasks have provided opportunities for students to share strategies, challenge ideas and learn from one another as they work towards becoming confident and flexible mathematical thinkers.

It has been wonderful to see students enthusiastically tackling challenging tasks, persisting when concepts become tricky, and growing their confidence as mathematicians. We look forward to continuing our fractions journey and uncovering even more mathematical connections in the weeks ahead (spoiler: investigating how to add and subtract fractions with unrelated denominators is next)

Inquiry

Our Year 6 students have been exploring how people make decisions to meet their needs and wants. Through class discussions and activities, students investigated the difference between needs and wants, examined how societies use a variety of resources to meet these needs, and learned about the role taxes play in funding important community services and infrastructure.

These concepts have encouraged students to think critically about how resources are used, managed and shared, both now and into the future. This learning also connects directly to Market Day, as students consider customer needs and wants while making thoughtful decisions about the goods and services they plan to offer. 

Of course, after learning about taxes, some students were shocked to discover that even governments don't get to keep all their money!

Graduation Journals

Our Year 6 students have begun working on their Graduation Journals, taking time to reflect on the memories, milestones and experiences that have shaped their primary school years.

As part of this process, students have been looking back to where it all began in Foundation during the extraordinary year of 2020 - it's safe to say that starting school during COVID wasn't in anyone's lesson plan! By revisiting photos, memories and significant events from their first year of school, students have reflected on how much they have grown as learners and individuals over the past seven years. 

The journals will continue to be a special opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements, capture treasured memories and acknowledge the friendships and experiences that have made their primary school journey unique.

Cooking with Mr Marco

The Year 6 students recently (6C this week) enjoyed another fantastic cooking session with Mr Marco, where they rolled up their sleeves and got busy in the kitchen creating a unique culinary masterpiece.

This week’s creation was something of a hybrid: not quite a pizza and not quite a focaccia! After much discussion, we settled on the name "pizza-focaccia" for our delicious creation. Students worked together to prepare, assemble and bake their creations while learning valuable kitchen skills and safe food preparation practices along the way.

T4 Dates

Have a great fortnight! 

The Year 6 Team