Level 6: Connect

Term 1 seems like it only just started a couple of weeks ago and all of a sudden we are approaching the end of Term! hard to believe. We have accomplished much over the term and following here are some of the highlights of the past fortnight.

Maths

Order of operations has been completed as a unit in Maths with the students showing an outstanding comprehension of the content. They were all engaged by the topic and really enjoyed some of the maths problems related to order of operations that we sourced from "Facebook" of all things. The other area of content that we utilised used a grading system for their activities with Green (everyone should be able to do), Amber (stretching), and Red (hard for Year 6), with almost all finding the Red easy. Knowing that they were doing so well and seeing that many grown ups were struggling with correct answers on Facebook was also a high motivation for the students. This week we have started our topic on "Time". Here the students have been working with elapsed time and duration activities timing to the hour and minute. Today we also introduced timetables to our work and had all students active in the planning of our travel arrangements to the movies next week. On the day we will rely on one of the student pieces to get us to the excursion safely and on time.

Literacy

Literacy this term has continued with expanding the literacy tools that children have at their disposal. So far this term we have worked on similes and metaphors, personification, idioms. Last week we looked and experimented with different types of verbs such as, action, saying, sensing, relating thinking, modal and feeling. This week we at starting looking at independent and dependent clauses and apply these to simple and compound and complex sentences. A lot of work and some outstanding pieces of writing from our year 6 students.

Inquiry

This fortnight in Inquiry we have been learning all about the three levels of government in Australia, including Federal, State/Territory and Local. We have been exploring the roles of responsibilities of each level of government. For example, we learnt that the Federal government handles national matters like defense and foreign affairs, State/Territory governments manage areas like education and health, and Local governments focus on local issues like roads and waste management.

We have also looked at the advantages of a democracy, such as resolving differing views and conflicts peacefully, and having a government that is responsive, transparent and accountable to the people. 

Wellbeing

For well-being, students continued to focus on 'The Resilience Project'. They looked at the positive benefits of a ripple effect, with a focus on kindness. We explored case studies where acts of kindness have had many effects on the lives of people in the community, and also the power of positive interactions between younger and older generations.

We continued to learn about Cybersafety, with an emphasis on these areas: public/private settings, permission to post, the use of AI and safe passwords. The students watched videos and discussed various scenarios in relation to appropriate use of the internet, social media and other applications such as online gaming.

Buddies

The Grade Sixes and Ones have had a wonderful time working together during buddies time. In our most recent buddies session, we were delighted to see and hear the grade ones reading with enthusiasm to their older buddies. The Grade Sixes did an amazing job listening and helping the Grade Ones with their reading, and talking about the stories. Grade Sixes also read beautifully to their younger buddies.

Reminders

• Diaries must travel to and from school every day. 
• Reading must be recorded in the diary and signed by a parent each day. Teachers will sight diaries each day and sign them once per week. 
• A fully charged laptop is required to be at school each day.
• No hat = students must remain in the shade, on the steps at the front of the new Grade 1 building.

Important Dates

March/April

• 26 March House Cross Country
• Thursday 27 March - Challenge Cup event
• Friday 28 March Movie Excursion - RUNT at the Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick
• Friday 4th April - Term ends

Have a great weekend all. Looking forward to the remaining 2 weeks of Term 1 with your children.