Year 5 News

Term 4

What a packed few weeks we’ve had, full of learning, creativity, collaboration, and exploration. From persuasive writing to exploring 3D shapes, from African drumming to Japanese Kendo, the Grade 5 cohort has dived headfirst into a variety of exciting activities. Here’s a detailed look at what we’ve been up to lately.   

Literacy

Persuasion and Presentation 

Our budding writers have been honing their persuasive writing skills, crafting arguments designed to convince their audience. To elevate their skills further, students prepared spoken presentations using cue cards, which encouraged confidence, clarity, and eye contact.   

We’ve also begun our whole cohort reading of My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg. This quirky and heartfelt novel is already sparking thoughtful discussions about empathy, individuality, and connection.   

Numeracy

From Nets to Surveys  

Numeracy lessons have taken a hands-on turn as we explored the attributes of 3D shapes and delved into the fascinating world of nets. Students constructed and deconstructed shapes to better understand their properties.   

We also tied our data collection skills to real-life experiences from our recent Grade 5 camp. Students designed and conducted surveys, gathering and analysing data on topics ranging from favourite camp activities to preferred meal options. These activities made math meaningful and connected to their lived experiences.   

Inquiry

Creating to Survive 

This term’s Unit of Inquiry is already sparking curiosity and creativity with the central idea: ‘Significant events affect the balance of an ecosystem.’ To bring this idea to life, students collaborated to design entirely new animals capable of thriving in specific environments. They considered how their creations would adapt structurally or physiologically to survive. The innovative thinking and scientific reasoning behind these projects were incredible to witness!   

Exciting Incursions! 

African Drumming with Rhythm of Life 

Our classroom transformed into a colourful celebration of rhythm and culture during this engaging incursion. Students experienced the magic of African drumming, dressed in vibrant costumes, and learned the basics of traditional beats and movements.   

Lead It! with Mini Boss 

This leadership-focused incursion allowed students to take a personality quiz, uncovering their strengths and areas for growth. Guided by this insight, they brainstormed leadership qualities and wrote reflective letters to their teachers, highlighting their abilities and lessons learned. This activity nurtured self-awareness and confidence in their leadership potential – ready for Year 6!   

Japanese Kendo Incursion 

Kendo, the Japanese martial art of bamboo sword training, captivated the students. A Kendo master guided them through basic techniques and shared insights into the discipline, respect, and precision required in this ancient art. Students were thrilled to safely engage in a hands-on experience of this unique tradition.   

Prep Buddy Activity

Underwater Wonders 

Our Year 5 students were thrilled to reconnect with their prep buddies for a delightful underwater creature activity. Together, they explored the fascinating world of marine life, with the older students mentoring their buddies to create informative and imaginative projects. The teamwork and care shown by our students were truly heartwarming.   

Respectful Relationships 

We’ve continued our journey in building respectful and inclusive communities through a series of engaging lessons:   

Lesson 1: Students explored how gender influences relationships and perceptions among young people.   

Lesson 2: We unpacked the differences between sex and gender and discussed how to foster a respectful and inclusive school environment.   

Lesson 3: Students examined how gender norms can shape experiences during early adolescence and identified strategies to challenge limiting stereotypes.   

These lessons sparked rich discussions and encouraged students to reflect on their role in creating a positive school culture.   

Phew! 

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks filled with growth, creativity, and collaboration. We’re so proud of how our Year 5 students have embraced each learning opportunity and supported one another throughout the term. We’re looking forward to even more exciting moments as we approach the end of the year!