Year 5/6 Term 3 Overview

Year 5/6 Term 3 Curriculum Overview

 

Welcome to Term Three! 

It’s hard to believe we have already reached half way through the year but have another fun filled term planned! Major events and opportunities include: Interrelate workshops, Sacrament of Confirmation, 5/6 excursion, Trivia Night and Student led conferences.  

 

Religious Education

In Religious Education this term we will be focusing on the history of the early church. This includes reflecting on biblical characters who have experienced exile, significant people and events in the early Church (such as Catholic missions) and influential figures in the beginning of the church such as St Paul. Students will also be reflecting further on the Sacrament of Confirmation including ways they can live the Good News in their own lives.  

 

English

This term, students will continue focusing on reciprocal reading roles and literature circles on a chosen group novel within guided focus group discussions. In addition, they will also respond to BTN (Behind the News) stories, Reading Eggspress tasks and vocab building exercises. 

In Writing, the focus will be on biographical writing skills. This will begin with students writing their own autobiographies and writing biographies of a family member. This will then progress to linking our biographical writing with our Inquiry unit on Federation. We will also have a continual focus on spelling (incorporated as part of homework tasks) and handwriting. 

 

Mathematics

The following curriculum topics will be taught this term:

  • Number & Algebra: Multiplication and Division
    • Students will use factors and multiples of whole numbers to solve problems, multiply large numbers by one- or two-digit numbers using efficient mental, written strategies and appropriate digital technologies.
    • Students will use division skills to solve both worded and numerical problems using one- or two digit numbers using efficient mental, written strategies and appropriate digital technologies.
  • Measurement and Geometry: 2D, 3D shapes and angles
    • Students will connect 3D shapes to their nets and other 2D representations.
    • Students will construct simple prisms and pyramids.
  • Number & Algebra: Fractions and decimals
    • Students will focus on decimals through this unit of work and recognise that the place value system can be extended beyond hundredths. They will compare, order and represent decimals, add and subtract decimals, and use estimation and rounding to check the reasonableness of answers. Students will explore multiplying decimals by powers of 10 and other whole numbers.
  • Statistics and Probability: Probability  
    • Students will pose questions and discuss the likelihood of events occurring and represent them using numbers and specific language. 
Inquiry Learning
Inquiry Learning

Inquiry 

Our third term Inquiry unit is focusing on Australian history time period from Colonisation to Federation. Students will be investigating key figures during the time leading up to and immediately following Federation. The unit will also include a strong focus on Aboriginal perspectives, traditions and history. 

Linking with reading, students will also be reading a class novel called “Convict Boy” which follows the journey of a young English boy who is sent on the First Fleet and the challenges that he faces to survive in a new colony. 

 

SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) 

This term our SEL focus is on Social Awareness. Our unit will begin with the topic of help seeking. As part of this students will be exploring different ways we can manage problems with our friends and families and who to turn to when you need help. The unit will go on to explore the characteristics of respectful relationships including recognising the impacts of stereotypes, discrimaintion and prejudice and how behaviours can demonstrate sensitivity to individual, social and cultural differences. 

We will also be having a continual focus on our School Wide Expectations and how these should look like in our daily interactions with others. 

Personal Development

Session 1 - It’s all about Me 

Aims:

• To acknowledge individual differences and identity

• To create awareness of self esteem and mutual respect

• Create understanding of male and female differences in body parts

• Personal safety and trusted adults

Content:

Establishment of concepts of individuality, uniqueness and differences

• Review puberty males and females – body parts including genitalia, protective behaviours and personal safety

• Excretory and reproductive systems of males and females

• Take home activity

Session 2 - My Changing Body

Aims

• To give students a detailed understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship

• To explain the idea of respect and attraction in relationships

• To give students a detailed understanding of reproduction, conception, foetal development and birth

• To describe and understand responsibility as students grow and mature

Content

• Physical development at Puberty

• How, why and when changes occur

• Attraction and dealing with emotions

• Definition of a healthy relationship

• Basic reproduction, conception, sexual intercourse, fertilisation

Session 3 - My Changing Relationships

Aims

• To provide an opportunity for students to develop knowledge of what a relationship is

• To provide an opportunity to examine fellings in relationships

• Understanding mood changes and emotional behaviour

• To develop strategies on how to handle conflict

Content

• Relationship builders activity

• Understand and recognise feelings in friendship

• Strategies to handle conflict through role plays

• Examine peer pressure and the impact of peer relationships

• Decision making scenarios

 

Timetable

Specialist classes of Performing Arts and Visual Arts will continue on Fridays. 

Chinese and STEM classes will continue to take place on Wednesdays. 

Sport and PE will continue on Wednesdays and Fridays - sport uniform can be worn on these days.  

 

Please ensure that the correct school uniform is worn on the other days.

 

Home Learning

Home learning (homework) will continue this term, beginning Week 2. This will include daily reading (to be recorded in diaries), daily spelling activities (with words tested at school) and five choice activities. Students will also be encouraged to practice their multiplication times tables at home with weekly tests taking place at school. It is a curriculum expectation that students at this stage know all of their times tables. This helps aid number fluency across multiple Maths topics. 

 

Parent Helpers

Parent helpers are always welcome in 5/6. If you’re interested in supporting us in the cassroom, please let Rhett or Emma know via email. 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

Friday 22 July: School Closure Day 

Monday 1 August: Kaboom Whole School Sports Day 

Thursday 11 August: Italian Day 

Wednesday 17 August: Student Led Conferences 

Wednesday 31 August: 'Resilience and Positive Behaviour Parent Night' with Special Guest Patrice Wiseman 

Friday 2 September: Father’s Day Breakfast 

 

Communication

We are more than happy to communicate with you via email and/or arrange a meeting. Please find our emails below. 

 

rmasters@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au 

epattison@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

 

Many thanks,

Rhett Masters and Emma Pattison