Secondary 9/10 Learning
Welcome
We are half way through the term, it has certainly gone fast for us! Please remember that Monday 21st May is a curriculum day and students are not required to attend.
Mathematics
Our focus in Maths has switched to subtraction and the efficient mental strategies that can help us solve problems involving subtraction. We have explored the different types of subtraction problems and the importance of the concept of Whole-Part-Part in subtraction. This means that the biggest number, or the whole number, must always come first. This is a crucial difference between addition and subtraction.
We have continued our unit on time and have looked at analogue time, the features of an analogue clock and elapsed time for the students who have a good understanding of analogue time.
English
In week 5 we have changed our text type to non-fiction with a focus on information reports. This will be linked to the learning we are doing in Integrated studies. At the start of the unit we will be looking at the structure and features of information reports, the type of language used and the purpose for writing them. Students will work on their researching skills and will plan and write an information report related to an area they are interested in from our work on Immigration.
In reading we are now looking at the concepts of print including the different ways texts are constructed, how headings are used, bold and italicised text etc. We will also be comparing both online and printed texts to look at the different ways they are presented, the purpose of a navigation bar, how the information is laid out etc.
Integrated Studies
Integrated studies is looking different in every classroom with the students guiding the final investigations on Immigration. SJG went on their excursion to NGV for their guided tour of the Colony Exhibition in week 4 and reported back that they had had a great time and enjoyed hearing the stories behind the artwork. Other classes have been exploring different cultures and sampling the delicious foods from those countries including some special family recipes.
There has been another excursion notification on Compass for SKA’s upcoming excursion, please make sure you are logging on and providing permission.
Social Competencies
Classes are continuing to look at relationships and have explored the importance of communication. Students have discussed verbal and non-verbal communication, how we communicate with our body language as well as when we speak. They have looked at the appropriate use of volume in different situations including when we are inside and when we are outside.
PreCAL
English
In reading the PreCAL classes are looking at the features of a text including the difference between the text and image, the direction of print, headings and how we use punctuation when we are reading. The classes have explored
In writing the PreCAL classes have begun planning their workplace safety advertisement. They are beginning with a workplace safety poster and are working hard on developing a slogan that they will use in the poster and also the movie they create later in the term.
Mathematics
Our focus in Maths has switched to subtraction and making numbers smaller. We have explored the importance of the concept of Whole-Part-Part in subtraction. This means that the biggest number, or the whole number, must always come first. Students have practiced their subtraction skills using 5, 10 or 20 frames, counters and a hundreds chart to track the numbers as they count back. We are continuing to explore time and have looked at calendars and using them to locate specific information. The classes have looked at the PTV Journey planner to look at the journey they will take for their community experience day, times of the trains etc.
STEAM
The classes have finished their first rotation exploring robotics and coding either with the BeeBots, Dash and Dot or Mouse and Maze activities. The students have had the opportunity to test their skills with the first type of robot they have worked with and have had lots of fun trying to program them to move.
Community Experience
The classes have visited Global Embroidery in Watsonia to get an idea of the different safety uniforms that can be worn in different jobs and the different types of safety equipment workers can use including hard hats and face masks. This was a new experience for the students to a new destination. They took notice of the safety signs and practiced their communication skills to ask questions while they were there. The Maths focus on the experience day was keeping track of time, making sure they were on time for the appointment and noticing any clocks in the workplace.
Duke of Edinburgh
Fit For Life continues to be a busy and interactive program on Wednesday mornings. The students have engaged in the new programs this term including the Yoga movement group and MAT Life Skills. It has been wonderful to watch the confidence of the MAT Life Skills group grow as they challenge themselves and build on their ability to work as a team and trust each other. We are looking into the possibility of continuing this program into next term as we would like more students to be involved in this program.
STEAM
Our first rotation of activities for term 2 is almost over with students finishing off their projects and design briefs. They will move into their second and final rotation for term 2 in week 6. We have begun planning for some new programs to be introduced in term 3 to provide some variety for the students. To involve them in the process we have asked for feedback about the programs they would like us keep running through a survey where they have provided a 3, 2, 1 vote. We will use
this data to decide the programs we keep and the programs we replace. The students have also provided some great ideas for new units we could develop. It has been fantastic to involve them in the process.
Sam Birrell
Secondary 9/10 Team Leader