Year 5/6 Term 4 Overview
Year 5/6 Term Four
Welcome back to Term 4! It has been a very calm and positive start to the term. Tracey Farrar and Allison Bayliss continue in 5/6A and B. Carmel Barro and Anna Hendy continue in 5/6C. Claire Lambert continues to support in classes 5/6A and B on Wednesday. Our Learning Support Officers are Ruby Schneider, Kristin Sardellis and Lipo Li.
Religious Education
Our initial focus this term is on the laws of the Church, with particular emphasis on the laws given to the Israelites in the Old Testament - the Ten Commandments.
This aligns closely with our Inquiry unit on Civics and Citizenship. We will also be looking closely at the changes made following the Vatican 2 council and what that meant for local churches. We will then be focusing on the sacrament of Reconciliation and how this is an opportunity for us to restore broken relationships with each other and God.
Inquiry
Inquiry this term is focussing on Civics and Citizenship.
Our big question for this unit is: 'As a citizen in a democratic country, how can I contribute positively to our global community? '
We will be looking at the history of democracy, the different structures of democratic countries, as well as the organisation of our own government. Students will engage in an incursion where they will experience a parliamentary role play.
Students will be undertaking a project that will give them the opportunity to be ‘Global Change Makers’, focusing on how they can make positive contributions to their community through a bigger organisation.
English
This term, the senior students will continue to develop their reading comprehension, speaking, listening and writing skills.
During our reading time, students will be immersed in the class novel “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom” by Louis Sachar (the author of Holes). This novel is the story of isolation, bravery, friendship & acceptance and how our life can change when we connect with people.
They will have opportunities to listen to podcasts and create both written and verbal responses.
In Writing, the initial focus is on poetry and we will be looking at the various forms of poetry and how it is structured. We will then make the shift to biographies, where students will investigate global changemakers and present this information to their peers. Explicit teaching will focus on providing factual, clear and relevant information on specific people. They will continue to build their vocabulary and understanding of grammar through focused writing lessons. Time will also be allocated for students to write individual pieces using their "Writer's Notebooks".
Mathematics
In Mathematics this term students will be working on the topic of Measurement and Geometry.
Through this topic we will be focusing on angles, location & transformation, area, perimeter, mass, volume, capacity & problem solving.
In these areas the students wil will:
- Name the different types of angles & how to use a protractor to measure these
- Use grid references to describe locations, routes, landmarks and include directional language
- Describe translations, reflections and rotations of 2D shapes
- Identify the lines of symmetry
- Use digital technology and grid systems to enlarge shapes
- Choose appropriate units of measurement for length, area, volume, capacity and mass
- Calculate the perimeter, area, volume and capacity of shapes
Social Emotional Learning
This term in SEL our whole school focus continues in the area of Social Capabilities. Students will continue to explore positive ways to manage conflict, seek help and solve problems. We will be discussing possible strategies to use in a range of situations where conflict may arise. As the term progresses we will be developing our skills in the area of mindfulness and learning how best to work in teams. Classroom Meetings will also be on the agenda for this term and students have been doing some really great work in this area developing their student voice.
STEM
We are focusing on chemical sciences in STEM this term, looking at the different ways solids, liquids and gases behave. Students will conduct investigations on reversible and irreversible changes to materials, learning how to conduct a controlled experiment, and use equipment responsibly and safely. Students will record their findings in a science journal, using different methods to represent their data. They will make predictions, suggest solutions, and discuss ways to improve their investigation methods to answer a question.
DigiTech
Students will continue working on their computer skills through daily use of their Chromebooks, utilising applications such as Google Workspace, Google Classroom, BTN, Edpuzzle, and other educational programs. They will listen to, and respond to podcast content, as well as use Canva to produce classwork across the curriculum areas.
In addition to this, students will begin creating their own virtual pets while learning about algorithms and coding through Grok Academy. They will develop their coding skills using micro:bit where there they will utilise blockly to create their algorithms.
Students will regularly revise information on keeping safe online and the importance of maintaining digital etiquette.
Home Learning
Home learning will begin in Week 2 and will be distributed on a fortnightly basis. Tasks will support the learning in class time and opportunities will be given for students to make choices about which activities they complete. We encourage students to manage this independently and discuss with their teachers any issues they have.
Weekly Timetable
5/6 A
Thursday - P.E and Visual Arts
Friday - Performing Arts and Chinese
5/6 B
Thursday - Performing Arts, Visual Arts & PE
Friday - Chinese
5/6 C
Tuesday - Chinese
Thursday - P.E and Performing Arts
Friday - Visual Arts
Please note in your calendars:
OCTOBER
Saturday 14 October - Working Bee 10pm - 1.00pm
Monday October 23: Parliament Incursion
NOVEMBER
Sunday November 12: Year 5 Mass - 11:15am
Monday November 6: School Closure Day
Friday November 24: Colour Run - 2pm
Friday November 17: School Closure
Saturday November 18: St John's Mitcham Fete
DECEMBER
Thursday December 7: Aquinas/Whitefriars Transition days
Monday December 11: Halliday Park Picnic
Tuesday December 12: Funfields Year 6 fun day
Thursday December 14: Whole School Thanksgiving Mass and Year 6 Graduation 7pm
Friday December 15: Final day for students
All other school dates will be on the school online calendar
Communication
Effective communication between family and school is an important factor in a student’s learning. Please make contact with us if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
We will endeavour to respond to emails within 24 hours, during weekdays.
we look forward to another exciting term together.
Carmel, Anna, Allison and Tracey
cbarro@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
ahendy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
abayliss@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
tfarrar@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
Religious Education
Weekly Timetable
5/6 A
Thursday - P.E and Visual Arts
Friday - Performing Arts and Chinese
We will be rehearsing for our upcoming production during our Sports session on a Wednesday afternoon.
5/6 B
Thursday - P.E and Performing Arts
Friday - Visual Arts and Chinese
We will be rehearsing for our upcoming production during our Sports session on a Wednesday afternoon.
5/6 C
Tuesday - Chinese
Thursday - P.E and Performing Arts
Friday - Visual Arts
We will be rehearsing for our upcoming production during our Sports session on a Wednesday afternoon.
TERM 4 Important Dates
OCTOBER
Communication
Effective communication between family and school is an important factor in a student’s learning. Please make contact with us if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
We will endeavor to respond to emails within 24 hours, during weekdays.
Tracey Farrar, Carmel Barro, Anna Hendy and Allison Bayliss
tfarrar@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
abayliss@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
cbarro@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
ahendy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au