Literacy

Book Week Parade - Written by our Library Captain, Ethan from 6AC

Last Monday we had the Book Parade. It’s when everyone joins in and gets dressed up in outstanding costumes from your favorite book! 

There were sensational costumes such as Jack Sparrow and his ship, Gangster Granny, all the Grade 3s dressed up as Harry Potter, Mrs Caldarelli as Violet Beauregarde (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and the 3 Principals as the BFG. Everyone looked amazing and I know everyone put a lot of thought and effort into their costumes. We appreciate all the effort the parents put in for creating or purchasing these majestic costumes. 

For more photos of the Book Week Parade and the author visit, please visit the Level newsletter pages. 

Author Visit - Written by our Library Captain Charlie from 6GP

This week the famous Nicky Johnston came to our school. During the visit, she read each level a book and conducted a little drawing class about the book. She made everything understandable for all the year levels and told them about her life and what she likes to use to bring her stories to life. She used pastels, water colors, ink and pencils to draw. She even told us about how she made a book on her son Bowen which was called The Incredible Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew. She really was a kind and amazing person and the kids truly loved her presentation. 

Nicky Johnston currently has a drawing competition that she has invited the students of Vermont to participate in. The PDF with the instructions are below. 

Vermont Primary School Writing Competition 

This term Vermont Primary is excited to announce a school wide writing competition!

Students from Grades 3 to 6 are challenged to write a 100-word story, while our writers in Prep to Grade 2 have the freedom to choose the length of their piece.

The theme of the competition is Friendship, reflecting the important lessons our students have been exploring in class through the Friendology program. 

Prizes will be awarded to outstanding entries at each level, and we encourage all students to participate. While we ask parents to be supportive, we request that the final work be entirely the student's own.

Please ensure that all entries are submitted to your child’s teacher by Wednesday, 4th September. We look forward to seeing the creativity and thoughtfulness of our students shine through their writing!

MS Readathon  

This year Vermont Primary School is participating in the MS Readathon.

The MS Readathon is a fundraiser which has been supporting people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 45 years. It aims to bring together the enjoyment of reading and the inspiration of creating a difference in the lives of people living with MS. The MS Readathon runs for the month of August.

As of today we have raised over $450 for this very special cause. Our current leading fundraisers are Kyri from 2JH and Aiden from 5SD. 

If you haven't joined yet and would like to participate, you can register by following these steps:

1. Visit the Readathon website: https://www.msreadathon.org.au/join/VermontPrimarySchool
2. Select ‘Register’
3. Click ‘My children to read’
4. Fill in the contact details of a parent/guardian
5. Enter your child’s details and add Vermont Primary School
6. Follow the prompts until registration is complete

Please remember not to include your child’s surname. Only their first name, or first name and surname initial, and their grade is required (e.g., Jimmy S 2JH).

Understanding the "Voice" Trait in Writing

In our previous newsletter, we introduced the 6+1 Writing Traits framework that we use here at Vermont Primary School. This framework helps our students break down the writing process into manageable parts, each focusing on a key aspect of writing to improve their overall skills. 

In the classroom, we emphasize the importance of developing a strong "Voice" in student writing. But what exactly is "Voice," and why is it so crucial?

What Is the "Voice" Trait?

The "Voice" trait in writing refers to the unique personality, tone, and style that the writer brings to their work. It's what makes a piece of writing feel authentic, as if a real person is speaking directly to the reader. Voice gives writing character, makes it engaging, and helps to convey the writer's emotions and perspective.

A strong voice can make a story more compelling, an argument more persuasive, or an explanation more clear and relatable. Whether writing a story, an opinion piece, or even a simple letter, the voice is what brings the writing to life.

How Parents Can Support "Voice" at Home

Parents play a vital role in reinforcing the skills we teach at school. Here are some ideas on how you can support your child's understanding of the "Voice" trait at home:

1. Discuss Tone and Audience: When reading together, discuss how the voice of the writing changes depending on the audience and purpose. Ask questions like, "How does the author's tone make you feel?" or "Why do you think the author chose to use this particular style?"
2. Practice Writing with Different Voices: Encourage your child to write short pieces using different voices. For example, they could write a letter from the perspective of a favorite book character or create a diary entry as if they were living in another time or place. This practice helps them experiment with different tones and styles.
3. Celebrate Their Unique Voice: When reviewing your child's writing, focus on what makes their voice special. Celebrate the parts of their writing that sound uniquely like them, and encourage them to keep developing that style.
4. Provide Opportunities for Free Writing: Allow your child to write freely on topics they are passionate about without worrying too much about spelling or grammar. The focus here should be on getting their thoughts and feelings down on paper, helping them to find their voice in a natural and enjoyable way.

Writing Challenges

If your child is keen to write at home but is not sure what to write about, below is a prompt that they could use: 

If I could have any job in the world it would be…

Comprehension Questions 

This fortnight’s questions are:

• If you were one of the characters in the book, would you have acted differently? Tell me when, why and how. 
• Does the setting of this story remind you of the setting in other stories? Describe