Spotlight on Learning

Dear Grade 3 Families,

In Week 5, students learned about how the first Christian communities lived, prayed, and cared for one another, and explored how the Eucharist brings people together as one family in Jesus. In English, students focused on homophones, handwriting, dependent and independent clauses, coordinating conjunctions, compound sentences, and began writing and editing an information report. In Mathematics, students learned to solve ‘times as many’ division problems using bar models, identified known and unknown quantities, and explained their mathematical thinking. In Integrated Studies, students enthusiastically showcased their Shadow Puppet Performance after preparing their characters, scripts, and rehearsals. In Auslan, students explored signed stories, creating and performing their own stories while developing their confidence and expressive signing skills. In Social and Emotional Learning, students began the new unit, Positive Gender Relations, learning about violence, different types of harm, early warning signs, and the importance of safety.

                     Learning for Term 3, Week 6

Religious Education:

In Religious Education, students will learn how the Holy Spirit gives us gifts that help us follow Jesus, with a focus on the significance of Pentecost. They will explore the story of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, identifying symbols associated with the Holy Spirit, such as fire, wind and the dove. Students will name some of the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and develop an understanding of how these gifts can guide and strengthen them. They will reflect on how the Holy Spirit can help them make positive choices, show kindness and compassion, and live more like Jesus in their daily lives.

English:

In English, students will begin reading Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, building their vocabulary and comprehension as they explore the text. They will learn the meanings of new vocabulary, including blissful, prompt, untimely, frolic, appetising, innocently, morsel, moss, meek, examine, and mighty, as well as exploring word parts such as zo meaning animal, tract meaning pull, and bi meaning life. Students will develop their understanding that every sentence contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought, with correct punctuation at the beginning and end of sentences. They will learn about figurative language, including metaphors, personification and similes, and identify how authors use these techniques to make writing more descriptive and engaging. Students will continue to expand and improve sentences by adding detail and using more precise vocabulary, while developing their ability to identify key information and important ideas when reading and responding to the text.

Mathematics:

In Mathematics, students will learn to solve a range of ‘times as many’ word problems, with a particular focus on using division to find unknown quantities. They will represent ‘times as many’ situations using bar models to visualise the relationships between quantities and identify the known and unknown information. Students will develop their understanding of division by recognising when a quantity needs to be shared into equal groups or when they need to find how many times one quantity is contained within another. They will use bar models to support their problem-solving, select the appropriate operation, and use a calculator when appropriate. Students will be encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking, communicate the steps they took to solve each problem, and check that their answers are reasonable in the context of the problem.

Integrated Curriculum:

In Integrated Studies, students will prepare and perform a quality shadow puppet performance, applying their understanding of storytelling, light and shadow, puppet movement, voice, collaboration and performance skills. They will develop a clear beginning, middle and end to their story so that the audience can easily follow the characters and events. Students will explore how light can be used purposefully to create clear and visible shadows, including changing the size, shape and movement of their puppets. They will practise moving their puppets smoothly and purposefully while working together to coordinate entrances, exits and actions. Students will develop their voice and performance skills by using clear, expressive voices, appropriate volume, pace and expression to bring their characters and stories to life. They will work collaboratively, ensuring all group members contribute ideas and performance skills, practise and refine their performance, support one another, and respond positively to feedback. Students will maintain focus and stay in character throughout their performance. Following their performance, students will complete a self-assessment to reflect on their individual and group contributions, identify strengths, consider areas for improvement, and evaluate how effectively they met the success criteria.

Auslan:

In Auslan, students will explore signs related to thinking and emotions, developing their understanding of how signs can be located around different parts of the body. They will learn that signs such as remember, know and wonder are signed around the head, while signs expressing emotions are signed around the head and heart. Students will practise using these signs in simple signed statements and participate in a signed game using phrases such as “I know” and “I remember.” They will build their confidence, accuracy and fluency when using Auslan to communicate their thoughts and ideas.

Social & Emotional Learning:

In Social and Emotional Learning, students will revise and refresh their understanding of Upstanding – “You Have the Power.” They will revisit the importance of being an upstander, recognising that they have the power to make positive choices and take action when they see unfair, unkind or unsafe behaviour. Students will reflect on ways they can use their words and actions to support others, show courage, speak up appropriately, and contribute to a safe, respectful and inclusive community.

What you can do at home:

• 📚 Encourage daily reading by listening to your child read Charlotte’s Web, discussing new vocabulary, characters, events and key information.
• ✏️ Practise English skills by identifying similes, metaphors and personification in books and encouraging your child to create their own examples.
• 🔢 Practise multiplication and division using everyday activities such as sharing objects equally, grouping items and solving ‘times as many’ problems using bar models.
• 🙏 Explore the Holy Spirit by discussing the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and ways your child can show kindness, compassion and courage.
• 🤟 Practise Auslan and upstanding by revising signs such as know, remember and wonder, and discussing ways your child can use their words and actions to support others and be an upstander.

Important Reminders:

Fidget Toys

We kindly ask that students do not bring fidget toys to school unless their use is a planned adjustment in consultation with Allied Health Professionals. Students who bring fidget toys without an approved adjustment will be asked to place them in their school bag for the remainder of the day to take home. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to leave fidget toys at home.

Plastic bottle caps needed for this Term's Integrated unit! 

Please send washed plastic bottle caps (soft drink, milk etc) to school with your child whenever possible. Your support is greatly appreciated!

The Ephesus Team

Contact Us @Ephesus

ephesus@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au (all teachers) or