Year 5 Celebration 

Newsletter

Maths:

This term Grade 5 and 5/6’s learnt to measure angles using protractors, as well as identifying and labelling the different types of angles. Students embarked on a Measurement unit relating to volume, capacity and mass where they used concrete materials to explore each concept. We focused on Statistics and Probability which saw the students collecting, graphing and analysing data. Our major focus of this term was building the students understanding of the four processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) which was achieved through a Maths Project. Students enjoyed being engaged and extended through this exciting approaches.

Reading:

This term the Grade 5 and 5/6s explored figurative language and came to understand the difference between similes and metaphors and how they can be used to enhance description within a text. Students built upon their understanding and application of a range of comprehension strategies such as summarising and synthesising. They became increasingly familiar with text features and structures of narratives, biographies (interviews) and poems. The students learnt how to interpret and understand information from a range of graphics such as maps, diagrams, charts and images. Together with the teacher, students set new individual reading goals and had the opportunity and support to practise applying specific strategies in their independent and small group reading tasks. 

Writing:

During Term two we linked our Reading and Writing units closely as we explore fantasy narratives. Students became familiar with unique elements of fantasy texts and composed their own narratives. The unit on poetry writing saw the students explore a variety of poems such as rhyming, free verse, limericks and sonnets. The inclusion of figurative language, descriptive phrases and alliteration enhanced success with this genre. In the second half of the term students learnt skills of interviewing, where they planned, drafted and published a biographical interview of their chosen family member. Student worked samples were used to aid in the creation of individualised goals during teacher-student conferencing, and these goals were monitored and evaluated throughout the term.

Inquiry:

This term in Inquiry the students explored Earth as part of a system of planets and celestial bodies that orbit the sun in our unit ‘Cosmic Connections’. They learnt to recognise that technologies developed to aid space exploration and have changed the way people live, work and communicate. Students examined how different types of questions can be used to identify and clarify information, ideas and possibilities. Students also studied how geological changes, such as weather and earthquakes have impacted the Earth’s surface. They presented various presentations on aspects of the Cosmic Connections unit this term.

Wellbeing:

We continued to build upon our social and emotional skills through weekly Resilience Project sessions. Students kept exploring the importance of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness through a series of carefully planned and targeted learning experiences and were guided to apply a range of effective strategies to solve friendship issues. Targeted Respectful Relationships sessions were implemented each week to support the students as they navigate their social landscape and develop positive gender relations and ways in building upon positive relationships.

Performing Arts 

During Performing Arts in Term 2, Grade Five students culminated their semester-long mini production process by proudly presenting performances based on ‘Aesop fables’ to younger students. Students enjoyed working through the process of rehearsals, staging and creating digital backgrounds and were very excited to share their work with the Grade 1’s who loved the show! Towards the end of the term, Grade Five students began to develop their photography skills when exploring the concept of ‘Forced Perspective Photography’. Stay tuned to see this work at next term’s Art Show!

PE

In Grade 5 PE classes, students further developed their physical abilities through challenging activities and sports. In preparation for inter-school competitions, students learned, practised, and mastered different game-specific skills. They continued to refine their skills in different Athletic events with the opportunity to compete in these at Athletics Day. They refined techniques and strategies while developing sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork to best represent Kismet Park against other schools.

Visual Arts

This term, students in Year 5 continued to explore new techniques and materials when creating their art. They created a 3-dimensional disco ball, using colours to create the illusion of depth and light. Students worked alongside a community artist as they created their own original art for our upcoming Art Show. They further developed their drawing skills, learning to create 3 dimensional effects as they explored form and space. They worked towards being courageous artists who gave new techniques a try, and they worked safely in the art room. It has been an exciting time this term in the Visual Arts room.

Japanese

This term in Japanese, the Grade 5 students developed their reading, writing, speaking and listening through a unit focusing on food. Students learnt to identify, say and write a variety of food names. They built on their speaking and listening skills through learning to say "I like/dislike ___.” Students also learned about chopstick etiquette and Japanese vending machines. They continued to learn the three scripts of Japanese, with hiragana being the main focus. Students had opportunities to continue to move through the Hiragana Karate belts this term. They also learnt about cultural events in Japan such as Ohanami and Children’s Day.