Year 5/6 News 

 ENGLISH

Reading:

In Reading this term, students will explore how stories and information texts help us understand characters, ideas and the world around us. They’ll learn to summarise fiction using the SWBST strategy (Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then), applying it to a range of short texts before independently summarising a personal favourite. Students will also practise inferring the main message in both fiction and non-fiction, using multiple-choice options to justify their thinking. As the term progresses, they’ll shift focus to synthesising – combining new information with prior knowledge to build deeper understanding. This will be applied across different texts and contexts. Later, students will be introduced to questioning as a key comprehension strategy. Through modelling and guidance, they’ll learn to generate and record thoughtful questions to support their understanding. By the end of the term, students will have developed stronger skills in summarising, synthesising, inferring and questioning, helping them become more confident, active readers.

 

Writing:

In Writing this term, students will focus on crafting engaging narratives using the narrative arc structure. They’ll learn how to build strong openings, rising actions and satisfying resolutions, while developing characters whose actions and emotions drive the story forward. Students will explore mentor texts to analyse how authors structure key moments and will apply these techniques in their own writing. Alongside narrative writing, students will study short biographies, linking closely with our Inquiry unit on the Stolen Generations. They’ll learn to plan, draft and edit biographical texts that respectfully convey the lives and contributions of significant individuals, using factual detail and clear structure. Throughout the term, students will continue refining their writing through conferencing, peer feedback and revision, strengthening their ability to write with purpose.

 

 

 

MATHEMATICS

This term the grade 5/6 students will be exploring a variety of units in Mathematics.  Multiplication and division will be the major topic that we will be exploring. During the unit, the students will solve problems involving multiplication of larger numbers by one- or two-digit numbers, choosing efficient mental and written calculation strategies and using digital tools where appropriate. They will also solve problems involving division, choosing efficient mental and written strategies and interpret any remainders. The students will then use their knowledge of factors and multiples to explore tests of divisibility. The minor units that students will explore in mathematics are mass, area, data and location. In Mass, the grade 5/6 students will explore the use of appropriate weighing devices to compare units of mass and convert units of mass. In the area unit, the students will familiarise themselves with the terminology of area and surface area. The students will explore strategies in finding the area of a rectangle and efficient strategies to find the area of composite shapes. Throughout our exploration of data, the students will represent data for numerical and categorical variables to address a question of interest. They will plan and conduct statistical investigations by posing questions and collecting relevant data, pose survey questions and identify the best methods for presenting the data. Finally, in our location unit, the students will use coordinates and directional language to describe position and movement. They will also compare grid coordinates to grid references.

 

 

 

INQUIRY

In Inquiry this term the grade 5/6 students will be focusing on building their understanding of the significant events and policies in Australia’s history that have impacted Aboriginal people. The students will be exploring how the status and rights of Aboriginal people have changed over time due to key events in Australia’s history. They will investigate the significance of the Prime Minister’s apology to the stolen generations and identify the policies and practices that enabled authorities to remove Aboriginal children from their families and communities. The students will be also researching and sorting out their findings on how the removal of aboriginal children by authorities affected individuals, their families and communities. The students will finish the term by creating a timeline based on the history they have learned over the unit of work.

 

 

 

SCIENCE

This term the Grade 5/6 students will be studying the Earth and Space Sciences and learning about how sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface and atmosphere; the impacts of natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and floods, can be reduced by human actions and technological innovations. This new unit is titled “Natural Disasters”.

 

The objectives for the Natural Disasters unit are:

  • To identify the characteristics of the earth's internal layers
  • To explore tectonic plates and the effects their movements have on the surface of the earth
  • To investigate the causes and effects of geological natural disasters
  • To investigate the causes and effects of meteorological and other natural disasters
  • To investigate how town planning can reduce the impact of flooding
  • To identify the effects of natural disasters and explore how these may be managed
  • To identify appropriate safety procedures for natural disaster events
  • To deepen understanding of natural disasters through inquiry-based research

 

 

 

LOTE - AUSLAN

Welcome to Term 3 Auslan! Students will learn about: – Food/Dinner, School Signs, Nature Walk, Auslan Structure, Conversation, Holiday – Planning & Packing, On Holidays, HOLM + NMF – Minimal Pairs (Orientation), Modern Technology and Revision. These new lessons will show signs that are relevant to our daily lives and the things that we do as families. We will also build on our previous learning, with ‘old’ and ‘new’ signs coming together in lessons. Deaf Culture (conversation elements) and Auslan Structure (sign order) will provide information related to the theory and purpose of Auslan.

 

Another focus for the 5/6s this term will be to work with a partner to create a ‘skit’ or scene using signs, fingerspelling and Constructed Action. The story in the revision lesson will use many signs that will be learnt this term and provide the opportunity to ‘read back’ the signs to understand the story. This will present as a challenge initially, however with experience, and ongoing exposure, the students will learn to read-back signs and comprehend the content.

 

At this level the students will be actively encouraged to develop their Auslan skills in both

fingerspelling and signing, so that they develop an increased confidence to fingerspell

and read back fingerspelling more comfortably.

 

 

 

 ART

The Year 5/6s are going to explore form and texture in Art this term. We will work with a range of sculptural mediums, including wire, sand, collage, clay and origami. Our creations will involve the use of skills such as beading, modelling and painting. Additionally, the students will collaborate on an artwork to be displayed in the Melton South community, as part of a construction beautification project.

 

Art activities will involve lots of discussion and investigation, as we discover creative possibilities in making two- and three-dimensional artworks. It has been wonderful to see the students’ confidence in the art room grow thus far, allowing their artistry and inventiveness to shine. 

 

 

 

P.E.

Our Year 5/6 students have a busy and exciting term ahead in PE! We’ll begin by building on our basketball skills, with a focus on dribbling under pressure, accurate passing, shooting techniques, and teamwork. Students will apply these skills in 3v3 and 5v5 game settings to help develop their tactical understanding and decision-making. We’ll then move into striking sports like tennis and badminton, where students will refine their control, timing, and power while learning to rally and play modified games. In addition to regular PE sessions, many of our 5/6 students will be representing the school in interschool sport competitions, including basketball, rugby, and athletics. These events provide a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills, build confidence, and show great sportsmanship. It’s shaping up to be a fun and active term, and I’m looking forward to supporting all of our 5/6s as they challenge themselves and continue to grow in PE!

 

 

 

MUSIC

During term 3 in music, grade 5 and 6 students will be learning about songs and song writers . Students will be learning to play chords and riffs or ostinatos songs on the keyboard ukulele or guitar. Students will be learning about different song writers and how their music influences us. Some examples of songs they will listen to learn to play ‘Let it be’ by the Beatles,  ‘Johnny B. Goode’ by Chuck Berry ‘Take on me’ Also songs by Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd . Students will be learning about chord progressions and how they support the song. Students will also learn music from some of their favourite songs.  Students will also be learning to coordinate their hands on the keyboard, ukulele and guitar. Students will be learning the letter names of notes on the keyboard and tablature on guitar and where to place their hands and how to play the instruments. Students will learn to use fingers of their hands to play the keyboard and guitar. Students will also be learning to improvise and write simple songs of their own.