Teaching and Learning Areas
Foundation
What a fun filled start to a term we have had in Prep! Last week, the Preps celebrated their 100th day of school with a day full of 100-themed activities. The Preps dressed up in a 100 themed outfit, baked a 100 cake and then decorated it with 100 smarties, did a 100m running race, decorated ‘100’ glasses, and counted 100 objects. It was so wonderful seeing everyone get in the spirit and to see families come to watch the parade.
In the classroom, students have begun learning about wild animals. They have been reading non-fiction books in Reading, writing non-fiction pieces about animals, and exploring the different features of those animals in Inquiry. Coming up is the Prep excursion to Melbourne Zoo where it will help them to consolidate their learning about what makes an animal wild versus a pet. As the term progresses, students will begin to compare what they learnt about wild animals with pets.
We hope you are all staying safe and warm!
Prep team
Grade 1/2
In 1/2 we are studying multiplication and division. Students have been practising making and recording equal groups using concrete materials. We have practised multiplying by two and recalling our doubles facts. Students have been using the multiplication symbol to record ‘groups of’ and linking it to repeated addition equations. For example, 2+2+2=6 can be recorded as 3x2=6.
Students used playdough and lego to stamp and record equal groups. We have solved problems such as “I have 12 smarties to decorate some cupcakes. Each cupcake must have the same number of smarties. How many cupcakes might I have and how many smarties on each one?”
We learnt about representing equal groups as arrays and played ‘The Array Game’, filling up grid paper with different arrays. We made ‘Array Cities’ to display around our classroom! Next week we will start learning about division. We will solve a range of worded problems with concrete materials to share objects into equal groups.
Resources to support students developing their multiplicative thinking at home (some may require adult assistance to sign up with an existing Google or other account).
- Go on an array hunt around your home (eg. muffin tray, egg carton, chocolate bar) - take photos, write the matching number sentence
- Get 24 ooshies, blocks, toy cars or other small objects - can you put them in 3 equal groups? 6 equal groups? 12 equal groups? 5 equal groups? etc. Write a number sentence for each one eg. 3 groups of 8 = 24 or 3 x 8 = 24
- Fluency flashcards with visual support https://fluency.amplify.com/
- A range of games using cards and dice are demonstrated here: https://www.lovemaths.me/operations-f-2
- Online fluency game https://www.arcademics.com/games/meteor
- Online fluency game https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
Grade 3/4
The Year 3/4 students have made a great start to the term and have settled back into learning with enthusiasm.
In Wellbeing, we have been exploring what makes each of us unique. Through class discussions and activities, students shared their likes, interests, strengths, experiences and backgrounds, while recognising that everyone has their own story. Students also learnt that people of any gender can enjoy different interests and talents, and that our differences are something to value and respect. One of the highlights was creating self-portraits that celebrated each student's individuality.
This learning has continued in our Integrated Studies unit on Identity and Community. Students explored the idea that our identities are made up of much more than what people see on the outside. Using an Identity Iceberg, they identified the visible parts of themselves, such as their appearance, age and hobbies, as well as the important hidden parts, including their family, culture, traditions, values, language, experiences and memories.
Students also enjoyed sharing their ideas during a class discussion about the question, "Who shapes our identity?" It has been wonderful to see them listen respectfully to one another, reflect on their own identities and appreciate the many different experiences that make our classroom such a welcoming community.
PE
Congratulations to all of our students for their fantastic effort and participation in last term's Athletics Try-outs. It was wonderful to see so many students challenge themselves, demonstrate great sportsmanship, and give their best across the range of track and field events.
We would also like to congratulate the students who were selected to represent Merri-bek Primary School at the Coburg District Athletics Carnival on Tuesday 18th August. Being selected to represent our school is a wonderful achievement and reflects the hard work, determination, and commitment shown throughout the try-outs.
We wish all of our Athletics Team members the very best of luck.
