Curriculum News
English
This term, our Year 5/6 students will be enjoying the exciting fantasy novel Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. The story follows Morrigan Crow, a young girl who has always believed she is cursed and destined for an unfortunate future. However, her life changes dramatically when she is whisked away to the magical city of Nevermoor.
Throughout the novel, students will explore themes of friendship, belonging, courage and discovering their own strengths. They will develop their reading comprehension skills through prediction, questioning, vocabulary activities and thoughtful discussions about the characters and events in the story. We are looking forward to joining Morrigan on her magical and mysterious adventure!
As we approach the end of Term 4, our Year 5/6 students will be exploring the wonderful world of poetry. Students will read, listen to and create a variety of poems while experimenting with language, rhythm, rhyme and imagery. Through poetry, students will have the opportunity to express their ideas, thoughts and creativity in imaginative and meaningful ways.
Mathematics
Year 5
Data
This term in Data the students will plan, collect and record data on a variety of topics. They will use frequency scales to aid collection and represent data in columns and various graphic forms. They will learn to use the likert scale and ways to collect data on a larger scale. Students will interpret and explain data that has been collected and presented.
Fractions Decimals and Percentages
This term in Fractions, decimals and percentages the students will learn to represent fractions in a hundreds grid and find fractions that equal 100 They will apply, represent percentages and convert between tenths, hundredths and thousandths in a variety of contexts. The students will calculate percentages of an amount and use strategies to problem solve fractions to decimals and percentages.
Operations
The students will be using rounding up or down to the nearest 10. They will investigate how rounding using any of the 4 processes affects the calculation of numbers and how this relates to real life situations. They will identify when rounding is a useful strategy and when it is appropriate to use. They will create various models such as bar graphs and diagrams to solve problems. Students will create a simple spreadsheet to plan an event and provide a solution.
Year 6
Data
The students will plan a statistical investigation and identify a suitable data collection. They will identify a suitable problem and how to collect secondary data and how to represent it in graphical form, including a digital representation. Students will design and interpret side-by-side bar and line graphs and explain the information they provide. They will communicate their understanding and reasoning about data provided and created.
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
The students will be calculating discounts involving 10, 20 and 50 percent. They will apply strategies to calculate discounts involving multiples of 10 with unit and non-unit amounts. Students will use strategies to compute decimals and percentages of amounts. The students will convert between fractions, decimals and percentages of discounts, estimating the answer to questions. Rounding will be a key strategy to estimate.
Operations
In this unit, students will build their skills in using mathematical operations to solve problems. They will learn to choose the best strategy for different types of problems and explain their thinking. Students will apply their knowledge to increasingly challenging problems, helping them develop confidence and flexibility in mathematics.
Religion
Mission Month
Students will explore how their Catholic faith calls them to help and support others in need. They will learn from Jesus’ example and participate in activities that make a positive difference in their community.
During the season of Advent, the students will focus on the Jesse Tree. They will explore the Bible as an important source of faith and guidance, learning how the stories of Jesus and his ancestors teach us how to live with love, kindness and compassion.
Science
In this unit, students will explore the difference between mixtures and solutions and how materials can be combined. They will investigate these concepts by creating their own mixture, including making lemonade, and observing how the ingredients combine.
Changing the Earth’s Surface
In this unit, students will explore how weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition shape and change Earth’s surface over time. They will investigate how natural forces such as wind and water, as well as human activity, can impact landscapes and learn about different perspectives on the formation and care of landforms.
Humanities - The Search for Resources
In this unit, students will explore the importance of environments and how people and communities rely on them for food, water and resources. They will investigate environmental challenges such as droughts, floods, bushfires and cyclones, and learn how communities prepare for and respond to these events. Students will also explore sustainability and consider how their everyday actions can help protect and care for local and global environments.
Social & Emotional Wellbeing
In Term 4, Year 5/6 students will develop their understanding of positive coping strategies and how these can help them to manage emotions and challenging situations. The students will build language to describe and reflect on their emotions and consider which coping strategies they currently use, identifying the ones that are helpful. They will explore and practise a range of positive coping strategies. Students will also investigate the influence of self-talk and how the way they speak to themselves can impact their emotions, decisions and actions.