Grade 5/6

Reading

This week the 5/6 students have investigated text features. We have explored different text types (both fiction and non-fiction) and what types of features authors include in their texts to help readers understand the text better. Some of the features we have found in texts are headings, captions, diagrams, contents page, index, etc. The students have worked really hard at finding these features and are beginning to understand how these features in texts help us as readers. 

Writing 

We have completed class debates this week in class. Students have worked in teams to prepare and rehearse their speeches. Teachers have provided feedback after each debate to help the students learn from this experience.

We are about to move into debates that have teams made up of students from all Grade 5/6 classes. They have been assigned some very interesting and thought provoking topics. It would be great if you could ask your student about the topic of their debate and discuss their ideas and arguments.

Numeracy

We have been exploring the area of ‘Time’ in numeracy. Students have investigated 

-time conversions (e.g. 4 ½ hours = 270 minutes)

-calculating elapsed time

-converting between 24 hour and 12 hour time formats

- recording times in a variety of ways (analogue, digital, worded)

-using the terms ‘past’ and ‘to’ when reading and saying time

-exploring the connection between fractions and time

Please discuss what your students know about time with them at home and ensure they know how many days are in each month of the year.

Inquiry 

All classes have started to share their research on local, national and international landmarks. Classmates and teachers have learnt a lot about different destinations around the world and their significance. It has been pleasing to watch the students share their ideas as they worked in their pairs.

Our next unit will be ‘The Amazing Race’ that combines all subject areas as the students solve problems and complete activities to progress to each stage.  

We would love to give a chocolate bar out to any staff member or parent who speaks with a grade 5/6 teacher about something they loved in this newsletter;) 

BPS World Cup and Melbourne Victory Clinics 

It is finals time in the BPS World Cup! The teams that reached the finals this year are Tonkins Titans, Shepherd’s Strawhats, Kenzie’s Kebabs, Ayoubi’s Allstars, Cliffy Crushers, and the Wellbeing Warriors. Nealy’s Nuggets and Yianni’s Yallahs just missed out this year. 

The teachers are all looking forward to a student super team taking on the BPS teaching staff in a few weeks time.

As part of the World Cup we have been lucky enough to have Melbourne Victory come out and run training sessions with our students. They have participated in a range of drills and practised their skills to help them achieve success in the tournament.

Kinder Buddies

The Grade 5 students have held end of year picnics with their kinder buddies. The buddies came to visit us and we enjoyed spending time in the sun eating our snack together. It will be nice to build on these positive relationships when many of the kinder students begin school at Broadmeadows Primary next year.