Year 5/6

English

Reading

This term in reading the 5/6 students began the term by continuing their work on summarising the important parts of non-fiction texts in a sequenced way, both orally and in writing. The students practised using the SQ3R reading comprehension method named for its five steps: survey, question, read, recite, and review to help them summarise. The students then moved onto a major focus on questioning where they worked on asking questions before, during and after reading. The students analysed the types of questions they were asking and evaluated whether their questions were important to the understanding of the text. They then identified the answers to their questions using evidence or research if needed. 

 Writing

In Writing this term the grade 5/6 students followed the writing process of planning, drafting, revising, editing and publishing to write a narrative. Throughout the unit the students focused on further developing their narratives by adding more detail around their characters, setting, complications, events that lead up to the complication and their resolution. The students worked on extending their vocabulary through the use of vivid language and adjectives which are descriptive and precise. The students finished their narrative writing pieces and then moved onto exploring our unit of poetry . The students demonstrated  their understanding of different forms of poetry and applied their knowledge of vivid vocabulary to convey images, feelings, mood and tone in their own construction of poems. For example, the students practised using sensory language to convey a vivid picture of places and feelings. The students worked on recognising  a variety of poetic devices and utilised them in their own poems. Some of these poetic devices included repetition, personification  and metaphors.  By the end of this unit, the students worked on being able to recognise and apply a range of structural restraints such as repetition, metaphors, similes, rhyme and rhythms to their own poems.

Mathematics

This term in mathematics, the Grade 5/6 students explored multiple concepts. We began the term by revising addition and subtraction and then moved into our major focus in Number & Algebra this term - ‘Multiplication and Division’.  In this unit, the students  explored the relationship between multiplication and division and used their knowledge of multiplication to solve division problems. They worked on developing their understanding of multiplication through a range of activities which allowed them to make connections between arrays and multiplication equations. The students explored more efficient ways to solve multiplication and division problems and further developed their understanding of division by unpacking the tests of divisibility.  While teaching multiplication and division throughout the term in the first part of the week, the students also explored the concepts of measurement and geometry in the second part of the week. The students investigated the concept of Transformations and Area.  The students first learned about the transformations such as translations, rotations, and reflections and how they affect the shape of a simple and complex 2D object. They then worked on identifying and describing the lines of symmetry in 2D shapes. After spending some part of the term focusing on transformations in the second part of the week, the students then moved onto the learning of ‘Area’. Throughout ‘Area’ the students learned to apply their knowledge of multiplication facts  to calculate the area of regular, irregular, and composite shapes while understanding that area is a 2D concept. 

Inquiry 

In Inquiry this term the 5/6 students learned about the Stolen Generations. The students have learnt about various policies and events  in Australian history that have significantly impacted Indigenous people and communities. Such events that the students have learnt about are the Assimilation policy, White Australia policy, National Apology , Aboriginal vote in Australia, the ‘Bringing them Home’ report and the change of the National Anthem. The students also watched the movie, The Rabbit Proof Fence which helped students engage and understand the impact of policies amongst Indigenous people in Australia.  The students then worked on combining all of their knowledge and understanding of these significant events through the construction of a timeline in a format of their choice. The students then presented their projects to their class. 

 Science

This term in Science, Grade 5/6 students have focused on the Physical Science strand. Students have investigated circuitry and the flow of electricity. They have worked with different electrical conductors and insulators. Students have explored the features of electrical devices such as batteries, switches and light globes. The Grade 5/6’s have also investigated how moving air and water can turn turbines to generate electricity and how solar panels can generate electricity.

During these investigations students have continued to develop the following science inquiry skills – questioning and predicting, planning and conducting, processing and analysing data and information, evaluating and communicating.

 LOTE – Chinese

This term in Chinese Grade5/6 students began with countries’ unit and learnt four countries both in speaking and writing forms. Basically, they traced the Chinese names of Australia and China, coloured in the flags for Australia and China. And then they learnt facial parts and mooncake festival – Mid Autumn Festival. At the end, they did an iPad project on Mid Autumn Festival which covered history, food, celebration and personal experience on this festival.

Art

In term 3, the students dove right into a world filled with imagination, colour and artistic exploration. The students started off this term making God’s Eyes. They weaved wool around paddle pop sticks to make intricate and eye pleasing patterns. We moved to learning about 3D Sculptures. The students have learned that three-dimensional art sculptures are works of art that present the dimensions of height, width, and depth. They occupy physical space and can be perceived from all sides and angles.  They made incredible sculptures using Magic Modelling Clay. They were given only the primary colours and white to make their sculptures. They had fun exploring colour therapy by mixing the primary colours to make secondary colours adding detail to their sculptures. We then moved to creating 3D Sculptures using foil, understating that foil has many purposes and isn’t limited to just baking and cooking in the kitchen but using it to create art. The students had lots of fun making these and learning all about the weaving technique and 3D Art.  I can’t wait to see the masterpieces our students produce next term.

P.E.

In this term we had more interschool sports for our 5/6 students to represent the school. This term we had boys and girls represent the school in basketball. Well done on your efforts and congratulations on representing the school well. Thank you to teachers and staff who make all these opportunities possible for our students. Term 3 started with our athletics events during the first week back. Each class participated in a range of athletic events both running and throwing where students were all given the chance to compete. All the students enjoyed themselves and had a wonderful time. It was great to see such high participation and joy in all the students. In grade 5/6, our students worked on the sports of football and soccer. Students worked on the skills required to play in each of these sports and then participated in games. This was enjoyed by all the students and was really showcased in the two-week soccer tournament that each class ran. In each class, students ran a teams-based round robin competition of soccer. This allowed them to problem solve, and work together to achieve learning outcomes. They needed to follow rules and demonstrate ethical fair play when participating. I have enjoyed this term with the 5/6’s and am excited to finish off the year with some great Physical Education learning. Well done everyone and keep up the wonderful work.