Learning Update

From Mr Collins 3-6

Another few busy weeks as Acting Principal, along with a trip to Anglesea, have meant that we have had 2 amazing CRT teachers guide our kids on different days. Again, a big thank you to Lauren Bannam and Zoe Light for your help and passion.

English

We have completed the COP Writing Moderation and it is ready for the teachers to use in their moderation session on Monday Night. I can't wait to see what teachers from other Bendigo schools have to say about some of our students' texts. This week we finished our mentor text 'Rockhopping.' With the busy few weeks ahead, we will save our remaining mentor texts for the end of term.

Maths

Game shows have crept into the classroom. Last week we started playing rounds of Deal or No Deal. This game is all about chance and risk. Whilst extremely animated at times, the game is all about odds, and we constantly stop to explain our choices based on the likelihood of success. On Mondays and Fridays we spend time retrieving our knowledge of written addition and subtraction by applying it to new scenarios. Mrs Light also worked on increasing and decreasing number patterns.

TRP (The Resilience Project)

In The Resilience Project the last 2 topics have been:

Giving and receiving gifts
Positive Self Talk

The kids are responding well to these deep conversations, and we are seeing growth in all components of GEM.

PE has been a mixed bag of activities, depending on the weather and what the kids are hoping to do. These activities have been taken by a range of staff members over the last 2 weeks, so it has been nice to see new games being taught to the kids. From week 7, we will begin weekly sessions at Summersalt Gymnastics in East Bendigo.

Integrated Studies

It is time to start learning about some of the incredible Landmarks around Asia. What better place to start than the Great Wall of China. The kids have begun building the wall and adding it to our map of Asia. Let's see if it stays on...

From Ms Lehre P-2

English

We have been working hard on our ee / ea sounds, as in sheep and dream. To put our learning into practice, we created our very first information posters all about sheep! The students loved combining their phonics knowledge with their research and writing skills to share interesting facts about sheep. Did you know they have rectangular pupils that give them a panoramic field of vision?! (I didn’t)

Maths

We have been exploring multiplication and skip counting, building our understanding of how equal groups work. We have also started a new learning sequence from the Department of Education focused on multiplicative thinking. Through hands-on activities and real-life problems, the students are learning to think mathematically. For example, if one motorbike has two wheels, how many wheels would four motorbikes have? It has been wonderful to see the students developing their problem-solving skills and making connections between maths and the world around them.

The Resilience Project (TRP)

Our focus has been on gratitude for nature. The students have been reflecting on the wonderful things nature provides and the beauty we can find in the world around us. They will continue this learning on Monday while I am away, and I look forward to seeing their beautiful flower and nature-inspired artworks!

Integrated Studies

We have been exploring Australia as a country and learning about the world's continents. The students are really enjoying discovering more about our world and have been developing their understanding of the difference between a country and a continent. They are becoming quite the geography experts, so feel free to test them at home to see if they can name all seven continents! Next week, we will be travelling to Europe to continue our learning about the different places and cultures around the world.

Art

I managed to sneak in an art lesson on Thursday morning (one of my passions that sometimes gets pushed aside by English and Maths!). We explored the work of Wassily Kandinsky, an artist famous for his colourful abstract art and geometric shapes. The students followed the same step-by-step instructions to create their own designs using oil pastels before bringing them to life with watercolours. It was wonderful to see how, despite starting with the same instructions, every student's artwork turned out unique!

From Mrs Light

STEM & Kitchen Garden Program (KGP)

Last week after the student’s tremendous effort with our plantation, we met as a school for 2 hours of fun filled STEM time! The students put into action their plans to create a marble maze from the previous week, and constructed their creations. Some students worked in pairs while others worked independently. The students were so creative in their thinking and quick to problem solve as things arose in the construct process. Everyone successfully designed and created a marble maze which showcased their own creativity and thought processes. I am so proud of all our students!

This week we were lucky enough to have an incursion ran by Colibin Water where the students learnt about ‘our precious water’. More information about the incursion can be read in the ‘From the Office’ section on the newsletter.

In Kitchen/Garden this week the Grade Prep-2 students treated us all with some delicious Jam Drop biscuits. The Grade 3-6 students worked together to make soft tacos for the school. A very delicious lunch enjoyed by all!