Spotlight on Learning

Dear Grade 3 Families,

In Week 6, students explored a range of engaging learning experiences across the curriculum. In Religious Education, they learned about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and explored the significance of Pentecost, including the symbols of fire, wind and the dove. In English, students began reading Charlotte’s Web, developed their vocabulary and comprehension, and explored sentence structure and figurative language. In Mathematics, they solved ‘times as many’ problems using division and bar models, while explaining and checking their mathematical thinking. In Integrated Studies, students prepared and performed shadow puppet performances, developing their storytelling, collaboration, voice and performance skills. In Auslan, students learned signs related to thinking and emotions and practised using them in simple signed statements. During Social and Emotional Learning, students revisited the concept of being an upstander and reflected on how they could use their words and actions to create a safe, respectful and inclusive community.

                                  CAMP RUMBUG

Friday was filled with fun and adventure at our Long Day Camp at Camp Rumbug. Students embraced the excitement of the giant swing, challenged themselves on the low ropes course and worked together during a range of team-building activities. They also enjoyed the opportunity to climb a large tree, encouraging one another and stepping outside their comfort zones. It was a wonderful day of laughter, teamwork, courage, walking up long steep hills, getting muddy and creating special memories together.

BOOK WEEK PARADE: MONDAY 24th AUGUST

                     Learning for Term 3, Week 7

Religious Education:

In Religious Education, students will explore the Sacrament of Confirmation and how they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus’ mission. They will learn what happens during Confirmation and identify important symbols connected to the sacrament, including the white dove, flame and holy oil, and explain how these symbols represent the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Students will explore the story of Pentecost in Acts 2:1–4 and learn about the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these gifts can guide and strengthen them in their daily lives. Through Acts 10:34–48, students will retell how Peter learned that God loves and welcomes everyone, developing an understanding that the Church is a welcoming community where all people belong. Students will identify practical ways they can make others feel welcomed and included and create a ‘God’s Welcome Door’ activity, drawing different people together to show that everyone belongs in God’s family.

English:

In English, students will continue reading Charlotte’s Web, exploring Chapters 6–9 and developing their comprehension through chapter summaries and discussions of key events and characters. In Chapter 6, they will explore the excitement of the county fair, as Fern spends time with Henry Fussy and Wilbur prepares for the fair. In Chapter 7, students will learn about Wilbur’s life at the Zuckerman farm and his growing friendship with Charlotte, while he begins to learn more about the animals around him. In Chapter 8, they will discover how Templeton the rat contributes to life in the barn and how the animals react to the changes happening around them. In Chapter 9, students will explore Charlotte’s clever plan to help save Wilbur, as she begins thinking about how she can make him seem special and important.

Students will expand their vocabulary by learning words such as appetising, monotonous, versatile, genuine, scamper, rigid, ramble, neglect, sedentary, fare, moss and mighty, while revisiting the word parts bi, meaning life, and tract, meaning pull. They will explore the difference between practice and practise and develop their decoding and spelling skills by investigating common prefixes and suffixes, including -able, un-, re-, pro-, -ion, -ed, ab-, -ly, sub-, -or, de-, con-, dis- and -al. Students will strengthen their understanding of sentence structure by identifying and comparing simple, compound and complex sentences, exploring subordinating conjunctions and recognising the four sentence types: statements, questions, commands and exclamations. They will practise turning fragments into complete sentences, expanding and ‘levelling up’ sentences by adding detail and using more precise vocabulary, while continuing to develop their cursive handwriting. Students will also learn how to write an effective summary paragraph using a clear topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.

Mathematics:

In Mathematics, students will explore how maps can be used to represent real places and distances. They will learn how to read and interpret a map, use a scale to measure distances, and calculate the actual distance between different locations. Students will use the scale 1 cm = 1 km to measure distances on maps and apply their mathematical skills to real-world contexts.

Integrated Curriculum:

In Integrated Studies, students will create their own finger puppet characters and explore how puppets can be brought to life through performance. They will experiment with different finger puppets, using their voice, body language, movement and expression to communicate a character’s personality, emotions and actions. Students will learn how changes in volume, tone, pace, movement and positioning can add impact and help engage an audience. Through playful and creative activities, students will develop their confidence and performance skills while exploring how even simple puppets can tell a story and communicate meaning.

Auslan:

In Auslan, students will explore how a Deaf or hearing person’s identity can be shaped by the values, relationships and people who are important to them. They will develop their understanding of Deaf culture and community by exploring the ways Deaf people celebrate and come together. Students will identify different ways Deaf people celebrate together and discuss how shared experiences, traditions and connections help build a strong sense of identity and belonging.

Social & Emotional Learning:

In Social and Emotional Learning, students will be developing their understanding of violence, different types of harm and the importance of safety. They will learn to recognise early warning signs that a situation may be unsafe and explore ways to respond appropriately. Students will also develop an understanding that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and protected. Through age-appropriate discussions and activities, students will build the knowledge and confidence to identify unsafe situations and seek help from trusted adults.

What you can do at home:

• 📖 Read nightly: Encourage your child to read for at least 15–20 minutes each evening. Ask them to retell what they have read, discuss interesting vocabulary and share their favourite parts of the story.
• ✍️ Practise spelling and vocabulary: Spend a few minutes reviewing the weekly spelling patterns, prefixes and suffixes, and encourage your child to use new vocabulary in conversations or sentences.
• 🗺️ Explore maps: Look at maps together and practise using the scale 1 cm = 1 km to estimate and calculate distances between places. You could plan a pretend trip and work out how far you would travel.
• 🎭 Get creative: Encourage your child to make a simple puppet using materials at home and practise using their voice, facial expressions and movements to bring their character to life. They could perform a short story for the family.
• 💛 Talk about belonging and safety: Have conversations about how we can make others feel welcome, included and safe. Discuss trusted adults your child can talk to if they ever feel worried or unsafe, and look for opportunities to practise kindness and inclusion in everyday life.

Important Classroom Reminders:

• Fidget Toys

  We kindly ask that students do not bring fidget toys to school unless their use is a planned adjustment in consultation with Allied Health Professionals. Students who bring fidget toys without an approved adjustment will be asked to place them in their school bag for the remainder of the day to take home. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to leave fidget toys at home.

• Plastic bottle caps needed for this Term's Integrated unit! 

  Please send washed plastic bottle caps (soft drink, milk etc) to school with your child whenever possible. Your support is greatly appreciated!

   

• Spare clothes/change of clothes

  Please pack spare clothes with a pair of socks and underwear to be placed in the front zip pocket of your child's school bag in case of a toileting accident or when they get muddy during recess and play time. 

• Please ensure that you are labelling all your child's belongings.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Monday 24th August - Book Week Dress Up Day and Parade
• Friday 4th September - Father's Day Morning - 8:25am - 9:30am
• Thursday 17th September - Last Day of Term 3
• Monday 5th October - First Day of Term 4

Enjoy your weekend, 

The Ephesus Team

Contact us @Ephesus

ephesus@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au (all teachers) or