Magnify
Term 3 Week 8
Magnify Around the Classrooms
#magnifysandhurst
Foundation
The Preps have been introduced to the new sounds: /v/, /x/ and /y/ this past week. They have also been learning the letters that correspond to these sounds. The new tricky words they’ve learnt are ‘like’ and ‘very.’ Preps have also been introduced to the concept of vowels and the sounds they make. They have also been reading and writing sentences and have been learning about the solution in a story, where to find it and what it is. Their new story in their Initialwrite lessons is ‘Meg’s Magnifying Glass.’ They are reading this text together. Grade Preps are currently reading the storybook, “The Potato People” by Pamela Allen. Next week the Grade Preps will learn about the digraphs /wh/ and /th/.
Gr 1
Grade Ones have been learning the ‘long e’ spelling pattern of /ey/ (key), /y/ (puppy) and adding the suffix ‘–y’ to make adjectives (fluffy, stuffy, rosy). They are revising story parts, in particular – when, who and where? They are writing their own stories and are learning about how to change actions in a story. Grade Ones are reading the storybook, “Captain Jack and the Pirates.”
Gr 2
Grade Twos have been learning about the comprehension strategy, ‘Finding the Main Idea.’ Some children have been learning the spelling pattern /-dge/ and the nasalised /a/ sound (the sound the letter ‘a’ makes when the letters ‘n’ or ‘m’ come after the ‘a’ eg. Sam, clam, ran, Stan). Some students are revising the /oy/, /oi/ sound and all children are revising previously learnt sounds and tricky words. Grade Twos have started the storybook, “Zoo” by Anthony Browne. There have been lots of rich discussions and opinions shared about Zoos in general and whether they are good or bad for the animals. The children are enjoying the illustrations in this book that show humans with animal characteristics. There’s lots to think about whilst reading this engaging text.
Foundation
Grade Preps are focusing on Identifying amounts that can be shared equally into two groups, solving problems by sharing collections, making groups of two and three, subitising to determine group size and identifying possible groups in collections to 20.
Gr 1
Grade Ones have been focusing on the topic of ‘Shape’ and have made patterns and have been identifying repeated patterns with matching rules. They have also been skip counting by 2s and 5s.
Gr 2
Grade Twos have been focusing on the topic of ‘Shape.’ They have been identifying regular and irregular polygons, identifying parallel lines in polygons, using attributes to sort shapes, creating tessellations and creating and manipulating polygons.
Gr 3 and 4
The book: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown:
The Wild Robot is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story set on a remote and wild island inhabited only by animals where a curious and technologically advanced robot named Roz finds herself washed ashore after a shipwreck. Initially, Roz struggles to adapt to her new environment. She is seen as an outsider and a potential threat by the island's animals, who are accustomed to a life free from human interference. However, Roz's programming drives her to learn and adapt, and she gradually befriends some of the creatures on the island. Through her interactions with the animals, she learns important life lessons about cooperation, empathy, and survival. As the seasons change and challenges arise, Roz's bond with the animals deepens, and she becomes a beloved member of the island community. She takes on the role of a mother to a young gosling named Brightbill, and together, they face the harsh realities of nature. Roz's existence on the island is suddenly threatened when her creators come looking for her. The tension between her human origins and her newfound animal family creates a central conflict in the story. Readers are taken on a journey as they explore themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of technology on nature. Peter Brown's The Wild Robot is a beautifully illustrated and emotionally resonant tale that encourages readers, both young and old, to reflect on their relationships with the natural world and each other. It's a story that ultimately celebrates the power of adaptability, friendship, and the enduring connection between humans and nature.
In Literacy, students are learning to explain the purpose of persuasion: the act of trying to change someone's mind or behaviour. Explain the purpose of a persuasive letter: a letter designed to change someone’s mind, behaviour or convince them to do something. Students are learning to read accurately and fluently, and monitor comprehension to build meaning. Respond to queries by sharing and extending ideas and opinions about a text to demonstrate and support comprehension. Understand and apply new vocabulary during speaking, reading and writing. Identify reasons for a character’s actions in a story and expand sentences by placing adverbials at the beginning of a sentence for prominence, description and precision with writing.
In Maths, students have been identifying and sorting regular and irregular polygons, applying knowledge of multiplication and division, using arrays, number sentences and related facts, to solve real-world problems. Also, converting between fractions and decimal notation for tenths
In Science, students are learning to define gases and describe the properties of a gas,
compare gases with solids and liquids, identify examples of gases in everyday life and
understand how gases can be dangerous and how to stay safe around them.
Gr 5 and 6
In Maths, the Grade 5 students have been learning about angles, and in particular measuring and drawing angles.
The Grade 6 students have been learning about measurement. In particular, converting between units of measurement and measuring and comparing objects length.
In English, the Grade 5 students have this week started their new novel called ‘The Grandest Bookshop in the World’ by Amelia Mellor.
This book is centred around Pearl and Vally (Valentine) Cole who live in Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne. It is 1893 and it is the grandest bookshop in the world, run by their eccentric father and filled with curiosities and delights.
Pearl meets a mysterious Obscurosmith and realises that her father has risked both his life and the Arcade in a deal to bring her dead sister, Ruby, back to life. To save the father and Arcade that they love so much, Pearl and Vally embark on a game. They must defeat seven challenges set by the Obscurosmith by midnight or lose their father, the Arcade and their memories. Each challenge takes place in a different part of the Arcade and comes with its own risk; they must use all their wits and cleverness to solve the riddles and puzzles and outsmart the tricks.
During this unit, students will be writing a narrative.
In Grade 6, we have started our new book called ‘Can you see me?’. This book follows the story of Tally, an 11-year-old girl with autism who is navigating the challenging landscape of starting high school. Tally faces numerous obstacles as she tries to fit in, make friends, and communicate her thoughts and feelings to those around her. The novel beautifully explores the world through Tally's unique perspective, shedding light on the daily struggles and triumphs of a young girl with autism. As Tally learns to cope with her differences and embrace her own voice, Can You See Me? delivers a powerful message of understanding, acceptance, and the importance of empathy in our society.
During this unit, students will be writing a persuasive letter about why we should have a therapy dog at school.
In Science, The Grade 5’s are studying ‘Natural Disasters’ in Science, and the Grade 6’s are finishing off our topic all about ‘Habitats’.
During humanities, the Grade 5’s have continued their unit called ‘Changing Communities’ and the Grade 6’s have started a new unit all about ‘Federation’.