Grade 5 Community News
Hello Grade 5 families!
We have had a wonderful time settling back into the routine of Term 4, after having a well-deserved two-week break! Our Grade 5 students are happy to be back and are busy giving their all to their learning. It has been great to see them come straight back with positive attitudes and a thirst for knowledge. A great way to begin the last term of the year!
Here is what we have been working on so far…
English
We are continuing to read Once by Morris Gleitzman and have been enjoying the heart-breaking tale about Felix. Ask us about the characters: Fleix, Zelda and Barney and we will list their attributes and what they tell us about each character. We have been talking a lot about WW2, especially what happened in Poland.
In Text Level Writing, our information reports about Poland are starting to look like the model text we were using (only better). We have been using our reading skills and strategies to gather the facts to help us craft our reports. Our reports follow a particular structure, especially for the introduction, conclusion and body paragraphs. Another feature is the use of titles (headings) and subtitles (sub-headings) that help the reader navigate through the report. We are finishing up our body paragraphs and will be up to our conclusion soon!
In Sentence Level Writing, we have been using our notetaking skills and writing compound and complex sentences using the subordinating conjunctions but, so and because. We can use this structure to help show our understanding of what we have read.
We are continuing to improve our writing by learning to spell words morphologically. Ask us to spell words like lengthen (length- en) and ruinous (ruin-ous) and we can do this with ease! We are starting to spell words quickly and use these words confidently in our written work.
Mathematics
This term in Mathematics, students are beginning our Data Investigation unit, where they are learning how mathematics can be used to investigate questions and make sense of information about the world around us. Students are exploring the different stages of a statistical investigation, including posing suitable questions, choosing appropriate ways to collect data, recording their findings and representing data in different ways.
Students are developing their skills in collecting and organising data through surveys, including using star rating systems and Likert scales. They are also learning how to create and interpret frequency tables and column graphs, including graphs with larger intervals on the axes. As they progress through the unit, students will compare different ways of displaying data and justify which representation is most appropriate for a particular set of information.
A key focus of the unit is helping students become thoughtful and critical users of data. They are learning to recognise biased survey questions, consider whether data is relevant to an investigation and communicate clear findings based on the information they have collected. Students will bring these skills together by conducting their own statistical investigation and interpreting and communicating their findings.
Humanities
This term in Humanities, students are exploring environments and our relationship with the world around us. They are learning what environments are, why they are important to people and communities, and how humans rely on environmental resources for food, water and materials.
Students are investigating how Australians manage environmental challenges such as droughts, floods, bushfires and cyclones. They are considering the impacts these events can have on people and communities, as well as how communities respond, recover and prepare for future challenges. Students are also examining how human activity has changed environments over time, using maps, satellite images and other geographic tools to explore these changes.
A key focus of the unit is sustainability and shared responsibility. Students are comparing sustainable practices used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with those of other Indigenous cultures around the world, and exploring how individuals and communities can help protect local and global environments. They will also investigate significant natural and cultural sites and learn how World Heritage status can help protect important places for future generations.
Reminders
- iPads charged for school everyday
- Hats are required every day
- Be on time for morning circle every day - 8:45am sharp
- New sports time= Friday- last hour
- Record reasons for absences via Compass
- Have extra time before or after school? Go on Timestable Rockstars or read a good book!
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Grade 5 Teachers