Curriculum News
HASS
This term in HASS all of the classes have been working hard learning about geography, which is the study of the places and features of Earth.
The junior primary classes have been focusing on the geography of Australia, learning about some of our special places and features. They have also built their skills in reading and drawing simple maps. We combined these two ideas and drew our own zoo maps featuring Australian animals and some of the features we knew a map should include.
The classes G4, R4 and Y5 have been learning about the continents and oceans this term. They have researched the continents and used this information to make their own fact book or ‘Guess who?’ posters.
G2, G3 and Y3 recently completed their research into some of the neighbouring countries of Australia – such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. We practiced using key words in our internet searches, as well as how to be critical of information sources to try and make sure we gathered accurate facts. The classes did a wonderful job!
And finally, the year 5/6 classes (Y6/Y7) have been working hard to learn about the continents of Europe and North America. They have conducted their own independent research to learn more about one country in Europe and shared their knowledge with the class. We have also learnt about the environment in North America, particularly the Arctic Tundra and the impacts humans have had on this environment. It is always so positive to hear the opinions and ideas the students have on ways we can work improve our impact on the environment!
Learning in R4
Earths natural resources
This term in science we have been exploring Earth’s natural resources. We have investigated different natural resources such as water, air, minerals, plants and animals. We have learnt that Earth’s natural resources are important because they are all things we need to survive. Our investigating has involved learning about, experimenting and observing these natural resources and developing reasons for why they are important and how we can look after them. We know that you can practice the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to conserve our natural resources. We encourage others to practice these at school and at home to keep our community clean and conserve resources.
Our final project of the term involved us collaborating in groups to find a waste problem at our school, develop ideas to help reduce the problem and implement one of the strategies to better conserve the natural resource. Groups have chosen things such as, turning the lights off in empty classrooms to conserve energy by having light monitors and encourage others to turn off the lights, placing food scraps bins in classrooms to reduce the amount of food scrap waste and labelling bins more clearly to show which bins are for which waste to recycle and dispose properly.
Digital technologies
One of our favourite lessons each week has been Digital Technologies. We love using the computers to explore and create things. Digital technologies this term has involved learning how to use word processing program to create a document that shares information and using the safe search site 'Kiddle' to obtain safe images to insert into the document. We have been integrating our Earth natural resources into this by creating a document that informs and persuades others to conserve one natural resource. This involved, locating and opening word, writing a title, inserting a safe image from Kiddle and writing some information and reasons why it is important to look after chosen natural resource. We will share our final products with the school when we are finished.
Learning in Y6 & Y7
We have had a busy term in term three full of learning and adventures and a combined Y7/Y6 class for a large part or the term. In literacy we have been learning about writing Information Reports and continuing our focus on repeated reading. In math we have investigated location, transformation and angles. On top of that we have eagerly participated in Book Week, R U OK day, a Southern Rugby League Tag Carnival and our Water Safety lessons. It has certainly been a big term and we are very proud of how our students have conducted themselves on each of these occasions.
Water Safety Week
Many of our students took advantage of the Water Safety program at Westminster College this month. It was good to see student learning skills and showing confidence in the water after just a few days!
