Reading

This fortnight, Year 6 students continued our class novel study of Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks, with a focus on developing their inferencing skills. Students explored how readers can use clues from the text to infer characters’ feelings, motives and intentions, as well as how dialogue can provide important clues about what a character may be thinking or feeling. We then shifted our focus to vocabulary and context, examining how the meaning of unfamiliar words can be determined using clues within a sentence or the surrounding text. Students have been developing their ability to use contextual clues to decipher unfamiliar vocabulary and understand how word choices can influence the meaning and mood of a story.

‘I'm enjoying the book two wolves, it is very interesting’ -Ibrahim 6A

‘I like how the suspense in the book and there is cliff hangers in almost every chapter, its very enjoyable’ - Marcus 6A

“ I’ve been enjoying learning how to memorise words during vocabulary sessions.” Paige 6B

“ Taking notes and summarising has helped me understand characters actions in a text.” -Aroosh 6B

“ I like the suspenseful part of Two Wolves when the storm happened because it was a life or death situation.” - Ronan 6C

Writing

During the last fortnight, Year 6 students have been learning about the Latin root ‘ply/plic’. Students explored how to build and write sentences showing their understanding of the prefix. Students then explored how using repetition and word association helps to build cohesion in sentences and paragraphs we write. Students were able to show this understanding in a paragraph of writing.

This half of the term, students started looking at persuasive writing techniques and features.Students discussed techniques they know and use to persuade and convince others. Year 6 students learnt about persuasive devices and when we use them to make them effective in convincing others.

‘In writing we have learnt about persuasive devices where it can help us, convince the reader and get them on our side with our opinion’ - Jethro 6A

‘Using repeated words makes our writing boring and disengaging for the reader. When we add words that are associated with that word it makes our writing more interesting.’ Senuli 6B

“It is fun learning how to write a persuasive text because we are going to use it for our inquiry projects”- Mayassa 6C

“ In writing l have been enjoying joining my letters during handwriting.” Maddison 6B

“ We have been learning how to use correct grammar in an extended sentence.” Annaliese 6B

Maths

Over the past two weeks, Year 6 students have been learning about probability. They looked at how we can use fractions, decimals and percentages to help us reflect and communicate the different types of probability. Students revised possible outcomes, how to identify trends and understand the difference between experimental and theoretical probability.

Students were able to see how being able to collect accurate data helps with being able to look at probability and identify likely chances and outcomes.

Year 6 students were able to use 2 way tables to look at possible outcomes of events that involved different variables. Students then looked at these and were able to identify if games were fair and even and looked at how to change the rules to change the odds.

‘Chance has been fun because it leaves you guessing and estimating’ - Ayden 6A

“I liked learning how to create a tree diagram for probability because we could use colours to colour it in.” - Zaylee 6C

Inquiry

This fortnight, Year 6 students continued our Business and Financial Literacy unit. In Week 6, students explored what taxes are, why governments collect taxes and how tax revenue supports communities. We investigated where tax money goes and the many services and facilities it helps fund, developing an understanding of the role taxes play in society.

In Week 7, we continued exploring the world of business and entrepreneurship. Students investigated what is involved in starting a business, including the resources, planning and ideas needed to turn a concept into a product or service. We explored how successful businesses often identify a need, solve a problem or provide something that people want. Students analysed real Shark Tank case studies and business pitches, considering what makes a pitch convincing and what entrepreneurs need to communicate to attract potential investors. This has been an exciting introduction to our upcoming entrepreneurial project!

‘It has been fun learning about how and why people start their businesses, and what are the purposes of their products’ - Yousif 6A

“We’ve been learning how entrepreneurs plan to sell their products.” Senuli 6B

“I loved learning about taxes and inflation, taxes help build communities and services”- Zach 6C

Social and Emotional Learning

In Week 6 of the JUMP Program, Year 6 students explored passive, assertive and aggressive communication styles. They discussed how assertive communication supports respectful relationships, healthy boundaries and clear communication. In Week 7, students used their communication skills during a team obstacle course. Working in different roles, students used non-verbal and verbal instructions to safely guide a blindfolded teammate through the course. This activity strengthened students’ communication, trust, teamwork and active listening skills.

‘I liked the ‘JUMP’ program because it talked about high school and helped us think about things when were older like getting a job’ - Silina 6A

‘I liked doing the obstacle course and needing to work as a team.’ Zein 6B

“It was really fun that we got to do activities outside”- Lianora 6C

“The JUMP program helped us get ready for high school.”- Riyansh 6C

AUSLAN

This fortnight students have learnt Auslan signs about planning and packing for a holiday. Focus words included: holiday, travel, caravan, pack, bag, teddy, ticket, passport and trip. Students also recognised and correctly signed Australian signs related to a holiday adventure. Words such as: river, cook, bathers, towel, thongs, cap and barbeque were also used in constructed mime.

‘I like AUSLAN and learning different ways to speak’ - Brodie 6A

“I’m enjoying learning new Auslan signs.” - Zander 6B

“We learnt signs about camping and caravans.”- Prish 6C

Special Events

Buddies - This term students from Year 6 interviewed their buddies to plan, compose, edit and publish an information report. Students during scheduled writing sessions researched on their shared topics and published a booklet that contained a front cover, content page, sub-headings, labelled diagrams, fun facts, glossary of terms and a bibliography. Year 6 students then had the opportunity to read their booklet to their buddies while the foundation students asked questions about the content.

Book Week - On Tuesday the 25th of August, Craigieburn Primary School celebrated Book Week with a special focus on the joy and wonder that books bring. From exciting stories and memorable characters to creative costumes and shared reading experiences. All students participated in and enjoyed the whole school parade to showcase their favourite book characters.

‘For book week I dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and it was fun to see everyone costumes and see how won prizes at the parade’ - Mahrosh 6A

“I enjoyed reading my information report to my buddy.” Emmerson 6B

“ Sharing my information booklet to my buddy was fun.” Aroosh 6B

“ I had a good time sharing my work on Sharks to my buddy.” Jack 6B

“I made a detailed information report about Cappybaras and shared it with my buddy!” - Lachlan 6C

Important Dates