Middle School News
Well, can you believe we are already in Term 3? What a wonderful and eventful return our Middle School students have had. They have picked up right where they left off and come back better than ever!
Please enjoy everything we have to share in the Middle School from the last few weeks.
This weeks newsletter layout is slightly different. We have made a real effort in the past few weeks to come together as a Middle School and partake in collaborative learning opportunities, fostering the connections among classes and across year levels.
As always, we feel blessed to work with such a beautiful cohort of students.
Topic
Linked beautifully with the Knowledge Rich Curriculum, within Topic, the Year 3 and 4 students have been looking at the 3 types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic), whilst identifying key features within each. They enthusiastically explored our school yard to identify different rocks and minerals in our environment.
Last week, we put our scientist hats on and conducted an experient to make our very own crystals.
Beach Walk
On Tuesday the 5th of August, all 71 Year 3 and Year 4 students ventured down to the foreshore of Sandringham beach. The purpose of this excursion was to observe and discuss the erosion and weathering that has occurred along the rockface. The students deserve commending for the way in which they conducted themselves and enthusiastically participated in discussions and observations.
It's amazing to think that something that once seemed so mundane, has sparked such interest and enthusiasm by all of the students.
A special shoutout to the additional staff that attended our excursion: Ms Maloney, Cat, Josh, Alicia.
It was so nice to hear staff talking about what a beautiful cohort of students the Year 3s and 4s are, making it much easier to go on these enriched learning experiences.
Respectful Relationships
In our Respectful Relationships unit, the Year 3 and 4 students have been looking at gender norms and stereotypes. This was done initially by identifying what makes them different to others. It then moved on to looking at traditional fairy tales and identifying key gender stereotypes in these.
Year Three
English
So far this term, the Year 3 students have been learning about Complex sentence structures, using subordinating conjunctions to combine an Independent and Dependent clause. The students have been learning about ‘appositive’ phrases and how we can use them to help our reader understand the nouns and noun phrases we use in our work. All of this learning has been linked with their learning within Topic and Knowledge Rich Curriculum.
The students have continued learning morphology, and have been looking at the morpheme 'duct' which means to lead.
The students applied some research skills to research different minerals our bodiess need and take notes about the minerals. It was so wonderful to see the joy and enthusiasm among the class as they lead their own 'read to learn' session.
Maths
Over the past couple of weeks, the Year 3 students have been utilising the CUBES strategy to unpack, evaluate and solve worded Multiplication and Division problems. They have been identifying key words and phrases which support their understanding of which operation to apply. They then used calculators to solve longer multiplication and division problems.
This week, they have been looking at angles, particularly right angles, and identifying right angles in shapes and objects.
Karate Incursion
The Year 3 students were fortunate enough to have a visit from Sensei, who lead them in a Karate incursion. Some of the students already participate in this program before school. It’s safe to say, I will not be getting on the wrong side of any of the Year 3’s with those self defense skills!
Year Four
English
In English, the Year 4 students have also been exploring rocks, minerals and soils through an explicit Knowledge Rich Curriculum. They have been exposed to a range of incredible vocabulary and have been applying it in their learning. In writing, the students have been looking at the use of appositives and how they can enrich our writing. The students have linked this so wonderfully to their Topic unit, explaining different minerals and soil layers using appositives.
Maths
In Maths,the Year 4 students have been looking further at multiplication and division, whilst idetifying their use in worded problems. Using the CUBES strategy, it's been so wonderful watching the confidence of the students problem solving flourish.
This week, the students have been looking at different angles, recognising and compraing a range of angles. They have been identifying them in everyday objects as well as drawing their own angles using protractors and right angle measurements.
First Eucharist Preparation
Jewish Museum
The Year 4 students were extremely fortunate this week to go to the Jewish Museum to learn all about Passover as they prepare for their upcoming First Eucharist next week.
Not only did they represent Sacred Heart beautifully in the way in which they conducted themselves, they actively participated in the opportunities provided to them. It was an excellent day full of learning.
We must acknowledge that these events don't just happen by chance. A big shoutout to Ms Collins and Ms Porter for their organising of the day for the students.
Bread Making
In addition to the Jewish Museum, the Year 4 students have also been fortunate enough to make different breads at school. How fortunate we are to have our incredible new STEM space for this to happen. They did rotations, so whilst one group cooked bread, the other group took part in a Knowledge Rich literacy lesson to learn about the importance of bread and different ways their own families celebrated traditions.
Knowledge Rich Curriculum
It's amazing how experienced our wonderful staff are in educating, so much so, that Ms Porter and Ms Collins have taught the students about the Jewish Passover, the Last Supper and First Eucharist through a knowledge rich curriculum. Additionally, they have been exploring the connections between the Catholic faith and Jewish faith.
Sarah McGrath
Middle Years Leader
smcgrath@shsandringham.catholic.edu.au