Grade 5/6

Classroom

English

In English, students have continued to engage in daily Oral Reading Fluency groups, reading passages that directly connect with our inquiry topic on Biological Science. They have specifically been learning about adaptations in animals and behaviour. These sessions are continuing to build confidence in reading aloud and recent assessment has demonstrated some great results.

Students have also been diving deep into the world of figurative language, exploring how writers use metaphors and similes to make their writing more descriptive and engaging. Through reading activities, writing tasks, and interactive discussions, they’ve been learning how to identify these features in texts and use them in their own writing to create vivid images and strong impressions for their readers.

At the same time, students have been developing their research and writing skills through the planning and construction of information reports. They have been learning how to organise facts clearly, use appropriate subheadings, and structure their ideas logically. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and presentation, students have been working independently and in groups to create informative and well-crafted reports on chosen animals and their adaptations. 

Mathematics

Over the past two weeks in Mathematics, students have been exploring the exciting world of probability. They have participated in activities involving learning how to identify all possible outcomes for various chance events, such as flipping coins or rolling dice, and how to conduct repeated chance experiments to observe what actually happens. These hands-on activities have helped students build a strong understanding of randomness and chance in everyday situations.

As part of their learning, students have also been practising how to represent probability using fractions, decimals (0-1), and percentages (0%- 100%), developing the ability to express and compare the likelihood of different outcomes. They have been encouraged to think critically by comparing expected (theoretical) outcomes with the observed results from their experiments, identifying patterns and considering reasons for any differences. 

Inquiry

In Science over the past few weeks, our students have been exploring the fascinating topic of behavioural adaptations in animals. They have investigated innate behaviours such as murmuration in birds and echolocation in bats and dolphins, discovering how these instinctive actions help animals survive in their environments. Students are also researching nocturnal animals and examining how various species work together to hunt, protect themselves, or care for their young. To deepen their understanding, they are using inferential thinking, movement-based learning, and visible thinking routines to make connections, ask questions, and bring these scientific concepts to life in creative and meaningful ways.

Dates to Remember: