Year 5 News
Reading
In Reading, Year 5 students have been hard at work preparing for our upcoming debate by researching the opposing team’s arguments to help us build strong rebuttals! We have learned how to identify key points from the other side, how to turn those points into search queries, and find facts, statistics, and evidence to support our responses. As debate teams, we researched reliable information to back up our rebuttals.
This week was a short week and we finished it off by reviewing our current learning goals and setting new ones!
“Reading goals are important because you can understand the text better and improve your reading” - Marcus 5A
“It is important to have reading goals because you can get better at stuff you don’t understand” - Ellie 5A
“It is important to have reading goals so you can work on areas that you need improvement. If you work on them for a certain amount of time, you can achieve your goal!” Jehansa 5B
Writing
This fortnight in Writing, we focused on drafting our opening statements, body paragraphs, and closing statements for our persuasive debates. We learned how to clearly state our opinions and discussed ways to add evidence to strengthen each point. Year 5 students also learned how to write and structure rebuttals, building on the work we've been doing during our Reading lessons. This week, we spent time finalising and rehearsing our debate speeches before presenting them next week with confidence!
“I love doing debates and researching facts.” - Zach 5D
“I have enjoyed working on my rebuttals and proving my point to the other team.” - Rylie 5D
“It was fun to write and I am really enjoying it” - Zein 5A
Maths
In Maths, we have been building our knowledge of fractions, with a focus on adding and subtracting fractions with related denominators and representing them on a number line. Year 5 students explored how to represent fractions like halves, quarters, eighths, thirds and sixths on number lines, and even extended our learning to fractions beyond one whole, converting improper fractions into mixed numbers.
This week we started our new topic on perimeter. We explored how to calculate perimeter of shapes by adding the lengths of all sides and learned how to use multiplication to simplify repeated addition.
“Making our number line was really fun as we got to customise it.” - Adam and Aaron 5D
“It was fun working with our friends while learning about Fractions.” - Devrim 5D
“I liked learning about fractions in a fun way.” - Clarissa 5D
“It was really interesting to learn how to place numbers higher than a whole on a number line.”
- Aleisha 5C
Inquiry
In Inquiry, Year 5 students worked in class teams to bring our solar system to life! Using a giant inflatable model, we arranged the planets in order and used a scale model to show the distance between them.We shared fun facts and discussed our prior knowledge of each planet. It was a fantastic hands-on way to visualise just how big and spaced out our solar system really is! Take a look at some of the photos below to see us in action as we set up our solar system as a team.
This week, we have also begun another exciting group project. We will be designing and building our very own solar system dioramas. After exploring examples and discussing the rubric, Year 5 students got into groups and carefully planned our designs using a detailed planning sheet. We had to focus on teamwork, creativity, and accuracy, to make sure we include all eight planets in order and estimate the materials we will need. We can’t wait to see our miniature solar systems come to life.
“We had to work as a team to get the planets in order of our solar system.” - Brody 5B
“All of the gas planets are made from hydrogen and helium.” - Ibrahim 5B
“On top of Saturn there is a hexagon spot.” - Artaaz 5C
Social and Emotional Learning
Over the past 2 weeks in SEL, Year 5 students explored the qualities that make someone a role model. We discussed how personal strengths can be developed with effort and practice. After identifying a person we looked up to, such as a family member, an athlete, a teacher, or a friend, we reflected on the positive character traits these role models display, such as kindness, honesty, responsibility, and creativity. It was fun drawing our chosen role model and listing their strengths, explaining why we admired them. We also took some time to reflect on a strength that we would like to develop in ourselves and created an action plan to work towards achieving it!
“I liked getting to draw my role model and their strengths.” - Santa 5D
Special Event
Winter Sports - Last Friday, some of our Year 5 students proudly represented CPS at the Winter Sports Gala Day. Competing in football, netball, and soccer, we showcased our incredible teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the day. It was a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, stay active, and show school spirit. Check out some photos below!
