Curriculum News
English
Reading and Viewing
This term we will be integrating our Inquiry unit during our Literacy block. Students will explore a variety of reading techniques to comprehend texts in different ways. Students will work with their teacher to develop an understanding of their reading capabilities and create reading goals. In particular, texts viewed will support the building of new vocabulary, concepts and different points of view about the wellbeing health component of our inquiry and related concepts through the texts explored.
Writing
This term students will focus on learning to write their own narrative and persuasive texts. The students will be learning about the structural and language features required for both of these genres whilst incorporating goal setting to improve their writing. This will also be part of the preparation for NAPLAN which commences later in the term.
Speaking and Listening
To support students in developing their capacity to speak confidently and with expression they will be provided opportunities to investigate and compose a spoken text. They will be provided opportunities to engage and record sustained conversations, discussions and role play using content integrated from Wellbeing and Inquiry lessons.
Maths
MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese of Melbourne) have developed a new partnership with Ochre Education to produce comprehensive curriculum resources for schools and we will be using these resources in Mathematics this year.
Number and Algebra
This term, the Year 5 students will learn to multiply by two-digit numbers using materials and diagrams and a written algorithm. They will learn how to apply the associative and distributive property to multiply by one-digit numbers. They will begin to construct a formal understanding of the terms “factors” and “multiples” and represent these using a hundred chart and arrays.
The Year 6 students will be introduced to prime, composite, square, and triangular numbers. This builds upon previous knowledge of factors and multiples and identifies different types of numbers. They will learn to use the order of operations to evaluate multiplication, addition and subtraction expressions. This will include learning to use brackets to evaluate expressions with all four operations.
Measurement and Geometry
The Year 5 students will investigate the connection between perimeter and area. They will calculate the perimeter of shapes and composite shapes, as well as the area of regular and irregular polygons. They will calculate the perimeter of rectangles using a formula to solve problems.
The Year 6 students will be introduced to calculating the area of a rectangle using a formula and applying this skill in practical situations. They will build upon their understanding of the difference in perimeter and area by investigating the perimeter of rectangles with the same area and vice versa, using formulas.
Statistics and Probability
The Year 5 students will transition from basic data collection and graphing to more complex data interpretation. A key focus is on interpreting dot plots, data type identification, calculation and data distribution as well as using spreadsheets. An emphasise will be on labelling missing features and creating plots from given data.
The Year 6 students will be learning to create and interpret side-by-side column graphs, bar charts, and line graphs. A key focus of this topic is understanding data distribution shapes. They are supported in this skill by using visual examples and media interpretations. This builds upon their previous learning of constructing and analysing simple graph types.
Religion
During the term, students will make regular time to pray daily. Each student will be provided a rotating opportunity to lead the level in daily prayer. We will have opportunities to explore and interpret spiritual wellbeing in the light of our Catholic faith and our community. Students will explain the role of the Catholic Church and its teachings in light of nurturing their spiritual development. They will identify and interpret the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these enable people to contribute to the mission of the church and community. They will be exploring the season of Lent and reflecting on the journey to Easter.
Inquiry
This term in our inquiry unit the students will be learning about health and wellbeing. The students will explore aspects related to their own identity and those of others. They will investigate and explain the core aspects required to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They will examine how they co exist together, the community resources that are available to them to promote a balanced life. The students will investigate and demonstrate how aspects such as diet and exercise can impact their lives. They will examine how elements such as advertisements, social media and our peers can influence our decisions.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Students will be given an opportunity to reflect on their wellbeing daily through prayer and practising mindfulness. They will also participate in wellbeing focussed lessons which will assist them in explaining how emotional responses influence behaviour and their potential effect on relationships and learning.
This term we will investigate the topic of identity. Students will explore how identities are influenced by people and places, using resources and strategies to seek help about health, safety and wellbeing.