Class 5 S 

Celebrating Learning

Kii 5S families, 

Main Lesson

This week our current Ancient Mesopotamia Main Lesson has been drawing to a close, and the students have been working hard finishing off publishing their story summaries of the Epic of Gilgamesh in their Main Lesson books.  It has been wonderful to see the care and effort given to presenting their work in their best handwriting and, similarly, the care and effort given to the accompanying illustrations.  There have been many proud smiles across the classroom at the completion of each piece.  This week, we also had the opportunity to get our hands into some clay with the creation of some Ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats.

Maths

In Maths we have moved on from multiplication to division, beginning with reviewing the link between the two processes and learning the term ‘inverse operation’.  We have been learning how to divide larger numbers by a single digit using the short division method, sometimes referred to as the ‘bus stop’ method.  We began with simple equations with answers that included whole number remainders and have built up to more difficult equations that require regrouping to solve.  The students are also experiencing how much easier division is when they have instant recall of their multiplication facts.  If your child is still yet to master their times tables, any support you can offer them at home would be of great benefit.     

Literacy

In Reading the class has been continuing their study of the novel ‘Us Mob Walawurru’.  Throughout the study of this book, the students will practise the roles required for small group Literacy Circles that they will undertake next term.  This week, the class has been learning how to foster discussion of the text through the use of thick questions that encourage the reader to think more deeply about the content.  They have also been developing their ability to make connections to the text.  These may be connections to a personal experience (text to self), another book (text to text) or a real word situation (text to world).  It has been a delight to hear the discussions that emerge from the students’ reflections on the text.