Melton West Primary School

Year 5/6

English

Reading

This term in Reading, 5/6 students have focused on “Analysing and Critiquing” by studying the books written by Chris Van Allsburg. They explored various techniques used by the author and the illustrator, to achieve particular effects on the reader. They have learnt to analyse and explain how language features, images and vocabulary are used to represent different ideas, characters and events. During this unit, 5/6 students have consistently practiced identifying  the visual devices and language devices in the text,  to support their understanding of the author’s craft and were able to produce the evidence from the text to explain their response to it. They compared and analysed information in different texts, explaining the literal and implied meaning. 

Example 1.

Example 2

 

 

 Writing

This term in writing, grade 5 and 6 students focused on the unit  of  autobiographies and biographies. They learnt the differences between autobiographies and biographies and the elements that are paramount for constructing biographies and autobiographies. Students also learnt how to embed evidence from both digital and print resources into their biographies. For their biographies, they were able to choose a person of their choice to develop a biography project on them. Students engaged in producing  their biographies using the TEEL (Topic sentence, Evidence, Explanation, Link to next paragraph) structure to organise their information in their writing pieces. As they progressed through their writing pieces they utilised their knowledge of language conventions  to effectively read and edit  their own work prior to the  publication stage. 

      

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Mathematics

This term in maths the students in ⅚ worked on building their understanding of fractions. They worked on representing, comparing and connecting a range of fractions. The students practised ordering and locating numbers on a number line and representing fractions as decimals. The students then practised adding and subtracting related fractions and solving a range of problems that involve fractions. The grade 5/6s worked on finding a half, quarter, eighth, third, sixth and tenth of a whole number through the use of story problems. Across the team, the grade 5/6 students also delved into the topic of probability. Throughout this topic they practised predicting and experimenting to find the probability of an event. The students worked on recording probabilities from experiments as a fraction and placing events on a probability line. Over the term, the students looked at location and interpreted the landmarks on grid maps using the coordinate system of numbers and letters. They explored the concepts of Volume and Capacity and practised converting metric units of capacity and using decimals where appropriate. They used problem solving skills to solve real world context situations. The grade 5/6 students then ended the term working on Money and Financial Maths by researching the costs of items for specific events, estimating totals for a budget and adding and subtracting dollars and cents using models of money.

 

 

Inquiry 

This term in inquiry,  our grade 5 / 6 students engaged in our unit of Connections Shape Perceptions. Over the term, students learnt about countries throughout the world in which we are interconnected through trade, media and immigration. Through this students were able to demonstrate their understanding on what can influence people’s perceptions of those places. Students participated in producing a presentation showing what they have learnt about a country of choice and the connections between their chosen country and Australia. Areas that students explored within their project was similarities and differences of languages, religions and tradition against Australia. Furthermore, students explored the relationship between income, health and energy consumption. In addition, students also had the chance to explore the relevance and topic of migration to Australia from different countries. 

      

 

 Science

This term in Science, Grade 5/6 students have focused on the Chemical Science strand. Students have investigated changes to materials that can be reversed, such as melting, freezing, evaporating; and changes that are irreversible, such as burning and rusting. They have learnt to describe what happens when materials are mixed including the solubility of common materials (such as salt) in water. Grade 5/6 students have conducted experiments that explore phase change (e.g. melting, freezing) and other reversible and irreversible changes. During these investigations students have developed the following science inquiry skills – questioning and predicting, planning and conducting, processing and analysing data and information, evaluating and communicating.

 

 

 LOTE – Chinese

In term 4 Grade5/6s did the main cities in China in Chinese, such as Beijing , Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou; 4 directions in Chinese and 4 animal signs (tu 兔 long 龙 she 蛇 ma 马). We practised those Chinese characters in mini whiteboards and typed into iPad Book Creator. We also practised those characters in iPad Blooket game.

There will be a big group project( 3 weeks’ time) presenting their 6 topics we learnt in 2023. At the end of the term, kids will get the opportunity to watch a Chinese movie to finalize the big term before Christmas holiday.

At the end of the term, kids will get the opportunity to watch a Chinese movie to finalize the big term before Christmas holiday.

 

 

P.E.

During this year our grade 5/6 students have represented the school in various interschool sport competitions across multiple different sports. Thank you to all the students who represented our school community with pride and always upholding the school values. Thank you to all the staff who make these opportunities possible for our students. We look forward to more success in 2024.

During this term students in 5/6 have focused on badminton, hockey, and rugby. Students took a games-based approach for each of these sports and can now all engage and play in small-sided games to show their skill development and knowledge. Students were able to use strategy in each of these games and worked with other students to problem-solve. There was great opportunity for leadership during these lessons which our students did a wonderful job in demonstrating. For these sports there was a continued focus on skill development across the fundamental motor skills. It has been such a wonderful year working with the 5/6 students in Physical Education and in interschool sport. For the grade 6 students all the best in high school next year, you are amazing young people, and I am sure you will achieve great things. To the grade 5 students I am excited to work with you all again next year in Physical Education.