Level 5 & 6
Welcome back!
We hope all of our families enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing holiday break. We are excited to welcome students back for the beginning of Semester Two, and we are looking forward to another exciting term of learning, growth and new opportunities.
CURRICULUM
Literacy
This week, students will begin reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. As part of this novel study, students will be introduced to Literature Circles, a collaborative reading program that encourages thoughtful discussion and deeper comprehension. Students will explore the different Literature Circle roles and work together to analyse key themes, characters and events while demonstrating their understanding through rich discussion and comprehension activities.
In Writing, students will begin exploring Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering as the mentor text for our new creative writing unit. Through close analysis of the author's writing techniques, students will investigate how figurative language creates vivid imagery and emotion. They will compare themes and writing styles across a range of picture story books before beginning to emulate these techniques in their own writing.
In PhOrMeS, students will continue investigating the Latin base word "tract", building their understanding of how this base contributes to the meaning of a variety of words.
What you can do at home:
- Encourage your child to discuss the characters and themes they encounter in Wonder.
- Read picture story books together and identify examples of descriptive or figurative language.
Explore words containing the base word tract (e.g. attract, distract, contract, extract).
Mathematics
This week, students will begin a new unit on Fractions, building upon their prior learning and developing increasingly sophisticated strategies for solving fraction problems.
Grade 5 students will strengthen their understanding of adding and subtracting fractions, finding equivalent fractions, working with related denominators and applying these skills to solve real-world worded problems.
Grade 6 students will extend their understanding of fractions by ordering, adding and subtracting fractions with unrelated denominators, solving worded problems and working with mixed numbers.
What you can do at home:
- Look for opportunities to use fractions during cooking or baking.
- Encourage your child to explain the strategies they use when adding or subtracting fractions.
Challenge your child to compare fractions they encounter in everyday situations.
CBL
This Term, our new CBL Big idea is Power.
Essential Question
How can we use our power to create positive change globally?
Guiding Questions
- What is economic power?
- What makes a business successful?
- How can we use resources responsibly?
- How can people use their ideas, skills and resources to improve the world around them?
Challenge
Create a small business, social enterprise or circular economy to generate a profit for good.
Wellbeing: Respectful Relationships
This week, our wellbeing focus is stress management. Students will identify common stressors they may experience at school and in everyday life, explore how stress can affect their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and learn practical strategies to manage these situations in healthy and positive ways. Through class discussions and reflective activities, students will develop greater self-awareness and resilience, empowering them to navigate challenges with confidence.
Important Term 3 Dates
July
13th Curriculum Day/Parent Teacher Interviews
22nd VSSS Mass Choir, Melbourne Town Hall
August
3rd Parent Evening – Cyber Safety Project
6th House Athletics Grades 3-6
7th VSSS Mass Dance Rehearsal Excursion
12th VSSS Mass Choir, Melbourne Town Hall
24-29 Book Week
26th Book Week Author Visit
26th Book Week Dress Up Parade
27 – 29th VSSS Tech Rehearsal Day
September
31-4th Annual Book Fair
10th Hoop Time basketball