Learning Specialist Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Middle school students are flying through Term three, and as we approach the end of term, we can celebrate amazing academic achievement and considered work both in the college community and outside.

Year 9 MEX students are completing a small nutrition unit centred around self care. Students continue to develop their understanding of nutrition, and healthy food choices, culminating in the shopping for and making of healthy smoothies. Students attend an excursion to Mordialloc Woolworths to work through their smoothie shopping list. They then return to school and make their healthy smoothies. This task helps students to understand how easy (and cost effective!) healthy food choices can be. This is one of the tasks students look forward to the most in MEX, and each class has a great time working through this engaging practical activity.

Year 10 My Future My Pathway students are in the final stages of preparation for Year 10 40 Dollar Boss market day in week 2 of Term 4. MFMP students developed a small business strategy for an innovative product or small business idea, and then ran pitches for approval during weeks 3 – 6 of this term. Once approved, students used their budgets and cost analysis to order the resources required to make their 40 Dollar Boss vision a reality. Students are making and preparing their stock over the next four lessons, and will be ready sell on market day, where we have some local primary schools coming to Mordialloc College to see all the amazing work students have done over the last term. All proceeds of the MFMP market day will go to local charities.

Year 10 and 11 Exams are two months away, and with this comes the opportunity for students to demonstrate the new knowledge and skills developed during Semester two. Here are some strategies students utilise do to ensure they are prepared to perform on their exams:

• Create flash cards for key terminology definitions and basic concepts to practice automatic recall: Committing basic terminology and key concepts to long term memory takes pressure off cognitive load during exams, and saves time. 
• Source practice exam style questions from teachers. You’ll do practice questions during your lessons, but source extra questions from your teacher to practice as part of your study. Start with basic command terms like outline and describe, then move towards more challenging terms like explain, discuss, and analyse as you develop your confidence.
• Remember that not all command terms are created equal! They require slightly different things in different subjects. Make sure you work with your teachers to understand what is required of common command terms in your subject.
• Seek feedback on the practice you are doing to ensure you are adjusting any misconceptions you have.
• Work - life balance! Reward yourself when you study by committing time to doing things you enjoy. By creating a positive feedback loop, you’ll increase your motivation to study for assessments, and you also decrease any stress that might come along with exam time.

Exciting times ahead for our middle school students. Enjoy a productive last week, and a safe and relaxing Term 3 break. Go Pies!

Mathew Smith

Learning Specialist - Middle School