Year 5/6 News

Year 5/6 AI CUBED Robotics Incursion 

Today, our students participated in an exciting AI CUBED Robotics Incursion, where they explored the world of robotics and problem-solving through hands-on challenges. 

Students worked in teams to investigate pre-built robots, beginning by identifying the purpose of each button on the controllers through trial, observation, and teamwork.  The highlight of the day was an exciting robot challenge! Teams competed to score as many balls as possible into a target using their robots. To be successful, students had to think strategically, communicate effectively, and adapt their approach throughout the competition. They also experimented with different robot attachments, considering how each design could improve their performance and give them a competitive advantage. 

The incursion encouraged students to apply design thinking, computational thinking, and collaborative problem-solving in a fun and engaging environment. It was wonderful to see students demonstrating resilience, creativity, and teamwork as they refined their strategies and celebrated each other's successes. 

A big thank you to the AI CUBED team for delivering such an inspiring and interactive learning experience. We look forward to seeing our students continue to build on these valuable STEM skills in the classroom! 

Making Sense of Fractions 

“Over the last two weeks of Term 3, we have been learning about equivalent fractions and adding and subtracting fractions with like/unlike denominators. In Week 1, we focused on the form of equivalent fractions, where we learnt about how to identify and create them. We learned the techniques that different individuals used to give the equal fractions. Last week, we were introduced to the addition and subtraction of fractions, where we learned different formulas to add/subtract them. In the beginning, we focused on adding fractions with like denominators, and further into the week, we started solving more complex number sentences, which also included addition/subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.” 

• Saarah Zaman, Year 6 

Exploring Literature Together 

“This term in Reading, students have been participating in Literature Circles, where we read and discuss assigned books in small groups while taking on different discussion roles. So far, we have learned the roles of the Questioner, who asks thoughtful questions to encourage discussion, and the Predictor, who makes predictions before, during, and after reading using clues from the text. As a class, we have also begun studying Sister Heart by Sally Morgan. We listened to an interview with the author and discovered that it is written in free-verse poetry. We have enjoyed these engaging reading activities and are looking forward to continuing our learning throughout the term.” 

• Mahdiya Hasan, Year 6 

Understanding Climate Hazards and Cultural Burning 

As part of their Science learning through the Geography focus, students have been exploring climate hazards and their impact on communities and the environment. Students have investigated different natural hazards, including bushfires, floods, cyclones, and droughts, and have explored their causes, effects, and ways communities can prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events. 

Students have also been learning about cultural burning practices and the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have played in caring for Country for thousands of years. They have discovered how cultural burning is guided by deep knowledge of the land, seasons, plants, and animals to help reduce risks, support biodiversity, and maintain healthy ecosystems. 

Year 5/6 Writing: Crafting Descriptive Texts and Exploring Poetry 

In Writing, students have been developing their skills as creative writers through descriptive writing and poetry. Students have been learning how authors use carefully chosen words and language features to create vivid images and engage their readers. 

In descriptive writing, students have been focusing on the technique of “show, don’t tell” by learning how to express emotions and experiences through actions, thoughts, and sensory details rather than simply stating the feeling. They have explored how writers can make their characters and settings more meaningful by choosing precise and imaginative descriptions. Students have also been revisiting verb tenses and developing their understanding of how consistent tense choices improve the clarity and flow of their writing. 

Students have also begun exploring poetry, where they have been learning about rhythm and structure in a fun and engaging way. By revisiting familiar nursery rhymes, students have analysed patterns, rhyme, and rhythm to understand how poets create sound and meaning in their work. 

In Spelling, students have been investigating the meaning behind words by exploring Greek roots and prefixes, including the Greek root “phon” and the prefix “eco”. They have also revisited common morphemes and challenged themselves to create and explain the meanings of new words based on their understanding of word parts. 

Through these activities, students have been strengthening their vocabulary, creativity, and understanding of how language choices can influence the way readers experience a text. We look forward to seeing the imaginative pieces they continue to create throughout the term!