5/6 Classroom News
What a start to Term 3!
Spanish Literacy
In Spanish literacy this week, our students have been exploring the structure of persuasive texts through a mentor text that examines the pros and cons of using WhatsApp. We reinforced vocabulary in context—nouns, adjectives, and verbs from the text—through engaging activities like running dictations, turn and talks and Quizzlet live.
The students showed great enthusiasm and worked exceptionally well together. They’re not only strengthening their persuasive writing skills but also enhancing their ability to discuss and analyse real-life issues.
In Grammar, we have been exploring a variety of subordinating conjunctions to write complex sentences, aiming to establish meaningful connections between both language and to futher develop the students´ bilingual brains!
English Literacy
In Writing, students have researched, planned and begun drafting persuasive texts in response to the question, "Should children have the right to work?" It was great to see them researching authentically and open-mindedly before deciding which perspective had the stronger argument.
To support this in Reading, students have begun Rivet Boy by Barbara Henderson, a historical novel about a young boy working on the Forth Bridge in 1889. Each lesson, we are thematically analysing the text by exploring literal, inferred and implied meaning.
In Grammar, we’ve been exploring connectives and conjunctions, focusing on how they show relationships between ideas—such as contrast, addition, cause and time.
Cultural Week
During Term 3, Year 5/6 students will be learning about ancient civilisations in preparation for our Art Show project. Year 5 will explore the lives of the Ancient Maya, Inca, and Aztec peoples, while Year 6 will focus on Ancient Greek culture. Over the following weeks, students will build content knowledge of these civilisations through hands-on tasks, including reimagining some of the famous architectural structures significant to these cultures.
Maths
This week, we started our Tier 2 Maths instruction on Multiplication and Division. Our students have been divided into skill groups, aiming to best target their individual learning goals. To best support their instruction, they have engaged in a variety of independent and collaborative tasks. Here are some pictures!
Friendly reminders for families
Camp: We have started talking about what to expect our amazing beach camp coming up the first week o term 4. Next week, students will be told what activities they will be doing, shown a map of the site and express their cabin preferences.
Term 3 Excursion: We will be visiting Parliament House on 20th August (Wednesday week 5). Please, provide permission at your earliest convinience.
Homework: This Term, we will alternate English and Spanisk Literacy. Each week, students will be given a Literacy task (English or Spanish) which should take around 1 hour to complete. They will also be encourage to complete between 30-40 minutes of Numbots & Times tables Rockstars weekly (passwords and instructions have been glued in the homework book). The main purposes of our program are to strengthen and support skills that have been learnt in class and develop a sense of responsibility. We understand that each family has its own commitments, sports and other activities. However, where possible, we´d like to encourage families to support children in completing homework.
Thank you :)
The 56 Team