Year Five
Dear Year Five Families,
The past fortnight has been filled with creativity, collaboration and curiosity! From analysing poetry to launching Book Clubs and exploring identity through writing and inquiry, our students have been deeply engaged and reflective learners. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been learning across all areas of the curriculum.
Reading – Exploring Culture and Identity through Texts
In Reading, we have been examining how authors and poets use language and imagery to communicate powerful messages about connection to Country and identity. Students explored “The Heartbeat of the Land” and “Kayap Keeleng”, identifying the main ideas and reflecting on their own relationship with nature.
Using SOLO Taxonomy, students engaged with Koorie poetry, identifying poetic devices and analysing how these convey cultural significance. Students also began their Book Clubs, taking on reading roles, working collaboratively, and setting goals to improve their comprehension and discussion skills.
Writing – Free Verse, Found Poetry and Personal Voice
In Writing, our focus has been on free verse poetry—a form of poetry that allows creative freedom without the restrictions of rhyme or fixed structure. Inspired by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, students crafted powerful found poems by selecting words and phrases from her texts and arranging them in meaningful ways.
We also explored the use of music and voice to enhance poetry, turning our own poems into spoken word performances. Students listened to and analysed “Waltzing Matilda” and “My Island Home”, recognising how poetry in song form evokes emotion and meaning.
Mathematics – Decimals and Multiplicative Thinking
In Maths, students deepened their understanding of place value and developed strategies for comparing, adding and subtracting decimals. We explored multiplicative reasoning, using strategies such as doubling, tripling, and area models to solve problems efficiently.
Students completed a problem-solving pre-assessment, focusing on showing their thinking clearly and justifying their reasoning. In LED Maths, students explored different ways to reach target numbers using multiplication strategies, enhancing their flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Inquiry – Dreaming Stories and the Impact of Colonisation
Our Inquiry unit explored how Dreaming stories shape perceptions of the world and human existence. Students researched different historical perspectives during colonisation and created detailed profiles to show empathy and understanding.
We explored how Dreaming stories have continued to be shared and preserved through media arts, including music, animation and visual art. Students reflected on the resilience and adaptability of First Nations peoples and the enduring significance of oral storytelling.
Scienceworks Excursion!
A major highlight was our excursion to Scienceworks!
The “Stories in the Stars” planetarium show deepened our understanding of how First Nations peoples use the stars to share knowledge through Dreaming stories—an ideal extension of our current How We Express Ourselves unit.
The thrilling Lightning Room demonstration provided an early connection to our upcoming How the World Works unit in Term 4, where students will explore energy systems and how they influence sustainable choices.
Students were curious, respectful and enthusiastic throughout the excursion—well done to all!
Reminders
Student Led Conferences: Put the date in your diary! Wednesday 28th May - booking slots are now opened.
Athletics Day: Tuesday 27th May - 5A 5B 5C 5E 5F. Thursday 29th May - 5D 5G 5H 5I 5J. More information regarding this event will be provided closer to those dates.
We are so proud of the thoughtful, creative and culturally respectful work students have produced this term. We look forward to building on this momentum as we move towards the second half of Term 2.