Year 5/6

English

Reading

In Term 1, our grade 5/6 students began the year by learning about our agreed expectations when reading. They learnt how to use their reading journal, how to choose just-right books, to understand how to take notes to sort key information in reading lessons, to establish a neat and orderly classroom library and how to use a book borrowing system, among other things. After the ‘First 20 Days of Reading’ concluded, students dedicated time to learning a range of comprehension strategies to support them in their reading. At the Grade 5/6 level, the focus was on building their understanding of various comprehension strategies and understanding Tier 2 vocabulary when extracting meaning from complex novels. The comprehension strategies that students learnt included the following: making connections, inferring, understanding text structure and features and visualising. Our students learnt how to apply these strategies to a range of texts, including our class novel; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Writing

In Term 1, the Grade 5/6 students engaged in a series of writing lessons that developed their understanding of text structures, punctuation and descriptive language. They explored persuasive writing by analysing text features, such as emotive language, logical sequencing and strong conclusions, before planning and drafting their own. Students also investigated the role of punctuation in writing. In narrative writing, students focused on characterisation and setting descriptions, using adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors to enhance their storytelling. They applied these skills in a structured writing task, where they planned, drafted, and edited narratives based on given prompts. Throughout the term, students developed their writing stamina and self-assessed their work using criteria, allowing them to reflect on their strengths and areas for growth.

Mathematics

This term, our Year 5/6 students began by exploring the essential skills and expectations of being successful mathematicians. They engaged in activities designed to develop their problem-solving strategies and foster a collaborative learning environment. During the first 20 days, the spotlight was on Place Value. Students deepened their understanding of reading and working with numbers, including those with decimal places. They practised reading, writing, ordering and representing decimal numbers. As the term progressed, the focus shifted to Length and Measurement. Students learned to convert units such as millimetres to centimetres and applied their knowledge to real-world measurement scenarios. This hands-on approach helped them see the relevance of mathematics in everyday life. The students then ended the term with a unit on data and were exposed to a range of graph types. They critiqued a range of data sets and worked with others to interpret the information they could see in each.

Inquiry 

This term the grade 5/6 students participated in our Learning to Learn program. Throughout the term we focused on how students can strengthen and support their ability to learn, form positive relationships by developing a growth mindset, recognise and nurture their character strengths and understand how they can best develop their bodies and minds. Together we looked at the routines and processes that we follow both inside and outside the classroom. The students reflected on regulation strategies and discussed the tools and spaces they have available in their classroom to support them with this. After setting up our classroom routines and procedures the students then shifted to a focus on developing a healthy body and a healthy mind. The students explored substances like sugar and caffeine and the impacts these substances can have on our bodies. We explored sleep and its importance and investigated a range of food labels that contained information about the foods that we consume. 

Science

This term students have enjoyed learning about how environmental factors impact the growth and survival of living things in order for them to survive. Students observed what factors influence the growth of mould by conducting an experiment and changing the variables of the environmental factors. They have also learnt about the scientific method and the importance of having a controlled sample in order to have a ‘fair’ experiment with accurate results. Students have deepened their understanding of ‘mould’ and the benefits and dangers of it. They have explored the connection between evolution and environmental factors and how living things are able to exist in the most extreme environments imaginable. Students thoroughly enjoyed learning about the tardigrade and that inspired them to research other unique living things.  Observing students driving their own inquisitive investigations has truly been a highlight of this term. 

 LOTE

During Term 1 2023 Grade 5/6 students learnt about: – Revision Alphabet/Greetings, Food/Breakfast, Transport, Shops, Outside the House, Vegetables, Handshapes #3, Size, Shape and Revision. 

The students continued learning new signs for the above topics, through the videos, with fun stories, poems and games. We practiced combining signs in ‘phrases’ to build Auslan communication. 

Repetition and practice improve recall and develop Auslan language skills.                               As such, the lessons frequently included revision of past learning, as we covered the new learning. The students were encouraged to participate in activities, practising lesson content and to share their learning with their peers and the teacher.

Our focus is on both expressive Auslan (signing to others) and receptive Auslan (reading back/understanding others’ signing). These are important skills which coordinate in the learning of the Auslan language.

At this level the students have an understanding that Auslan is a visual language with non-voicing and practicing this as they communicate in Auslan. They are beginning to learn expressive elements of Auslan and Deaf Culture, of which the Auslan language is an important part.

Art

During Term 1 in Art, the Year 5/6s have been practising various skills and techniques to do with drawing, sculpture and painting. Each student has personalised a visual art diary and begun using it as a tool to explore our big idea for the semester, ‘My artistic inner world’. The students have created concept map self-portraits by brainstorming things that are important to and inspire them, and been given time to play with various art materials in their diaries.

We’ve also studied the art practice of Yayoi Kusama, who incorporates distinctive use of colour, shape and pattern in her immersive installation artworks. The students demonstrated impressive creativity and collaboration when designing Kusama-inspired dot pictures, used to inform the painting of papier-mâché sculptures. Well done on an excellent start to Art, Year 5/6s!

P.E.

Our Year 5/6 students have had a fantastic term in Physical Education, building on their skills and taking their gameplay to the next level. They kicked off the term with netball, where they refined their passing, shooting, and movement while learning the rules of the game. It was great to see them apply strategic thinking and teamwork as they played competitive yet fair games. Following netball, students transitioned into a football unit, where they focused on kicking, marking, and handballing. A key focus was using critical thinking skills to work as a team, making quick decisions and supporting each other in game situations. It was great to see them apply strategic thinking and teamwork as they played competitive yet fair games.

A major highlight of the term was a visit from Western Bulldogs players, who shared insights into the life of a professional footballer and answered student questions. This experience gave our students a deeper appreciation for the dedication, resilience, and teamwork required at the elite level.

Well done to all our Year 5/6 students for their effort, participation, and sportsmanship this term. We’re excited to see them continue to further develop their skills in Term 2!

Music

During term 1 in Music, the Grade 5/6 students have been developing their skills on the ukulele as they begin to alternate between basic chords in preparation for their performances of popular songs, later in the year. Students have been learning about music from a range of cultures, times and locations while exploring the more complex aspects of rhythm, pitch, dynamics (including Italian terms) and expression, form and structure, timbre and texture. Students have been learning how to play the djembe in a drum circle, during which time they have learnt how to lead, stop as a group, and control the dynamics. The arrival of some essential equipment will enable us to resume the ‘GarageBand Hip-Hop Composition unit’, the keyboard unit and the active listening forms which were unfortunately postponed. Exciting times ahead! Well done!