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Level 5 & 6 

Best Wishes to Our Somers Camp Students and Staff

This week, a number of our students and staff will head off to Somers Camp for nine days of adventure, challenge and personal growth. Somers is a unique opportunity for students to develop independence, resilience and teamwork while participating in a wide range of outdoor and leadership experiences.

We wish all of our students and teachers attending camp a wonderful time and look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return. We know they will represent Wonga Park Primary School with pride and make the most of this exciting opportunity.

Literacy

In Literacy, students will continue exploring the conventions of language, with a focus on plurals. Students will investigate how words change when referring to more than one item and explore the rules and patterns that help us spell plural words correctly.

Students will continue reading our class novel, Who Am I? by Anita Heiss, using the text to build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension skills and develop thoughtful responses through discussion and written tasks.

 

Students will also continue writing their own autobiographies. Using the discussion questions sent home earlier in the term, students will reflect on significant events, achievements and memories from their lives and continue to transform these ideas into engaging autobiographical writing. We greatly appreciate the support families have provided in discussing these memories and helping students gather photographs and information to include in their work.

 

Alongside this work, students will continue exploring a range ofbiographies of notable Australians through both print and visual media. By examining the lives, achievements and contributions of inspiring Australians, students will develop a deeper understanding of the features and structure of biographical writing. Students will then select an Australian of their own choice to research and, using their findings, construct and write a biography about someone who inspires them. This learning will strengthen students' research, note-taking, organisation and informative writing skills.

 

In Spelling, students will begin exploring the Greek base word “zoo” (meaning animal or living creature) through the PhOrMes program, while also continuing their work on homophones.

 

What you can do at home:

  • Continue discussing family stories, milestones and memorable events with your child.
  • Help your child locate photographs that could be included in their autobiography.
  • Talk with your child about Australians who inspire them and discuss the qualities that make these people admirable role models.
  • Explore words containing the base word “zoo” (e.g. zoology, zoo, zoologist).
  • Encourage regular reading and discussion about what your child is reading.

Numeracy

In Numeracy, students will continue developing their mathematical understanding through year-level specific learning.

 

Grade 5 students will begin a unit on 2D shapes and transformations. Students will investigate how shapes can be rotated, translated and reflected, and will apply their understanding through a rich mathematical task titled Input Output Machine.

 

Grade 6 students will explore patterns and algebra, identifying and describing number patterns within geometric designs. Students will create their own patterns and begin designing algorithms that generate number sequences and sets.

 

Throughout these lessons, students will continue developing their reasoning skills by explaining patterns, relationships and mathematical thinking.

 

What you can do at home:

  • Look for examples of symmetry, reflections and transformations in everyday objects.
  • Encourage your child to identify patterns in nature, buildings, sport statistics or daily routines.
  • Ask your child to explain how a shape changes when it is rotated, reflected or translated.

CBL (Challenge Based Learning)

Students are now beginning to work towards answering our Challenge:

"Inspire others to value and care for Country and its people."

 

After exploring our three guiding questions throughout the term, students have brainstormed possible responses and selected an aspect of Aboriginal culture, history or contemporary life that they would like to focus on. Students will now begin planning and creating their response to the challenge.

 

As part of this process, students will decide whether to work independently or with a partner, identify the message they would like to share, determine the resources they require and develop a plan outlining the steps needed to complete their project.

 

This exciting phase of the unit will allow students to apply their learning in a meaningful way while developing creativity, collaboration and project-management skills.

 

What you can do at home:

  • Ask your child what aspect of Aboriginal culture or Country they have chosen to focus on.
  • Discuss ways people can inspire others to care for Country and community.
  • Encourage your child to share their project ideas and planning with you.

Cyber Safety

This week, students will explore the concept of, 'Deep Fakery'. Students will explore how digital technologies can be used to manipulate images, videos and audio recordings, and will learn strategies for critically evaluating online content. This important lesson will help students become more informed and responsible digital citizens.

Term Two Important Dates

June

  • 9th–17th – Somers Camp (selected students)
  • 9th – VSSS Mass Dance Rehearsal at The Basin Primary School (selected students)
  • 10th – VSSS Mass Choir Rehearsal at Boronia Heights Primary School (selected students)
  • 15th – Coffee and Chat Session in the Staffroom (9:00am)
  • 19th – Gala Sports Day
  • 22nd – Assembly
  • 26th – Last Day of Term Two (3:30pm dismissal)