Level 4
By the time you read this, the year fours will be at Benloch, enjoying their camp experience. The excitement has been building up. Lots of preparation has gone into this event. Activities have been chosen, cabin allocations made and activity groups sorted. You’ll be glad to know that some things will make the students feel right at home, especially when they get to do ‘duty’ in the dining room, collecting dirty dishes, wiping up their mess, etc etc. More about that in the next newsletter!
Numeracy
We have been working hard in Numeracy to learn how to multiply and divide. Students are really enjoying our regular ‘Fifties Club’ activities and many are making steady progress in learning their times tables. We have been investigating a variety of strategies which can be used to solve problems. The Lattice method of multiplication has proved to be popular with many students as well as the ‘area model’ and of course the traditional algorithm. In division students have been exposed to both long and short division algorithms as well as the area model, estimation and repeated subtraction.
Literacy
The persuasive genre has been our focus this term which has seen our students develop further skills in using a wide variety of persuasive devices. It is a complicated genre as they wrestle with getting a balance between evidence and factual information, and the use of emotive language to engage their reader. Students need to use modality and rhetoric as well as being able to use the structure of a persuasive piece. It’s a sophisticated way to write but our students are doing very well.
Reading is an important part of our Literacy program and we would like to remind you that students should be reading regularly as part of their homework. You can help by ensuring that your child is reading at least four times per week. Listen to them read aloud at least once per week. Ask them questions like ‘What do you think will happen in the next chapter? And ‘What makes you think that?’ You could ask them if the theme in the book connects to another book they have read? Something that has happened to them? Something that happens in the world?
Inquiry
We are focusing on rules and laws in our community, and understanding the difference between the two. We will investigate who is responsible for making our rules and laws, what consequences may be applied if they are not followed, and who enforces them.
Digi-Tech
We are keen for the students to learn the skill of touch typing. It’s a skill that can help them to complete work which involves writing quickly and efficiently. No more scanning the keyboard for the next letter, they will automatically find the correct key each time. There are several kid-friendly touch-typing courses available free of charge. The classes use both Typing.com and Dance Mat Typing. We would encourage you to allow your child to practise their typing skills regularly, checking in to see whether they are using all fingers correctly. Practice does not make perfect. They need Perfect Practice to get it perfect.
Looking forward to more great learning experiences at HEPS!
Upcoming Dates
Monday 18th May - Education Open Night 6-7:30pm
Thursday 21st May - Curriculum Day
Friday 22nd May - Curriculum Day
Monday 8th June - Kings Birthday Public Holiday