Mathematics

In the area of Mathematics, Secondary 7/8 students have five maths sessions per week where they are split into like ability groups within in their class groups. Teachers have been working with individual students to complete the Maths Online Interview which will enable them to assess students’ skills in the different areas of maths. Skills and knowledge are developed using hands on and practical learning activities to enhance students’ understanding of concepts as well as fluency and proficiency in Mathematics.

English

Students are assessed in their comprehension and fluency and are then split into like ability groups across the Secondary 7/8 section and are taught core reading, comprehension, grammar, fluency and spelling skills. Students have been reading for enjoyment and researching during these past three weeks. We strongly encourage students to complete reading at home for four nights a week and we have leveled readers which students can take home each night. Parents/carers are requested to sign the Home Reading Contract to ensure books do not go missing.

Social Competencies

Secondary 7/8 students have been participating in activities that have assisted in welcoming our many new students to Concord.

All classes have become familiar with the Student Expectations which are displayed in each classroom.
Classes are working through a process that will ultimately elect two class leaders from each class. Criteria to make a great class leader was set, nominations called for, nominees had to give a short presentation. Classes will now vote for who they best thinks meets the criteria. Leaders will be announced at the section assembly on Friday 16th February.
Classes got together for a cricket match and sausage sizzle; before the match students discussed what makes a good team captain and a great team member, voted on captains, elected teams and then had team meetings!
The Secondary 7/8 Challenge Program successfully commenced last week. Students have been assigned to one of 4 groups that will rotate through 8 different activities across the term: YMCA, Tabloid Sports, Golf, Cricket, Action Sport, Dance, Bowling and Gym. Please access Compass to see the weekly activity your child will be participating in. Students will need to wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays.

Integrated Studies

Our integrated unit focus for semester 1 is ‘Australian Colonies’. Students have shared what they know about ‘Australian Colonies’ and what they want to know by the end of this unit. Success criteria has been discussed and will be set at 3 different levels. Students have criteria in their individual portfolios along with a copy of the thinkbox or thinktower. They have read or looked at books relating to this unit and watched youtube clips about; the first voyage of Captain Cook in the Endeavour when he discovered Australia! Discussion around Captain Cook and then completion of given think-charts on Captain Cook. Please ask your child to share their discoveries with you.

Your child may speak of some new terms they will become familiar with this year.

• SWSW – Strength - Weakness - So What!

• Think chart – used when working

• Discoveries and Wonderings – What we know & What we want to learn (questions)

PreCal Experience Days

The students in the PreCAL program participate in weekly ‘Experience Days’. These days are specifically designed to provide context for classroom based learning. The experience days integrate learning from English, Mathematics, Social Competencies and the Integrated Unit - Safety.

As part of the reading program students have viewed a video on ‘Pedestrian Safety’. The video was used to identify potential hazards and discuss issues that may arise for pedestrians out in the community. The video is a procedural text demonstrating how to cross the road safely. The students will be referring to this text prior to the experience days. It is important that the students learn to ‘look for’ and ‘read’ potential hazards to avoid unsafe situations. The video sparked lots of discussion around the importance of following rules to keep safe. Following on from the discussion students have been involved in modelled writing sessions where they have developed safety rules for the classroom, using equipment, and when interacting with each other. SFC has been busy brainstorming what safe/unsafe looks and feels like. This ties in nicely with our Social Competencies program where students have been discussing and identifying a range of feelings and what feelings you would have in safe/unsafe situations. They will build on this knowledge in the coming weeks to develop a shared understanding of safe/unsafe behaviours in the community including safety while travelling on public transport.

Karen Hickling

Acting Secondary 7/8 Team Leader

Secondary 7/8

Issue 1 · 15 Feb 2018

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