Inquiry Centre
Curriculum
Another big week! Thank you for your continued support and feedback as we navigate this remote learning journey. Our check-in phone calls have begun and it has been so valuable to speak with you and hear how you are getting on. We are continuing to make improvements based on your feedback and we were pleased to hear that Week 3’s activities were more accessible for your children.
One important change is being introduced in Week 4 across the whole school - the introduction of Specialist Days. This means that for 1/2, all four specialist activities will be scheduled for Wednesdays, and aside from the morning check-in, there will be no other work posted by classroom teachers on Wednesdays. This is being put in place to give students and families a mid-week ‘brain break’ and will allow classroom teachers time to collaboratively plan the best learning programs for your children. Please remember - missing activities or responding later in the week is completely fine!
We began the week with an ANZAC day literacy activity. Students listened to the book ‘My Grandad Marches on ANZAC Day’ and responded in a number of creative ways. Thank you for supporting your children with baking ANZAC biscuits, making commemorative poppies and writing tribute poems. In Literacy this week the students also began working on persuasive writing, exploring a video text called “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!”. They have practised sorting fact and opinion, and making connections between texts (especially with our third mentor text for the week: “Don’t let the pigeon stay up late!”). The students have continued their study of ‘Codes’ and spelling, and many have been using the Epic! digital library for personal reading.
In Maths this week we have returned to the topic of Place Value, which will support the students as they learn new strategies for addition and subtraction. The students have practised using different maths tools, such as ten and twenty frames, 100 charts, number lines and more. Thank you for all of your support with the maths activities this week - we hope you enjoyed playing ‘Maths War’! In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), we loved seeing your children’s “Tallest Towers”. Going through the design process including designing blueprints, building, testing, measuring and reflecting is a great way to build problem solving skills and is a part of the Victorian Curriculum ‘Design & Technology’ domain.
In Wellbeing this week, we focused on using our “inner coach” to help us have a growth mindset, especially when things can be challenging (very important right now!). We also practiced mindfulness - being in the present moment - by pausing and taking in our surroundings. If you weren’t able to get outside because of the weather, we still hope you had the chance to take a break and clear your minds!
Thank you all for your remarkable support, patience and flexibility,
Emma Honan, Aidain O’Connor, Emma Marsh, Kathy Wang, Andy Parthenopoulos, Emily Kiefte, Simone Rock, Erin Bennetts and Andie Moffat.
Student Voice
Alisia Y: I am thankful for my dad for teaching me.
Tim C: I am thankful for the teachers and principal because they always help and give feedback.
Kayla S: I am thankful for my mum helping me with my work.
Zac H: I am thankful for Friday nights because it is the start of the weekend!
Olivia L: My favourite thing is actually everything and also Maths!
Joshua N: What I like about online learning is that we can communicate in different ways.
Alya K: My favorite activity is codes!!
Reminders
If possible, all students should reply to the check in tasks by 12:00pm. This is how we are taking attendance for the day.
Students can use pen and paper to complete SeeSaw activities. To print a copy of the work from Seesaw - save Activity as draft - click view original → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AkFLEhM7-DXV-ElAwHCQnaFSAjn4padc/view
Reading Eggs, Mathletics and Epic Books are additional items we are providing access to and can be used at any time by all students as desired (they are not mandatory).
It is normal for students' work to be messy or not perfect. At school, we talk about celebrating mistakes as they help challenge us to learn and grow.
Please keep your child's teacher informed about changes and challenges along the way so that we can work to support you and your child further.
Pupil of the Week
1/2BR: Nicky R -
For going above and beyond with your persuasive response task. You challenged yourself exceeding our expectations and showed a great love of learning and attention to detail. Well done!
1/2E: Thomas M -
For completing all tasks with creativity and perseverance, you have done an excellent job challenging yourself and completed the STEM task in a creative way! You have made thoughtful reflections to show your understanding as well. Fantastic work Tom!
1/2H: Pin Cheng H -
For using a range of openers when describing different reasons that the pigeon should not stay up late. You continue to show a love of learning while working from home. Keep up the amazing effort Pin Cheng.
1/2K: Isla S -
For displaying a love of learning in Maths! You’ve enthusiastically completed all your maths activities and even challenged yourself by accepting the extension task of complements to 100. I love seeing the passion you bring to school and so proud of the effort you bring to each activity! Keep it up Isla!
1/2O: Brandon P -
For challenging yourself in Math when recording numbers on blank number lines. You showed your love of learning by completing the task on paper with multiple different number lines. Your work was outstanding! Thank you Brandon.
1/2P: Nathan E -
For showing a love of learning in completing your learning activities this week. It’s great to see you independently challenging yourself to give Seesaw tasks a go on many different devices. Your ANZAC Day Poem was very impressive, too! Well done Nathan!
1/2W: Angad A -
For continuing to shine such a positive, can-do attitude to all your check-in interactions and activities. Your love of learning and zest has made such a positive impact on the 1/2W cohort and myself. The hard work and effort you put into your activities is absolutely amazing to see.