Curriculum News

English

Reading and Viewing

This term we will be integrating our inquiry unit ‘Change Agents’ through our reading content. Explored texts will expose students to information related to ‘Chemical Science” and Design and Technology.’ Guided reading groups sessions will focus on instructional reading strategies at students’ point of need. Group discussions will be based on asking and responding to  open and closed questions that relate to reading within, beyond and about the texts. Students will be supported to, locate and use evidence from the text to support and justify their answers. In particular, texts viewed. The reading shall include the building of new vocabulary, concepts and different points of view. The students will also be supported through their individual Reading Conference goals that they set.

Writing

The focus for writing this term will be to support development of  students in writing in the narrative form to entertain an audience. Following this genre the students will be working on writing to explain. It will allow students to showcase their writing in an authentic manner that compliments our inquiry unit on change. This will include  a variety of modelled, independent and conference writing experiences. In both these genres the students will have set  individual writing goals related to specific structure, language features, revising and editing strategies. 

Speaking and Listening

The aim is to support students in developing their capacity to speak confidently and with expression. They will investigate and compose a spoken text. They will engage and record sustained conversations and discussions using content integrated from the curriculum. Students will be given the opportunity to present through their inquiry unit, Genius Hour investigations, debates and Spirit filled Saint or person presentations.

Maths

Number and Algebra

This term we will undertake units on the  four operations and place value. Students will  be working with whole numbers to build fluency and recognition across a range of different contexts.  Students will then explore, extend and practice applying various strategies with and without technology. This term students will compare and order common fractions and decimals, and locate and represent them on a numberline.

Measurement and Geometry

We will focus on extending our understanding and practical application of timetables in various formats to plan a trip or set, daily activities. Collectively,  exposing students to experiences that use mathematical skills to develop critical thinking citizens. This term we will be looking at time, schedules and simple timetables.

Statistics and Probability

This area of mathematics provides another opportunity for teachers to make visible for students the relationship between mathematics and other areas of the curriculum. Students will be exposed to primary and secondary sources in both interactive and hardcopy formats linked to data that underpins the historical study of Australia’s demography, human population and reconcile events related to our government and election process.

Religious Education

During the term students will make regular time to pray daily. Each student will be provided a rotating lead level in daily prayer. The various readings and psalms cater to different student abilities. This term we will record students running the morning prayer session and upload this to seesaw.  In addition, we will acknowledge  our patron saint, St Brigid. Our main focus in our faith learning will be the Holy Spirit. Then, we will explore and interpret the spiritual wellbeing in the light of our Catholic faith. Students will identify and have access to elements of our faith that can maintain and further support spiritual wellbeing. We shall identify how our Catholic Faith sustains us and then compare it to how the faith of other religions  supports their followers’ spirituality.  

Inquiry

This is linked through RE & Wellbeing 

Our unit this term is about Change. Students will be exploring how change occurs as an individual, as a community and as the world. We will be exploring how these changes impact us, how some changes are reversible and some changes are irreversible. Student learning will take on a hands on approach through scientific understanding using experiments to consolidate understandings of the concept of change. 

Social & Emotional Wellbeing

We will continue to work with students on their social and emotional wellbeing. Students are supported to build collaborative and social relationships within a learning environment. Building these relationships allows students to be more confident with their peers both within the classroom and school yard. There will be a focus on social and emotional wellbeing using technology within the classroom and at home. Grade 5/6 camp will contribute to student social and emotional wellbeing - building resilience, confidence, boost self esteem, being aware of differences and celebrating these. 

Homework

Homework will begin on Monday Week 1 of the term. Homework tasks require the  recording of reading  at least 4 times a week in the school diary  and work tasks that can be submitted electronically or in a designated homework book. Homework tasks are discussed in class on a Monday and every student has a copy shared with them through the Hapara Workspace. If for some reason all tasks have not been completed we request that parents/carers put a note in their child’s diary. Students will be provided with weekly spelling words, and access to an online tool to record their three different practice spelling activities.  Mathematical tasks such as Mfacts will also be set.  Other tasks related to aspects of classroom learning such as Inquiry, RE or Literacy such as Grammar may also be included. Completing set homework is not just a way to extend on class content but a way for children to practise  life skills such as organisation, problem solving, goal-setting and perseverance.