Specialists' News
Specialist Areas
Music = Mr Paul
STEAM = Mr Cam
LOTE Mandarin = Miss Lucy
Art = Miss Mary
Robotics/Coding = Miss Ghada
PE = Mr Cam/Mr Paul/Miss Beth
Curriculum Newsletter
All specialist classes have had a great start to 2019! Here's a summary of the content of each program for Term 1:
Music
Prep
Our focus this term is Beat and Rhythm. Students are learning Body Percussion, Rhythm Sticks and Marimba.
There is plenty of Singing and Dancing too. Our overarching theme is "Music from Around the World".
Grade 1
This terms we are learning about Beat and Rhythm. "Rhythms From Around the World" is our theme. The students learn all types of rhythms, patterns and songs on percussion instruments including Body Percussion, Bucket Drumming and the Marimba.
Grade 2
This terms we are learning about Beat and Rhythm. "Rhythms From Around the World" is our theme. The students learn all types of rhythms, patterns and songs on percussion instruments including Body Percussion, Bucket Drumming and the Marimba.
Grade 3
Our "Rhythms From Arounds the World" theme this term gives students the opportunity to learn about "World Music". The students experience playing all types of traditional rhythms and patterns on various instruments and study the different elements of the music in each culture covered.
Grade 4/5/6
Our theme this term is "Rhythms From Around the World". We are learning about the similarities and differences of music from around the world. The students are applying their knowledge to creating their own "World Music" compositions on various percussion instruments including Body Percussion, Bucket Drumming and the Marimba.
Coding and Robotics
Prep
We are learning about expectations in our learning areas and what the word “Coding” means.
Grade 1
We are learning about expectations in our learning areas and how to use digital devices safely. We then move into exploring what the word “Coding” means.
Grade 2
We had an introduction about how to settle into our learning area and we are moving now to learn about online safety with a focus on screen time, body posture and basic functions of digital devices.
Grade 3
We learned about expectations in our learning area and made some fun signs for our Coding and Robotics topics. We are now looking at e-Safety with a focus on use of photos and location features. We love how these digital devices connect us, so we are investigating the ways sit brings our communities together.
Grades 4/5/6
After settling in our learning area, we will always start the academic year by reviewing the topic of e-Safety with a focus on Cyber Bullying and Creating a positive Digital Footprint.
STEAM
Prep
We are learning about expectations in the Makerspace, 2D shapes and cutting/pasting techniques. Students will be participating in a 2D Shape Hunt and designing a skyscraper using 2D shapes. They will be using their cutting and pating skills to create multi-coloured hair/fur for a dog or lion.
Grade 1
We are learning about expectations in the Makerspace, 3D shapes and using iPads. Students will be participating in a Treasure Hunt using their iPad. They will also be combining their cutting and pasting skills to assemble puzzles using number recognition.
Grade 2/3
We are learning about expectations in the Makerspace, the design process and safe use of equipment. Students will be designing a table number sign and a Makerspace sign.
Grade 4/5/6
We are learning about expectations in the Makerspace, flight, thrust, lift and identifying local problems in order to design solutions. Students will be designing a flying Formula 1 Car and a car to compete in the SMPS Pinewood Derby (a racing event for unpowered, unmanned miniature cars) .
LOTE (Chinese/Mandarin)
Prep
In term one we are looking at building expectations, embracing the culture, participating in structured and routine interactions, using learnt sounds and formulaic phrases. Students will recognise the tonal nature of Chinese and know that characters are formed by strokes.
Grade 1
In term one we are looking at building expectations, embracing the culture, participating in structured and routine interactions, using learnt sounds and formulaic phrases. Students will also learn about recognising the use of the four tone marks in Pinyin as well as matching the characters to the meanings and sounds of familiar words.
Grade 2/3
We are learning about building expectations, embracing the culture, participating in structured and routine interactions, using learnt sounds, formulaic phrases and four tones in learning Mandarin. Students will also learn about matching the matching the characters to the meanings and sounds of familiar words and they will be aware of the the word order of simple sentences.
Grade 4/5/6
We are learning about building expectations, embracing the culture, using spoken and written Chinese in simple personal interactions with familiar participants about greetings, self and family. They will also use appropriate pronunciation, tone, gestures and movement and some formulaic expressions.
ART
In Visual Arts in Term One as we begin to learn the artistic process, our focus this first term will be on the “Explore” stage, with exposure and practice with a variety of materials, styles, and forms of art. Our theme for the term is multiculturalism and we will explore this theme by creating and viewing art, investigating and appreciating cultural and individual artists’ expression and ideas across different places and time.
Prep:
We are learning about routines, expectations, and safety in the art room, respectfully using art materials, and the elements of art including line, color, shape, and texture. Students are creating art that allows exploration of different art materials and styles, developing skills using pencils, crayons, textas, paint, glue, and scissors.
Year 1:
We are learning about routines, expectations, and safety in the art room and about respectfully using and maintaining our art marterials. Students are creating art projects that emphasize utilizing the elements of art including line, color, shape, and texture and personal expression in art.
Year 2/ 3:
We are learning about routines and expectations in the art room and about managing and maintaining materials responsibly. Students are learning to create art using the elements of art and inspired by different styles and symbols that have diverse artist and cultural significance.
Year 4/ 5/ 6:
We are learning about routines and expectations in the art room and about managing and maintaining materials responsibly. Students are learning to create art inspired by different times and cultures that represent different styles and are beginning to explore how to communicate different ideas, beliefs, and opinions through art.
Specialist Timetable Term 1 - All Grades
Find attached the Specialist Timetable for Term 1: