PYP- This Week's Inquiries

GRADES 5 & 6

In grade 5 and 6, we have been inquiring into place value and number systems. This was our central idea: Understanding place value in our number system allows us to process information and solve problems. At the end of our inquiry, we did a summative task and we had to compare and contrast two or three different number systems, placing our understanding in a Venn diagram to illustrate the similarities and differences between them. 

In the art room, we have been busy making Mother's Day cards, as well as working on our artwork linked to the unit of inquiry, ‘World Religions’. We are continuing our project on Tibetan Prayer flags and some will be ready for display around the school, both inside and outside, within the next couple of weeks.

During our next unit of inquiry, ‘Finance and Government’, we will be creating a budget to keep track of our expenses when we set up a small business in the classroom. 

In our sessions in the IRC, we will be finding out how we can use Excel to help us to manage our businesses more effectively.

GRADE 1

In Grade 1 this week, we have been thinking about how to write a procedural text that tells the reader just what to do in the right order. We spoke about procedural texts and when we might use them. We also put some muddled –up versions back in the right order and we had a go at writing instructions for brushing our teeth. We realised that recipes are great examples of procedural texts and so we used this opportunity to make ANZAC biscuits and follow a recipe with yummy results!

When working in the IRC, we are becoming more familiar with Microsoft Office programs, to create PowerPoint presentations, cards and invitations. We are using many new skills including typing, drawing tools, manipulating objects on the screen and pasting clip art objects and pictures.

GRADE 2

Last week, the Grade 2 children made ANZAC biscuits to celebrate and learn more about ANZAC Day. We were learning about procedural text as well as the origin of ANZAC biscuits. We compared the current recipe to the original recipe (for Hard Tacks) and inquired into the reasons why the recipe may have changed over the years.