Junior Sub School

Hello again, and welcome to the final Junior Sub School newsletter for the year! It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the term and the end of the year is fast approaching. 

Numeracy

This term, the students have investigated Chance & Probability and Money. We started by identifying and comparing the common vocabulary around probability such as impossible, unlikely, probable, etc. We then applied these to everyday situations such as the likelihood that it will rain today, that I will have pasta for dinner, it will snow tonight, etc. From here, the students were able to describe the outcomes for chance events such as coin tossing, dice rolling, spinners, picking coloured counters, etc. In some areas this involved numerical descriptions such as a ‘1 in 4 chance’

When investigating Money, we have identified, compared and ordered Australian currency. We have made equal amounts using different coins, added amounts to find a total when role-playing purchasing items and in some cases, investigated giving change from $1, $2 or more.

Daily 5

This term we have been continuing to focus on the Big 3; Author’s purpose, Figurative Language and the Main Idea, with the matching Daily 5 strategies. We’ve been selecting a focus text for a two week cycle which has proven to be a favourite with the students as we look at it with a variety of lenses giving our understanding of the text more depth. Focus texts are chosen for a variety of reasons; language, pictures, key concepts, literary tools and the pattern of writing within it. We have found as a sub school that having a focus text has promoted the love of reading and language through repetition and layering new understanding each session.

Writing

In writing this term we have been learning how to construct a narrative. Points of focus have been: story openers, describing characters, using a variety of word types (adjectives, verbs, adverbs) and including a related complication and resolution. We have also been investigating how to construct a sentence in more interesting ways. Beginning in Week 7 we will begin procedural writing, some topics might include recipes, experiments or instructions.

Integrated Studies

This term, students have been participating in the Mappen Creativity unit titled 'Robot Buddies'.  The purpose of this unit has been for students to develop a curiosity about robots and programming. We have considered the purpose of different everyday objects  and how those objects have been designed and built.  We have discussed striving for accuracy when we are writing, drawing and providing instructions, and of course thinking creatively. A few key questions we have discussed include:

How can I write instructions?

What are the properties of different materials?

How can I design and build new objects?

In addition to learning about these skills we have also had the opportunity to use different apps on the iPads to put them into practice, including Scratch Jr. Students have enjoyed working in the Digi Tech room with Mr Jackson.

Play is the Way

At a recent assembly, Miss Hargreaves spoke about standing up and taking action for three important values. These values were:

Character: having the strength to do the right thing. A true display of standing up for the value of character is being considerate of others’ needs and being there to support them.

Kindness: It is important every member at Chelsea Heights Primary School feels safe and included. Spreading kindness is easier than choosing to say words that are mean or might potentially have a negative effect on someone else’s day.

Self-control: We can show this every day by being trust worthy and reliable. At times we may have different teachers in our class and students showing self-control by being trustworthy and reliable to do the right thing when it matters, is important.

We all stood up for an action too, which was to SMILE. Smiling is not only good for ourselves but others. As we wrap up the year it is important to smile regardless of how busy we are. We will be completing activities over the next few weeks and be accountable by actioning what we all agreed to stand up for. We are looking forward to watching the students continue to show these three values throughout the rest of term.

Special Events

In Week Two this term we all participated in a very exciting incursion which involved creating simple robots with Lego. The incursion was linked to our Integrated Studies unit Robot Buddies and it gave the students the opportunity to incorporate a number of skills in order for them to create the final product. Students worked in groups of three and rotated through three different roles to create a  robotic Lego crocodile. They used MacBooks to follow visual instructions and then used a simple program to make the crocodile snap with sound effects. The teachers were very impressed to see many cooperative skills in play, such as turn taking, listening and compromising.

The Art Show was a great success and it was wonderful to see so many CHPS families supporting the school in this major fundraiser. The students were extremely proud to see their artwork displayed in our pop up gallery and we’re sure many are taking pride of place at home now! Huge thanks go out to the PFA, Ms Brown and Miss White for their amazing efforts leading up to the event and on the night.

Homework

Week 6 will be the last week of spelling homework for the Junior School in 2018. Although spelling homework is coming to an end, we would still encourage the practice of nightly reading at home with your child. Students will still be attending the library weekly to borrow Good Fit Readers and two books of choice. It is extremely important that books are read and returned regularly, enabling your children to enjoy  reading and have a variety of texts to select from. It is your child’s responsibility to look after their library books and return them to the library the following week. This builds their own independence and responsibility of items they have chosen to borrow. The local Chelsea Library also have a large variety of books and being a member is free. Visiting the library can be a great outing to promote the love of books and reading during the school holidays.

Thank you to all parents, caregivers and students for such a fabulous year!

The Junior Sub School Team

Luke Aldred, Alec McPhee, Megan Foley, Emily White, Tessa Horkings and Helen Farr