Secondary 7-8

SKH

SKH did a lot of work around the Rio 2016 Olympics. Every day we would write in our Olympic diaries; we would see how many medals Australia won each day and tally them; we would write discoveries and wonderings and we would cut out news articles from the newspaper or research on the internet and paste them in our Olympic diaries. It was a lot of work but we are proud of our diaries. For the Secondary 7/8 Food Festival on Tuesday 22nd November we are making and selling lasagne for the main course and rocky road as a take home dessert. These foods will be delicious and we hope a lot of people buy them. SKH science experiments have been fun and some have been intense; like the balloon experiment. We had to blow up a balloon, hold it over a candle and guess what happened. It exploded! We were not expecting that. SKH does heaps of fun learning.

Written by Cooper Simmons and Dylan Fitzgerald, SKH Class Leaders.

SMP

SMP are really enjoying this semesters Integrated Unit of Heating and Melting.  We love engaging in the science experiments and testing our thoughts and ideas. We started the semester with an incursion from ‘Hands On Science’. They showed us lots of different experiments with heating and melting that we really enjoyed. Some of them we have been able to repeat in the classroom and change things to get better results like true scientists. Charlee is using heat to make a plastic bag fly just like a hot air balloon does.

SSB & SCS

SSB and SCS students joined up for an afternoon of baking during the Olympic Games. The students had researched Brazilian biscuit recipes that could be made in the classroom. Students have been learning about fractions in numeracy and procedural text in writing. This was a great opportunity to use their new knowledge in a practical hands on activity. The students worked in small groups of combined classes and produced lots of biscuits to eat and share with their families. They finished the session with an Olympic quiz while enjoying milo and biscuits. Well done to all the students for their co-operation and enthusiasm.

SEO

SEO, SCS, SSD and SMP had a wonderful day out at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery as part of our Heating and Melting Integrated Unit.  A lot of students learn best when chocolate is incorporated. The excursion had students totally engaged listening to a chocolate tour by one of their finest chocolatiers. They learned very important facts about melting chocolate. Students even experienced chocolate change state from solid into a liquid substance gorging in delicious chocolate fondues made up of fruit, honey comb, liquorice and marshmallows. There were big chocolate smiles all around. What a great mid-week treat for us all.

SSD

SSD have welcomed a new student to their class, Zahybe has quickly settled into his new class and is enjoying being at Concord School. It has been a very productive term with students enjoying the integrated unit focusing on heating and melting. We just returned from a trip to the Yara Valley Chocolatier where the students got a chance to sample the delicious melted chocolate fondue. We have also spent time learning about location and how to read, make and follow map directions. We learnt all about the Olympics and followed Australia’s progress in Rio by reading newspaper articles and following the medal tally daily. It’s been a great term and we are all looking forward to a little holiday before starting term 4.

SCA

SCA have been working hard on creating a silent movie called ‘The Mad Scientist’. During our writing groups we have been learning about characters, settings, problems and solutions. We have completed character profiles on characters from books and also characters that we have made up. As a class we wrote the script for the silent movie and discussed costumes, props and the setting. We made some of the costumes and props for the movie using paper mache and alfoil. We enjoyed acting and filming the scenes but the best part of all was watching it on the TV when it was finished.

SMC & SRM

SMC and SRM worked together during literacy sessions while the 2016 Rio Olympics where taking place. The students worked on their Olympic Diary of Discoveries where they read through Herald Sun articles and then wrote their own reports. The students under the guidance of the class room teachers organised mini Olympics afternoon with SCA. All of the students competed in organised events with their peers and had a great day.

This semester students have begun their Integrated Unit topic – Heating and Melting. At the start of the unit students participated in an exciting incursion where they did many experiments exploring heating and melting. Since then I have been to watch a few of the experiments the student have been doing in class and it has been wonderful to see their engagement in the topic and the learning that is taking place! The Olympic Games was an excellent opportunity for students to learn about other countries, cultures and sports. Students discussed medals won each morning and kept up to date with what was happening in Rio through newspapers, TV and the internet. Some classes held their own mini Olympics events where they competed in paper plane throwing and timed how long it took them to run 100 metres! Next term students will be holding an evening Food Festival where they will use their knowledge of heating and melting to create yummy treats for everyone to enjoy. The Food Festival will be held on Tuesday 22nd November – put this date in your diaries!   

Sarah Abbott

Team Leader