LITERACY /

LEARNING & TEACHING 

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

Yes, we are just wild about reading!

Congratulations to these wonderful readers who have completed the Premiers’ Reading Challenge! 

Just a reminder that the Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 8 September 2023.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’  30 books with their parents and teachers. 

Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge 

Grade 1/2 VLOGs

Students and teachers in grade 1/2 should be very proud of their amazing achievements this term.

Check out these wonderful VLOGs about some of their special places.

Thank you to Jeremy, Manu, Kiyan and Maraya for sharing this very special work about your very special place.

Jeremy’s Vlog 1/2A

 Manu's vlog 1/2A

 Kiyan's vlog 1/2A

 Maraya's vlog 1/2A

Literacy samples from the Grade 3-6 students make our hearts sing 😊

Debating

This term the Grade 5/6 students took part in debating. They spent time learning about persuasive devices and then applied their learning to debating given topics. 

Having students participate in the debating process promotes problem solving and innovative thinking, and helps students to build links between words and ideas that make concepts more meaningful. During the debating experience students are taught to synthesise a wide range of complex information, and exercise creativity to implement different ways of knowing.

Thank you for this wonderful argument on…

Technology is not bad! - by Olivia N

In my opinion, technology is great because we use it for many things like navigation, transport and even to save lives! These three reasons will show why it’s amazing and why we need it.

First of all, we use it for navigation, otherwise we would be using maps and who would want that? Navigation is good because it helps us get to places easily when we have never gone before. We use apps like “WAZE” and “Google maps” for navigation. Navigation is technology so that is why we need it.

Secondly, in the hospital there is a lot of technology  and like ¾ of that saves lives! Lots of technology helps and saves people in need. Quite a few people need technology for their everyday life. We need it to save people and animals!

Last but not least, we use it for transport. How will we get places without Cars, Planes, Helicopters or Motor Bikes?! Also, we need it for trucks and trucks make homes. Technology is not just iphones and ipads, it’s transport and we need that!

In the end, I’m pretty sure that I have DEFINITELY made it clear that as humans and animals we need technology! It does great things like getting us to places, helping people in need and telling us where to go.  This is why we need TECHNOLOGY!!!

This example of a persuasive argument has very kindly been offered by Grace P

Children should be allowed to have mobile phones during school hours 

2nd Speaker 

Introduction

1.Good afternoon Teachers and Students

 I am Grace Piscioneri, the 2nd speaker in the negative team.

2. The topic for our debate is Children should NOT be allowed to have mobile phones during school hours.

3. We, the negative team, believe that this statement is false.

Rebuttal

The second affirmative speaker has tried to tell you…..

This is wrong because….

She/he also said….

This is wrong because …

Recap

Our first speaker talked about how children can easily get distracted by an iphone and it can interrupt children's learning.

Arguments

Today I will be talking to you about 3 different points.

Schools have information so you don't need to bring a phone, Children can cheat on tests,cameras are used to be inappropriate.

Now to my first point that schools have information so you don't need to bring an iphone. 

Children should not even bother bringing their iphones to school because the school office has all the information. It's a bit creepy am i right.If there is any type of emergency the teachers can just send children down to the office. The office has all the childrens information from when they started school, they have the parents phone number and more. 

Now to my second point that children can cheat on tests. It’s proven that statistically 35% of children and teenagers admit that they use iphones to cheat on tests.If a Child or teen gets caught cheating on tests there can be big consequences like getting a zero on your test that is a fact.Children believe cheating is good but it is terrible because you can get caught and have terrible consequences. 

My third and final point is that children could use their phone as a camera. Children can use a camera to take photos of people's tests or they can take inappropriate photos of teachers or students and share them with the school, or even worse, social media. Cameras  can be used in class to harass students. A child can be very inappropriate with a camera or iphone and take photos of children and sometimes the worst thing is they don't even get caught.

Ending

So teachers and students,  in conclusion I very strongly believe that phones should not be allowed during school hours because they can be used in many different ways. So now do you believe this statement is true?

We also thank Andrew K for his perspective on…

YOUNGER SIBLINGS GET TREATED BETTER THAN OLDER SIBLINGS

I strongly believe that younger siblings get treated better than older siblings.Now if you're the youngest you can maybe relate to some of these. But if you're the oldest you know what I’m talking about here let me show you what I am talking about.

First reason, younger siblings always get the better stuff. Parents are always willing to spend more money on the younger siblings like getting them the newest Iphone or Ipad or even a costume. But when it comes to the older siblings the parents say you get this or you can get nothing which I think is not fair.

Secondly, they always get favourited. Like the parents always spend more time with the younger siblings even if they have homework. But if it’s with the older sibling they send them straight back to their room to do their  homework. Or even with food the younger sibling gets a bigger portion size sometimes while you're left with the leftovers. Even with playing if the older sibling is playing and you tell the younger sibling no you can't play.They will just go tell mommy or daddy their issue and the parents will force you to play with them. But if for some reason you finally want to play with the younger sibling you ask if you can play with them and of course they will say no. Then mum or dad will say he/she said no so just leave.

Finally if you get something the younger siblings always have to get what the older siblings has. Say you get a bag of chips of course the younger sibling has to get a bag of chips as well. And if you want to finally play on the gaming device and you have only been on it for 20 minutes the younger sibling says it's my turn and no difference they get their way.

Younger siblings see what I mean it is just not fair what us older siblings have to go through with you guys around. Older siblings I know I’ve hit the nail right on the head with you guys trust me I have a younger sibling and it’s not fun.

Thank you to Emily, Lana and Isaiah, and Vienna from 5/6C for sharing your debating persuasive texts here. Click the link to access their speeches.

Emily, Lana and Isaiah Debate

Vienna

Reading Journals Grade 5/6

Reading Journals are an important part of the reading and writing program. Reading Journals help readers keep notes about the texts they read. They help children solidify their understanding of the texts they read and helps them clarify details about characters, setting and plot. They also help them develop understandings about author perspectives, as well as providing time and space for writing practice.   

Wow! – the 5/6 Reading Journals are coming very nicely. This one was kindly shared by Ndella (5/6Z)

Now who doesn’t just love a Horrible Histories story?

Free Writing

The children in 5/6 also have the opportunity to do some free writing where their voice and choice is heard. Thank you to Lucas 5/6Z for sharing this lovely piece on David Attenborough. 

Fun with Literacy @Home

Language is a superbly rich resource: not only for reading, writing and speaking but also for playing games.

Good news – these word games need little or no equipment and are free to play anywhere anytime.

Here are a couple to try during the holidays!

GAME 1: Tongue Twisters

OBJECTIVE: To come up with a tongue twister of your own.

To say difficult sentences or phrases clearly several times.

PROCEDURE: Players choose or are given a tongue twister to try and say over and over without making any mistakes. 

If you can’t access a list – you can make up your own. See the example below.

You can access some tongue twisters on this website: 

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/easy-and-popular-tongue-twisters-for-kids/

The most important thing is to have FUN!!!

EXAMPLE: 

GAME 2: Crosswords

I am offering a prize to the first 3 children who bring me their completed and correct crossword on Wednesday in week 1 of Term 3.  Limited to 1 prize per person.

You must choose the most age-appropriate crossword.

…and with the Dental Van coming next term – the last one is most appropriate for this term break.