SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
SCIENCE
The focus for Term 3 is on the external features of a selection of living things, their needs and habitats. We will also examine how they grow and change. Linking with the Australian Curriculum strand of Biological Sciences, students will be given the opportunity to predict, explore, investigate, identify and evaluate outcomes.
In Term 4, we will be exploring earth and space sciences where students are encouraged to inquire into the world around them and beyond. The term will start by looking into weather patterns and why we have seasons. Students will investigate their local environment and the earth’s resources and their use in our everyday lives.
All Mellor students participate in a 100 minute, double lesson of Science, per week. Mellor Science lessons - Monday: M6, Tuesday: M5 and M3, Wednesday: M4, Thursday: M2
Richard Barwa
Richard.Barwa911@schools.sa.edu.au
P.E.
Physical Education continues to support the whole child, fostering their physical, social, emotional, creative and cognitive self.
A highlight from last semester was the Jump Rope for Heart program. Children enjoyed learning new skipping skills and routines and worked their way through the progressions at their own level. It was great to see everyone skipping in their break times, in class and before and after school.
Premier's Be Active Challenge
This term children will have the opportunity to participate in the 4 week Premier's Be Active Challenge commencing in week 4 and concluding in week 7.
The Premier’s Be Active Challenge encourages children to be more active more often and improve the health and well being of all Australian students. It’s a great time to be inspired to be active with the Commonwealth Games in full flight and whole school swimming in week 7.
Your child will be bringing home a Premier's Be Active booklet at the end of week 3. Children are encouraged to keep track of their daily physical activity and it is recommended that they aim to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. After the completion of the 4 week challenge families are to validate their child’s physical activity with a signature and return the form to their class teacher.
At the end of the challenge all participants will be rewarded with a medal, which will be awarded in November.
It is hoped that all students get on board and participate in this great initiative. All forms must be returned by Monday 12/9 week 8.
This semester, children will continue to develop and refine fundamental movement skills such as dodging, rolling and running through cooperative games and skill based activities. Children will know the learning intention of each lesson and co construct the success criteria to be successful. At the end of each lesson children are given the opportunity to reflect on how they are tracking, what their strengths are and next steps for improvement. Children will continue to use decision-making and problem-solving skills when solving movement tasks safely, learning to follow basic game rules successfully. Using the teaching personal and social responsibility model, children will learn life and social skills during physical activities with a strong focus on self direction and leadership.
Sports Day
Sports Day will be held in Term 4, enabling children to develop sportsmanship skills and build confidence in their physical abilities. They will be practising tabloid events in PE lessons in the lead up to the day. Children will also have the opportunity to try out for championship sprints, which will be run-off during the school day. The fastest 2 children from Malurus, Grallina, Brian and Pierson in year levels R-6 will be chosen to participate in the championship sprints on Sports Day. More information will be advertised in the school newsletter closer to the event.
Students are reminded to wear suitable clothing and footwear to all PE lessons to ensure their full participation.
Mellor PE lessons: Tuesday M4, and Thursday - M3, M5, M6 . M2 - PE with Mrs Kroemer on Wednesday.
Amy Byrnes Early Years PE
Amy.Byrnes464@schools.sa.edu.au
GERMAN
It's great to hear things like "I taught my family the German words for how to say Good Night" or "My Dad learnt German at school, he has been remembering words and we have been practising them together." Such comments help bring the language to life and create opportunities to build on the learning beyond the classroom experience. When students make connections not only with English but the other languages they know, this also contributes to the appreciation of language differences and similarities.
Learning another language in one isolated 50 minute lesson at school during the busyness of the school week, is a challenge but we make it engaging and fun by repetition through a range of interactive learning experiences.
We began this semester using a theme of Kleidung (clothing) to introduce new vocabulary, showing an awareness that there are three words for 'the' in German, all nouns begin with a capital letter and using adjectives to be able to describe. In Term 4 will explore some German traditions as well as extending their number knowledge beyond 20 to incorporate number sense into daily activities and contexts.
As we approach the end of the year, Year 2s will have some exposure of online learning opportunities which they will continue to access in Torrens next year.
Please encourage your child(ren) to tell you about what they have been learning in German. See what they can teach you!
Mellor German lessons - Tuesday (M2, M6), Wednesday (M5, M3), Thursday (M4)
(Frau) Libby Edwards
Elizabeth.Edwards559@schools.sa.edu.au
