Year Five News 

The First 20 days

This week sees the end of the third week of our 20 day program. The students and teachers have been using mentor texts and other interactive aids to promote the importance of each of the IB traits in our classrooms and school.

Each class has been busy working together to  write their Essential Agreements for each subject as well as for their classes. The students have enjoyed taking ownership of the development of their classroom culture. Classes will continue working on this throughout the next few weeks and we can’t wait to share them with families once they are complete.

Writing

This week students focused on following the writing process to brainstorm, draft, edit  and publish their Junior School Council speeches. They began by planting a seed in their Writer's Notebook, by creating a mindmap displaying their strengths, areas for improvement and facts about themselves. Students shared information about themselves, the personal qualities and attributes of the learner profile they will bring to the role and how they will make an impact as a member of the Junior School Council by sharing ideas they would like to implement. All students had the opportunity to present their speech with their classmates. Each class followed the democratic process by voting to select their class representative for Junior School Council. Stay tuned for our next newsletter edition where these representatives will be announced.

Reading

As part of the first 20 days at Saltwater college, it is vital students are aware and practise their comprehension strategies. Students revisited comprehension strategies such as visualising by listening to their class novel and drawing scenes from the text in their Writer's Notebook. They also explored the strategy of inferring by watching the Pixar short 'Piper' and making inferences about the characters feelings. Students used the 'Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then' strategy to write a detailed summary of a chapter from their class novel.

Mathematics

This week students were exposed to real life situations. They have been making connections to the importance of learning mathematics and how it is used in everyday life. as to how we use mathematics in everyday life and why we need to learn mathematics.  Students have been exposed to a range of NAPLAN style questions and have been working with their teachers to unpack key vocabulary and explore problem solving models such as RUCSAC to solve them. Students will begin fluid groupings in the coming week where they will be working in groups targeted to their individual learning needs in mathematics.

Specialists

The Year Five specialist program is now in full swing for the term. Students are participating in  Robotics and Art. They are enjoying using their MacBooks in Robotics.

Performing Arts

Last week Students on Timetable A started Performing Arts and this week was Timetable B's turn. Students enjoyed Timetable B  Students on Timetable A and B will be alternating weeks this term for music sessions. Students learnt how to orally dictate whole notes, quavers and semi quavers. They also learnt how to write them.

Reminders

• The Beach Program starts next week on Monday 21st February and runs over 3 Mondays.  Students will need to make sure that they have bathers and their school hat or other broad brimmed hat to wear at the beach. They will need to bring two towels. If your child has goggles it is advisable to bring them. All students must bring a rash vest or old tshirt to protect themselves when lying on the board. If students have a wetsuit, please bring along for extra warmth, this is not a requirement or suggestion. Please remember to bring sunscreen to apply before getting on the bus and during breaks.  Please ensure your child brings food from home for recess and lunch each Monday as they will not be able to have lunch orders on these days. .
• In Term 1 Students must wear a hat during recess and lunch.

Kind regards,

The Year Five Team