Learning Centre News...
Learning Centre One
It has been a busy two weeks for the prep students. The students got to participate in their first Mini Cross Country event. The students had a fantastic time and it was great to see so many parents come along to support the students.
Multicultural Day was a great success. The prep students looked amazing in their cultural outfits and the colours of their flags. The students got to see and explore many different instruments from different countries and cultures in the Rhythm Unites incursion. The students also got to paint a background inspired by the story Clancy of the Overflow, dance along to Bollywood, African and Irish music, make paper dolls that looked like them, colour in mandalas and colour in flags from their culture. We would like to thank Zina for coming into LC1 and helping out on the day by making Russian woollen dolls with the students.
In writing, the students have been working on writing and publishing their own version of the book Heads and Tails. The preps have written clues about different animals and included pictures in their books. They have used their ipads and the app Book Creator to publish their books.
In maths, the students have been using MAB blocks to explore place value. The preps made their own Place Value monsters and had to record how many tens and ones they used in their monster creation.
Prep Team - Amanda, Imogen, Hazel, Sam, Tina, Mary & Milla.
Learning Centre Two
LITERACY
Our read-aloud class novels have been a huge hit with the students! After the teachers read to them, the students respond in a variety of different ways. Some students have drawn images formed in their minds after hearing the descriptive language in the book, this is called visualising. Other students have created character profiles by listening to the story and listing words that describe the character's personality and appearance.
In writing lessons, students have been immersed in a variety of experiences that require them to follow instructions. They have investigated the vocabulary used when writing procedures (instructions, recipes etc) and used these to create their own milkshake recipes and how to draw instructions.
MATHS
At the moment, the LC2 students are working on their understanding of fractions. They have made fraction walls to help them work out equivalent fractions, for example, 2/4 is the same as 1/2. They have been adding fractions with the same denominators and also investigating improper fractions and mixed numbers.
INQUIRY
The students have been working in groups this week to research different cultural groups and their reasons for migrating to Australia. Some groups have also been finding out about indigenous Australians and the impact European settlement has had on them.
SCHOOL CLEAN UP
Each Thursday afternoon, the 3/4 students have been using buckets and tongs to clean up the front car park areas of the school (except for when it's raining!!).
LC2 Team - Adam, Ben, Dasanthi, Elizabeth, Emma, Helen, Karen, Kristina, Michael, Tasmin and Tina
Learning Centre Three
For our Inquiry Unit, the Grade 1/2s headed to the Werribee Mansion.
The students had a chance to explore the Mansion and Werribee Park, learn about the history of the Chirnside Family and explore what life was like for children in the 1880s. The students and staff had a great time!! Here are some of the student's recounts from the day…
This week in Literacy, we wanted to shine a spotlight on students who are doing some amazing work in focus groups with Bianca and Donna.
In Religion, we are learning about Forgiveness.
We are focusing on how we can recognise forgiveness in others and show forgiveness ourselves. We have explored this by reading a range of texts and identifying how the characters show forgiveness and compassion in the story.
In Maths, we are continuing our learning of measurement.
We have focused on understanding the volume of a shape using connectable blocks. We collected 20 blocks and made a range of shapes using all the blocks. This shows us that even though the shape is different, the volume is the same.
We also practiced hefting. Hefting is when we informally measure two items using just our hands. Students found objects around the room and compared their weight using hefting.
Year 1/2 Team - Ann, Beth, Bianca, Donna, Gabby, Janeen, Jannine, Krystin, Marilyn, Shalome, and Sue.
Learning Centre Four
Chinese Museum Excursion
Over the past two Fridays, the Year 5/6 students have enjoyed an excursion to the Chinese Museum. Firstly, we travelled into Parliament Station in the city and walked to the museum in Chinatown. While at the museum, we went on a tour around the different exhibits, including the experiences of Chinese miners during the Gold Rush (linking to our Inquiry). The museum also houses one of the longest Chinese dragons in the Southern Hemisphere, at 60 metres long. We also participated in a 'knotting' workshop, where we learnt how to do traditional Chinese knotting. Students were able to make a bracelet or a bag tag to take home.
Following our visit to the museum, we enjoyed a delicious Chinese lunch at a nearby restaurant in Chinatown. Our lunch included beef in black bean, lemon chicken and fried rice. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed both the museum and the lunch!
Year 5/6 Team: John, Chelsea, Scott, Alexandra, Lisa, Hayley, Gillian, Alison, Anna, Olivia, & Donna.