Classroom News
Grade 3-6
Grade 3 & 4
Term 4 Week 4
ENGLISH
Our learning focus during Reader’s Workshop sessions has been to interpret drawings and diagrams and ask questions to clarify, expand and extend comprehension in non-fiction texts.
Student have been asking deeper levels of questions – eg: Why does this happen? Who’s opinion is this? What is the evidence?
In Writer’s Workshop sessions, we have used the 6 + 1 Traits to further organise students’ writing of – Information Reports. A variety of information report samples have been read as models and students have been recognising the organisational traits for this non-fiction genre and finding examples.
Paragraphs have been created from sub-headings or questions. Research relating to those sub-headings has directed students to find targeted facts. Improvements in word choice, technical language and varied sentences has been worked on to improve and expand writing. Apostrophes, figurative language, where appropriate and the use of powerful words are also being investigated.
Spelling: Students have been choosing their own independent activities from a variety of tasks to practise their Integrated Unit focus words and their own personal spelling words.
MATHS
This week students began working with shape. They will be investigating the attributes of 2D and 3D shapes and recognising regular and irregular representations. Students will be matching the ‘nets’ of specific shapes as a guide to create their own. Lots of hands on activities with blocks and geoboards are planned to expand and extend shape knowledge. At home: ask about the meanings of maths vocabulary like – flip, slide, translate, rotate, vertices and symmetry.
INTEGRATED STUDIES
This term we are investigating Earth Sciences and our first topic is Sun, Earth and Moon. Students are working in small groups, to plan, collect materials, create and evaluate a working model demonstrating the rotations of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
These models will be presented in small groups with students sharing the steps taken to complete the challenge and some of the thinking behind the designs.
Reminders:
Charged iPads to school every day – we are assessing online at the moment so fully charged ipads are essential.
Hats must be worn at schools from 1st September – 30th April.
Please put student names and grade on jumpers and lunchboxes – and check Lost Property.
November
20th School Disco
December
2nd BPS 130th – Start thinking of an old fashioned outfit to wear on this day.
Grade 5 & 6
Reading and Writing
In Reader’s Workshop, students have continued their investigations into non-fiction texts. They have been learning how to show their understanding of a text by using literal and inferential comprehension. They have been looking at identifying key features of the text and making predictions.
In Writer’s Workshop, the students have continued to use the 6 plus 1 traits to support their independent writing. Their focus has been on the organisation of an explanation text and writing piece. They have been learning about the structure and key features of an explanation and used the sequence of creating money to create an explanation piece of their own.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, students have been learning about Time. They have been learning to compare 12 and 24-hour time systems and convert between them. They have also been learning how to interpret and use timetables, as well as measure, calculate and compare elapsed time.
Integrated Studies/Digital Technologies
Students have continued their work on exploring hyperlinks. They have been learning how to create their own Mathematics quiz on Keynote, by creating right and wrong answers. These answers then link them to further questions in the quiz, using hyperlinks.
Reminders
HATS - Hats must be worn at schools from 1st September – 30th April.
LOST PROPERTY - Please put student names and grade on jumpers and lunchboxes – and check Lost Property.
IPADS – to be at school fully charged every day
Key Dates
Tuesday 5th November Melbourne Cup
Wednesday 6rth November – Evening of Music Rehearsal
Thursday 7th November – Evening of Music
Wednesday 20th November – School Disco
Monday 2nd December – BPS 130 Year Celebration
Grade 6 Parents Dinner
Friday 29 November 8pm to 11pm
Mitcham Social
1 Thorton Crescent, Mitcham
Dear Grade 6 Graduating Parents of 2019,
We already have a lovely group of parents committed to coming to dinner, but I'd love to see more of you there!
It's not too late to join, although numbers do need to be confirmed by the start of November.
There is shared menu of $35.00 per head, with drinks purchased individually.
Please email me hargreavesv@cggs.vic.edu.au or text me on 0434 386 641 if you'd like to join us.
Victoria (Leila's Mum, 6D)