From the classroom

News from 5/6 Unit

Hello families,

In Reading, students will continue to use the text, See you in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng, as a mentor text. We have been using this text to develop a deep understanding of various peoples' connection to space. This text enables students to apply and develop comprehension in relation to our Inquiry unit this term. Students have recently completed their portfolio task for reading, we are sure they will look forward to sharing this with you at the end of the term.

In Writing, we have begun a new unit on Information Reports. Students will develop important research skills to use the internet effectively to source relevant information. They will apply writing strategies to plan and structure information relevant to our Inquiry topic of Earth and Space Sciences. 

In Numeracy, students will conclude their work on fractions with a portfolio task this week. We have spent lots of time working on different strategies and applying them to fractions. Students will develop a poster about what they have learnt about fractions while also completing assessment tasks to demonstrate their learnings. We will begin a new unit on chance and probability over the coming weeks

This term, we are studying Earth and Space Sciences in Inquiry. Last week, students were asked to try and melt a marshmallow, using only mirrors, foil, magnifying glass and black paper. Through this experiment, students utilised the scientific process, to firstly develop a plan, identify strategies and conduct experiments. As you can see from the pictures, students enjoyed the hands-on nature of the experiment, having mixed results with their goal of creating a solar oven.

Kind Regards,

Pippa Davis and Nathan Baxter

What’s Happening in 3/4?

We are past the half-way mark of the term now - how fast the time has flown!

The disco-dancing superstars have grooved into their learning this week. We have been learning about different types of graphs, and how we can use them to create visual displays of data. We will continue to learn about Graphing this week before we move on to Measurement and Geometry – Length, Area and Perimeter. So be prepared for length-y discussions in this area…

During Performing Arts, the students are stepping into the shoes of choreographers, developing a short dance routine using a bank of dance moves that was developed in collaboration with their peers. We are looking forward to seeing how these dances develop over the coming weeks – perhaps they have already started ‘boogying down’ at home?

Our ‘Eco-Warriors’ have also continued their quest towards raising awareness of sustainability and all things environmental. Learning about the journey of recycled materials, as well as the importance of reducing the amount of waste that makes its way to landfill.

Have a fantastic week!

Alec, Anna, Lisa and Pete

The Adventures of the 1/2's

Hello again 1/2 families, 

Can you believe we’ve hit the halfway mark for Term 2! Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun and we’ve been having a blast this term, so far. There has been lots of excitable chatter amongst the students about the school disco, open night and our Inquiry incursion; it has been a wonderful few weeks!

This week we have enjoyed an Indigenous Perspectives incursion where we were able to further explore some fascinating and enjoyable Dreamtime Stories, and understand the significance of certain places to different groups of people; connecting back to the Inquiry curriculum we’ve been covering this Term.

In Numeracy, we have been revising our problem solving strategies that help us to complete addition and subtraction equations, these included using tangible materials, number lines, 100’s charts and mental strategies! Over the next week we look forward to revising and extending our subtraction knowledge, and learning about mass! We are excited to explore mass with equipment including our double pan balance scales and digital scales, whereby we will estimate, weigh, compare and sort a range of items! 

In Literacy, students have had a wonderful time planning for, writing, editing and publishing narrative stories! We have explored how to create an engaging character, interesting setting, exciting problem and a pleasing solution. This week concludes our narrative writing unit which has been thoroughly enjoyed by all. We look forward to sharing your child's work with you in our Semester portfolios. Next week we begin learning about, and creating procedural texts! We will be enjoying some fabulous books that tell us all about a process, including Wombat Stew! 

We are continuing with our Phonics program, learning a range of phonemes, diagraphs and trigraphs and using them to support our spelling!

Students are also now enjoying weekly visits to the library. We ask that you remind your child to pack their library bag on the following day each week : 1/2A - Friday 1/2B- Friday 1/2C- Thursday.

Kind Regards,

The 1/2 teaching team

Helen Edwards, Anies Davidson & Adam Jarvis

Exciting times in Foundation

This coming fortnight Foundation students will continue to explore who lives in our community, particularly learning about the perspective, traditions and customs of First Nations people. In Literacy we will be starting our decodable readers and taking home a fluency word list which students have been practising in class. The key to these reading resources is that your child has been learning each individual sound, how to blend these sounds and listen to what they are saying to recognise a real word. In Writing we are beginning to write full sentences and will be focusing on leaving a space between each word. In Math, we are developing our understanding of addition and will also begin exploring simple direction and location language such as ‘between’, ‘near’, ‘next to’, ‘forwards’, ‘towards’. At home you could support this learning with fun games or obstacle courses describing where the children need to race eg. “Over the large rock, under the slide, up the ladder, down the firepole and finish standing on top of the bench”

This term our class is enjoying our Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) sessions on Wednesday afternoons with Mrs Anna Bondini from 2:40 pm. We are seeking parent helpers who could join the class during this session and help supervise a rotational activity, encouraging the children to do their best. You could volunteer as often as you wish -  whenever it suits your schedule, or on a fortnightly or even weekly basis. Volunteers will need to have a Working With Children Check and show their vaccination status to the office. (If you are available to assist please send Melissa an email including how often you can help out.)

Melissa Den Elzen

From the Sports Field

AFL Clinic at Marlborough P. S. 

During our Physical Education sessions last week AFL clinic sessions were conducted by AFL Victoria to all classes. The coaches Georgia on Wednesday and Grace on Thursday coped brilliantly with the rain and hail. Flyers were handed out and I am pleased to say some of our local Marlborough students joined Auskick programs , Ringwood Redbacks on the weekend.  A great week of activity and fitness for our Marlborough students. Here are photos of the students practising their skills.

Bonny Chisholm : PE Specialist.