Welcome back to Term 4!
We hope that all our students and families had a wonderful holiday break and we officially welcome you back for the final term of 2018!
English
In English, the last two weeks have seen our students developing their poetry skills, reading and writing a variety of styles and adding their own artistic flair. Students have investigated Figurative Language, particularly Similes and Metaphors (with the help of a really catchy song, found here) and are learning to incorporate them effectively into their poems. Many students have begun new Literacy Circle texts this term, with many new titles that have not been previously seen. Students are always encouraged to read at home and can complete their respective Literacy Circles comprehension activities for home learning.
Maths
So far in Term 4 in Mathematics, students have been revising their mental maths strategies, particularly addition, so as to compute numbers effectively and efficiently in their heads (without the need to physically write equations). Students are practising their Jump, Split and Compensation strategies and applying them to real-world situations, particularly supermarket bills. Students have also been putting their angles skills to the test, investigating the properties of angles, measuring angles with technology, classifying angles and locating angles in a 2D and 3D environment.
Inquiry
Inquiry has taken a scientific turn this term. During Term 4, students in years 5/6 are exploring the Big Idea – “Science is the Process of Discovery”, with the big questions being:
- By posing questions and conducting controlled experiments, what new discoveries can be made?
- What scientific discoveries have an impact on our quality of life and/or living things?
Our investigation has led us into exploring the Scientific Method, which is the agreed format used in the Scientific community to conducting “fair tests”, with a view to testing developed hypothesis. Students have been conducting experiments that require following this process, looking at the ideal environment for growing beans in the classroom and the ideal materials for creating a cup-string phone. A video to check out the Scientific Method can be found here.
Summer Sport
Inter-school sports will be officially back into competitive play beginning on the 26th of October and will continue for four weeks. Students this term are undertaking some “obscure sports” as part of their exposure to ball and stick sports. The sports for this term are: European Handball, Softcross (modified lacrosse), Rounders and Touch Rugby. Students have been practising very hard and would love for families to come along and support them.
“The Big Day In” – STEM Expo @ Malvern Valley PS 2018
A big thank you to Milo’s mum, Bec Parker, who came along with 25 year 5/6 students to the Big Day In, a wonderful STEM expo held at Malvern Valley PS. Schools from all over the local Bayside area were invited to attend the day, which was a huge hit for all students that attended. Students were able to put their coding, creative and logic skills to great practice by creating commands for electronic devices, build solar lights to deliver to poverty-stricken nations and program a piece of hardware to create a rainbow!
Some students wanted to share their thoughts that attended the day:
Claude: I really enjoyed programming the Raspberry Pi hardware (to make a rainbow). It was amazing to hear how cheap it is and what it can do ($40)
Elia: I was amazed with what the Raspberry Pi hardware can actually do, seeing how small it really is.
Cece: Creating solar lights for poorer nations that have to use kerosene lamps to light their homes made me feel very good. I know that I am helping people in need and that is great.
Fodla: I was thankful that I could do something so simple (building the solar light) that could make such a significant difference to people. We gave them them the ability to study longer so they can get a better education.
Christian: I really liked being able to put my brain to the test and challenge myself to complete complicated puzzles that needed solving.
Lily: I now really understand that programming requires absolute precision. Computers can’t think for themselves and will actually complete the exact task that you tell them to complete, so you need to check your commands carefully.
Braden Leech, Rebecca Skinner and Bronwyn Howell