English
This term during English sessions, Stage 3 have been engaging in a range of activities focused on the book and movie 'Wonder'. The texts tell the story of August Pullman, a boy with facial deformities, who is starting his first year at school in 5th grade. Students have been analysing the two texts, as they are developing the skills to write a persuasive and informative comparison of the ‘Wonder’ duo. The students have learned about narrative voice, character development, theme and film techniques. They are currently learning how to form arguments to debate about the book is better than the movie.
Stage 3 students will use the ideas from the debate to plan their writing and receive feedback from both peers and teachers before publishing their work. Students are extremely excited to convince others of their viewpoint and justify their reasons based on what they have learned throughout the term.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, Year 5 have been developing their strategies to solve subtraction and division problems. They used hands-on learning to measure and calculate the perimeter and area of 2D shapes. Students have been collecting and interpreting data and representing it using dot plots, bar graphs and pie charts.
Term 2 Mathematics for Year 6 has been interesting and engaging. Student from 6A and 6T have focused on interesting topics from collecting and interpreting data to exploring 2D shapes and 3D objects.
Stage 3 teachers have programmed group rotations to challenge all of our students. We have utilised programs such as Essential Assessment and QR Code game-based activities, as well as working in small groups with the teacher. There groups are designed to reteach, revise and extend students’ understanding of different mathematical concepts.
Digital Technologies
This term Stage 3 have been busy with the complexities of robotics! From Week 5, each Stage 3 class have had the opportunity to work with a piece of technology called the Micro:bit (pictured). A Micro:bit is a small rectangle with 24 LED lights that doesn’t look like much, however it is the brains behind many exciting functions and coding activities. The Micro:bits come with an expansion pack called the ‘Grove Invertors Pack’ that come with multiple plug-ins and modules in order for the Micro:bit to demonstrate its exciting capabilities. Stage 3 student have experimented with the Micro:bit to create music, light displays, games and have even connected them up to bananas to act as musical instruments!
PD/Health
In PD/Health this term students in Stage 3 have been learning about ways to stay mentally, socially and physically healthy. They have also identified people and places to seek help and strategies to overcome peer pressure.
PE
Stage 3 students have been busy preparing for next term’s Athletics Carnival! We have been practising track and field events during the week and recording students’ best attempts at each event during Sport on Fridays. Stage 3 have loved honing their skills at sprinting, discus, shotput, long jump and high jump (under the guidance of visiting coach Jake Packer). For the remainder of the term we will be exploring games from around the world, including European Handball, Dodgeball, AFL 9s and Koh Koh.
Science
Our Science unit this term is all about states of matter – solids, liquids and gases. Students will learn about how particles move in each of the three states and the impact of heat. We have an incursion with AusEarthEd on Tuesday 8th June where students will investigate the viscosity of lava. So far, students have enjoyed exploring different materials, especially the behaviour of the ‘mystery material’ that acts as both a solid and a liquid.
History
This term in History Stage 3 are exploring early colonisation in Australia. The students are asking ‘I wonder’ questions and researching how and why various areas of Australia were settled. We are discussing a range of methods that we can use to investigate the past and how historians gather information. Students will learn about interactions between European settlers and Indigenous Australians and describe what life in the colonies was like.
Creative Arts
In Creative Arts, Stage 3 students are enjoying drama. In the first few weeks, students practised their miming skills and later created sound effects while performing a short skit. They are working on their improvisation skills over the next few weeks before they begin writing their own script and performing a play in front of an audience.
