Grade 5/6 W 2009

Our class is made up of 26 students – 14 B and 12 girls. There are 17 grade 6 and 9 grade 5 students.

We have a diverse range of interests and abilities. Many children are very enthusiastic and capable sports participants. In 2008 they played in Zone Finals or higher in Softball, Bat Tennis and Football. One Grade 5 boy has been selected in the Regional Soccer Team for 2009.

Units of Work

We have started the year with a unit of work about Australian Settlement and are using Microsoft Access to examine the First Fleet Convict Database. The internet, documentaries (including The First Australian episode covering interactions with Aboriginals) and books are providing a wide range of suitable resources to understand the reasons for settlement and key events in our history. We also studied the book ‘Surviving Sydney Cove.’ That depicts life in the first few years of settlement.

A highlight will be an excursion to Sovereign Hill to discover the hardships of the Goldfields and the effect the discovery of gold had on building our nation. Children are given choices to follow up topics of interest and present information in a variety of media.

Term Two will see a focus on the Environment and sustainable practices.

Maths:

We have 5 maths sessions per week. Children are grouped across Grades 4/5M , 5/6H and 5/6 W for 3 Number Sessions per week. Space, Measurement and Chance and Data lessons are done in home groups.

English:

We are using the Writer’s Notebook approach to writing. This gives the children independence when choosing topics. They are supported in developing skills by regular peer and teacher feedback.

Handwriting

Handwriting is targeted weekly using a grade levelled handwriting book. Formal spelling lessons occur twice per week in groups from Grades 3 -6 using the SRA Spelling Mastery Scheme where children are taught specific strategies. Reading comprehension strategies are taught using materials such as the STARS series.

Sport:

All grade 5/6 children are involved in interschool sport. Sports for Summer are Cricket, Softball, Bat Tennis and rounders. All teams have showed great enthusiasm and teamwork and are having a successful season.

Buddies:

The grade is paired with grade Prep students for our ‘Buddies’ program. All students are very caring and supportive of their prep buddy.  Each student will be involved in tutoring small groups in our buddy class and spend one hour working with them during Semester 1. We will help our buddies with reading and using thinking tools such as Venn Diagrams. Grade 5/6 children will use initiative and develop leadership skills through these

Leadership:

Our Class has a number of the school’s student leaders – 2 School Captains, and 4 House captains. The school captains assist at school assemblies and with many other formal and informal tasks around the school. House Captains look after special rooms and sports equipment. Captains are also taking initiative to conduct lunch time competitions and holding meetings to discuss ways that they can assist with improving our school.

Extension programs:

We have had a small group of students attending the first Gateways program. Children will be asked to participate in Tournament of Minds. Chess Club and Senior Choir are available to interested students. PHOTOS

Homework:

Fortnightly homework includes maths revision, completing questions related to Behind the News (on ABC TV) that has been viewed in class, and home reading of books chosen by students.

All children in the class are positive, energetic and supportive of each other.

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