YEAR 5 & 6 PLANNER — TERM THREE 2014
25/07/2014
Welcome Back !
Welcome to Term Three. We hope the holidays were a great
break for you and your families. It’s fantastic to see our
students returning to school happy and ready to learn.
We’ve got a busy term coming up with Swimming, Life Ed, an
excursion to Scienceworks as well as building and launching
rockets.
We welcome Lisa Genovese to our team this term. Lisa brings
with her a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and a commitment
to implementing a high quality teaching and learning for our
senior students. I’m sure you will make her welcome. We would
also like to welcome Prue Ainsworth who is currently completing
her Master of Teaching at Deakin University. She will be
completing her final placement this term in 5/6K’s classroom.
Thanks for your support with your children’s 3D disaster models
last term. The students were really motivated and we all
enjoyed learning from each other.
As always, if you have any concerns, questions or queries our
door is always open so please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our
emails are:
Deb - mcdermott.deborah.k@edumail.vic.gov.au (Coordinator)
Kathryn - taylor.kathryn.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
Kym - morgan.kym.l@edumail.vic.gov.au
Murray - aeschlimann.murray.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
Lisa - genovese.lisa.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
and our teacher Aides Gay, Duncan and Lisa.
The Big Bang!
Our Integrated Studies topic this term is ‘The Big Bang’. Students
will investigate and research the features of space as well as key
historical aspects. Key questions for investigation are:
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What is Space made up of?
What is the history of discovery in our Solar System?
What instruments and technology have influenced the
discovery of planets and major bodies?
Can human life be sustained beyond Earth?
An excursion has been booked on the 12th September for
Scienceworks. We will be involved in a science show (Journey to
Mars), a planetarium show (Tilt) as well as general viewing through
the exhibits.
If you have expertise in the area of space, we would value your
shared knowledge.
The students will be creating, building and launching their individual
rockets this term. We will hold a launch party where all parents and
extended family will be welcomed. Invitations will go out closer to
the date. They are all very excited about this and we are too!
English Program
Mathematics
This term 5 & 6 students will be mainly
focused on measurement, looking at:
 Angles
 Mass and Weight
 Capacity and Volume
 Time ( 24 hour and timetables)
 Money and Financial plans
 Number Patterns
During writing we will be exploring
Procedure and Narrative genes this term.
We will be looking at different parts of
grammar including noun groups, present
tense verbs, adverbial phrases and
adjectives.
During our reading sessions, students will
develop a clear understanding of
figurative language so they can further
comprehend texts that contain
metaphorical and lexical meanings beyond
the basic word level as well as add more
descriptive language to their writing.
Students this term will be involved in a
‘book club’ as a part of our Literature
Study program. Students will meet weekly
and complete literature activities on their
novels. Activities will be completed both at
school and as homework. Over the holidays
Kathryn and Kym very kindly donated their
time and researched and ordered new sets
of novels.
The Reading and Viewing foci for this
term
include
Fact
vs
Fantasy,
Synthesising, Summarising, Questioning,
and Reading for Inference.
DATES TO REMEMBER
14th-24th July: Swimming
15th -25th July: Life Education
26th August: District Athletics
27th August: Hooptime (Year 6)
1st September: Curriculum Day
8th September: Metro Community
Education Unit (Year 6)
12th September: Scienceworks
Excursion
19th September: Term 3 Concludes
ENRICH MATHS
Continuing on from term 2, all the Year5’s
and Year 6s will be doing an ‘Enrich Maths’
problem solving session once a week.
Teaching students to persist and problem
solve in mathematics through ‘Challenge
Tasks’ is the theme for these sessions.
HOMEWORK
As per last term, homework will be distributed fortnightly,
being sent home on a Tuesday and returned Monday week.
The homework grid will consist of 6 areas, Maths,
Reading, Integrated Studies, Grammar/Writing, Italian
and incomplete classroom work.
There is a section where parents are expected to sign off
the homework and a comment area.
“THE VOICE” for Semester 2
I’m looking forward to Grade 6 break-up. I am also looking forward to
making and launching our rockets. Claire 5/6D
I’m looking forward to graduation and doing more work as a Peer
Mediator. I am also looking forward to going to Scienceworks for the
first time. Amy 5/6T
In the next 6 months I am looking forward to apply for the leadership
position of Jacaranda house captain. Aiden 5/6D
I am looking forward to getting the grade 6 bomber jacket. Christian
5/6D
For the last half on my last year, I’m enthusiastically looking forward
to going to Science works, graduation and transition into grade 7.
CAMP 2015
The 2015 Year 5
& 6 camp has
been booked at
The Old Priory in
Beechworth for
Tuesday 24th to
Friday 27th
February.
Thomas 5/6K
We are looking forward to getting to know Lisa better and knowing her
routines. I am looking forward to spending more time with the grade
6’s and applying for a leadership role. Oscar & Nathan 5/6L
BOUNCE BACK
During Term Three grade 5 and 6 students will be completing Bounce Back sessions separately. Grade 5’s will
be exploring relationships and leadership. In preparation for Grade 6, Jason and Loisia will be speaking with
the students about leadership and exploring what skills and qualities make a great leader.
Grade 6 students will be looking at transition. Topics such as managing a diary and become familiar with high
school timetables will be explored. Metro Community Education Unit have been invited to discuss and prepare
students for travelling on public transport independently.
SPECIALISTS:
At Blackburn Lake Primary School, your child has the opportunity to participate in a variety of specialist classes.
ITALIAN
Vincey Montesalvo - montesalvo.vincenza.v@edumail.vic.gov.au
In Italian this term the students will be studying Vita sana paese sano.
(Healthy Life Healthy Country.) The students will be saying and writing
words and phrases such as “colazione, spuntino, pranzo, cena” (breakfast
snack, lunch, and dinner) they will also be researching on IPads,
designing a poster, comparing, choosing and learning a song or poem.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Phil Lumsden - lumsden.philip.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
This term begins for grades 5 and 6 with our intensive swimming
program in weeks 1 and 2.
Following this athletics and golf will be the focus for level 4. In
athletics we will concentrate on the throwing events of discus and
shot put. Grade 6 will also take part in Hooptime.
VISUAL ARTS
Johanna McPhail - mcphail.johanna.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
We are very lucky to have won a City of Whitehorse grant to build
a Reflective Garden. This will be the major focus of our term.
Students will be working in ceramics and mosaic using found
objects such as toys and crockery. Our artist in residence is an
inspiring and dedicated artist, Suesy Circosta, who will be working
with every student in the year level. Please support their learning
by bringing along any of the items listed in the newsletter.
MUSIC
Sam Collins – collins.samantha.s@edumail.vic.gov.au
This term in music the students will be learning about rhythm,
pitch and structure through our new song “Paint You a Song”,
which will be performed early in Term 4. They will be developing
these skills through the use of percussion, movement and
singing.
Students will continue to learn the Ukulele, learning about chord
progressions, song structure and alternative forms of musical
notation.