Grade 5/6 have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of financial literacy, preparing them for real life challenges as they approach their secondary school years. Our students are learning about taxes, salaries, and superannuation. They’ve explored how income is earned, how taxes contribute to public services and how superannuation ensures future financial security. The practical focus of these lessons has sparked curiosity and meaningful discussions in the classroom. Each student has also chosen a career to research. From engineers to artists and entrepreneurs, they’ve dived into what it takes to succeed in their chosen fields, learning about qualifications, job responsibilities and expected salaries. This career exploration has been a fantastic way to combine personal aspirations with financial planning. To deepen their understanding, students have been introduced to daily and weekly budgeting. Using realistic scenarios, they’re learning to allocate income for essentials like rent, groceries and transport while setting aside savings for future goals. The activity has highlighted the importance of making smart financial decisions and balancing needs versus wants. The program has been designed to empower our students with practical skills, critical thinking and a sense of responsibility by bridging classroom learning with real world applications. Earlier this week we participated in the Market Manoeuvres in school event where we distinguished between a need and a want and learnt about supply and demand. The students became home builders and had to buy their supplies, build their Lego houses and hope they made a profit. This aligned perfectly with the economics unit we have been working on in class. The students have been earning a weekly wage, calculating tax and paying bills. One day this week they were hit with chance cards, some profiting from unexpected bonuses and some losing out with unexpected bills. Just like the real world!
Grade 5/6 students have been working hard on mastering division and time, two essential areas of the mathematics curriculum. Our focus has been on strengthening our understanding of division in various forms, from long division with multi-digit numbers to dividing with remainders, where students have learned how to express remainders as fractions or decimals. In addition, students have been solving more complex problems involving dividing fractions and decimals, which are important skills for solving real-world problems. Alongside division, we’ve been honing our understanding of time, with students practicing how to read both analogue and digital clocks and convert between 12-hour and 24-hour formats. We’ve also been working on elapsed time, helping students calculate how much time has passed between two given points, such as when planning events or figuring out the duration of a journey. To further strengthen their time-related skills, students have been practising converting between units of time, like minutes to hours or seconds to minutes, which is essential for understanding schedules and time management. As we continue to build on these skills, students are gaining more confidence in solving both time and division problems, which they will apply in increasingly complex and real-life situations.
We are excited to share the latest learning focus in English. In Grade 5/6 students have been diving into narrative writing using the 7 Steps to Writing Success program. These steps help guide students in crafting engaging, structured, and imaginative stories.
Here’s a quick overview of the 7 steps we're using to enhance their narrative skills: Plan for Success – Organising their ideas to build a clear story path.
Sizzling Starts – Writing attention-grabbing openings that hook the reader.
Tightening Tension – Building suspense and making the story exciting.
Dynamic Dialogue – Using conversations to reveal character and move the plot.
Show, Don’t Tell – Encouraging students to describe action and emotion vividly.
Ban the Boring Bits – Keeping stories interesting by avoiding unnecessary details.
Exciting Endings – Creating memorable, satisfying conclusions.
Through engaging lessons, each student is learning to structure their stories and express their ideas creatively. In Reading, we are working on enhancing comprehension skills. Students are engaging with various texts and answering comprehension questions that deepen their understanding of story elements, themes, and character motivations. Practising these skills helps them develop a critical approach to reading and fosters a love for literature.
This term in Personal and Social Capabilities, the Grade 5/6 students have been diving into discovering powerful coping strategies to help them navigate everyday challenges. Through engaging discussions and lively role-plays, they’ve explored everything from energetic activities like sports and active play, to calming techniques such as listening to music or spending time in a quiet space. Students have created their own unique "Positive Coping Profiles" and shared them with their classmates, highlighting the importance of supporting each other. It’s been amazing to see how they’ve grown in understanding their own strengths and are learning to manage stress in positive, creative ways!
Term 3 Highlights
As Term 3 wraps up, we’re excited to share some of the highlights of our Grade 5/6 students' learning journey. This term has been vibrant and full of growth. Here’s a snapshot of what our students have been exploring: Poetry Publishing Extravaganza Our students immersed themselves in various forms of poetry, including haikus, limericks, and free verse. They honed their creative writing skills and showcased their poetic talents by publishing their very own booklets. It was a proud moment for them to present their work to classmates celebrating their literary achievements. Advancing in Mathematics In Maths, we focused on multiplicative thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning. Students engaged in complex multiplication tasks, which enhanced their numerical fluency and critical thinking. They tackled real-world problems, developing strong reasoning skills and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Our unit on chance and probability involved hands-on activities where students calculated the likelihood of various events. They learned to interpret data and make predictions, which has sharpened their analytical skills and understanding of how probability influences daily decisions. Government Incursion The government incursion was a highlight, offering students an interactive experience of how government functions. They explored the roles of different branches and the process of law-making, gaining valuable insights into civic engagement and the importance of democracy. Respectful Relationships Our Respectful Relationships program this term focused on empathy, effective communication, and conflict resolution. Students participated in activities designed to build strong interpersonal skills and foster a positive classroom environment. Sports Day Fun Sports Day was a blast! Students participated in a variety of events, displaying their athletic skills and sportsmanship. The day was filled with excitement and community spirit, making it a memorable experience for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement in your child’s education. We look forward to the adventures of Term 4!
Inquiry Learning
We're excited to share the latest developments in our Year 5/6 Inquiry curriculum! This term, our students are diving into the intricate workings of the Australian government, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government: local, state, and federal. Learning Focus: • Local Government: Students are exploring how local councils manage community services like waste management, public parks, and local roads. They understand how these decisions directly impact their daily lives and contribute to community well-being. • State Government: Our inquiry covers how state governments handle education, health services, and public transportation. Students have been learning about the state parliament’s role in crafting policies that affect larger regions and how these decisions influence their communities. • Federal Government: The focus shifts to the federal level, where students have been studying national responsibilities such as defence, immigration and foreign policy. They’ve been learning about the roles of the Prime Minister, Parliament, and the Governor-General in shaping the nation. Our Year 5/6 students also recently participated in an exciting in school event that brought the workings of the Australian Federal Parliament and democracy to life! Through interactive activities, they explored the democratic process, role-played as key leaders of the Federal Government, and further developed their understanding about the roles of the three levels of government within the Westminster system. Students also took part in a mock federal election, gaining a hands-on understanding of preferential voting and how majorities are formed. They engaged in a lively role play of Parliament, complete with costumes and props, to learn how bills become laws, forming political parties and debating their ideas. We are incredibly proud of how engaged and enthusiastic they were throughout the session!
Unpacking Multiplicative Thinking
Over the last few weeks, the Grade 5/6 students have been immersed in the world of multiplicative thinking, a key
area in developing their numeracy skills. Our focus has been on understanding and applying concepts related to
prime and composite numbers, factor trees, and finding missing factors.
Students have been learning to identify prime numbers (numbers that have only two factors: 1 and themselves) and
composite numbers (numbers with more than two factors). They’re mastering the use of factor trees to decompose
composite numbers into their prime factors, which helps them visualise and understand how multiplication and
division work together.
Additionally, we’re working on finding missing factors in multiplication problems. This skill enhances their ability to
solve equations and understand number relationships more deeply.
Through these activities, students are developing critical problem-solving skills and a stronger grasp of mathematical
concepts. We’re excited to see their continued growth and enthusiasm in mathematics!
During NAIDOC Week Grade 5/6 students immersed themselves in an enriching exploration of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. Through a variety of engaging activities, short videos and rich
conversation students gained a deeper appreciation for the significance of NAIDOC Week. They learned about the
resilience, achievements and contributions of First Nations people to Australia, fostering a greater sense of
empathy and respect for Indigenous perspectives.
This week the students explored the meaning of violence which included, physical, verbal and psychological forms
through which violence can be enacted. As a class we had open discussions and the students gave examples of the
types of violence that can play out in face-to-face and digital environments. Students also identified impacts and
the emotional effects that violence can have for victims, observers, perpetrators and those closely connected to
them.
By understanding violence and its different forms, we can create a school environment and community where
everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. Together, we can make a positive difference in our community.
Grade 5/6A students had a wonderful day this week at the Melbourne Museum and IMAX, as part of our Think Global, Act Local Inquiry unit.
This week, 5/6B worked on subtracting fractions with both like and unlike denominators. Using fraction tiles and multiple exposures to solve a variety of fraction problems, they're becoming more confident in their skills!
The class also explored three dimensional objects, learning about their properties and how they relate to two dimensional shapes.
In Mathematics, 5/6C and 5/6D have been continuing our work on subtraction using fractions. We’ve been investigating equivalent fractions and converting improper fractions to mixed numbers. 5/6C were excited to play ‘Game of 31’ as part of our coaching with Numeracy Consultant Margarita Breed. The game involved working logically with patterns and algebra, whilst practising addition skills. It was great to hear students reflecting on the strategies they discovered which helped them to win the game.
Grade 5/6E: We are thrilled to update you on the enriching experiences of our Grade 5/6 students over the past weeks. In English, students have been immersed in researching and writing detailed information reports on Australian natural disasters. They have explored a range of topics including bushfires, floods and cyclones, delving into the causes, impacts and mitigation strategies associated with these events. Through this project, students have honed their research skills, critical thinking abilities and writing proficiency.
In mathematics, the students have been equally engaged in exploring subtracting fractions and three-dimensional objects. They have confidently tackled subtracting a range of different types of fractions with like and unlike denominators and applying their understanding to solve practical problems. Additionally, the students have delved into 3D objects, learning about their properties, measurements and relationships.
These experiences not only deepen their subject knowledge but also cultivate essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and creativity. I commend the students for their dedication and enthusiasm in embracing these challenging topics.
This week in Inquiry, the students of 5/6B have continued to expand their knowledge of Australian geography through a series of engaging activities. They have been actively researching and creating informative posters about natural resources found in Australia in small groups, fostering both teamwork and a deeper understanding of Australia’s rich resources. Additionally, students have broadened their geographical knowledge by studying the world map, focusing on the seas and oceans surrounding Australia. This exploration has helped them gain a more comprehensive view of Australia's place in the world and learn about our neighbours.
Grade 5/6C and 5/6D have been investigating Australia’s natural resources as part of our Inquiry unit, Think Global, Act Local. We’ve worked in teams to research a chosen resource and are producing posters of our findings. In Cyber Safety we have been learning about how our actions may be perceived when posting content online. In groups, students role played different scenarios involving a variety of ethical dilemmas.
Grade 5/6E students have immersed themselves in a captivating study of Australia - its diverse landscapes, abundant natural resources, intricate state and territorial divisions, and the vast expanses of its surrounding oceans and seas. They have been exploring Australia's vast array of natural resources. From the mineral-rich soils of Western Australia to the fertile agricultural lands of the eastern states, they've gained a deep appreciation for the country's agricultural, mineral, and energy wealth. Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and hands-on learning, they've grasped the significance of these resources. They have also diligently studied Australia’s states and territories, oceans and seas. Through mapping exercises, collaborative tasks and virtual tours, they've familiarised themselves with the unique characteristics, landmarks and cultural identities of each region.
This week in mathematics, the Grade 5/6 students have been diving into the world of addition and exploring the concept of lines of symmetry. It's been an exciting journey of discovery and problem-solving in our classroom. They have been honing their skills through a variety of engaging activities involving addition. They have also been sharpening their mental math abilities and understanding the importance of accuracy and efficiency in calculations. Through collaborative learning and peer-to-peer support, our students are not only mastering addition but also developing a deeper appreciation for the beauty of numbers. Our students have been exploring symmetrical figures, discovering lines that divide shapes into equal halves. Through hands-on activities and visual aids, they're learning to identify lines of symmetry in various shapes, from simple polygons to more intricate designs. This exploration not only enhances their spatial reasoning skills but also fosters creativity as they design their own symmetrical patterns.
This week, the students of 5/6B have been diving into geometry, focusing on transformations, reflections, and rotations. They've been exploring how to rotate classroom objects clockwise and anti-clockwise, while also discovering the degrees of rotation involved. In addition, students have been immersing themselves in the world of fractions! They've been busy simplifying both proper and improper fractions, while also exploring fraction-specific language. Through comparing and measuring fractions against a fraction wall to creating their own equivalent fractions to challenge their friends’ understanding, 5/6B is fully engaged in honing their mathematical skills.
Grade 5/6C and 5/6D Birth Month Paradox Five people meet at a party; what is the chance that two of them share the same birth month? Grade 5/6C and 5/6D thoroughly enjoyed our learning at Essendon Keilor College last week investigating this problem involving probability. We estimated the chance on a probability line and then used playing cards to generate data. It was surprising to find the answer (62%) was actually a lot more than our initial predictions. Today we had a fun session using mirrors to investigate symmetry.
5/6B delved into the rich history of ANZAC Day this week! Through engaging videos and insightful discussions enhanced by student questions, they gained a deeper understanding of the history of the ANZACs. Students explored crucial battles, including the Western Front, Gallipoli campaign and Battle of Beersheba, as well as got creative when drawing poppies.
This week in Literacy, we have been diving into the world of narrative writing! They've been learning and contributing to lists of the do's and don'ts of creating sizzling starts (opening paragraphs that hook readers in). With a focus on building tension throughout their story, students are exploring the importance of using their senses in writing to make it an immersive reading experience that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
This week Grade 5/6C students investigated the significance of ANZAC Day through Jackie French’s picture story book, The Beach they Called Gallipoli. They drafted and published shape poems in response to their learning.
In literacy, students have examined the narrative structure and features of a range of short fiction texts and are using this knowledge to plan and draft their own narratives. It is fantastic to see students using planning tools to map out their stories and developing their use of descriptive language to engage their audience.
It was encouraging to see Grade 5/6D students return to school ready to learn. We began the term with a focus on narrative writing, planning an imaginative writing piece. Students have spent time creating plans that are purposeful and capture their thinking. Week 2 we experimented with narrative stories from a different perspective. Students reviewed the story of Cinderella. Having been traditionally written from Cinderella’s perspective, we discussed how the story would change if written, for example, from the step-sisters perspective. There were some interesting versions of this classic! We are also learning about ANZAC day and the significance of how and why this commemoration is an important part of Australia’s history. We created a class wreath to symbolise the occasion.
It has been wonderful to see Grade 5/6E students deeply engaged in ANZAC Day and narrative writing. Their curiosity and respect while learning about the historical significance of ANZAC Day have been commendable. Students effectively connected historical facts with personal reflections, which enriched their understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers.
In narrative writing, I was particularly impressed by their ability to write detailed plans, convey emotions and develop characters, which brought their stories to life. The incorporation of descriptive details and dialogue has greatly improved, making their narratives increasingly vivid and engaging.
Literacy, Numeracy and Harmony Week
Grade 5/6A have been very busy during our English sessions this week working on Harmony Day Acrostic Poems. They were also set the challenge of writing a short story that featured all of the important details of a narrative, but using only 100 words. There was a lot of editing going on!
In 5/6B, Week 8 has been dedicated to exploring decimals in numeracy. From whole class contributions on a number line to students creating their own place value charts for decimal numbers up to the ten-thousandths, students have been fully immersed in decimal concepts.
Furthermore, 5/6B has been engaged in brainstorming key vocabulary, watching insightful videos, and creating poems, all centred around the theme of Harmony Day. Through these activities, students have deepened their understanding of cultural diversity and continued to form strong relationships with classmates by exploring and sharing diverse backgrounds and experiences.
In Mathematics, 5/6C students have continued to investigate place value, with a focus on renaming whole and decimal numbers in multiple ways. Yesterday we celebrated Harmony Day by dressing up and sharing aspects of our own cultural backgrounds.
Students in 5/6D investigated the significance of Harmony Day and created posters to celebrate the cultural diversity we enjoy here at Avondale Primary School.
This week Grade 5/6E students embarked on a colourful journey exploring the essence of Harmony Day. It was a vibrant celebration of our cultural diversity and a reminder that 'everyone belongs'. Through a series of engaging activities our students learned about the importance of inclusivity and respect for everyone’s unique background.
Inquiry Learning: Care for the Kids
The students in 5/6A have been busily researching a response to a focus question based on an issue that is facing children all around the world. After taking notes, the students then put together an answer to their research question and are now in the process of working collaboratively to prepare a PowerPoint slide show to share with the class and their group members, the answer to their “Big Question”.
Throughout this term, 5/6B has been delving into their Inquiry topic 'Care for the Kids' with enthusiasm and curiosity. Through immersive poetry, insightful class discussions, and collaborative research projects, students have been exploring the big problems that children around the world encounter including sanitation, malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, and child labour. From the initial class discussions that explored their perspectives on the challenges children face, to their current comprehension, it is evident that students have begun to consider problems that may initially have seemed distant or irrelevant to them, demonstrating a newfound awareness and empathy for global issues affecting children worldwide.
As part of our social justice unit, ‘Care for the Kids’, 5/6C students are working in teams to research an issue currently impacting children in different countries around the world. Topics include malnutrition, child labour, illiteracy and poverty. It is great to see the world knowledge many students have about these challenges and the way students are working together collaboratively to build upon their understanding. We are looking forward to seeing their final presentations at the end of this term.
It is hard to believe that the end of term is approaching. Grade 5/6D students have been working hard on our Inquiry unit where the focus is on the big problems faced by children around the world. The students have researched issues such as poverty, poor sanitation, child labour and illiteracy. It has proven to be an enlightening exercise, with students discovering some tragic facts that they did not know existed. I have witnessed how empathetic our students are and have been impressed with the discussions around how they can help. They will prepare a presentation based on their research and share their knowledge with the class.
Grade 5/6E: I am delighted to share with you the insightful work our students have accomplished during our Inquiry Unit, Care for the Kids. Throughout this unit, students have delved into five significant issues affecting children worldwide: poverty, malnutrition, child labour, illiteracy, and sanitation. Their research has not only deepened their understanding of these pressing issues but has also cultivated empathy and a sense of responsibility towards making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Students have demonstrated commendable critical thinking skills by examining the root causes and potential solutions to these challenges. Moreover, their ability to engage with complex global issues reflects their growing awareness as global citizens. I am immensely proud of their dedication, empathy, and commitment throughout the unit of learning.
Zones of Regulation
Grade 5/6A revised the zones of regulation, brainstorming and discussing a variety of the feelings and emotions experienced when transitioning through the zones. The students then constructed a “Chatterbox” that featured the four zones as well as feelings and coping strategies. Some fantastic ideas were generated and many very artistic presentations were produced.
Students of 5/6B have been revising and expanding upon their understanding of the Zones of Regulation. Through deep class discussions, they have explored how their own emotions can affect others and the importance of recognising and understanding their feelings. Interactive activities have reinforced the idea that it’s okay to feel differently about the same real-life scenarios or topics. Equipped with these valuable life skills, 5/6B are empowered to navigate various circumstances with resilience and flexibility.
Grade 5/6C have revisited the Zones of Regulation and have been discussing the range of emotions we can experience within each of the different zones. Students worked in teams to brainstorm different scenarios in which we would expect to be in the blue, green, yellow or red zone. We investigated how external factors, such as our environment and other people, can impact the zone we are experiencing.
5/6D students were familiar with the Zones of Regulation and were able to articulate what each zone represented. The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program enhanced their understanding of emotions, and students challenged a partner to ‘guess’ the emotion they were showing. Although there were a lot of laughs during the role plays, it was evident that students were aware of the importance of empathy and the skill of reading others’ emotions. The skill was displayed when students were collaborating during a maths lesson.
The 5/6E students have been revising the Zones of Regulation, a framework designed to help them understand and manage their emotions effectively. This framework categorises emotions into four colour coded zones: the green, yellow, blue and red zone. Through interactive activities, discussions, and real-life examples, students learnt to recognise which zone they are in, understand the triggers and cues associated with each zone, and develop strategies to regulate their emotions and behaviours accordingly. By gaining awareness of their emotional states and learning appropriate coping mechanisms, students cultivate essential skills for self-regulation, social interaction, and academic success. This foundational knowledge empowers them to navigate various situations with resilience and adaptability, laying the groundwork for positive emotional well-being.
Routines for Success
The students in 5/6B have been enthusiastically embracing the adventures of the first two weeks back at school.
They’ve been busy laying the foundations for a successful year through our Routines for Success program.
Through vibrant classroom discussions, the students of 5/6B have explored classroom expectations, how to be
great mathematicians and building a strong classroom community. We are super excited for the rest of the year!
Students in 5/6C have had a fun and productive start to 2024! Through our Routines for Success program we have
been getting to know each other and unpacking the ways in which we are all great readers, writers and
mathematicians. We have worked collaboratively to establish our classroom expectations aligned with our school
values of Respect, Responsibility and Learning.
Students in 5/6D have settled in well and are already working as a team. We have been working through the
Routines for Success program, where we collaboratively establish classroom expectations and build relationships.
As a new teacher to the school, I have been excited to get to know the students and love the class motto they
devised - ‘5/6D, the place to be!’ Feelings of pride and community come to mind and I look forward to seeing the
school values of Learning, Respect and Responsibility shine through.
In 5/6E we have set up our routines for success. We created and discussed our classroom expectations, how each
lesson is structured and how to be a great mathematician. We also worked on our class motto ‘You can if you think
you can’. It was fantastic to see students building new relationships and working together.
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