This week, our Grade 5/6 students had the opportunity to meet members of the Victoria Police Pro Active Policing Unit. The officers spoke with students about important safety topics, such as how to respond to physical violence, the impact of racism and practical strategies for staying safe in public — including walking with friends and being aware of their surroundings. As part of our Inquiry unit, Journey to Discovery, students have also been busy planning and drafting research projects on significant scientific discoveries. They are investigating what happened, why it mattered, and how these discoveries have influenced the world today, in preparation for their final presentations next week.
Grade 5/6 students had lots of fun celebrating Book Week this year! We enjoyed sharing our love of books with our buddies and showcasing our costumes at our annual Book Week Parade. Through our class novel we are continuing to investigate a range of literary features and are enjoying applying this learning to our own poetry.
Over the past few weeks, Grade 5/6 students have been immersed in the world of multiplicative thinking, a key area in developing their numeracy skills. We've been exploring prime and composite numbers, building and breaking down factor trees and solving problems involving missing factors. Students are learning to decompose composite numbers into their prime factors using factor trees, helping them better understand the relationship between multiplication and division. In addition, they’ve been tackling multiplication problems by identifying missing factors, deepening their understanding of number relationships and improving their problem-solving abilities.
This week in Personal and Social Learning, Grade 5/6 students explored the concept of violence, including its physical, verbal and psychological forms. Through open class discussions, students shared examples of how violence can occur in both face-to-face and digital settings. They also identified the emotional impacts of violence on victims, bystanders, perpetrators and those connected to them. By deepening their understanding of violence and its various forms, students are learning how to foster a school community where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. Together, we can make a positive difference in our community.
As part of our Term Two Inquiry unit, Wildlife Warriors, Grade 5/6 students have been investigating a range of endangered animals. Through their research, they’ve explored the environmental and human factors that threaten these species’ survival, including habitat destruction, climate change and pollution. Students have also considered the vital role that sustainable actions play in protecting wildlife. From reducing waste and supporting habitat conservation to raising awareness in their communities, our students are developing thoughtful strategies to support the future of these vulnerable animals. Currently, students are working hard to publish their findings and are eagerly preparing to share their work with their peers at our upcoming Conservation Conference. This event will be a celebration of their learning, creativity and commitment to making a positive impact on the natural world.
As part of the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program, our Grade 5/6 students have been exploring the concept of gender, focusing on how societal norms and stereotypes shape our perceptions and behaviours. Through discussions and activities, we've examined how gender expectations influence choices in areas such as clothing, hobbies and sports. Our learning emphasised the importance of using inclusive language and adopting respectful actions to foster a welcoming and supportive school environment for all students. In our Cyber Safety lessons, we've been continuing to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Topics covered include understanding privacy settings to control our online presence and recognising the significance of obtaining informed consent before sharing personal content
As part of our Wildlife Warriors inquiry unit, Grade 5/6 students have been exploring animal adaptations that help species survive in their natural habitats. We've examined various environmental and human induced threats that impact animal survival and contribute to endangerment. This week, students have each selected an endangered species to research and will present their findings to their peers at our upcoming Conservation Conference.
In Grade 5/6 we have been working on our addition and subtraction unit of work. Students have been exploring a range or strategies to add and subtract whole numbers as well as decimals. We have been consolidating our understanding of solving equations using a vertical algorithm and the importance of renaming. We have applied our skills to open ended tasks, worded problems and real world applications such as shopping challenges.
It has been wonderful to see the Grade 5/6 students deeply engaged in ANZAC Day and narrative writing. Their curiosity and respect while learning about the historical significance of ANZAC Day has been commendable. Students effectively connected historical facts with personal reflections, which enriched their understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers. Students have been exploring the significance of Anzac Day through Rachel Bin Salleh’s picture story book, Alfred’s War, which highlights the contribution that Indigenous servicemen have made to Australia's war efforts. Students have analysed the author’s use of imagery to convey the emotional landscape and depict the themes of marginalisation and resilience.
In Grade 5/6 we have been working on our Data unit. Students created their own survey to find out what other students their age enjoy. They compiled a list of questions and came up with 5 categories for the responses. Once their survey was created students then surveyed their peers to collect data in the form of a tally chart. Using the data collected the students presented their findings in a table and calculated the fraction, percentage and decimal of students that chose each category. After completing their tables students went on to create a variety of graphs to represent their data and analyse their results.
This week, our Grade 5/6 students have been exploring the meaning of Harmony Day, why it is celebrated and its significance in promoting inclusivity and respect. Many students embraced the spirit of the day by wearing orange or dressing in traditional clothing from their cultural backgrounds. Through class discussions, we explored key vocabulary related to Harmony Day and what belonging and acceptance mean to them.
As part of their literacy learning, students researched a country of their choice and created informative posters showcasing its flag, national dishes, landmarks and cultural traditions. They also used their creativity to write shape poems inspired by themes of harmony, respect, and cultural appreciation. It has been wonderful to see students deepen their understanding of diversity and inclusion, recognising the strengths that come from learning about different cultures and celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Grade 5/6 students' inquiry learning has been, All About Me, which focuses on self-identity, personal growth and the changes they experience during adolescence. A key part of this unit includes learning about puberty, where students will gain an understanding of the physical, emotional and social changes they may experience, helping them navigate this stage with confidence and knowledge. Students have participated in activities and guided discussions on friendships, resilience and emotional wellbeing, supported by resources that promote a positive and informed approach to growing older. In addition, students will continue to explore their strengths, values and aspirations.
In Grade 5/6 we started attending our weekly STOMP sessions where the students are learning amazing new dance moves and how to show respect and responsibility towards others in the cohort, as well as when leaving the school grounds. We have been revising our Zones of Regulation and how we can self-identify what we are feeling throughout the day and ways to regulate our bodies. In Respectful Relationships, we have started to explore what our emotions look like, how different people show their emotions, and situations that can lead to positive, negative and mixed emotions. As part of our SWBPS program, we have been discussing how we can show our school values both inside the classroom and outdoors and created fantastic posters to display around the school as a reminder.
In Grade 5/6 we have had a great start to the year getting to know more about each other and establishing our routines to set us up for a successful year ahead! We have been learning about the structure of our lessons in different areas of the curriculum and discussing the expected behaviours both in the classroom and around the school. We have enjoyed making self portraits, developing ideas in our writer’s notebook, creating class mottos and mascots as well as exploring a range of maths activities to develop our ability to work respectfully in partners or small groups.
Grade 5/6 Learning News 2024
