Term 2 is certainly well under way! Below is an overview of some of the opportunities and learning programs students will be involved in this term.
Reading
This term students are studying the class novel The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded by Jackie French. We will also be starting our Literature Circles this term, guided to begin with. Towards the end of the term, students will have the opportunity to choose a text set for their Literature Group to read. Some of these novels include: Flour Babies, Z for Zachariah, The Silver Chair and Kensuke’s Kingdom.
All of our new novels for our class library have arrived and I have been encouraging students to borrow these for home reading. Please feel free to pop in before or after school to have a look and get a book.
Library
Students participate in weekly library lessons with Miss Beker on a Thursday. This term they will be continuing the novel Trash by Andy Mulligan, the story of a young boy in the Philippines who lives as a waste picker. Miss Beker will also be continuing whole class public speaking and debating programs for students in preparation for competitions later this term.
Writing
Each morning students begin with D.R.A.W – daily reading and writing. Students will be learning about a variety of concepts and devices to enhance their writing skills and will use these to produce imaginative, informative and persuasive texts. Part of this process involves students sharing their work with peers for critiquing and publishing finished pieces of writing on their individual blogs.
Last term our students demonstrated great skill and flair for writing imaginative texts. This term our focus will move towards producing persuasive texts. I will continue to showcase quality examples on the blog.
Mathematics
During our maths sessions, students will work in group rotations. The maths content we will be covering this term includes: Volume and Capacity, Patterns and Algebra, Chance and Data, Whole Number, Fractions and Decimals, Multiplication and Division and Mass.
During this term and next, the OC will be participating the in annual Maths Olympiad. The entry fee is $6 per student. Students are able to access past Olympiad papers as part of the homework options. The Olympiads are quite challenging and a great way for students to develop their problem solving skills.
We will also be taking part in a Smart Start workshop, funded by the Commonwealth Bank in Week 4. This program is aimed at developing financial literacy.
Excursions
The first event for OC students is the Interschool Chess Challenge on Friday of Week 3. Thank you to all the parents who have indicated they are able to provide transport.
Our Year 6 students will be taking part in an Engineering competition organised by Engineers Australia. This will involve designing and constructing a Straw Tower. Students will then present these for testing in Week 4. I will send out a note about this early next week.
Homework
Homework for students began this week (Week 2). Again, homework consists of a choice menu, where you can negotiate with your child what activities to complete at home. In addition to the ‘maths mentals’ option, there is now also a ‘maths mentals extension’ option for those wishing for more of a challenge. Please ensure homework is handed in on a Friday.
Newcastle Herald writing competition
Students worked on this competition last term and our entry was submitted in the school holidays. The ‘Tighes Hill Tribune’ will be published on Thursday 15th May (earlier than originally expected) so be sure to get a copy.
HSIE/History
This term students will be covering the topic Australia as a Nation. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the key figures and events that led to Australia’s Federation, including British and American influences on Australia’s system of law and government.
As part of this topic, students have received a Speaking and Listening task to prepare at home and present during Week 4 this term. The task is to research a famous Australian and their contributions to creating our great nation. The best speakers from our class will take part in a Stage 3 ‘Speak Off’ assembly in Week 5 and be considered for the Multicultural public speaking competition later this term.
Music
Miss Beker takes the OC for our music component. Last term students enjoyed learning the ‘Cups’ song and will continue to enhance their rhythmic skills this term with some drumming.
Star Struck
Many of our students are taking part in Star Struck this term. Week 7 will be huge – with rehearsal, dress rehearsal and the performances taking place on the 13th and 14th June. Well done, Star Struck girls, for your hard work and commitment. Can’t wait to see the show!
NAPLAN
The national assessment program for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy will be taking place in Week 3 of this term for our Year 5 students. Students have worked on some past papers this past fortnight to help familiarise themselves with the assessment format.
Writing Buddies
Last term our class worked with 1E for our Reading Buddies program. This term we will be doing Writing Buddies with 1E and 2B (poor 2B missed out last term due to our school now having an odd number of classes!) so students in the OC will have 2 cute little buddies to work with. I am looking forward to seeing them share their amazing writing skills with our younger students.
Events
The UNSW ICAS competitions begin this term starting with Computer Skills in Week 4, Science in Week 6 and Writing and Spelling in Week 8.
Our Year 5 students received information this week about the Callaghan Technology Campus Aim High program. If your child is interested in participating, please ensure your completed form is returned to school by Friday.
Be sure to watch It’s Academic in Week 7, as the episodes that we took part in last year are going to be televised.
Our whole school Athletics Carnival is coming up in Week 5 on Tuesday 27th May. Notes about this event will be sent home soon.
Finally, well done to the students who have had a terrific start to the term. There’s only 9 weeks this term, which I’m sure will go fast considering all the events and programs taking place. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding OC learning programs or events.
