Grade 6
Welcome to Term 3 in Grade 6.
The Grade 6 teachers are Leah Morgan, Sarah Psomotragos, Andrew Tzivanidis and Xavier Jones.
The Grade 6 classrooms are located in Paradise (lower level portables – Sarah and Andrew, upper level portables – Leah and Xavier).
Literacy – Reading
The Grade 6 teachers will work alongside each student to ensure that they have an individual reading goal, focused at the students’ point of need. Teachers will monitor each student’s progress through participation in weekly Literature Circle groups and during individual reading conferences.
This term, our foci in reading sessions will include:
- understanding text structure and organisation
- understanding different perspectives in written and oral texts
- understanding how authors use language to create pathos and humour
- developing skills and techniques of voice to create character, mood and atmosphere in dramatic interpretations of various texts
Literature circles will continue this term, with groups of students meeting together weekly to discuss a novel in depth. The discussion is guided by what the students have learnt as a result of their reading. Literature circles promotes greater independence in students by encouraging them to take greater ownership of their reading journey.
Literacy – Writing
Writing sessions will focus on narrative text types, specifically concentrating on script writing and the rich development of characters and settings to create engaging plays. Conferencing and needs-based groups occur most sessions, thus enabling teachers to identify students’ areas of improvement. This will ensure that each student is catered for on an individual basis.
Writer’s Workshop sessions provide the structure for our writing focus. These sessions encourage students to write about topics that they are passionate about.
Spelling
The spelling program is based on the evidence-based Soundwaves phonics program. Students will continue to focus on a range of graphemes (letters) and phonemes (the sounds the letters make) that they have learnt throughout the junior and intermediate year levels. As part of their homework each night, they are encouraged to spend time on the Soundwaves website (code – shout398) practising the phoneme (sound) for the week. New phonemes are introduced each Monday, with additional sessions throughout the week.
Mathematics
Mathematics will focus on the following areas:
- measurement (volume, area and capacity; time; transformations, tessellations and shape)
- number and algebra (money and financial maths; prime, composite, square and triangular numbers; positive and negative numbers)
- number and algebra (patterns and algebra)
Students will consolidate their mathematical knowledge by relating what they learn to real life problems and to other areas of the curriculum. They are encouraged to use a variety of strategies to solve mathematical problems.
The Grade 6 teachers will work alongside each child to encourage them to develop skills and concepts through explicit teaching in both whole class and small focus groups. Mental calculation and the teaching of efficient strategies is a priority. Students are encouraged to develop skills in estimation, with the use of concrete materials used to support their mathematical explorations.
Inquiry Unit – Film Festival
Term 3 is Film Festival time! The theme for this year’s Festival is Back to the Future/ Time Travel. Students will be collaborating in small groups to create engaging scripts for the performance. They will also learn about a plethora of film techniques that will be used during the filming process. The Film Festival will be held on Wednesday 8th September, so be sure to save the date. More details will be provided closer to the date.
Homework
Students are encouraged to read for 20 to 30 minutes, four nights per week. Throughout the term, additional homework expectations will vary, such as completion of weekly Mathletics tasks (3 per week). Spelling homework using the Soundwaves website is also encouraged to consolidate students’ understanding of phonemes and graphemes. Students may access Chromebooks to assist them in completing their homework tasks from 8.50am to 9am, prior to the start of learning for the day.
Parent Communications
Student diaries are an invaluable tool for collaborating between the school and the home. Parents are encouraged to use their child’s diary to communicate important information to their child’s teacher.
Information, regular updates, and resources will be posted through Compass. All excursion/ incursion permission forms will be uploaded to Compass. Additional information is provided in the school newsletters, and these can be accessed on the school website at www.albertparkps.vic.edu.au.
Parents will receive updates on their child’s learning and areas for improvement in all areas of the curriculum via the Seesaw app.
Dates for Your Diary
Tuesday 13th July – Term 3 starts
Thursday 15th July – House Athletics Day at Lakeside Stadium (students may wear house colours)
Friday 16th July – Junior School Council Indigenous Literacy Foundation fundraiser (gold coin donation; students may wear blue and orange in support of the foundation)
Monday 26th July - Thursday 29th July – Swimming at MSAC (additional sessions to make up for last term’s incomplete week)
Thursday 5th August – Student-led conferences (from 4pm to 7pm)
Friday 6th August – Student-led conferences 8am to 12.30pm (pupil-free day)
Monday 9th August – Curriculum Day (pupil-free day)
Thursday 2nd September – Graduation photo to be taken today by professional photographers
Wednesday 8th September – Film Festival night-time performance (more details closer to the date)
Tuesday 14th September – Girls Tommy Lahiff Football Gala Day (select students only)
Thursday 16th September – Boys Tommy Lahiff Football Gala Day (select students only)
Friday 17th September – Term 3 ends at 2.30pm