5-6S Teacher - Mrs Gail Smith
 

This year Stage 3 are trialling a new Spelling program. The focus is on teaching the students to learn how to spell rather than rote learning of words. We focus each week on a core list of common digraphs and possible extensions, unusual digraphs, spelling rules and irregular words.

 Our study of genres this year will include a detailed study of information reports, descriptions, expositions, narratives, procedures, reviews, and recounts – both procedural and factual. The students wrote interesting information reports on “pancakes” following our cooking lesson on Pancake Tuesday.

 Handwriting, grammar, reading and comprehension remain an important focus as the students move to more independent work such as research tasks.

 As we continue to work with COGs (combined outcome groups) our focus on HSIE, Science, Creative Arts and PD H PE move into exciting areas of combined study. Stage 3 will focus on Identity, Traditions and Heritage, Physical Phenomena and Living Land. Our excursions will reflect and enhance these units of study – ‘photoshop’ at the Macquarie Innovations Centre and an overnight excursion to Milson Island as we focus on building relationships and resilience.

 Stage 3 students will participate in the primary research project and the science challenge in Terms 2 and 3. As well we will be involved in the UNSW English, Mathematics and Computer tests.

 Mathematics continues to be an important focus of study as we look at the five strands – number, patterns and algebra, data, measurement and space. We are stretching our minds this year as we work with increasingly larger numbers calculating both mentally and on paper and try to solve challenging mathematical puzzles.

 Stage 3 are involved in combined sport groups on a Friday afternoon. We have girls and boys representing our school in PSSA cricket, modball, soccer and netball whilst groups at school participate in rotational activities including fitness, AFL, skills development and tae kwon do. All students participate in an instructional PE program run by a professional group teaching skills in dance, gymnastics, athletics and aerobics. Included in our studies on PD H PE we will look at Drug Education, Child Protection and Values.

 We have a busy and exciting year ahead as we continue along our learning journey together.