Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather! It seems that
all of our hard work we have put in this week will be rewarded with a very
pleasant long weekend!
In the Classroom:
Maths
We have worked steadily through Topic
12 this week, and our topic test took place on Thursday. We will have a
performance assessment on Monday, before continuing our study of decimals in
Topic 13.
Literacy Workshop
We began our week with a visit from author, Anders
Roseberg, and then turned our attention towards the theme of the week. Our
study of the Australian Dreamtime for Literacy Week has introduced us to
the native folklore of the wide brown land down under. Not only did we learn
about myths and legends of the Australian Aborigines, we also learned that
literacy is about more than just decoding symbols into words. We explored
different ways that meaning can be expressed and drawn from stories, including
through song, dance, and other forms of art. We each gave our own
interpretation of The Rainbow Serpent in our collaborative door
decoration.
We have all but completed our Book
Promotions, and we will spend Monday and Tuesday adding the
finishing touches to our projects. We will also spend some time next week
preparing our oral presentations, which will take place on Thursday and Friday.
Science
We
have finalised our topics for the Science Fair, and we are completing our
preliminary research. Parents, please support your children by signing your
name in the booklet for each stage of the Science Fair process as it is
completed. We have also enjoyed more practical experimentation this week. Our
Science Mystery had us exploring ways to complete an electric circuit. We will
continue with our study of electricity next week. Students may use the electric kits provided
in class, but if you bring your own, you can keep it, and take it home with
you. A picture of the kit and a link to further details is included at the
bottom of this post.
Social Studies
We continued our study of the American Southeast, including the
celebrated Cherokee father and daughter, Sequoyah and Anyokah. Anyokah was only
six years old when she joined her father in designing an alphabet for their
native language. Before this, there was no written form for their language. It
took them 12 ears to complete, and when they were done, members of their tribe
began to learn to read and write their language within months. We will continue
our studies of the American Southeast next week.
Other important information
Please note that to accommodate the curriculum lost
during the two weeks of home quarantine, next Monday, 2nd March, we
will be following Wednesday's timetable. Our specialty subjects for Monday will
be PE (as always) and Computers. We will not have Performing Arts on
that day. Please also note that Monday Clubs will take place as usual.
The Caves Book Fair is to take place next Tuesday,
3rd March. Parents are welcome to come and visit the stall, and
students may also bring money if they would like to purchase books. Caves are
offering a 20% discount to all students, and a 25% discount for boxed sets. The
stall will be in the foyer during school hours on Tuesday.
I hope everyone enjoys
the long weekend, and I'll see you all on Monday!
Dates to remember:
Fri. Feb 28: 2/28
Peace Day National holiday – school closed
Tue. Mar 3: Caves
book sale
Thu-Fri.
Mar 5-6: Book Review – oral
presentations
Wed. Mar 11: Pottery
Mar
16 –Mar 20: Spirit Week
Wed. Mar 18: Race
Day – parents welcome!
Mon. Mar 23: Class
Photo
Click here for details of the electric kit we
will use in Science next week:
