Sr-S Classroom Work Term 4, Week 8 (November 25th-November 29th)
Due to separate Year 5 and Year 6 activities beginning this week (a major focus on Year 6 graduation preparation!) and SEPEP, we will no longer run literacy rotations.
Literacy Our focus on our Free Choice Writing Program will continue each day this week, with modelling focused on improving student understanding of recounts, procedural pieces, vocabulary building, spelling, exemplary editing and use of descriptive terms. In writing, students will also complete 'player profiles' for their SEPEP teams. We will continue to write our draft 'End of year' recounts, watch BTN stories aimed at improving our understanding of health related topics (SEPEP focus) and revisit a class favourite - 30 second speeches! Writing project - Recount of the 2013 school year Marking guide / success criteria for your recount piece
Maths We will continue our focus on 'Number' related concepts. We will be taking part in the differentiated learning groups run across the Senior School level to focus on improving your understanding of these concepts. Areas for improvement are number sequences/patterns; factors, multiples, prime numbers and prime factors; understanding and using negative numbers; square and triangular numbers; and mathematics terminology (such as product, quotient, etc.).
We will also have a few in-class lessons and use Khan Academy.
Click here to open the 'Number Post-test' (will be added Friday morning)
Term 4, Week 7 (November 18th-November 22nd)
In week 7, regular classroom activities will resume! We welcome back the Year 5s from camp and look forward to hearing all about it!
Literacy We are back into our Literacy Group Rotations this week. Click on the links and activities below for explanations of the learning tasks and a timetable for the order of sessions. Click here to open the timetable for this week's literacy rotations Click on the links below for instructions for each task: 1. Guided reading and reading comprehension - teacher focus group- Task instructions- Article and questions to answer 2. Writing project - Recount of the 2013 school year 3. Weekly QuizClick here to open the Weekly Quiz for this week - the password is... lemon 4. Free choice writing program (two sessions) We will also complete a BTN Quiz during the week. MathsFor the next fortnight, we will be focusing purely on 'Number' related concepts. On Monday you will complete a pre-test, and then we will be taking part in the differentiated learning groups run across the Senior School level to focus on improving your understanding of these concepts. We will also have a few in-class lessons and use Khan Academy. Click here to open the 'Number Pre-test' Term 4, Week 6 (November 11th-November 15th) As the Year 5 will be on camp all week, the regular classroom programs will not run as we will focus on completing as many Year 6 Graduation projects as possible. Term 4, Week 5 (November 4th-November 8th) As this is a shortened and interrupted week (not many students present on Monday, Cup Day on Tuesday, and Senior Reporting Day on Friday), normal literacy/maths sessions will not be running.
A major focus this week will be on completing our I.L. Natural Disasters Expo presentations, and the post-production work on our Short Film Projects.
Literacy We will have a few Free Choice writing sessions, begin looking into procedural texts and learn from a BTN Video/Quiz focusing on the Aussie Gambling Culture. Click here to open the Weekly Quiz for this week! Maths In maths, we will look at probability and use the Melbourne Cup as an example of odds/probability, along with problem solving puzzles and Khan Academy.
Term 4, Week 4 (October 28th-November 1st)
Literacy In week 4, we will continue our Literacy Group Rotations. In addition to other literacy-related skills sessions, five extra literacy groups activities will be timetabled across the week for each of you to complete. This week we will put a hold on our free choice writing program and focus specifically on 'speech writing'.
1. Click the name of your LITERACY GROUP below to open your NSW Bushfire article for choral reading (teacher group). Choral reading is reading aloud in unison with a group of students. Choral reading helps build students' fluency, self-confidence, and motivation. Because students are reading aloud together, students who may ordinarily feel self-conscious or nervous about reading aloud have built-in support.
Why use choral reading?
It can provide less skilled readers the opportunity to practice and receive support before being required to read on their own.
It provides a model for fluent reading as students listen.
Maths In maths we will focus on Measurement and work in different groups spread across the Senior School with the aim of better meeting individual needs of each student. We will also use Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles to work on developing different skills.
I.L. We will continue our research/focus into Natural Disasters and move forward with our investigations and I.L. 'taking action' projects. This is your final week to work in your groups to put together your project before our Expo next week!
Term 4, Week 2 (October 14th-18th) Literacy In week 2, we will move back into our Literacy Group Rotations. Five literacy related tasks will be timetabled across the week for each of you to complete. Two of these sessions will remain the free choice writing, while the other three sessions will focus on building skills and assessing areas of reading comprehension.
The literacy activities and the timetable for the week will be emailed or printed out for you in class. MathsWe will complete our fortnightly focus on Fractions and continue to work with groups across the Senior School, followed by a Fractions post-test assessment task on Friday to measure areas of improvement. Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles will be used again to support our learning and develop skills further.
Term 4, Week 1 (October 7th-11th) Literacy This week the focus will be on our free choice writing program and in particular speeches. We will look into famous speeches through time and begin discussions on what makes a great speech. This will be important for the Year 5s in particular as we head into the latter stages of the year and you will need to start thinking about leadership positions for 2014! We will also complete a BTN Quiz based on Public Speaking and participate in '30 second speeches' based on our holidays. MathsIn maths we will focus on Fractions and work in different groups spread across the Senior School with the aim of better meeting individual needs of each student. We will also use Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles to work on developing different skills. Term 3, Week 10 (September 16th-September 20th) LiteracyIn week 10, we'll continue on with our Free Choice writing program, along with different reading and viewing tasks designed to further develop different comprehension skills. We will also complete speaking and listening assessment tasks (such as the 30 second speeches). A task that needs to be completed this week is our volcano experiments - we will write up an experiment, hypothesise what we think will happen, conduct the experiment and complete a video review describing what happened and if our hypothesis was correct/incorrect. We will also watch new videos based on natural disasters and BTN-related activities.
Click the links below to open the articles for reading: http://www.theguardian.com/world/natural-disasters (articles about recent natural disasters from around the world) http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/article-index.htm?tags=natural+disasters (articles about natural disasters from Australia)
You need to choose two articles from the many listed on these websites, and critically review them:1. What is your opinion of them?2. Summarise the articles in two paragraphs each.3. Form three questions of your own about each article to prompt further research.
MathsThis week we will complete our focus on 'Cartesian Planes', with an orienteering activity locating grid references and ordered pairs around the school... we will also work on 'Footy Maths' and Khan Academy!
Term 3, Week 9 (September 9th-September 13th)
LiteracyIn week 9, we'll complete our 'Free Choice' Information Reports, before moving back into our Free Choice writing program. This week, we will work through the class roll and everyone will get a chance to share in the 'Authors Chair'. In reading and viewing, we will watch BTN videos related to the election and natural disasters and continue to work on our reading comprehension skills. Click here to open the Weekly Quiz MathsOur focus on 'Time' will be wrapped up this week, and we will move into investigating Cartesian Planes and 'Footy Maths'! Click here to open the Cartesian Planes 'Battle Ship' game Term 3, Week 8 (September 2nd-September 6th)
Due to Studies of Asia Day on Monday, and District Athletics on Tuesday, Week 8 will be an interrupted/shortened week. LiteracyIn week 8, our Natural Disasters focus will move on to 'Earthquakes and Tsunamis' (will most likely carry over into week 9). Listed below are our literacy/reading group activities to be completed this week. 1. Guided Reading (teacher focus group)2. Short Film Project (group learning task)3. View and Response (compare and contrast) (independent learning task)4. Information Report about Earthquakes/Tsunamis (independent learning task)5. iPad Video Task - ShowMe to demonstrate learning (independent learning task)
Maths In maths, we will move on to a focus on 'time'. After a pre-test, we will investigate 12 and 24 hour time, time zones around the world, elapsed time, timetables and converting between units of time.
LiteracyIn week 6, we will begin our integrated studies focus on 'Natural Disasters'. Through our literacy rotations, this week we will investigate and learn about bushfires and drought - two natural disasters we experience quite often in Australia, and two natural disasters that are important to know as much info about as possible. We will have five different learning tasks to complete during our literacy rotations (listed below).
MathsThis week in maths, we will investigate factors and multiples and other related concepts. We will learn more about multiplication and division, divisibility tests, factors, multiples, prime factorisation, factor trees, and lowest and greatest common factors and multiples. There will be a range of tasks to help further develop an understanding of these concepts.
Term 3, Week 5 (August 12th-August 16th)
LiteracyThis week, we will continue to work on our free choice writing program, with the aim/challenge for all students to write in a new genre or style you have not yet attempted. Push yourself to improve your creativity and try something new with your writing. We will begin to look into 'Information Reports' for our reading focus in preparation for our upcoming unit on natural disasters. We will also explore articles with the aim to learn about the world around us and improve our ability to find the main idea and distinguish between fact and opinion. Click here to open the 'Weekly Quiz' - password is 'monkey'
MathsThis week we will continue to investigate financial mathematics, with the aim to improve our real-life money/maths skills. We will also continue to explore decimals, averages and percentages.
Attached below is your 'mini maths project'! We have been looking into the value of money for the past week and expenses associated with everyday living. So, to put it into 'real' terms to help develop an understanding of the importance and value of money, your task is to complete a 'real budget' based on some usual incomes and expenses. Follow the instructions on the sheets below and make sure you are listening to Mr Sommers' directions! Complete all questions in your maths books. Click here to open your maths project question sheetClick here to open the budget spreadsheet Inquiry LearningThis is it - your final week of pre-production! By the end of this week, your short film group should have completed editing of your script and have all planning finalised - such as the script, read throughs, location/setting requests, the order of which scenes will be shot and when, organisation of equipment, materials, props, costumes, what types of shots will be used, etc.
There is a lot to get through, so work cooperatively (and hard!) with your group! Term 3, Week 4 (August 5th-August 9th)
LiteracyThis week, we will go back to our free choice writing program, along with focusing on script reading. You will get time to sit down with your short film group to practise 'read throughs' and revise your work. We will also explore articles with the aim to learn about the world around us and improve our ability to find the main idea and distinguish between fact and opinion. Click here to open 'The Power of Pets' article for reading/writing session Click here to open the BTN Quiz - Kids Sleep MathsThis week, we will be investigating financial mathematics, with the aim to improve our real-life money/maths skills. We will also continue to explore averages and percentages. Attached below is your 'mini maths project'! We have been looking into the value of money this week and expenses associated with everyday living. So, to put it into 'real' terms to help develop an understanding of the importance and value of money, your task is to complete a 'real budget' based on some usual incomes and expenses. Follow the instructions on the sheets below and make sure you are listening to Mr Sommers' directions! Click here to open your maths project question sheetClick here to open the budget spreadsheet
Term 3, Week 2 (July 22nd-July 26th) Literacy group rotations - FIVE sessions per week Free choice writing (x 3 sessions)
BTN Video + QuizGuided reading (focus group) - Scripts
Free Choice Writing- Continue to use your Digital Writer's Notebook and plan, draft, edit and publish your written pieces. Do your best to try and write in different genres to gain more writing experience and understanding. Be creative and descriptive! Click here to open the 'BTN' story/video (Movie Magic) Term 3, Week 1 (July 15th-July 19th)
Literacy group rotations - FIVE sessions per week Free choice writing (x 3 sessions)
BTN Video + related comprehension activitiesGuided reading (focus group) - scripts and role play Free Choice Writing- Continue to use your Digital Writer's Notebook and plan, draft, edit and publish your written pieces. Do your best to try and write in different genres to gain more writing experience and understanding. Be creative and descriptive! Click here to open the 'BTN' story/video (Gender Equality) - Click here to open the related BTN comprehension task and quiz questions
Cyber Crime:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3714608.htm Due to unavoidable clashes with our timetable and also the need to complete Float Your Boat activities, literacy rotations will not be running this week.
This week our major focuses will be on persuasive language and debating, along with completing Float Your Boat.
Below are descriptions of some of the Float Your Boat activities:1. Boat building - the main objective. We need to put all these bottles together!
2. Class chants or songs. The rest of the class (those not actually on the boat!) will be singing/cheering our team on!
3. Banners or posters. Need to be created to show support.
4. Class flag. Building our boat is the number 1 goal, and will involve using quite a lot of mathematical concepts. Our maths/english learning will be based around the Float Your Boat activities.
We will also learn correct debating structure and procedures, how to develop arguments and rebuttals, and practice our skills in a few class debates. Literacy RotationsWeek 6 (March 12th-March 15th) 1. Read to SelfFollow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book: I choose a book based on...Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?)Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?)Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?)Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?) Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you. Learning Intention:Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment. 2. Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below: Food standards:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3699382.htmWhaling:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3699372.htm Your task is to listen to these stories and then create detailed 'summaries and opinion pieces' for each story in your Literacy Group on Edmodo. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer the questions listed below. Remember to answer these questions in FULL sentences, using reasons and evidence to support your answer. Food standards:1. What is your opinion about this story?2. Why do you think it is important to know EXACTLY what is in the food you are eating? - give three reasons. 3. What do you think should happen to the people or companies who were responsible for putting the horse meat in foods and labelling it as beef? Whaling: 1. Which side of the debate do you agree with? Are you on the whalers' side, or do you think whaling is a bad thing and you're on the protestors' side? Why?2. Do you think it's right that scientists are allowed to kill whales for research?3. What do you think needs to be done to resolve the situation and the fighting between the two groups? Example opinion piece:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/nothing-smart-in-being-an-idiot/story-e6frfhqo-1226589055811 Learning Intention: Listen to correctly modelled reading and successfully write opinion pieces using full sentences and evidence to support views. 3. Work on WritingThis week for your writing task, you will be focusing on persuasive writing, and in particular - the importance of recognising and understanding both sides of an argument or debate. It is a crucial life skill to be able to 'put yourself in someone else's shoes' and identify WHAT their point of view is and WHY they believe in it. It might be different to your own point of view, but it is important you are able to understand why someone else is thinking a certain way. Having this knowledge can also strengthen your own argument in a debate.
You need to open the following T-charts in Good Reader on your iPad and form 5 arguments for each side of each debate topic. You might find it easy to form arguments for the side that you AGREE with, but the challenge is to open your mind up and see the OPPOSING point of view and form arguments for that side too! Click here to open 'Debate 1 T-Chart'Click here to open 'Debate 2 T-Chart'Click here to open 'Debate 3 T-Chart' Learning Intention:Aim to improve persuasive language skills and the ability to form arguments FOR and AGAINST different topics, regardless of the side of the debate we actually support.
4. Word WorkYour task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers. Click here to open 'Weekly Quiz' Learning Intention:To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information. 5. Guided ReadingThis group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to form a point of view from the characters' perspective in the story and 'argue' a case as to why they did what they did. We will be using the story 'Little Red Riding Hood'. After our group discussion on persuasive techniques and using evidence, you need to use the 'Reading' section of your 5-subject book to write your arguments to justify why your characters did what they did. Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma and the hunter are taking the wolf to court! They want him put in jail and need to give the judge evidence WHY he should be jailed.On the other hand, the wolf will be arguing why he SHOULDN'T be put in jail. Take on the perspective of one side of the argument, and come up with five reasons WHY the wolf should be jailed or not. Click here to open 'Little Red Riding Hood' Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills, along with persuasive writing techniques. Literacy RotationsWeek 5 (March 4th-March 8th) 1. Read to SelfFollow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book: I choose a book based on...Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?)Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?)Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?)Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?) Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you. Learning Intention: Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment. 2. Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:World Challenge:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3689502.htmMini Magic:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3693811.htm Your task is to listen to these stories and then create detailed 'opinion pieces' for each story in your Literacy Group on Edmodo. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer these questions: World Challenge: Why do you think these students decided to go help out overseas in under-privileged areas? What could they gain from it? What benefits would this have on the local communities they visited? How did this experience help the students learn about themselves? Would you ever consider doing someone like this? Mini Magic: What is your opinion on magic - do you think it is interesting or exciting, a bit strange or hard to explain, or a waste of time? And WHY? Would you ever learn to do magic? Do you think it is a valuable skill to have? How could magic be a good or bad thing? Explain. Example opinion piece:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/nothing-smart-in-being-an-idiot/story-e6frfhqo-1226589055811 3. Work on WritingThis week for your writing task, you will continue to work on your personal creative narrative.You should have completed your rough copy (or at least be close to finishing it) in last week's session, so now it's time to move on to typing up the good copy.Your job is to further edit your work, with the aim to include as many adjectives and adverbs as you can to help improve the descriptions within your story.You will be using Pages on your iPad to type up your good copy. Please ensure you use a dictionary (if you don't have a dictionary app) to ensure all of your spelling is correct. Learning Intention: Aim to complete published copy of narrative and improve story writing with the use of adjectives and adverbs.
4. Word WorkYour task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers. Weekly Quiz - Click here to open Learning Intention: To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information. 5. Guided ReadingThis group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to find the main idea and summarise a text. Read the following articles in your group and using the 'Reading' section of your 5-subject book, write out a two paragraph summary of each article. Article 1Article 2 Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. To improve ability to summarise a text in our own words.
Literacy RotationsWeek 4 (February 25th-March 1st) Read to SelfFollow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book: I choose a book based on... Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?) Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?) Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?) Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention: Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:Work Experience:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3689501.htmHomelessness:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3633710.htm Your task is to listen to these stories and then use Pages on your iPad to create 'opinion pieces' for each story. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer these questions:
Work experience: What are the pros and cons of work experience (try to see both sides of the argument)? Do you think it's fair to work for no pay? What sort of job would you like to gain extra experience in when you are in high school? Do you think work experience is a good thing or bad thing? Homelessness: Put yourself in the position of a homeless person - how would it make you feel? Try to consider what homeless people might go through - what can we do to help them or reduce the amount of homeless people there are in the world? What sort of problems can homeless people cause?
Learning Intention: Listen to correctly modelled reading and successfully write opinion pieces using full sentences and evidence to support views. Work on Writing This week for your writing task, you will continue to work on your personal creative narrative. You will have a number of items to help guide your writing and help you produce improved work.Number 1 is your story planning graphic organiser you completed on the iPad last week.Number 2 you will have a 'Seven steps to writing' information sheet to help remind you of what to include in your narrative.Number 3 you will be able to use knowledge gained in our 'Sizzling starts' practise writing activity to start your own story in an exciting way and engage the reader from the very beginning.
Remember that a narrative must include your own created characters, a setting, a storyline with a chain of events, a complication and a resolution. Try your best to include speech between characters, use descriptive adjectives as much as you can to add detail, and self edit your own work.
Learning Intention: Aim to improve your creativity (ideas and thinking skills), along with writing skills and use of features of English (adjectives, verbs, speech, etc.). Word WorkYour task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers. http://www.classroomsolutions.co.nz/Classroom_Solutions/wq/Entries/2013/2/25_Weekly_Quiz_03_files/WQ03NZQ.pdf Learning Intention: To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information. Guided ReadingThis group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to find the main idea and summarise a text. Read the following articles in your group and using Pages, briefly summarise the article (roughly one paragraph) and state what you think the main idea of each text is. Article 1Article 2 Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. CARS lessons will focus on particular individual areas of need.
Literacy RotationsWeek 3 (February 18th-February 22nd) Read to Self Follow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book: I choose a book based on... Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?) Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?) Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?) Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention: Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
Listen to Reading Using your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below: Doping in Sports:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3687404.htm Should we change the flag?:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3681106.htm Your task is to listen to these stories and then use Pages on your iPad to create 'opinion pieces' for each story. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic.
Work on Writing Using your iPad and Keynote, your task is to create a slideshow biography of the famous Australian that your literacy group is named after. You can present the information anyway that you like, but you must include details that you would regularly see in a biography. For example: - Personal details (name, birth/death dates, how old were they, where were they from, did they have family members, etc.) - What were they famous for? - Did they have any significant achievements? - Why was what they did important for Australia? - Any other information that you think is interesting. Learning Intention: To improve research skills and the ability to summarise information found online, along with improving skills using Keynote.
Word Work Your task is to complete the grammar worksheet (focusing on nouns and verbs). Once completed, you need to write five full sentences in your English book that each contain a verb and a noun to show your understanding of using these words in context. Learning Intention: To improve knowledge and understanding of grammar and learn meanings of new words, and the ability to use these in context.
Guided Reading This group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson. Learning Intention: To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. CARS lessons will focus on particular individual areas of need.
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Sr-S Classroom Work
Term 4, Week 8 (November 25th-November 29th)
Due to separate Year 5 and Year 6 activities beginning this week (a major focus on Year 6 graduation preparation!) and SEPEP, we will no longer run literacy rotations.
Literacy
Our focus on our Free Choice Writing Program will continue each day this week, with modelling focused on improving student understanding of recounts, procedural pieces, vocabulary building, spelling, exemplary editing and use of descriptive terms.
In writing, students will also complete 'player profiles' for their SEPEP teams.
We will continue to write our draft 'End of year' recounts, watch BTN stories aimed at improving our understanding of health related topics (SEPEP focus) and revisit a class favourite - 30 second speeches!
Writing project - Recount of the 2013 school year
Marking guide / success criteria for your recount piece
Maths
We will continue our focus on 'Number' related concepts. We will be taking part in the differentiated learning groups run across the Senior School level to focus on improving your understanding of these concepts. Areas for improvement are number sequences/patterns; factors, multiples, prime numbers and prime factors; understanding and using negative numbers; square and triangular numbers; and mathematics terminology (such as product, quotient, etc.).
We will also have a few in-class lessons and use Khan Academy.
Click here to open the 'Number Post-test' (will be added Friday morning)
Term 4, Week 7 (November 18th-November 22nd)
In week 7, regular classroom activities will resume! We welcome back the Year 5s from camp and look forward to hearing all about it!
Literacy
We are back into our Literacy Group Rotations this week. Click on the links and activities below for explanations of the learning tasks and a timetable for the order of sessions.
Click here to open the timetable for this week's literacy rotations
Click on the links below for instructions for each task:
1. Guided reading and reading comprehension - teacher focus group- Task instructions- Article and questions to answer
2. Writing project - Recount of the 2013 school year
3. Weekly QuizClick here to open the Weekly Quiz for this week - the password is... lemon
4. Free choice writing program (two sessions)
We will also complete a BTN Quiz during the week.
MathsFor the next fortnight, we will be focusing purely on 'Number' related concepts. On Monday you will complete a pre-test, and then we will be taking part in the differentiated learning groups run across the Senior School level to focus on improving your understanding of these concepts. We will also have a few in-class lessons and use Khan Academy.
Click here to open the 'Number Pre-test'
Term 4, Week 6 (November 11th-November 15th)
As the Year 5 will be on camp all week, the regular classroom programs will not run as we will focus on completing as many Year 6 Graduation projects as possible.
Term 4, Week 5 (November 4th-November 8th)
As this is a shortened and interrupted week (not many students present on Monday, Cup Day on Tuesday, and Senior Reporting Day on Friday), normal literacy/maths sessions will not be running.
A major focus this week will be on completing our I.L. Natural Disasters Expo presentations, and the post-production work on our Short Film Projects.
Literacy
We will have a few Free Choice writing sessions, begin looking into procedural texts and learn from a BTN Video/Quiz focusing on the Aussie Gambling Culture.
Click here to open the Weekly Quiz for this week!
Maths
In maths, we will look at probability and use the Melbourne Cup as an example of odds/probability, along with problem solving puzzles and Khan Academy.
Term 4, Week 4 (October 28th-November 1st)
Literacy
In week 4, we will continue our Literacy Group Rotations. In addition to other literacy-related skills sessions, five extra literacy groups activities will be timetabled across the week for each of you to complete. This week we will put a hold on our free choice writing program and focus specifically on 'speech writing'.
Literacy Rotation Information and Lessons:
Click here to open the Literacy Rotations timetable for this week
Click here to open the overview of this week's literacy rotations for an explanation of each task
1. Click the name of your LITERACY GROUP below to open your NSW Bushfire article for choral reading (teacher group).
Choral reading is reading aloud in unison with a group of students. Choral reading helps build students' fluency, self-confidence, and motivation. Because students are reading aloud together, students who may ordinarily feel self-conscious or nervous about reading aloud have built-in support.
Why use choral reading?
BARTON
FLINDERS
PARKES
BURKE
DEAKIN
2. Click here to open the Reading text/article for shared/partner reading
3. Click here to open your BtN video link and response questions
4 and 5. Speech Writing - Click the links below for your speech writing instructions
Click here to open the Speech Writing Task Instructions
Click here to open the general outline of a speech so you know what to produce
Click here to open a basic speech template to use to help guide your writing
Click here to open some speech writing tips!
Maths
In maths we will focus on Measurement and work in different groups spread across the Senior School with the aim of better meeting individual needs of each student. We will also use Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles to work on developing different skills.
I.L.
We will continue our research/focus into Natural Disasters and move forward with our investigations and I.L. 'taking action' projects. This is your final week to work in your groups to put together your project before our Expo next week!
Term 4, Week 3 (October 21st-25th)
LiteracyIn week 3, we will continue our Literacy Group Rotations. In addition to other literacy-related skills sessions, five literacy related tasks will be timetabled across the week in groups for each of you to complete. Two of these sessions will remain the free choice writing program, while the other three sessions will focus on building skills and assessing areas of reading/viewing comprehension.
Literacy Rotation Information and Lessons:
Click here to open the Literacy Rotations timetable for this week
-Click here to open the overview of this weeks' literacy rotation for an explanation of each task
Click the name of your LITERACY GROUP below to open your NSW Bushfire article for guided reading:
BARTON
FLINDERS
PARKES
BURKE
DEAKIN
Click here to open the Teacher Group Guided Reading NSW Bushfires Questions/Task
Click here to open the link to the Severn Suzuki Interview reading text
Click here to open the Severn Suzuki Interview Questions/Task (BURKE only)Click here to open the Severn Suzuki Interview Questions/Task (FLINDERS, PARKES, BARTON and DEAKIN only)
Click here to open the 'Behind the News' video about CyclonesClick here to open the 'Behind the News' Questions/Task
MathsIn maths we will focus on Measurement and work in different groups spread across the Senior School with the aim of better meeting individual needs of each student. We will also use Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles to work on developing different skills.
I.L.
We will continue our research/focus into Natural Disasters and move forward with our investigations and I.L. 'taking action' projects.
Term 4, Week 2 (October 14th-18th)
Literacy
In week 2, we will move back into our Literacy Group Rotations. Five literacy related tasks will be timetabled across the week for each of you to complete. Two of these sessions will remain the free choice writing, while the other three sessions will focus on building skills and assessing areas of reading comprehension.
The literacy activities and the timetable for the week will be emailed or printed out for you in class.
MathsWe will complete our fortnightly focus on Fractions and continue to work with groups across the Senior School, followed by a Fractions post-test assessment task on Friday to measure areas of improvement. Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles will be used again to support our learning and develop skills further.
Term 4, Week 1 (October 7th-11th)
Literacy
This week the focus will be on our free choice writing program and in particular speeches. We will look into famous speeches through time and begin discussions on what makes a great speech. This will be important for the Year 5s in particular as we head into the latter stages of the year and you will need to start thinking about leadership positions for 2014!
We will also complete a BTN Quiz based on Public Speaking and participate in '30 second speeches' based on our holidays.
MathsIn maths we will focus on Fractions and work in different groups spread across the Senior School with the aim of better meeting individual needs of each student. We will also use Khan Academy and problem solving puzzles to work on developing different skills.
Term 3, Week 10 (September 16th-September 20th)
LiteracyIn week 10, we'll continue on with our Free Choice writing program, along with different reading and viewing tasks designed to further develop different comprehension skills. We will also complete speaking and listening assessment tasks (such as the 30 second speeches). A task that needs to be completed this week is our volcano experiments - we will write up an experiment, hypothesise what we think will happen, conduct the experiment and complete a video review describing what happened and if our hypothesis was correct/incorrect. We will also watch new videos based on natural disasters and BTN-related activities.
Click the links below to open the articles for reading:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/natural-disasters (articles about recent natural disasters from around the world)
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/article-index.htm?tags=natural+disasters (articles about natural disasters from Australia)
You need to choose two articles from the many listed on these websites, and critically review them:1. What is your opinion of them?2. Summarise the articles in two paragraphs each.3. Form three questions of your own about each article to prompt further research.
MathsThis week we will complete our focus on 'Cartesian Planes', with an orienteering activity locating grid references and ordered pairs around the school... we will also work on 'Footy Maths' and Khan Academy!
Term 3, Week 9 (September 9th-September 13th)
LiteracyIn week 9, we'll complete our 'Free Choice' Information Reports, before moving back into our Free Choice writing program. This week, we will work through the class roll and everyone will get a chance to share in the 'Authors Chair'. In reading and viewing, we will watch BTN videos related to the election and natural disasters and continue to work on our reading comprehension skills.
Click here to open the Weekly Quiz
MathsOur focus on 'Time' will be wrapped up this week, and we will move into investigating Cartesian Planes and 'Footy Maths'!
Click here to open the Cartesian Planes 'Battle Ship' game
Term 3, Week 8 (September 2nd-September 6th)
Due to Studies of Asia Day on Monday, and District Athletics on Tuesday, Week 8 will be an interrupted/shortened week.
LiteracyIn week 8, our Natural Disasters focus will move on to 'Earthquakes and Tsunamis' (will most likely carry over into week 9). Listed below are our literacy/reading group activities to be completed this week.
1. Guided Reading (teacher focus group)2. Short Film Project (group learning task)3. View and Response (compare and contrast) (independent learning task)4. Information Report about Earthquakes/Tsunamis (independent learning task)5. iPad Video Task - ShowMe to demonstrate learning (independent learning task)
Maths
In maths, we will move on to a focus on 'time'. After a pre-test, we will investigate 12 and 24 hour time, time zones around the world, elapsed time, timetables and converting between units of time.
Term 3, Week 7 (August 26th-August 30th)
LiteracyIn week 7, our Natural Disasters focus will move on to 'Volcanoes'. Listed below are our literacy/reading group activities to be completed this week.
1. Guided Reading (teacher focus group)2. Weekly Quiz (independent learning task)3. Short Film Project (group learning task)4. Information Report about Volcanoes (independent learning task)5. Triorama Activity (independent learning task)
1. Guided ReadingClick here to open the Guided Reading InstructionsClick here to open the Guided Reading Book
2. Weekly QuizClick here to open the Weekly Quiz InstructionsClick here to open the Weekly Quiz
3. Short Film ProjectClick here to open the Short Film Project Instructions
4. Information ReportClick here to open the Information Report InstructionsWhat is an information report?
5. Triorama ActivityClick here to open the Triorama Activity Instructionshttp://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/make-a-triarama.htm
http://video.nationalgeographic.com.au/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/volcanoes/volcanoes-101/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/volcanoes/quiz/q57096168/
MathsThis week in maths, we will complete our focus on factors and multiples.We will learn more about multiplication and division, divisibility tests, factors, multiples, prime factorisation, factor trees, and lowest and greatest common factors and multiples.
Term 3, Week 6 (August 19th-August 23rd)
Literacy In week 6, we will begin our integrated studies focus on 'Natural Disasters'. Through our literacy rotations, this week we will investigate and learn about bushfires and drought - two natural disasters we experience quite often in Australia, and two natural disasters that are important to know as much info about as possible. We will have five different learning tasks to complete during our literacy rotations (listed below).
1. Guided reading (teacher focus group)2. ICT/iPads - Creating short video (independent learning task)3. Investigating Australian Fire Services (independent learning task)4. Descriptive writing task (independent learning task)5. Research/timeline of bushfires (independent learning task)
Click on the links below to access instructions and information for each literacy rotation learning task.
1. Guided readingClick here to open the guided reading bookClick here to open the guided reading task instructions
2. ICT/iPads - Creating short videoClick here to open the video task instructionsClick here to open information to help with this task
3. Investigating Australian Fire ServicesClick here to open the Australian Fire Services task instructionsClick here to open information to help with this task
4. Descriptive writing taskClick here to open the descriptive writing task instructionsClick here to open the example bushfire narratives
5. Research/timeline of bushfiresClick here to open the bushfires timeline task instructionsSome links to help with this task:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushfires_in_Australiahttp://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/worst-bush-fires-in-Australias-history.htm
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fire-and-other-emergencies/major-bushfires-in-victoria
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/4557752/Australian-bushfires-List-of-the-worst-fire-disasters.html
MathsThis week in maths, we will investigate factors and multiples and other related concepts. We will learn more about multiplication and division, divisibility tests, factors, multiples, prime factorisation, factor trees, and lowest and greatest common factors and multiples.
There will be a range of tasks to help further develop an understanding of these concepts.
Term 3, Week 5 (August 12th-August 16th)
LiteracyThis week, we will continue to work on our free choice writing program, with the aim/challenge for all students to write in a new genre or style you have not yet attempted. Push yourself to improve your creativity and try something new with your writing.
We will begin to look into 'Information Reports' for our reading focus in preparation for our upcoming unit on natural disasters. We will also explore articles with the aim to learn about the world around us and improve our ability to find the main idea and distinguish between fact and opinion.
Click here to open the 'Weekly Quiz' - password is 'monkey'
MathsThis week we will continue to investigate financial mathematics, with the aim to improve our real-life money/maths skills. We will also continue to explore decimals, averages and percentages.
Attached below is your 'mini maths project'! We have been looking into the value of money for the past week and expenses associated with everyday living. So, to put it into 'real' terms to help develop an understanding of the importance and value of money, your task is to complete a 'real budget' based on some usual incomes and expenses. Follow the instructions on the sheets below and make sure you are listening to Mr Sommers' directions!
Complete all questions in your maths books.
Click here to open your maths project question sheetClick here to open the budget spreadsheet
Inquiry LearningThis is it - your final week of pre-production! By the end of this week, your short film group should have completed editing of your script and have all planning finalised - such as the script, read throughs, location/setting requests, the order of which scenes will be shot and when, organisation of equipment, materials, props, costumes, what types of shots will be used, etc.
There is a lot to get through, so work cooperatively (and hard!) with your group!
Term 3, Week 4 (August 5th-August 9th)
LiteracyThis week, we will go back to our free choice writing program, along with focusing on script reading. You will get time to sit down with your short film group to practise 'read throughs' and revise your work. We will also explore articles with the aim to learn about the world around us and improve our ability to find the main idea and distinguish between fact and opinion.
Click here to open 'The Power of Pets' article for reading/writing session
Click here to open the BTN Quiz - Kids Sleep
MathsThis week, we will be investigating financial mathematics, with the aim to improve our real-life money/maths skills. We will also continue to explore averages and percentages.
Attached below is your 'mini maths project'! We have been looking into the value of money this week and expenses associated with everyday living. So, to put it into 'real' terms to help develop an understanding of the importance and value of money, your task is to complete a 'real budget' based on some usual incomes and expenses. Follow the instructions on the sheets below and make sure you are listening to Mr Sommers' directions!
Click here to open your maths project question sheetClick here to open the budget spreadsheet
Money Maths WorkYear 5 Money Maths WorkYear 6 Money Maths Work
Year 5 Budget WorkYear 6 Money/discounts WorkYeweieYear
Term 3, Week 3 (July 29th-August 2nd)
http://www.classroomsolutions.com.au/uploads/1/9/5/1/19510927/wq21ausq.pdfPassword: monkey
LiteracyThis week, we will put our 'free choice' writing on hold and the writing program will focus on the short film project. Each writing session will give you an opportunity to work with your production company to begin planning and writing your script.
Reading will focus on BTN view and response (a topic related to the movie making project), along with script reading and selected news articles based on current stories from around Australia and the world.
Click here to open the BTN Quiz - Movie Sounds
Click here to open the article and questions for reading
MathsThis week, we will be investigating averages, ratios and percentages, as well as fact families and factor trees (prime factorisation). We will begin with some revision of place value and the number systems to consolidate understanding of these concepts.
Year 5s - Click here to open your revision worksheets
Year 6s - Click here to open your revision worksheets
Term 3, Week 2 (July 22nd-July 26th)
Literacy group rotations - FIVE sessions per week
Free choice writing (x 3 sessions)
BTN Video + QuizGuided reading (focus group) - Scripts
Free Choice Writing- Continue to use your Digital Writer's Notebook and plan, draft, edit and publish your written pieces. Do your best to try and write in different genres to gain more writing experience and understanding. Be creative and descriptive!
Click here to open the 'BTN' story/video (Movie Magic)
Term 3, Week 1 (July 15th-July 19th)
Literacy group rotations - FIVE sessions per week
Free choice writing (x 3 sessions)
BTN Video + related comprehension activitiesGuided reading (focus group) - scripts and role play
Free Choice Writing- Continue to use your Digital Writer's Notebook and plan, draft, edit and publish your written pieces. Do your best to try and write in different genres to gain more writing experience and understanding. Be creative and descriptive!
Click here to open the 'BTN' story/video (Gender Equality)
- Click here to open the related BTN comprehension task and quiz questions
Click here to open the script for this weeks' guided reading group
- Click here to open the related activity building on these skills
Maths Focus
Revision of mean, median and mode
Chance and data
- Probabilities, percentages, odds, fractions/decimals, likelihood of events occurring, etc.
Term 2, Week 11 (June 24th-June 28th)
Click here to open the Weekly Quiz
Term 2, Week 10 (June 17th-June 21st)
Maths - Line Graphs
Term 2, Week 9 (June 10th-June 14th)
Rabbit Proof Fence Compreh
BODMAS Problem Solving Questions
Rabbit Proof Fence Questions
Year 5 Order of Operations Pre-Assessment
Year 6 Order of Operations Pre-Assessment
Term 2, Week 8 (June 3rd-June 7th)
'Working with TIME' Question Sheet
Term 2, Week 6 (May 13th-May 17th)
Year 5 Percentages Pre-AssessmentYear 6 Percentages Pre-Assessment
Term 2, Week 5 (May 13th-May 17th)
NAPLAN - Reading for Year 6s
NAPLAN preparation - persuasive writing
1. Discussion of the purpose of persuasive texts
2. Persuasive writing winners - the right things to do
3. Discussion of a persuasive piece - Cyber Bullying
4. Cyber Bullying - Writing in English section of 5-binder book
5. Literacy - Research Skills... Weekly Quiz
6. Maths - NAPLAN Prep - work through as a class on Interactive Whiteboard and discuss strategies to help find answer
Term 2, Week 3 (April 29th-May 3rd)
Eddie Mabo - Background Information
Literacy Rotations
Click here to download your 'Daily 5 Weekly Task Tracker'
1. Shared Reading (guided reading)
2. Read to Self
3. Listen to Reading
4. Work on Writing
5. Word Work
Weekly Quiz
Term 2, Week 2 (April 22nd-April 26th)
Practice Test
Click here to open the Year 5 Language Conventions NAPLAN practice
Click here to open the Year 6 Language Conventions NAPLAN practice
Click here to open the 'Writers Notebook Writing Genres' page
Click here to open the 'Maths 2D/3D City Designer' page
Week 8 (March 25th-March 28th)
Click here to download your Maths measurement task
Week 7 (March 18th-March 22nd)
Click here to download the Year 5 Maths workClick here to download the Year 6 Maths work
Click here to download the Weekly Quiz
Click below to view the BTN stories for this week. Your task is to create summaries and opinion pieces in your Edmodo Literacy Group page.
Gambling Culture:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3714605.htm
Cyber Crime:http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3714608.htm
Due to unavoidable clashes with our timetable and also the need to complete Float Your Boat activities, literacy rotations will not be running this week.
This week our major focuses will be on persuasive language and debating, along with completing Float Your Boat.
Below are descriptions of some of the Float Your Boat activities:1. Boat building - the main objective. We need to put all these bottles together!
2. Class chants or songs. The rest of the class (those not actually on the boat!) will be singing/cheering our team on!
3. Banners or posters. Need to be created to show support.
4. Class flag.
Building our boat is the number 1 goal, and will involve using quite a lot of mathematical concepts. Our maths/english learning will be based around the Float Your Boat activities.
We will also learn correct debating structure and procedures, how to develop arguments and rebuttals, and practice our skills in a few class debates.
Literacy RotationsWeek 6 (March 12th-March 15th)
1. Read to SelfFollow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book:
I choose a book based on...Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?)Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?)Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?)Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention:Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
2. Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:
Food standards: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3699382.htmWhaling: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3699372.htm
Your task is to listen to these stories and then create detailed 'summaries and opinion pieces' for each story in your Literacy Group on Edmodo. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer the questions listed below. Remember to answer these questions in FULL sentences, using reasons and evidence to support your answer.
Food standards:1. What is your opinion about this story?2. Why do you think it is important to know EXACTLY what is in the food you are eating? - give three reasons. 3. What do you think should happen to the people or companies who were responsible for putting the horse meat in foods and labelling it as beef?
Whaling: 1. Which side of the debate do you agree with? Are you on the whalers' side, or do you think whaling is a bad thing and you're on the protestors' side? Why?2. Do you think it's right that scientists are allowed to kill whales for research?3. What do you think needs to be done to resolve the situation and the fighting between the two groups?
Example opinion piece:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/nothing-smart-in-being-an-idiot/story-e6frfhqo-1226589055811
Learning Intention: Listen to correctly modelled reading and successfully write opinion pieces using full sentences and evidence to support views.
3. Work on WritingThis week for your writing task, you will be focusing on persuasive writing, and in particular - the importance of recognising and understanding both sides of an argument or debate.
It is a crucial life skill to be able to 'put yourself in someone else's shoes' and identify WHAT their point of view is and WHY they believe in it. It might be different to your own point of view, but it is important you are able to understand why someone else is thinking a certain way. Having this knowledge can also strengthen your own argument in a debate.
You need to open the following T-charts in Good Reader on your iPad and form 5 arguments for each side of each debate topic. You might find it easy to form arguments for the side that you AGREE with, but the challenge is to open your mind up and see the OPPOSING point of view and form arguments for that side too!
Click here to open 'Debate 1 T-Chart'Click here to open 'Debate 2 T-Chart'Click here to open 'Debate 3 T-Chart'
Learning Intention:Aim to improve persuasive language skills and the ability to form arguments FOR and AGAINST different topics, regardless of the side of the debate we actually support.
4. Word WorkYour task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers.
Click here to open 'Weekly Quiz'
Learning Intention:To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information.
5. Guided ReadingThis group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to form a point of view from the characters' perspective in the story and 'argue' a case as to why they did what they did. We will be using the story 'Little Red Riding Hood'.
After our group discussion on persuasive techniques and using evidence, you need to use the 'Reading' section of your 5-subject book to write your arguments to justify why your characters did what they did.
Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma and the hunter are taking the wolf to court! They want him put in jail and need to give the judge evidence WHY he should be jailed.On the other hand, the wolf will be arguing why he SHOULDN'T be put in jail.
Take on the perspective of one side of the argument, and come up with five reasons WHY the wolf should be jailed or not.
Click here to open 'Little Red Riding Hood'
Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills, along with persuasive writing techniques.
Literacy RotationsWeek 5 (March 4th-March 8th)
1. Read to SelfFollow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book:
I choose a book based on... Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?) Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?) Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?) Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention:
Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
2. Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:World Challenge: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3689502.htmMini Magic: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3693811.htm
Your task is to listen to these stories and then create detailed 'opinion pieces' for each story in your Literacy Group on Edmodo. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer these questions:
World Challenge: Why do you think these students decided to go help out overseas in under-privileged areas? What could they gain from it? What benefits would this have on the local communities they visited? How did this experience help the students learn about themselves? Would you ever consider doing someone like this?
Mini Magic: What is your opinion on magic - do you think it is interesting or exciting, a bit strange or hard to explain, or a waste of time? And WHY? Would you ever learn to do magic? Do you think it is a valuable skill to have? How could magic be a good or bad thing? Explain.
Example opinion piece:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/nothing-smart-in-being-an-idiot/story-e6frfhqo-1226589055811
3. Work on WritingThis week for your writing task, you will continue to work on your personal creative narrative.You should have completed your rough copy (or at least be close to finishing it) in last week's session, so now it's time to move on to typing up the good copy.Your job is to further edit your work, with the aim to include as many adjectives and adverbs as you can to help improve the descriptions within your story.You will be using Pages on your iPad to type up your good copy. Please ensure you use a dictionary (if you don't have a dictionary app) to ensure all of your spelling is correct.
Learning Intention: Aim to complete published copy of narrative and improve story writing with the use of adjectives and adverbs.
4. Word WorkYour task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers.
Weekly Quiz - Click here to open
Learning Intention: To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information.
5. Guided ReadingThis group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to find the main idea and summarise a text. Read the following articles in your group and using the 'Reading' section of your 5-subject book, write out a two paragraph summary of each article.
Article 1Article 2
Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. To improve ability to summarise a text in our own words.
Literacy RotationsWeek 4 (February 25th-March 1st)
Read to Self Follow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book:
I choose a book based on...
Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?)
Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?)
Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?)
Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention:
Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
Listen to ReadingUsing your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:Work Experience: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3689501.htm Homelessness: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3633710.htm
Your task is to listen to these stories and then use Pages on your iPad to create 'opinion pieces' for each story. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic and also answer these questions:
Work experience: What are the pros and cons of work experience (try to see both sides of the argument)? Do you think it's fair to work for no pay? What sort of job would you like to gain extra experience in when you are in high school? Do you think work experience is a good thing or bad thing?
Homelessness: Put yourself in the position of a homeless person - how would it make you feel? Try to consider what homeless people might go through - what can we do to help them or reduce the amount of homeless people there are in the world? What sort of problems can homeless people cause?
Learning Intention:
Listen to correctly modelled reading and successfully write opinion pieces using full sentences and evidence to support views.
Work on Writing
This week for your writing task, you will continue to work on your personal creative narrative. You will have a number of items to help guide your writing and help you produce improved work.Number 1 is your story planning graphic organiser you completed on the iPad last week.Number 2 you will have a 'Seven steps to writing' information sheet to help remind you of what to include in your narrative.Number 3 you will be able to use knowledge gained in our 'Sizzling starts' practise writing activity to start your own story in an exciting way and engage the reader from the very beginning.
Remember that a narrative must include your own created characters, a setting, a storyline with a chain of events, a complication and a resolution. Try your best to include speech between characters, use descriptive adjectives as much as you can to add detail, and self edit your own work.
Learning Intention:
Aim to improve your creativity (ideas and thinking skills), along with writing skills and use of features of English (adjectives, verbs, speech, etc.).
Word Work Your task is to complete the 'Weekly Quiz' using Good Reader on your iPad. You can use your iPad to research each question to try and find out the answers.
http://www.classroomsolutions.co.nz/Classroom_Solutions/wq/Entries/2013/2/25_Weekly_Quiz_03_files/WQ03NZQ.pdf
Learning Intention:
To improve research skills and personal vocabulary through studying higher order and more complex texts to find information.
Guided Reading This group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson.The focus of this lesson is to improve the ability to find the main idea and summarise a text. Read the following articles in your group and using Pages, briefly summarise the article (roughly one paragraph) and state what you think the main idea of each text is.
Article 1Article 2
Learning Intention:To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. CARS lessons will focus on particular individual areas of need.
Literacy RotationsWeek 3 (February 18th-February 22nd)
Read to Self
Follow the IPICK system to select a 'good fit' book:
I choose a book based on...
Purpose (what am I trying to learn or get out of this book?)
Interest (will this book interest me and keep me engaged?)
Comprehension (will I understand and be able to make sense of the book?)
Know all the words (is the vocabulary used in the book too difficult, or too easy, to read?)
Remember to choose a book that will hold your attention or challenge you.
Learning Intention:
Use this session to increase your reading stamina and simply read for enjoyment.
Listen to Reading
Using your iPad and headphones, listen to the two BTN stories linked below:
Doping in Sports: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3687404.htm
Should we change the flag?: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3681106.htm
Your task is to listen to these stories and then use Pages on your iPad to create 'opinion pieces' for each story. You need to state what YOUR opinion is on the topic.
Here are some example 'opinion pieces' written by others that were sent into newspapers:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/letters/illogical-drug-use/story-fn558imw-1226578217641
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/lift-the-entry-bar-for-teaching/story-e6frg71x-1226579135230
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/letters/sporting-amateur-hour/story-fn558imw-1226579142398
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/tim-holding-leaves-labor-to-clear-the-air/story-e6frfhqf-1226579439918
Learning Intention:
Listen to correctly modelled reading and successfully write opinion pieces using evidence to support views.
Work on Writing
Using your iPad and Keynote, your task is to create a slideshow biography of the famous Australian that your literacy group is named after. You can present the information anyway that you like, but you must include details that you would regularly see in a biography.
For example:
- Personal details (name, birth/death dates, how old were they, where were they from, did they have family members, etc.)
- What were they famous for?
- Did they have any significant achievements?
- Why was what they did important for Australia?
- Any other information that you think is interesting.
Learning Intention:
To improve research skills and the ability to summarise information found online, along with improving skills using Keynote.
Word Work
Your task is to complete the grammar worksheet (focusing on nouns and verbs). Once completed, you need to write five full sentences in your English book that each contain a verb and a noun to show your understanding of using these words in context.
Learning Intention:
To improve knowledge and understanding of grammar and learn meanings of new words, and the ability to use these in context.
Guided Reading
This group task is a guided reading session with Mr Sommers using a shared text, including a comprehension activity and/or a CARS focused lesson.
Learning Intention:
To share reading experience and discuss a text to improve critical thinking and discussion skills. CARS lessons will focus on particular individual areas of need.