Research in Maths Groups

Today each group researched aspects of 3D shapes in architecture.

The groups were buzzing and so excited with this application to what they had learnt about 3D shapes.

Here are photos of the students researching and preparing their presentations for the class.

Maths Groups

The students worked on creating 3D shapes from plasticine and then cutting them parallel to the base or at an angle to the base. They looked at the cross section and recorded their findings.

What's Happening in Term 3

This term we have started with so much enthusiasm.

I am so excited with all the Units of work that have been planned for Year Six. 

We have begun our Reflective Learning Blogs. The students will be asked to write entries on a regular basis. They will also be asked to comment on each other's blogs. We have spoken about the fact that the blog can be read by all who access it on the www, so they need to be very careful about the information that they write. Comments also have been discussed. This practice of blogging will enable the students to be reflective in their learning process.

The English Unit is titled, 'Relationships'. The students will read two books at home over the term. When they are in class they will discuss what they have read during a Literature Circle time. 

In HSIE the students will participate in many learning experiences including 'flipped learning' to lead to an understanding of 'How does democracy work for us Aussies?'. 

In Science and Technology, students will think about change and be detectives... They will also study BRIDGES and then create their own model. 

The students will be expected to spend 45 minutes a day doing Homework. This will be due on different days of the week. On top of that they will need to read for fifteen minutes. Students MUST have their diaries at school every day so that they can write homework details in it. Parents will need to read it and sign it each week. 

It's going to be a full and enriching time for everyone. I love learning and encourage a genuine love and excitement in the Year Six classroom.

PBL presentations about Global Connections to Year 4

As mentioned previously, the Year Six students prepared an interactive activity to teach the Year Four students about the HSIE topic Global Connections. Here are some photographs of the Year Six students with the Year Four students.

It will be very interesting when we debrief with the Year Six students. I wonder if Year Four learnt some new information...

How many nets can you make for a cube - hexahedron?

Enjoy the photos of the students trying to answer this question...

PBL entry Event

Today the Head of Senior School came into a prearranged Year Six grade meeting to announce to the Year Six students that they would be required to come to school this coming Saturday for two hours to talk about things that related to Secondary schooling. Then he left the room with no questions answered. They were told that parents would be contacted and that it was compulsory.

The students sat in awe as the teachers agreed. Then the meeting was abandoned and the students were allowed to chat amongst themselves as the teachers pretended to be busy.

Lessons went ahead, but I watched carefully as mouths were turned down and occasionally the questions would come up. Students were not happy. Excuses were offered but it was always said that this is what is happening.

Just before recess, I brought the class together to ask questions about Saturday. I allowed much discussion, but insisted that it was compulsory. After I while I said that I was busy and would not be there. This caused a great deal of dissection. Some students started a protest and others stood with hands folded. I heard , let's go on strike. One student even suggested that we needed a leader to run the discussion...

All this was leading to our Driving Question...

How does Democracy work for us Aussies? 

What a start...

 

Year Six prepare to teach Year Four

Year Six students have been preparing an interactive activity to use to teach Year Four about Global Connections.

The two classes got together to practise the activities and then debrief.

Here are some of the groups...

We look forward to what Year Four will think and learn.

Thinking about various 3D solids

Today in Maths Groups, we discussed the difference between prisms and pyramids.

The students were then asked if they knew the names of any unusual 3D solids. Some did but not many.

Mathletics provided a really engaging activity. Students could investigate by any means the names of some of these shapes. Each one they found was worth a certain number of points.

After they completed, there were polydrons that they could use to construct the nets of these shapes and then join them together to create the shape. The students had a fun lesson and were very engaged in their collaborative learning.

Some students went forward to create irregular shapes.

Please enjoy the photos...