Welcome to the Year 6 2012 Class Blog: April 2012

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to Term II. We hope that you had a restful holiday in preparation for what looks like a very busy term. There are many events to look forward to this term :

Some dates for your diaries:

Catholic Schools Week Whole School Mass- 3^rd May
Mufti Day (gold coin donation) ‘Favourite Sports Star’. Fundraiser for Trivia Night – 4^th May $5 pizza also available on this day.
State Parliament House Excursion- 16^th May
School photos – 5^th June
Cyberbullying talk from Police Officer (in class) – 5^th June
Canberra Trip- Tues 12^th June to Thurs 14^th June
Sacred Heart Feast Day and picnic will be on Friday 15^th June
The R.E Test Wednesday- 18th June
21^st June - Confirmation at Sacred Heart, Mosman
22^nd June- Confirmation at Blessed Sacrament, Clifton Gardens
29^th June- Last day of Term

The following will give you a brief overview of the units of work to be studied in the Key Learning Areas in Term Two.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

This term we will be looking at two units in Religious Education.

EASTER : A TIME TO CELEBRATE HOPE IN THE RISEN LORD

This unit explores the disciples’ experience of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. As we die with Jesus we rise with Jesus also. The unit teaches about our hope in everlasting life. It explores the feast days, scripture and prayers that reveal our belief in everlasting life.

CONFIRMATION : CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This unit revisits the Pentecost experience in the Scriptures. It also explores the sacrament of Confirmation: the symbols and rituals, the liturgical structure and theology. This unit complements the students Parish preparation for Confirmation.

ENGLISH

The English program is separated into three areas – Talking and Listening; Reading; Writing. Below is an overview for Term 2.

Talking and Listening

· As part of our Government and Democracy unit, children will be involved in discussions and debates.

· The children will also listen and summarise from presentations such as relevant topical videos, DVDs and programs such as ‘Behind the News.’

Reading

As part of our Visual Literacy unit, Year 6 will focus on writing and analysing picture books. Students will read a number of picture books, discussing and analysing powerful themes and messages.

These texts will provide opportunities to apply higher order thinking skills and respond in various ways. There will be a particular focus on inferential thinking and responses.

We will begin the term with Guided Reading with a focus on Visual Literacy and inferential comprehension skills. The children will be encouraged to use environmental print, various forms of media, the school library and municipal libraries to broaden their reading experiences. Children will continue to work on the CARS program (Comprehension and Reading Strategies).

Writing

· Students will write, illustrate and publish Narratives to enter the “Mosman Library Writing Competition”

The students will continue to work on their “Anthologies” in which they will write choosing any text type. This book will be able to be shared and read by all class members. The students will also keep their published works in here.

A Handwriting book has been provided for each child in the school. The students will use this to consolidate The N.S.W Foundation Handwriting style. All students should be writing in cursive Foundation Handwriting using black or blue ball-point pens. Liquid paper is not to be used at school or in the homework books.

We will be concentrating on a variety of text types this term, including narrative, information report, exposition and discussion. These will be integrated with our H.S.I.E and R.E units.

MATHEMATICS

The Key Learning Areas of Mathematics are separated into five content strands:

· Number- mental skills, addition, subtraction, multiplication & division

· Patterns and Algebra- explaining the activities generated by children.

· Data-collection explanation of data for graphs.

· Space and Geometry-constructing and measuring 2D shapes, measuring angles to 360^o, 3D - attributes of more complex shapes, position (mapping skills) and Time.

For speed and accuracy students need to practise their mental skills in addition, subtraction, division and multiplication particularly their tables.

Maths Olympiad and Maths Challenge Competitions will start this term and children will be chosen to work on problem solving skills.

Students will also be using their skills in Area, Measurement and Estimating to choose suitable furniture for their ‘new’ classrooms in the future.

HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT (H.S.I.E)

The unit for Term II is “What is Government and Democracy?” This unit will trace the development of Government systems in Australia from Federation to the present day. The students will research topics to compile reports and to show a good understanding of the Government network. This will be supported and enhanced by our Canberra Excursion, where the students will also be going to old and new Parliament House to look at forms of government and to participate in role-plays.

It is imperative that students use and discuss the media and be aware of current issues. They will also complete assessment tasks and activities using ‘My Desktop’ both at school and at home.

VISUAL ARTS

Our Visual Arts program this term will focus on producing a Visual Literacy folio, illustrations found in picture books, caricature and cartooning. This unit strongly supports our English, Visual Literacy and H.S.I.E units.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND P.E

Mr Gosper will continue to develop student’s skills in games and sport this term each Wednesday.

Students will also continue to participate in Martial Arts lessons on Thursdays.

Please ensure students are wearing appropriate P.E/gym uniform on these days.

Boys and girls will continue to have sport and library separately.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The students will continue to use the MacBook computers in the classroom for research, publishing, Web quests, producing Podcasts and writing blogs.

The children will have access to My Desktop and their own email.

We ask that parents continue to discuss with your child the appropriate use of the Internet and email and the importance of privacy in relation to passwords.

MUSIC

Music will occur for one hour alternatively per fortnight for each class with our music teacher Ms Marisa Gale. This will occur on Fridays.

ITALIAN

The students will continue to have Italian lessons with Signor Scott James.

6 Blue will have Italian on Tuesday and 6 Gold will have Italian on Thursdays.

LIBRARY

The students will be developing skills in Literacy in the Library. Mrs Dunn will be focusing on visual literacy through picture books and encouraging students to engage more widely in a variety of texts to increase their reading and comprehension levels. She will also work together with the classroom teachers to assist the children in using the library and computers to develop effective research and Higher Order Thinking Skills within their library lessons.

Please encourage students to borrow regularly to develop good reading habits. Records show that borrowing was inconsistent in Term 1.

FRIENDLY SCHOOLS FRIENDLY FAMILIES

Students will examine the positive and negative aspects of power in relationships, peer influence, peer groups, bullying, exclusion and decision making skills.

SCHOOL UNIFORM IN TERM 2

As the weather can be quite changeable at this time of year, the children may wear either winter or summer uniform for the first two weeks of Term 2. Full winter uniform must be worn from Monday, 7^th May. Hats are compulsory and the “No Hat, No Play" rule applies in all seasons.

HOMEWORK ROUTINE

A homework schedule will be given to your child each week, listing a variety of tasks to be completed at home. Please ensure that your child balances their weekly commitments so that they are able to complete all tasks effectively, including reading.

The recommended time that the students should be spending on homework is approximately 30 to 40 minutes per night.

All homework is to be handed in on Monday. If homework is incomplete or a student does not hand their work in with a satisfactory explanation, they will be required to complete it in the Library at lunchtime.

We do understand that occasionally family commitments take precedence over homework; in this case a short explanatory note to the teacher would be appreciated. Sometimes overnight homework will be given if work is not completed in class. Although students are expected to complete homework independently, it does need to be regularly sighted and signed by parents.

Students will be given a major assignment called “My Country” this term that will need to be completed over several weeks; This assignment is designed to be interesting and fun. It does not require any parental assistance and is not academically arduous. However, it does require a great deal of effort by the students. This assignment encourages good time management skills which will assist in preparing them for high school.

We feel that the homework expectations are realistic, however if your child is not coping, please send a note and we will endeavour to work with them in class.

TEACHER MEETINGS

If at any time you feel that you need to see any of the teachers, please do not hesitate to contact us either in person, phone or by email.

To access the site:

Contact Details

Sacred Heart School Mosman

Phone: (02) 99696600

Fax: (02) 99604213

Email: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au

Web: http://www.sacredheartmosman.com/

Teacher Email:

jacinta.tucker@shmosman.catholic.edu.au 6 Blue Mon-Wed and Fri

jane.harrison@shmosman.catholic.edu.au 6 Blue Thursday