Tag Archives: Grade 5

Geography, connections and model creations

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This term, Year 5 and Year 6 students have worked together to explore connections within our geographical world. We have learnt that small actions can have big effects. Throughout this Inquiry we have tried to show our thinking and learning in different ways.

We worked in small groups to show our thinking using a model. We tried to communicate a deeper meaning through the structures, images and colours we used and show the connections between the man-made and natural world. Below are some examples of our work, with an explanation of our thinking and our creations:

A factory creates smoke which pollutes the air and creates global warming. Global warming is causing cyclones. The black coming out of the chimney represents the smoke, the green represents pollution. The yellow turning to red represents the air getting hotter. On the other side a cyclone is forming from the smoke coming out of the factory. This shows the connection between our actions and natural disasters. Continue reading →

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Coding in the classroom

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When I was at school, speculation about “what we’d be when we grew up” was confined to a large but relatively unchanging list of careers (on my list was a psychologist, a librarian and an air stewardess, none of which I did but all jobs that still exist). In comparison, today’s students have a working life ahead of them that most likely includes jobs that haven’t been conceived as yet; a ‘physical workplace’  that is defined by technology; and multiple changes of career (these speculations make for interesting reading).

If you’re wondering just how different things might be in the future, and what that means in the classroom today, take a close look at the instructions on the whiteboard in the photo below – ‘Create three sprites (one drawn)’ and ‘Code your sprites with motion’ – what?!

Year 5 and 6 students are undertaking coding classes and share some of their experiences so far –

Continue reading →

How much fun can be had in three days? Lots!

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Although the weather wasn’t as kind as it has been for previous camps, it didn’t stop our Year 5s from enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities at Camp Manyung in Mount Eliza. Some of the students share their experience –

Grade 5 Camp 2016

On the 23rd of November, 2016, the Grade 5 children, teachers and some parents went to Camp Manyung in Mount Eliza. Continue reading →

A city full of history

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Last week, the Year 5 and 6 students saw Melbourne through new eyes – Year 5 teacher, Alex Schifter, tells how.

56-ex-3Last week, the Year 5 and 6 students traveled into the city to become explorers for a day as part of our History Inquiry unit. We have been looking at the Colonial period of Australian history and exploring how history can be told from different perspectives. Continue reading →

And they’re racing!

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We could not have asked for a better day for last week’s House Cross Country meet. While Mr Penson and Kerry limbered up ahead of their participation in every race, Clare made sure the competitors were physically and psychologically ready to run. I took careful note of her words of wisdom at the start of the U11 Boys race – “I want you to push out of your comfort zone. I’m not asking you to vomit but work hard.” (Excellent advice – I’ll remember this next time I go out for yum cha).

Over to Clare Connor for the results –

cross-country-2016-1What a sensational sunny day for our Cross Country at Hays Paddock on Tuesday 19th April. As the year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students entered the main entrance, the oval was soon filled with colour and excited cheers. Continue reading →

So long, farewell… But one more thing before we go!

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It almost time for our Year 6 students to say farewell to Kew Primary. Before they take their Year 6 wisdom with them, I asked them to share something they’ve learnt this year, or some advice for the incoming 2016 Year 6 students.  This is what they had to say –

The advice ranged from the very practical – Continue reading →

Words Worth Listening To

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Last week, the Grade fives and sixes did something that can make many adults break out in a nervous sweat – public speaking. We shouldn’t underestimate how challenging this task can be for kids but at the same time, public speaking is a skill that, if learnt early, will serve you well for life.

words-worth-listening-to-4Seeing and hearing our accomplished senior school students made me think about my own public speaking experience and how it very much shaped my teens and what I did at university. When I was 15, I went on school exchange to Germany. One of the conditions of the exchange program was that I complete a Toastmasters public speaking course. I loathed it (and only kept going because of the promise of lederhosen and strudel in my future). Continue reading →