Year 6 Curriclum Update

Update - Semester 2, Week 1

Language

Reading - We are currently in our guided reading groups exploring both fiction and non-fiction text.  One of the key focus points is on using information from the text to provide informed responses which in turn, demonstrate a sound understanding of what is being read.  Students continue to complete activities via Edmodo which is available to them outside the classroom.  Over the next week the student will be completed Reading test which will allow us to regroup and monitor reading progress.

Oral - Through discussion we are focusing on asking and answering question to introduce new ideas and further develop the depth of discussion.  Being able to stay focused is an important component of this.

Writing - We have just finished integrating our Mighty Media unit to create a variety of advertisements which use the persuasive tools and figurative language to promote a product.  Presently we are using our ODE experience to emphasis the styles and conventions of journalism to write either a tabloid article or broadsheet article.

Our next genre focus explores narrative writing, in particular, the development of plot, characters and the structure used to write an extended story.  Throughout the planning and drafting process the students will focusing on fluidity between paragraphs.  The student will be building on previous language skills and use of devices to help portray imagery for the reading.

Alongside our writing we will investigate meanings and spellings of connectives as well as how to use more sophisticated forms of punctuation.

Mathematics
We are investigating number. Some of the learning outcomes include:

• difference between negative and positive numbers, and negative and negative numbers.
• ordering and comparing negative and positive numbers.
• adding and subtracting decimals
• solving problems involving ratio and proportion which will allow us to reinvestigate concepts explored during our fractions, decimals and percentage unit.
• exploring multiplication and division strategies for mental calculations.  For example; multiplying and dividing by multiples of 10.
• multiplying and dividing two or three digit numbers by a single digit or two a digit number.

Students will be completing a pre test to uncover their prior knowledge and then placed in differentiated groups with specific activities and enrichment material to provide “hands on” opportunities to apply their knowledge.  The students are expected to explore and complete the relevant section(s) of Mathletics and/or Khan Academy that corresponds to what is being covered in class.

Unit of Inquiry (UOI)

The students are currently completing their Mighty Media project where they looked at persuasive language, advertising techniques and target audiences.  For this project their task was to design and create a print ad and a radio ad promoting the KICS Junior Arabic Evening.

Next we will explore the transdisciplinary theme of How The World Works with our unit Energy For Life.

Central Idea

Energy exists in many forms and is changed, stored and used in different ways.

Lines of Inquiry

• Forms and sources of energy.
• Storage and transformation of energy.
• Conservations of energy.
• Renewable and sustainable energy.

If you are particularly knowledgeable or experienced in this area it would be wonderful to hear from you.  Maybe you could visit us or we could visit you.