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TERM 2 WEEK 4 2022
We are so thrilled that we were finally able to experience a full term of school. Term 1 marked the first full term of school in two whole years! We are focussed on designing engaging and rewarding learning experiences for our children as they learn to be together once again as a learning community.
inquiry through-line for term 2: DESIGN
inquiry through-line for term 2: DESIGN
This term across the school we are exploring the concept of DESIGN
People think creatively and critically to develop products and solve problems to meet the changing needs of our community. Our students work collaboratively through creative process where they visualise, design, produce, test and evaluate products for specific purposes. We seek to stimulate their imagination, creativity, reflectiveness and persistence.
prep
prep
his term in Inquiry, the Preps are jetting off around the world!
We began our unit by understanding Earth's position in the solar system. We now know that, what makes Earth so special, is that it is liveable! It is made up of land and water. We looked at Earth on Google Maps and zoomed in closely to explore what Earth has - we saw people, roads, trees, buildings, water ways, houses, etc.
The Preps explored the story of Australia as a country and our First Nations People. We made connections to the food, culture, traditions and languages of Australia.The children worked together to create a collaborative art piece of the Australian flags. We learned that we are all Australian and that we live in Melbourne, Victoria... but our personal family trees include other cultural backgrounds from all over the world.
Recently, we learned about what a passport is and why we need one to travel. Each week, we are going to travel to a different country on a virtual airplane, and immerse ourselves in their culture! The Preps will learn about the flag, map, language, food, music and traditions of that country. We will also be using Google Maps to visit the country and its different landmarks to help us feel like we are really there! Each lesson when we ‘arrive’ at a new country, we are going to get our passports stamped to make our learning real, rich and relevant.
We've also learned that when people travel, they often use an itinerary - a document that shows them where they’ve organised to go and what they’ve organised to do. Based on our Prep itinerary that addresses some of the dominant cultural backgrounds of our year level, in the coming weeks we will be creating something to represent each country we learn about. It is going to be made specifically for the special event we are planning to attend in that country.
grade 1
grade 1
In Religion this term, Grade 1 students have been exploring what it means to belong. Children discussed different groups they could belong to such as family, school, clubs and our Church family.
We discussed ways to show we belong such as attending special places and saying special words such as prayers. Children then had the opportunity to take part in a Mass where they demonstrated Reverence by genuflecting, responding to special prayers and listening to a special Scripture focusing on Loving One Another.
After Mass, children then explored the different items they had seen in the Church and their significance. such as the altar, lectern, crucifix etc.
grade 2
grade 2
This term, the Year 2s are working on Narrative Writing. We are going to be writing imaginative stories for an audience's entertainment. Our narratives will focus on character and setting description, where we will improve our skills in using descriptive language. We will also focus on using sentence parts such as nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, synonyms, and much more. This is our work on character descriptions.
grade 3
grade 3
This term in inquiry, the Grade 3 students have been learning about circuits, and conductors and insulators of electricity. They are currently in the process of experimenting with Makey Makey devices and coding using a program called Scratch which is free to use. At the end of the term, we hope the students will be able to code their Makey Makeys to do some really cool things! Did you know that a banana is a conductor of electricity?!
IMG-5538.movIMG_0230.MOV
These students made a piano using grey lead!
grade 4
grade 4
This term in Inquiry, the Year 4’s have been investigating how simple circuits work with the help of a MaKey MaKey. Students have investigated conductive materials and worked collaboratively to figure out how to close a circuit. Students will use their growing knowledge of circuits combined with their teamwork and literacy skills to design and publish a procedure for their innovative MaKey MaKey project.
IMG_2168.HEICMakey Makey.jpgIMG_2176.HEICgrade 5
grade 5
It has been incredibly busy in Grade 5 so far this term! On the first day of term Grade 5s participated in a preparation day for camp and dedicated some time to working as a team and using their collaboration skills! A highlight of the day was practising stuffing sleeping bags which thank goodness was a great preparation for camp!
The Grade 5s had a fabulous time whilst being away from home during the Grade 5/6 camp to Phillip Island in Week 1. They canoed, built rafts, shot arrows, swung from the giant swing, zipped down the flying fox, explored Smiths Beach, worked together through an initiative course and attended the Penguin Parade.
In the past two weeks Grade 5s prepared for and completed their first NAPLAN sessions. They assisted one another through collaboratively unpacking questions through discussing their strategies in small groups. They persevered and supported their peers to build everyone's confidence! We are very proud of their efforts in keeping a growth mindset and giving their best during these sessions.Great work Grade 5s YOU DID IT!
In grade 5 the children have been excited and highly engaged to be learning about circuits and coding through the use of snap circuit kits. The children have been working in teams to design and create projects that brings electricity to life, including alarms, radio, light switches and even a speaker that sings happy birthday! Stay tuned for more as we move into the awesome world of microbits!
IMG_7352.MOVgrade 6
grade 6
5/6 Phillip Island Camp
The Grade Six students learnt a series of real life skills at Phillip Island Camp. The learning opportunities for independence and problem solving shone through as the students faced new experiences and challenges away from the familiarity of school and their parents. Outside of their comfort zone, many memories were made, laughter was heard and fear of heights were conquered.
Below are snapshots and reflections from the different perspectives of the children's experience.
specialist DRAMA
specialist DRAMA
Year 4 Drama - Slapstick
Some zany slapstick characters have been on set at St Thomas More this term. Year 4 have been learning how to create characters for their Silent Film production. They have been exploring slapstick characteristics, exaggeration, and storytelling to bring their characters to life. Stay tuned...this show isn't over yet!
4M Slapstick characters.MOVspecialist ITALIAN
specialist ITALIAN
The Year 1 & 2 children wrote their own sentences in Italian using adjectives to describe their mum for their Mother's day card. Bravo!!!
specialist art
specialist art
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ARTS FESTIVAL!
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ARTS FESTIVAL!
It is a short term, but an action packed term! We hope to be able to resume Celebrations of learning with parents on site in classrooms soon! This time, all year levels are inviting their parents to a celebration of learning in our church with a class mass. Please see the email from your child's teacher. We hope you can attend!
Kate Korber
Learning & Teaching Leader
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