Student Stories, Published Book Launch

Dear parents,

On Thursday the 18^th December at 3pm, we will be having a launch of our student publication. This will happen outside 3/ 4 neighbourhood 2. 

The publication includes fantastic writing produced by a group of 3 /4 students who elected to attend additional writer workshops throughout the year (led by parent writer experts). All are welcome. 

If you have pledged to buy additional copies can you please ensure that you (or your child) have money ready on the day.  

Apologies for the late notice and thanks for all the support you have offered through the year. 

Extra big thanks again to the publication parent team - Winne, Nova and Lisa

See you there!

Sapphire's Holiday Plans and More...

As the holiday's approach, it is time to organise a holiday venue for Sapphire!  Janette and Mary both go away on holiday during January, and so we need your help.  IF anyone, or a group of families, can take Sapphire home for a vacation, please see Mary this week.

And now for some breaking news....  After 8 years as our wonderful classroom pet, we would like to find a permanent new home for Sapphire.  Many of your have taken Sapphire home on weekends or for a holiday during time in our neighbourhood, so you know how easy she is to care for, and what a marvellous pet she is.  If you would like to offer a new home for her on a permanent basis, please catch up with Mary this week.

Thanks everyone.
Janette & Mary.

Seeking Ex-Princes Hill Primary Students!

Hello everyone

In the 3/4 inquiry, our Action Groups are looking at how we can change our school. One aspect of the project is thinking about changes that may have already occurred. 

We are looking to invite ex-students of the school to come in and talk about what it was like when they were here.

As a celebration of Princes Hill's history we would like to make this a part of the Open Day coming up on the 3rd of December which is ultimately in place to celebrate the school's 125th Anniversary!

Yes that's right .. It's a momentous time of our school!

SO .. if you or someone you know attended the school and would be prepared to come and share your stories and answer some questions (only for five minutes or so) please get in touch with Alexandra in the 3/4 neighbourhood.

It would really add a special component to celebrating the school's historical journey.

Thank you

State Library Victoria Excursion

The Library Action Group went on an excursion to the State Library Victoria. We began with a tour, before attending the Living Library workshop where we created an online exhibition. The exhibition can be viewed here:

http://padlet.com/slveducation/dsl94nb599gj

Here are some photos of the day of the excursion. You can click on them to enlarge.

The group began by researching the people who were in the library. Why were they there? What were they doing? We found out that many people were there to do research. Others came for the free wi-fi. Many told us that they liked the ambience.

We looked at the things on display. We found out later that only half the contents of the library are books. 

We learned how stereoscopes work.

Some of us were intrigued by the documentary of the Great War.

We dressed like gentlemen.

The Living Library workshop.

Botanical Garden Excursion

It was a beautiful sunny day at the Botanical Gardens. Here are some photos of the day.

We began with a workshop on directions and how to use a compass. 

Here the students are controlling each other using compass directions.

We then set off on a mini-orienteering.

"South-West is this way!"

It was VERY hot inside the Glass House.

Garden workshop with the education officer of Botanical Gardens.

Potting some wallaby grass.

Creating shelter with natural materials. This was a lot of fun!

These students have created a teepee.

These students are building a jail.

State Library Victoria Excursion - Thursday 13th November

Just a reminder that the Library Action Group will be going to the State Library Victoria to attend the Living Library Workshop this Thursday. We will be leaving straight after lunch where the bus will take us straight to the SLV. We will be returning around 3:00.

If there are any students in the Library Action Group whop has not yet returned the pink excursions form, please make sure they bring this in before Wednesday. If there are still parents who would like to come along, we would be delighted with any offers.

Parent helpers for approaching excursions

Hello everyone,

Within our inquiry each action group is planning excursions specifically to explore concepts being explored in each group. For each excursion the group teacher will need a little support for supervision of the students.

Please come and see the relevant teacher for information regarding any excursion you are interested in and available for.

** On Thursday the 13th of November THE LIBRARY action group are visiting The State Library with Tomo.

** On Monday the 17th of November THE PASSIVE PLAY action group are visiting William Ricketts Sanctuary with Nic

** Also on Monday the 17th of November THE OVAL action group are visiting the MCG with Keith.

and

** On Tuesday the 18th of November THE SUSTAINABILITY action group are visiting Ceres Environmental Park with Alexandra

Each group will need 2 - 3 parent helpers.

Thank you

The 3/4 Team

...:::::URGENT - SUPPORT REQUIRED:::::...

We have not had enough expressions of interest in joining the 3/4's visit to The Botanical Gardens on Monday and we need some parents to come along.

The department of education stipulates that we need a certain ratio of students to adults and at this stage we do not have enough parent helpers to make up those numbers.

We need five (or more).

The more the merrier really.

Please make sure you come and see the 3/4 teachers if your are available to come.

Thank you in advance

3/4 Excursion to the Botanical Gardens

On Monday the 3rd of November, as a part of our "change' inquiry, students will visit the Botanical Gardens for an opportunity to further generate ideas as to how we can take small steps to make significant changes to 'things that matter'. 
They have identified specific areas in the school collecting and collating data and now searching for ideas to begin to take action. Whilst at the gardens, students will visit the newly refurbished Ian Potter Children's Garden; they will visit the Planted Volcano, view The Art of Botanical Exhibition and more.

A notice has gone home this week so please ensure that it is returned promptly so your child can join us.

Any parents / carers that would like to come and enjoy the day out please come and see your neighbourhood teachers by Friday.

Thanks

Numeracy Home Learning

Our main numeracy focus this term in the 3/4 neighbourhood is on fractions. We have had requests from parents on some additional material for home learning for numeracy. Although we do not have Mathletics online anymore, we are still able to provide the booklets and so we have uploaded this here for you to print out at home.

3Addtion_and_Sutraction_-Student_Book.pdf

3Multiplication_and_Division-Student_Book.pdf

4Addition_and_Subtraction_-_Student_book.pdf

4Multiplication_and_Division_-_Student_book.pdf

Disco Night!! Friday 24th October

Roll up, Roll up to our wonderful CARNIVAL/DISCO  Night – Friday 24th October from 6pm –8pm at the gym/back oval. 

We will have an evening of dancing and laughter. There will be a few surprises and some prizes for best costumes and dancers. You may impress us with a hula hoop or create a magnificent mask – there will be something for everyone! 

Most importantly it is an opportunity to catch up with our wonderful community. 

Bring a picnic and a picnic blanket or chairs to sit on – we hope you can make it! 

Email Kathryn at kathryn@jonestid.com.au if you have any questions.

Don't forget your dancing shoes,
See you there!

WOORABINDA CAMP - 24-28th NOVEMBER

WOORABINDA CAMP

 

24-28th NOVEMBER

 

Year 4 students selected for the Woorabinda Camp, run by the education department, have now received their paper work from the camp. Can this be returned to Kerri Gibson by Wednesday 22nd October. There is a payment of $175.00. Please pay this through the school.

 

I will pass on information regarding the camp as it comes to me. We have applied to have a 3-4 teacher attend the camp with the children and are awaiting the outcome of this application.  

 

Please Note:
On arrival students will be going directly for a bush adventure on Woorabinda’s property. They will not be accessing their bags until mid-afternoon so will need the following on the bus with them:

• Wearing suitable runners/bush walking shoes (no open toed footwear)
• Any medication required for lunch or in case of emergency (Epi-Pen, asthma pumps etc.) must be carried with the student on the bus.
• Suitable clothing for bush walks taking into consideration the weather forecast for the first day of the program.

Kerri Gibson

(Assistant Principal)

Ukulele Club Term 4

Hello

A quick update on the progress of the Ukulele club.

We have shifted our focus in the club lately as there is a musical component linking in with the current Inquiry; our action groups. We are hoping to inspire and action positive changes within our school to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.

The seed of motivation has been planted and the tree of enthusiasm will soon blossom. To support this beautiful visual, we have appropriated the chord progression from Paul Kelly's "From big things, little things grow" which is a lovely springboard to the musical possibilities that will be gently guided by the amazing musical talent of Dedorah Kayser who has been inspiring the groups to consider music as a communication format.

In support of this process the Ukulele club, whose members are spread throughout the action groups, will be practicing the chords to help each group and Deb plan and implement what they would like to do wit the song.

Below is all the information that is required for those students in the club, as well as any other students that would like to pick up a Uke and get involved. Feel free to download and print it out.

Thanks

from little things.docx

Mindfulness in Action Sessions

This Thursday the year 3 and 4 students will begin the first of six Mindfulness sessions run by the Lifeskills Group. The sessions will help children to build social and emotional skills as well as  help them develop their self awareness, focus and empathy. It is our aim to equip students with practical skills to help them to deal with challenging situations positive and healthy way.


For more information please follow the link below or see Keith in the 3/4 area.
http://www.lifeskillsgroup.com.au/primary-skills-mindfulness-in-action

Action Required

The Bazaar Hamper Baskets for the Prep Neighbourhood to fill have been placed in the neighbourhoods. The theme for each hamper is listed below.


3/4 Nic - Taste of Italy
3/4 Mary and Janette - Middle Eastern Delights
3/4 Tomo - Gourmet
3/4 Alexandra - Masterchef
3/4 Keith - High tea


The hampers are used as prizes at the school bazaar in November. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

THE GREAT BOOK SWAP ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17th

To help raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to buy books for remote indigenous communities who don’t have access to books we’re holding a Great Big Book Swap. It also means we all get to have a new book!!!

There are schools involved across Australia and the target is $100,000 to buy 10,000 books.

If every child can please bring a book to school on Weds Sept 17 that they love but no longer want and a gold coin donation, then they can be part of the book swap. By donating a gold coin, they can then swap their book for a new book that someone else has donated.

They just need to bring their books to the gym before school starts on Weds Sept. 17 and the gym will turn into a huge book swapping bookshop at lunch time. 

Hopefully everyone will be involved so we can all raise money for a very important cause and have a terrific new book to take home. Check out the website for more information:www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

CAMP INFORMATION WEEK 8

Hello everyone!

Nearly there.

Thank you to all the parents who so enthusiastically put up their hands to be a part of the 2014 3/4 camp experience. Your eagerness to participate has been astounding and it is lovely to see so many of you wanting to be involved.

We have at this staged constructed our parent supervision team and are full steam ahead with all the other details leading up to camp next week.

Camp is going to be a very positive experience for all the children and we are looking forward to their reflections on it afterward.

All students have been handed a 'what to bring' notice, please ensure you have recieved this or come and see Nic in Neighbourhood 1 to get a new one.

Also, ALL students coming to camp will need to bring a packed lunch on Monday. Please do not forget.

Thank you
Nic
Camp Coordinator

Camp Information Week 6 Term 3

Hello everyone,
Camp notices have been handed out Wednesday this week.

You will notice that the return date is the 22nd of August which is an error. The date of expected return in the 28th of August (Thursday of next week; Week 7).

There will be more and more information in the coming weeks regarding the camp program, what to bring and accommodation details.

Selected parent supervisory volunteers are also being notified this week.

Please keep an eye on the 3/4 blog for updates and information.

If you have any questions please come and see your neighbourhood teachers.

Thanks,
Nic and Tomo
Camp Coordinators

Book Talk

Could you help...?

A big thank you to all parents who have continued coming to Book Talk, or who have been able to join us for the first time this term.  We really appreciate the time and effort you put in each week.

Book Talk was on Wednesdays, and in case you hadn't caught up with the news, it is now on Mondays, due to chess starting this term in the old Book Talk timeslot.  With the switch to Monday Book Talk (9 am), we are finding that a few parents are no longer able to come, and on balance, neighbourhood one in particular would be greatly assisted by any new parents who would like to volunteer. Perhaps you  have time on Monday morning, and could come in to read with a group of children?  The focus is on bringing a book, or finding a book from our collection, to read to the students, discussing features of the text and sharing responses to it as you go.

If you would like to join us, please just turn up on Monday at 9.10!  Alternatively, you can find out more about it by speaking with one of the teachers.

Book Week

As part of Book Week the students will be participating in a whole school mini inquiry., commencing on Monday the 11^th  of August  and concluding with a special 2.30 pm assembly  on Thursday 21^st of August. 

A big part of the inquiry will be to investigate, through book talk, how readers connect to the stories they read, and the kinds of personal, social, cultural and literary assumptions the writer is making about their reader.   

A reader’s prior knowledge and experiences support readers in responding to the meanings of the texts they read.  Book talk not only encourages students to engage in and respond to the books they are reading, but by listening  to the varied experiences of  their peers, also enriches their own experience of the text. As a community of readers, we would like to extend an invitation for parents to come into the neighbourhood of their child and share a book that resonated with them at a similar age.  

Please let your child’s teachers know if you would like to participate in sharing your experience with the children  by arranging a suitable time for this to occur.

Tim Aris

Student learning

Stories of change - seeking parents and community members to share short stories from their experience

Dear parents,
As part of our inquiry into 'How and why changes happens?' we are wanting to offer students true stories about change. We are wondering what are meaningful or significant changes that have happened in your life? Would you be willing to share a story with students about a change that you have experienced or witnessed? We are thinking about ten minute story telling sessions.

The change story may be:
  *A personal experience or a change that you witnessed in another person, community or a country
  *Recent or from a long time ago

The sharing could be:
 *To a large group or small group
 *Accompanied by pictures, music or any other props if you would like
 *Via Skype if you were unable to leave work during the school day

Please let teachers know in person or through email if you have any ideas. Please encourage others to come in to. hilvert.alexandra.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

Book Talk is Back

Calling all parents to our new Monday morning time slot

Book Talk will start again in week 2 (21/7/14). We are so keen to have parents involved. We welcome all parents back who can continue to come and invite new parents (and grandparents) to get involved. Book Talk is a small group book sharing opportunity that supports students curiosity and momentum as readers. The sessions run from 9.10am till about 10am on Monday mornings. Parents will always be supported by teachers. We welcome any time that parents have to share – this may be a one off or every week. Please note that the day change is because of chess education this term. We apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

Seeking a parent/helper one hour a week to support a small group of sustainability leaders

We are currently on the look out for a parent (or parents, grandparents etc) who is able to support the Junior School Council students for 1 hour a week on a Friday afternoon. The group is also being supported by Kerri Gibson (assistant principal), Tim Aris (5/6 teacher) and Alexandra Hilvert (3/4 teacher and sustainability coordinator). The role would involve working with a group of 10 committed and passionate students (from yrs 3-6). This role will not require any planning and there will always be a teacher to support you. 

At the moment the students are beginning to brainstorm a whole school sustainability celebration day in term 3. This event will involve all students, teachers and interested parents. The Junior School Council's goal is to empower students to take leadership and extend their student voice across our community. This role represents an opportunity to support students to make a positive difference. Please to or email or speak with us if you are keen and please encourage others who you think would enjoy this opportunity. 

Alexandra Hilvert
hilvert.alexandra.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

How Wolves Change Rivers

As a part of the Change Inquiry, the students were given the opportunity to watch this fantastic video about how the introduction of wolves in the Yellowstone National Park can impact a huge range of the elements in the environment.

Numeracy weeks 5 & 6

During weeks 5 and 6, some students in the 3/4 neighbourhood  have been further investigating decimal fractions through several visual materials. Other students have moved into operations and specifically prolem solving through addition stories. We have also began to look at the concept of 'relationships' (number can be used to compare and order) through our data collection project.

Decimal Fractions
The two materials we focused on during our investigation on decimal fractions during week 5 and 6 were decimats and deciwire. These were both very hands on materials that allowed students to really see visually the size of the number made up of tenths and hundredths. These materials were specifically used to correct the misconception that longer the number is after the decimal point, the larger the value of the number (misconception that 0.25 < 0.3 because 25 is larger than 3). This is often called longer-is-larger misconception. Students were instructed to create and order decimal fraction numbers using decimats during week 5. In week 6, we consolidated this idea by creating several decimal numbers with straws and string (see photo).

Check out our deciwire on our wall!

This is a very hands on way of looking at decimal fractions.
Here, children discuss the decimal number while creating the deciwire. 

Addition Stories
To begin our investigation into operation, we looked into various word problems in the form of stories. We investigated exactly what the problem was asking us to do, what informations were given, which information was important to the question and which were not and what operation or rule we would use to solve the problem. Children had a lot of fun creating their own addition stories and sharing them with the group to see whether the others could figure them out.

Data Project
As a part of our investigation into the four big ideas of Mathematics, we are beginning our exploration of the concept of 'relationship' through the data project. In this project, students are given the question "What books do children read in our Neighbourhood?" Students plan how they collect and represent the data during the maths investigation sessions. This week we began planning the collection of the data by looking at the three steps; 1. What are we going to find out? 2. What data can we get? and 3. How do we get the data? The students will then look into designing the collection of data and reflect on its efficiency. Finally, they will organize, categorise, analyse and represent the data in a way appropriate to its context.

Home Learning
Decimal fractions - ordering decimal numbers is very important in children's understanding. Here are two games I like playing. 
Balloon Game
Flower Power game

Addition Stories - Creating addition stories is always fun at home. We often find a picture and make up stories to challenge each other. Sometimes we insert unnecessary information to try and trick each other. This website has a huge selection of word problems for you and your children to look at together. It's important to always discuss what the question is asking them to do. Sometimes getting the children to draw a diagram of the problem can help.

Premiere Reading Challenge

The annual Victorian Premier's reading Challenge is upon us again and we are excited at what books children will be reading this year!

To begin with, some parents have been requesting the link to the Premier reading Challenge form so here is the link:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/events/prc/consentecschools.pdf

I thought it might be nice to recommend a few books during the challenge so here are a few of my selections...


1. THE NAME OF THIS BOOK IS SECRET by Pseudonymous Bosch
This series by the wonderfully named author is written in a witty manner, with a lot of play on words and acrobatics with language. The storyline isn't bad either. There are five books in the series and they are, by all accounts, equally funny and engaging. We found this copy at Readings.


2. WONDER by RJ Palacio
This book was my daughter's favourite for a long time. It is a beautiful story about a 10 year old boy with Treacher Collins syndrome which causes deformities on his face. I like this book as it is written not only through the eyes of the boy, but through many different POVs. Also found at Readings.

3. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE by Dianne Wynne Jones
Yes, I too, loved this film. But it was a book first. Here is a quote:

"Wizard Howl's castle was rumbling and bumping toward her across the moorland. Black smoke was blowing up in clouds from behind its black battlements. It looked tall and thin and heavy and ugly and very sinister indeed."

Perfect for looking at the setting of a narrative, don't you think? I found this for my Kindle, but I'm sure you can find it in bookshops. If not, The Book Depository is pretty good.

That's my three recommendations for now (I will do some more another time). If you have any recommendations of your own, please add it on the comments below!

Thanks!

ICT User Agreement

 Hello everyone,

As you are aware all students have been signing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) user agreements across the school. 

The new ICT User Agreement, which has been distributed to the students last week, helps ensure digital technologies (including online, software and hardware) are consistently being used in a safe and responsible way throughout the school to support and extend student learning.

Please find posted here a digital copy of the ICT User Agreement for your reference.

It can be downloaded and printed from here also.

Thank you for your ongoing support


ICT USER agreement.docx

Students Eye View: Book Talk

Every Wednesday for the past term parents have come into read novels to small groups of children. Kids come to school with smiles on their faces, excited to listen to stories.

We have interviewed some people about what they feel/like about book talk.

"How do you feel about Book Talk?"

Emma - "It's nice to listen because it's really calming"

Nic (teacher) - "It's calming, it's nice and it's an opportunity for parents to join in too"

Genevieve - "It's really really wonderful and inspiring, but I still think that children should read to Adults"

Gideon - "I feel like it's a good moment to listen. I like Book Talk."

Aidan - "Happy because ... I don' t really know but I'm excited on Wednesdays!"


                                                                                            Written by Evie


(well done Evie!)

Proofreading, Wordstudy and improving your writing!

Since the beginning of term there has been a veritable explosion of narrative writing in the neighbourhood.  All the students have worked on at least one story, many have written two or more, and some have written one story that is reaching EPIC proportions!  In the past two Friday Feedback sessions, several students have read their drafts aloud to the neighbourhood, and received really useful tips and comments from their peers.  Moving towards publication is a goal with many steps along the way...

The process of conferencing with each student regarding the content, sentence structure, spelling and overall shape of their narrative is on-going. The teachers watch for emerging trends and possibilities for teaching points both to the individual as we conference, and also to larger groups when we see common needs.  These range from structural aspects, such as using paragraphs, to improving word-choices to engage the reader, to learning about punctuation of speech or more complex sentences. 

Every student has taken part in a proofreading and goal-setting workshop which focussed them on aspects of their writing they know they can work on.  For many students this also involves learning to correctly spell words they usually mis-spell.  We are running workshops to develop the students' skills in this regard, as well as specific targets for those students in whom we see a definite need to learn particular patterns or grammatical structures, such as how to deal with plurals! 

You can help at home by asking your child if they would like to let you read their story or read it aloud to you, and give them your perspective on their writing...

• did they capture your attention with an interesting beginning? 
• do you have a picture in your mind of the setting or the main character?
• did you find anything confusing?  (sometimes students don't realise they are switching from first to third to second person point of view, and it can take some time for them to understand what this means for the reader!)
• do they want your suggestions for how to introduce or overcome a tricky problem?

Building a Reading Community

Alongside the ever-popular Book Talk sessions on Wednesday, we are encouraging ongoing reading and sharing of literature in the neighbourhood and at home through the use of a Reading Log.  We have asked the children to record the books they have read/are reading for the month of May on their reading log, which has been pasted inside their reader's/writer's book at school. 

The overall purpose of asking the children to record their books is to facilitate the communication between the children, teachers, and parents regarding exciting, interesting, and wonderful literature.  However, this will not be achieved if all the children do is write down their reading choices on their book log which stays in their bag or locker!  SO, there are several supporting parts within this initiative.

One is creating a means and a method for the children to share information about the books they have read.  Summarising is an essential skill that supports growth in comprehension; we all summarise and re-phrase what we read in order to connect new events or information.  So, we have spent several weeks this term exploring this skill by writing a "Story Line in a Sentence" (or sometimes "two sentences"!) after reading a text.  This is called a "SLIS" and is quite a challenging thing to do; especially for a longer text!  We are asking the students to write one, in their reader's/writer's book, after recording each book they've read in May.  This then makes it possible to communicate effectively, and briefly, about reading possibilities with each other.  We had a very successful "speed sharing" of books this Wednesday, May 21st, after Book Talk... and may have more in the future!

The second way of sharing is less technical and more creative; a response to the book.  The children do not have to create a response to every book they read, unlike the SLIS.  They are expected to create one response to a book they have read in May. (of course they can create more if they wish...) The response may take a variety of forms;

•  artistic (a painting or drawing of a scene that is critical or particularly resonated with them)
• creative (a diorama, collage, construction, model, puppet...relating to a scene/character)
• musical (a soundtrack using Garageband for a scene in the book)
• performative (selecting a scene to read aloud to others in a dramatic manner)

These responses can then be shared in the neighbourhood which will also create more interest, discussion and opportunities for students to discover new reading material together.  There is also a powerful interaction between studying and responding to an author's ability to evoke a setting, scene, character or devise a plot-line, and enlarging one's own ideas an skill-base.  As we explore the idea of narrative in the over-arching inquiry, this aspect of studying and responding to literature feeds the children's awareness and  skills regarding the art of excellent narrative creation, empowering them as they write for others.

Narrative Settings

In our inquiry this term, we are focusing on the concept of change through narratives. This week, we are exploring the "setting" of narratives and supporting the students in creating a detailed setting to base their narratives. As a part of this, we have set up provocations to allow students to engage in many aspect of the creation of setting during learning agreement. Students are invited to watch a short film of a variety of scenery in the performance area and respond to it through a shared poster, create a diorama in the art space, listen to soundscapes in the media room and draw and write what they imagine, and construct a scene using materials provided on the construction area. These provocations will allow students to develop better skills in constructing a setting using their imagination.

Students listen to the soundscapes and respond to it through drawing and writing.

Students will also experience a workshop this week where they will create their own "Choose Your Own Adventure" stories, giving them an opportunity to practice these skills.

Sharing the love of reading!

EDIT - After some parent feedback we realised we had not included the day of BOOK DAY!!

It's this Wednesday the 21st of May!

Students will be sharing their books among themselves which will help spread the love of reading and different books to read.

Hello everyone!

This coming week we will be asking the students to bring a book from home - this can be a book which is currently being read or an old favourite! 

We will be sharing our books and ideas and talking about why we love certain books.

In addition to Book Talk, this is a lovely way for the students to engage with reading.

Please support your child in remember to select a book and bring it in.

Numeracy weeks 3 & 4

Recently, we have been exploring the concept of place value through representing and renaming  large numbers during our numeracy sessions.

Using MAB blocks, the students built large structures and and towers. MAB blocks, sometimes referred to as base-ten blocks, are a classroom manipulative that help children visualize and better understand concepts of mathematics such as the base-ten number system, renaming of numbers and operations. As each block has a value of 1, 10, 100 or a 1000, the students were able to work out the 'value' of their tower or structure.

Some of the assessments derived from this activity include the students' ability to rename numbers (10 of these is one of this), trusting the count, naming and recording large numbers, and calculations through use of different operations.

Here are some photos of the activity.

Students begin to create their structures.

This is clearly an enjoyable and engaging activity.

Some challenge themselves to build extremely high towers.

Others are more intricate.

The students are then asked to demolish their tower and work out it's 'value'.
Here you  can see students grouping different units into groups to accurately record the value.

Students are able to demonstrate how many by arranging the blocks in groups of ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.
Here, you can clearly see that these students have 6864.

HOME LEARNING
Students may want to go to this website to explore large numbers some more. Here, they are able to create their own large numbers, and see if they can name it correctly before checking it. 

I also quite like this game where students must either identify which numeral is in which place value, or write a number according to the words (there is a bit of shooting involved, but it's for the sake of mathematics).

Basketball Club

There is a Basketball Club available for the 3/4 Neighbourhood during lunchtime.

All are welcome. 

Come and join in the fun! 

We will be developing ball handling skills, shooting and learning team strategies for half the session then playing some matches.

When: Thursday lunchtimes

Where: GYM

Time: 11.15 – 12.00

What to bring: Water bottle, appropriate footwear

Kind regards,

Maddy

Some of the action at Basketball Club

Premiers Reading Challenge MASCOT: Lachlan the Reading Dog!

Hey everyone,

We have just posted about the Premiers Reading Challenge and thought we would follow that post up with the PRC's Mascot 'Lachlan the Reading Dog'!

Lachlan the Reading Dog is our 2014 Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge mascot. He is a loveable smooth collie, a bit like the movie star Lassie, but without the fluffy coat. Lachlan has a very important job; he listens to children read at Diamond Valley Library with his owner Marlies, a children’s librarian. Luckily for us, Lachlan is taking time out of his busy schedule to join the Premiers’ Reading Challenge. He is very excited about this because he loves nothing better than cuddling up to hear a good story!

You can find out more about Lachlan HERE

Premiers Reading Challenge

Dear Parents,

 

Premier's Reading Challenge is starting up again for 2014. Children in years Prep-Two must read 30 books in total with at least 20 from the Challenge book list and students in Years 3-6 must read 15 books with 10 or more from the Challenge Book List.

 

Students will be registered online by their neighbourhood teachers once the consent form has been returned. Parents can then assist their child to submit completed book titles to the online system. All reading and information must be completed online before 12 September 2014.

 

If your child is interested in participating this year, please read, sign and return the attached consent form to your child's Roll Group teacher who will then register your child and give them their login. 

 

Please visit the VPRC website for more information  http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/students.aspx

 

Happy Reading!

 

Warm Regards,

Simone Kentley (year 1) and Robert Vandahl (year 5/6)

Speech Writing

Last week we started writing speeches as a way of exploring persuasive text. All the speeches were fantastic. We will continue to develop new and exciting ways to explore writing conventions.

 

Year 3's showing great confidence

 The students were a respectful audience and povided positive and constructive feedback.

Book Talk

As most of the community around the 34 neighbouhood are aware Book Talk happens in the first hour of Wednesday and has continued from Term 1.

Book Talk has been such a delightful experience for all involved as it grows and devekops into not just reading to the kids, but readin with them, allowing time for them to respond and reflect and generally spark interest. Recently we attempted to summarise what had been read into a Headline which would give an idea of the book but without in depth description or details.

The response was amazing!

Again, Book Talk is a wonderful time during the week and if anyone would like to get involved please come and see one of the 34 teachers.

We would also like to remind everyone that as parent helpers we do not expect you to take on al the responsibilities of a classroom teacher so don't hesitate to seek help from any of the 34 teaching team at any stage before, during or after the session.

See you Wednesday!

The 34 Team.

From the Knitting club

Knitting Club

We had such an overwhelming response to our knitting club in the first week and we would like to thank all the children who attended. Thank you also to the teachers who came along and assisted us.  Thanks Anne Maree and Luisa. Also a big thank you to Hebo’s mum who came along to help. 

Trying to cast on and instruct many children how to knit can be tricky.  Parents and grandparents are welcome to come along on, Thursday’s at lunch time 11.10 and 11.40 am, and help.  If your child is interested in knitting can you please send them along to school with a pair of knitting needles and wool (we have some supplies but they were limited on the day).  It would be a great help if parents could cast on (about 40 stitches for a blanket square) and knit a couple of rows to start your child off.

Thanks again for your support

Jessica and Sia

Literacy in the 34 neighbourhoods

Writing

Persuasive text, connected to our Inquiry into change, has been a literacy focus through term One and is continuing. This has involved the children in researching the following opinion prompts:

"Which animal is the best survivor?"

"Smartphones are the best."

"The suburb of Carlton used to be better."

"Bacteria is bad"

The children have each used their research findings to write an argument in support of their opinion. Throughout the process the children continue to be supported to use the features and structure of a persuasive text.

Each week the children have a personalised writing goal to focus on.

Research (Reading and Writing)

Students have been challenged to research the above questions and statements by locating key information, including videos and written texts, to further their understandings. There has been much discussion around effective researching strategies and text evaluation.

The research skills we have been working through are:

·        Developing appropriate questions.

·        Using a range of resources (books, websites, interviewing, video).

·        Identifying key information.

·        Note taking.

Research is embedded in our inquiry approach and the children receive ongoing support with developing the necessary understandings and skills.

Reading

In addition to the reading of texts in both print and digital formats during research workshops, the children also participate in small group targeted sessions. The main emphasis of these guided reading sessions is developing reading fluency and comprehension. Serial Reading and Book Talk focus on literature appreciation.

We are most grateful to the many parents who lead a Book Talk group. Your support is invaluable. Book Talk is continuing in term two – please let us know if you would like to be involved.