Year 6 is a special year for our students. We continue to provide an engaging and supportive learning environment, whilst building positive relationships with and between students. Students are challenged with many open ended learning experiences,as individual learners and in a variety of cooperative group investigations. At this level, the thinking curriculum includes the use of graphic organisers to organise thinking and information, solving problems using analytical, critical and creative thinking and CORT ( Cognitive research trust) thinking.
Students are exposed to and read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, focusing on the structure and features of these and analysing the content. They compose their own information, explanation, biographical and narrative texts; identifying language and grammatical structures unique to each of these text types and editing their own and peer work. Students are involved in a range of oral presentations, recognising the need for differing presentation styles and interactions based on audience. In the context of the film festival, students recognise the need for differing presentation styles and interactions based on their audience.
Students work on the recognition of prime,composite, square and triangular numbers. They develop problem solving strategies to apply to real-life scenario based tasks, including those involving the order of operations, fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios. They convert between compared units of measurement, investigate transformation of shapes and make timetables including 12 hour and 24 hour time. Students interpret, make and research a variety of data sets. They use chance language and investigate how fractions, percentages and decimals relate to chance events.Students identify the properties of real numbers including integers (positive and negative numbers), rational and irrational numbers. The rules associated with algebraic equations are explored. Students decode written problems using a variety of strategies applying these to real life scenario based tasks. They investigate angles and the relationship of these to a straight line. Students examine a range of data types to produce different graphs.
A highlight of the year is the Glendal Film Festival, where students work together to write, perform,film and edit their own short films.
The school leaders are chosen in Year 5 and participate in a weekly leadership training program in Term 1. The school leaders are responsible for running the weekly assembly, various events throughout the year and implementing a Change project of their choice. As leaders of the senior school, students participate in inter school sport, our athletics carnival and cross country championships. They also write and publish the Glendal Student newsletter.
A special relationship is built with their Foundation 'buddies', using the Better Buddies program from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Our students in Years 5 and 6 learn French, in addition to Mandarin.
In Term 2, the Year 6 camp is held at the Coonawarra adventure resort for two nights.
Our school student well being program is based on the 'Resilience, Rights &Respectful relationships' program. We develop mindfulness and wellbeing skills.
Our 'Swim and Survive' program is a CPR training led by qualified first aiders. This is an essential life survival skill.
The coding program teaches Spheros ( Java script), Scratch and Nao. Students investigate issues of modern communication and ‘Cyber-Safety’ through a class approach to blogging and computer use.Our students utilise a range of ICT tools to support and extend their learning in numeracy, literacy and integrated studies.
Preparation for secondary school is important throughout the year and students are encouraged to develop their independence and responsibility for their learning. Daily organisation, weekly homework and diary use are integral to this process.
During Term 4, the transition process may include a visit to a secondary school, incursions and learning skills such as timetabling and navigating the secondary environment. Students, their families and teachers celebrate their primary years of schooling with our graduation ceremony at the end of the school year.
Activities will be placed on the Year 6 Edmodo page, as they occur.
2024 SEMESTER 1 CURRICULUM
English
Year 6 students read fiction and non-fiction texts, focusing on the structure and features of these and analysing the content. They composed their own biography, persuasive, narrative, explanation and information texts; identifying language and grammatical structures unique to each of these genres and editing their own and peers’ work. Each text type culminated in a Big Write or group project to allow for collaboration, discussion and application of learning. Students enhanced their speaking and listening skills by participating in a range of presentations including literature circles, creating a podcast and presenting artefacts for an exhibition.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) students follow a pathway of development in learning English that is different from students for whom English is their first language. EAL students deepen their understanding of the English language through practical activities and focus lessons in school. The two EAL stages are A (Early Immersion) and B (Mid Immersion). EAL students work through this continuum until they have a confident grasp of the English language.
Year 6 students worked on the recognition of various number properties such as prime, composite, square and triangular numbers. They developed problem-solving strategies to apply in real-life scenario-based tasks, including the order of operations, fractions and real numbers. Students calculated best buys and percentage discounts in financial mathematics. They explored patterns and identified the associated algebraic rules. Students converted between and compared units of measurement, and investigated 2D and 3D shapes. They utilised formulas to calculate the perimeter, area and surface area of shapes. Students interpreted and created data sets and displayed results in different graphical forms. They described location and its transformation on a four-quadrant Cartesian plane. Students utilised chance language, investigated how fractions, percentages and decimals relate to chance events and examined different types of angles and lines.
The Humanities
Year 6 students researched Asian countries and then created their own, based on the influences of one or more bordering countries. This task showcased their geographical skills such as mapping and the understanding of terms including latitude and longitude. Students presented related artefacts to their peers in groups with attached written justifications to demonstrate their understanding of Asia.
Year 6 students gained an understanding of energy; including its forms and how it is never lost, but rather transferred and transformed. Through hands-on activities, they examined how energy can be transferred from a battery to light bulbs, motors and buzzers and then transformed into light, movement or sound. Students constructed different types of circuits and switches. They explored the features of batteries, lights and a solar cell. Students designed their own working model and circuit drawing using electrical energy and presented their understanding to their peers. They developed their knowledge of famous electrical scientists, including their inventions and achievements that still influence our present world.
Music
Year 6 students participated in the ‘Battle of the Bands’ unit. This required them to form a group, select an appropriate song and source or create an arrangement to perform. Students were able to access a variety of classroom instruments, including the guitar, bass, keyboard, ukulele and percussion instruments, or bring an instrument from home. For each lesson they rehearsed with their band, researched their song/artist and completed a range of theory activities.
Year 6 students focused on art principles and elements, including line, colour, value, shape, form, space, texture, contrast, emphasis, unity, repetition, pattern, balance, movement and rhythm. They created a collaged large-scale toned animal that focused on layering, tone of colours and painting to add shade to a single colour (monochromatic) art work. Students designed a felt puppet; sewing, cutting, designing and layering. They followed instructions to draw a puppet to scale that was visually appealing and functional for their Foundation buddies. Students learnt needle threading, knotting and joining stitch skills. They made a toned-inspired self-portrait using collage and painting techniques and concentrated on realistic drawing with emphasis on scale, texture, positioning and pencil skills.
Year 6 students engaged in athletics training, including learning rules, techniques and safety standards required to compete in athletics events such as discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump and high jump. This unit of work culminated in a school athletics day. Students participated in interschool sport, providing an opportunity for competition against schools from the local area. Teamwork, good sportsmanship and respect for opposition and umpires were demonstrated by the cohort. Students developed fundamental movement skills needed for effective participation in tennis. They participated in a series of basketball clinics, which included shooting, passing and other court-specific skills.
Year 6 students learned a part of the story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ to build on their vocabulary about hobbies and actions in Chinese. Chinese second language learners and Chinese background language learners were encouraged to show their understanding at their own level. Learning activities included games, craftwork, Tai Chi and celebrations of the Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival.
Parents are most welcome to help in our classrooms, in the library, on excursions and camps and on our parent group committee and School Council committees.
All parents who assist in any way must have a Working With Children Check. This card must be presented at the office when parents sign in
