Hillcrest Road, Berowra 2081Phone 9456 1319Fax 9456 3375

Dear Parents / Carers,Welcome to Stage 3. This year we have some wonderful plans and educational experiences for the children. I hope that the following outline of the class and grade learning experiences for Term 1 will be informative and helpful.

English

Talking and ListeningHow to listen to different points of view (class activities, impromptu speech making and presentations)

Presenting to engage an audience (class activities and presentations).

Viewing BTN to target effective listening and note taking skills.

The term 2 and 3 talking and listening programs will build upon these skills through formal speeches and

debating competitions.

Guided reading Focussing on the skills of comprehension.

Predicting Questioning Making Connections

Monitoring Summarising Visualising & Vocabulary

Point of view (using language to persuade, author’s intent/point of view).

Writing- Recount Writing and Expositions Recounts Persuasive language (text structure, paragraphs, persuasive devices, editing) Handwriting (using cursive writing in pen)

Spelling Studying the 4 aspects of spelling:-

phonological word origins spelling rules word meaning editing skills.

Mathematics

Number Groups (from week 6) (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Whole number - applying place value to read write and order numbers of any size

Addition and subtraction - selecting and applying appropriate mental, written or calculator strategies Multiplication and division - selecting and applying

appropriate mental, written or calculator strategiesFractions and Decimals - modelling and recording

fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 100

Problem solving - selecting and using appropriate strategies (open-ended, making a list, draw a diagram and look for patterns)Placement of students will be determined by

stage assessment tasks, teacher observation and student rankings from 2014.

Measurement, Space and GeometryTime – compare 12 and 24 hour time. Convert

between them, including comparison of various time zones.

Chance – list outcomes of chance experiments and represent probabilities using fractions.

2D Space – Classify 2D shapes and identify their properties. Identify and name parts of a circle.

Angles – Measure and construct angles.Length/Area – Choose appropriate units of

measurement. Calculate the perimeter and area of rectangles.

Personal Development/Health/PhysicalEducation

Games and Sports- PSSA (Cricket, Softball, League Tag)/ School Sport/ Gymnastics and Tennis. Interpersonal Relationships – PBL strategies focussing on respect, responsibility and personal best.Road Safety- (with Mr Jones) 5K and 6K school safety, road safety . 5B and 6B to cover these topics in Term 2.

If you have any questions or concerns during the term please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher or the Assistant Principal for Stage 3, Mrs Beckedahl.

We look forward to seeing you at ‘Meet the Teacher Night’ on Monday 9th February

Kind Regards,

Stage 3 teachers,

Mrs Elizabeth Kempe Mrs Elizabeth Beckedahl (AP)

elizabeth.kempe@det.nsw.edu.au elizabeth.beckedahl@det.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Marilyn Bolger Mrs Krull

marilyn.bolger@det.nsw.edu.au sarah.griffin6@det.nsw.edu.au

Human Society and It’s Environment/History/Science

Environmental/Global Studies – ‘Rainforests’.This unit provides opportunities for students to investigate a rainforest environment in Australia. The unit focusses on environmental patterns in Australia and compares them with those in other places. Students are able to explore descriptions and information reports as well as related art works and sustainability issues.

Homework

Spelling – Spellodrome activities and words set by the teacher after students sit a placement test.

Mathematics- Mathletics set tasks by teacher related to class work or as preparation for upcoming lessons.

Reading – Eggspress activities and reading.

Book Busters Program – let your teacher know when you have read a book, to be counted towards your Book Buster points.

Talking to Learn – completion of speeches and debates.

Creative and Performing Arts

Dance (Taught by Mrs Lukic). 5B and 6B taught in Term 1. 5K and 6K taught in Term 2.

Drama (Taught by Mrs Till – 5B, 6B and 6K)School group and Stage 3 class drama.

Visual Art (Taught by class teacher) Study of the elements of art and appreciation and enquiry into famous artists and their style

NB: Interest groups- as selected by students.

Important Dates- Term 1

Kick Off – 20th February Scripture lessons start- Wednesday 4th

March Swimming Carnival- Thursday 19thth

February Zone Swimming Carnival- Wednesday 6th

March Selective High School Test- 12th March Asquith Boys High School and Asquith

Girls High School Enrichment Test – Saturday 7th March

Harmony Day- Thursday 21st March Parent Teacher Interviews - from the 23rd

March Hat Parade- 2nd April