25th September 2015
GRADE 3, 4 and 5 BLOGS
Through the eye of a microscope
We had some microscopes in the classroom to take a closer look at what we could find at school in our natural environment. We even got to view the shed skin of a snake a student found on an excursion. Some students found some interesting creatures at home to look at such as cockroaches and spiders.
We had some microscopes in the classroom to take a closer look at what we could find at school in our natural environment. We even got to view the shed skin of a snake a student found on an excursion. Some students found some interesting creatures at home to look at such as cockroaches and spiders.
Swimming lessons
For the past term students have been visiting the VIP swimming pool twice a week. Students skill and fitness level have shown marked improvements. They have been learning how to manage their movement in the water to be efficient and effective and breathe with good rhythm. Such strokes the students have been performing include; breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and elementary backstroke. Students have also demonstrated a range of diving techniques. There are swimming medley relays and occasionally running in the water races. Today one group swam a total of 50 laps over the duration of the lesson. The width of the pool is approximately 20 meters so the students swam 1 km!
For the past term students have been visiting the VIP swimming pool twice a week. Students skill and fitness level have shown marked improvements. They have been learning how to manage their movement in the water to be efficient and effective and breathe with good rhythm. Such strokes the students have been performing include; breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and elementary backstroke. Students have also demonstrated a range of diving techniques. There are swimming medley relays and occasionally running in the water races. Today one group swam a total of 50 laps over the duration of the lesson. The width of the pool is approximately 20 meters so the students swam 1 km!
Sports Day preparation
Tips to get a good start
Students worked in partners to do some research about how to do a physical activity effectively. They were considering writing step by step instructions. This is called procedure writing.
Here are some of their presentations below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VAJoButfuWSzM1MC00MThvNjA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VAJoButfuWU1V1OGptdUYyVjg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VAJoButfuWOGRETnNVbVV0TDA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VAJoButfuWbTNmdjkyMVplVGs/view?usp=sharing
5 minute runs
Students have been jogging for 5 minutes each morning. They have been learning how to pace themselves so they can complete the 5 minutes without stopping or walking.
Using concrete materials in maths
Students identified using concrete materials is a way that can assist them with their math understanding and makes the tasks more enjoyable. It is a good idea to let students explore with the materials before using them with a specific maths task.
Book week
During book week we shared had opportunities to read aloud and listen to our peers. We brought our favourite book from home, read some parts and gave a book report. We had a parent come and read a book in German about a famous explorer. We then went away to do further investigations about Charles Darwin. It was interesting to know such facts as:
- The city of Darwin was named after him.
- As a child he would collect creepy crawlies and put inside match boxes.
- At university he started a club where people would gather to taste "exotic meats."
- He married his first cousin.
- He had 10 children.
We also focused on some different authors. One particular favourite was John Burningham. We used persuasive language to entice an audience to read his books. We have been considering how it is important to reference other peoples work that we find from the internet. Here is an example below:
The Hargraves, a kind but scrawny family,
want their new baby to grow up big and strong. But the tiny tyke will hardly
eat a thing. One day, Mrs. Hargraves finds an avocado in the fruit bowl, and
the infant gobbles it up. But then, the strangest things begin to happen as the
baby develops superhuman strength. Just the book for picky eaters. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=tSo8YAAACAAJ&dq=avocado+baby&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAGoVChMIhsaKgqPpxwIVDyOOCh1RHQ4p
We also presented assembly during this week and demonstrated how to play musical chairs and when the music stopped it was our chance to possibly read aloud while our class mates gathered around to listen.
