Test week

Don't forget that next week is test week. Everyone has been given a schedule. Make sure you get a good night's sleep, have a good breakfast and keep a positive attitude.

On Monday we'll start with Part 1 of the Maths tests and the 100 word Schonell spelling test. 

Changes

Since coming back from Songkran break, we've been learning about different types of physical and chemical changes. In one of our experiments we explored the science of burning. We spent a lesson learning about fire safety, then the next day collected some materials. Included in some groups' lists were: marshmallows, flowers, dead bugs, stones, paper, human hair, dog hair... what variety! After setting up our trays of sand and our tealights, we used tongs to put the materials into the fire. Then we recorded our observations in our charts. Everyone was a bit nervous but excited to see what would happen. Afterwards, everyone wrote reflections of the investigation and then we used what we'd learned to understand and explain exactly what is happening when things burn. Here are some photos of the students on the day of the experiment.

A whirlwind of activity!

March managed to fly by like an ant in a hurricane! We were so busy in primary with Book Day, reports and, of course, The Last Monster in Scotland that I seem to have lost all sense of time!

Now here we are at the last week of term 2 and I can't believe it's all passed by so quickly. We do still have a busy week ahead, though.

My English class will be sharing their versions of the children's story Possum Magic with Year 1 and maybe even Year 2 this week. check back soon for some pictures of that.

We've also got our yearly Songkran gift boxes for the Camillian centre children. We've got three boys coming into Year 6 on Friday so please send your gifts in for them by Thursday of this week. We're also collecting money to buy uniforms for each child. The children really enjoy spending time playing games here and then having some water fun. 

A reminder- school finishes at noon on Friday. Please remember that it's only a half day of school. Also, as it is our Songkran celebration, everyone should be in Songkran play clothes and have a change of dry clothes in their bags for after our activities.

Hope everyone has some fun plans made to stay cool during the holidays!

Fun with maps!

On Friday we spent the afternoon making salt dough maps of Australia. The project started earlier on in the week with the students looking at different types of maps of Australia - environmental. political, topographic, elevation, and others - in some atlases. They were grouped into pairs and each pair was given a blank map on which to detail the features they wanted to include on their own 3D map. After that they had to cut out their enlarged map and either trace it or attach it to a piece of future board. Then, on Friday, made our own dough and got to work. Using their own maps and some class atlases, they filled in the boundaries and started shaping their features. We left the maps out to dry and will hopefully be able to paint them this coming week if they survived the weekend!

Here are a few pictures of everyone hard at work.

We're almost there!

Only 2 more days until halfterm break!  With tomorrow being sport day, please remember house shirts, hats and sunscreen.  Some healthy snacks like fruit will also help to keep up the energy and stamina.

On Friday afternoon during last period, Year 6 will be attending the secondary talent show.  What a great opportunity to get a feel for secondary performances and the competition for next year!

To all actors and actresses in The Last Monster in Scotland - learn your lines and songs over the halfterm break!  Remember - no scripts after the 17th.

G'day Mate! It's Australia Day!

On the morning of Monday the 27th of January, Year 6 cancelled all their regular lessons and participated in celebrating Australia Day.  With help from Mr. Michael, Mr. Garth, Mr. Liversidge and Tessa's parents, a rotation of activities was set up.  There was boomerang making, dot painting, symbol drawings, Aussie outdoor games, and cakes!  A fantastic time was had by all and the day ended with a yummy barbecue for lunch.  It was a whirlwind experience, but well worth the effort to see the children enjoying themselves and learning through hands-on activities.

We're live!

Welcome to the Year 6JB blog!  I'm thrilled to be able to offer you a closer look into our class and bring you a step closer to our learning.  If all goes as planned, this site will keep you up to date on what's going on in class, what to be prepared for in primary and whole school events, what homework has been assigned and celebrate the successes of the fantastic group of kids who make up this year's Year 6 class.  
Like any new project, there will likely be some growing pains, so check back often to see what's new.
Thanks!