Newsletter - Term 2 (Week 3)

Dear Parents,

It’s only week 3 but we’ve already had a busy start to the year. Mr Barrett’s class did a fantastic job entertaining us at last week’s assembly while our third unit for the year Testing, Testing 1,2,3 has got off to a flying start! We hope you have settled in for Term 2 after Christmas break and are well and truly back into your routines.

Reflections – 7th – 16th January
The children have made a great start to Term 2. We began work in class on answering our first teacher question for the unit (what are products made of?) and have started conducting some scientific experiments to assess the quality of different products on the market, including the quality of paper towel brands in terms of their absorbency and their value-for-money. The children also began Wednesday afternoon activities last week with activities ranging from cooking to football! The children seem very enthusiastic and excited and are sure to learn new skills while having fun!

Weekly News: 19th — 23rd January

Unit of Inquiry
This week we will continue to look at different products and test them for their durability, quality and value for money. From our last unit of inquiry we know that companies need to sell quality products to keep their customers happy and to remain profitable. We will be investigating the kinds of tests some companies perform to ensure their products are safe and marketable. From our testing last week (which will continue this week) we now know that not all paper towel brands are as reliable and such good value-for-money as they claim to be!

Mathematics
The focus of our maths groups this week will again revolve around division concepts. Last week the children revised some of the mental and written strategies for division that were taught during Year 5 as well as concepts such as factors, multiples and products. They will continue to practise and refine their understanding of division strategies this week and apply them in their number work and problem solving. Our focus in homeroom maths this week is on measurement, particularly measuring the capacity of different objects and shapes as well as measuring area.

English
Reading and writing scientific lab reports is again the major focus of our language program this week. The children have already discovered the major features of writing a lab report, starting with an aim and hypothesis and ending with an evaluation and conclusion. The children will continue to work with this text type in class through a series of experiments. Reading groups this week will continue to focus on good reading and comprehension strategies, particularly those skills relating to critical thinking skills and analysing texts for bias and content.

What can I do to help?
· Don’t forget to check the class blogs to find links to sites that will support your child in their class work. Look for the Testing, Testing 1,2,3 link in the Unit of Inquiry menu box to find great websites and information for you and your child.
· Use the class blogs as part of your child’s reading homework. There are many great links to interesting websites and articles on our Testing, Testing 1,2,3 page. Why not ask your child to read a particular article and report back to you the main facts from their reading!

Upcoming Events and Reminders:
· SDIS is still looking for volunteer families to host visiting students from around the world during the Service Learning and Community and Service Conference between March 5-8. If you can help, please contact Callie Roth Welstead at c.welstead@dominics-int.org. Notes about this event were sent home last week if you require additional information.
· The second UOI reports were sent home last week. Could you please return the UOI reports to school as soon as possible (complete with your signature and any comments you have made). As you are no doubt aware this is one of the changes to our reporting procedures for 2008/09. We hope you find the new UOI report informative. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to discuss the rubric report as well as the Term 1 reports which were also sent home last week.
· Just a reminder that as of last week homework is being sent home every Monday and is due back on Friday. With regards to the spelling words can we please ask that parents assist us in ensuring that the children practise their spelling words each week. We will not be correcting the students spelling words during the week as this is the responsibility of the students (as the correct spelling of the words is already displayed on the homework sheet).
· Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for PE classes as they are currently training for the Cross Country Carnival later in the year. Don’t forget all students need a spare set of shoes, especially as the weather has been so unpredictable of late.
· Year 6G will be hosting this week’s assembly. All parents and family are invited to attend.

With thanks,
David Barrett, David Gocentas and Ms Isabel Costa Pereira