A short but actioned packed week in Grade 6 as we start to unpack our very exciting new How the World Works unit of inquiry. The central idea and key physics laws that we will be exploring are below.
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This is a very engaging unit of inquiry that really allows us to look at many deep and tricky conceptual ideas, such as how energy cannot be destroyed or created and how energy can dissipate. To kick off the unit we spent lots of time sorting and classifying the different types of energy in our world. We then looked to find suitable definitions and good examples (see your child’s seesaw this week for more information).
After that we started looking at roller coasters, as they are a great way to explain how all energy is either potential or kinetic. We unpacked ideas such as velocity and mass, then we had a go at designing and testing our own roller coasters. A really awesome engagement – again, see seesaw for more examples. This roller coaster example will also be used to help us form our first explanation writing next week, after we have unpacked in more depth the feature of a strong explanation text.
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Mathematics – this week we have been fine tuning our knowledge of angles and how to accurately use a protractor. As well as this we have been looking at how to make estimates of angles using reasoning skills and how to calculate missing angles.
Next Week:
Literacy:
- Explanation Text Features (below)
- First attempts at writing an explanation text
- Book Clubs
Mathematics;
- Calculating the perimeter of regular and irregular 2D shapes
- Looking at formulas to calculate the area of rectangles and squares
- Ext – Finding the area of triangles and circles
Unit of Inquiry;
- Energy transformation (from one form to the other)
- Vortex cannons – your child will be asking you if they can bring in a cardboard box so that they can create their own cannon.
Upcoming Grade 6 Trip
So, as promised, the Grade 6 are having an overnight trip after ramadan, leaving on the Wednesday 9th April and returning on Thursday 10th April. This camping trip provides a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their social, self-management, and communication skills while having fun. It is a fantastic chance to work as teams, boost confidence, and create lasting memories as they finish their primary school journey. Students will collaborate to design group games, cook together and organise the evening entertainment – students will have lots of ownership. More information has been sent home in a letter (today) and via email. Please respond with the permission slip as soon as possible.
I know it is quite hot to be camping in early April, but I think it will be an amazing experience for the students and a truly special event for them. I really hope that everyone can attend.
Have a great weekend,
Matt