Literacy
A 2 hour block of time each morning is designated to literacy rotations. The children will work with myself, our teacher aide (Mrs Slingsby), the Principal (Mr Murphy) or independently on various activities. Some of these include: guided or shared reading, comprehensions activities, grammar, computers, oral activities, handwriting, phonics and explicit writing tasks.
Outside activities
All children are required to have a hat and to apply sunscreen before leaving the classroom for any outdoor activities. Sunscreen is located at the entry doors to the block. The school enforces a no hat, no play rule; however spare hats can usually be located in the Tasmania block of office walkway. These are washed regularly.
Our class, along with every class has up to 30mins moderate physical activity outside on Mon, Tues and Wed mornings. Thursday is our PE day and Friday is whole school inter-house sport.
Integrated Studies/Rich Task
This year, Grades 4 & 5 will be working together for a lot of our activities.
The Year 4/5 class will be learning about the Australian Environments and what these environments are used for as well as who uses them. We will be learning about the Daintree Rainforest, The Great Barrier Reef, Australian Deserts and the importance of Wetland areas.
Year 5 will be examining the animals that live in these areas, and also looking into what is causing many of our native animals come close to extinction and what we can do to help stop this.
TOGETHER we are hoping to have an amazing culminating event to finalise our Rich Task and take you on a flight of fancy one afternoon. We will be taking you on a very special ‘Getaway’ to a mystery destination. Mmmmm I wonder where it could be too? As you travel with us on this getaway you will learn heaps about where we will be going too. We have even heard a rumour that small delicacies could be served on the flight, AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!
The rest of our year is already incredibly busy with topics such as Energy, The Body and the Australian identity to mention just a few. We know that we will have an amazing year together where we will learn heaps and love what we do.
Religion
Parents have a choice of their child attending either Christian religion (run by volunteers) or world religion (held by the teacher). World religion is taught as a purely informative session and is not persuasive in any way. The topics of study this year include:
Term 1 – Hinduism
Term 2 – Islamic
Term 3 – Buddhism
Term 4 – Christianity & Amish
Communication Folders
Each child is presented with a communication folder at the start of the year. This folder is used to house all school to home and home to school communications such as homework, newsletters, awards, notes etc.
Homework
Homework is handed out on a Monday. You will notice it is in the same grid format as all the other classes and the expectations are written at the bottom of the page. Each grid runs for 2 weeks and must be submitted for marking on the 2nd Friday. Parent/ guardian’s are asked to sign each activity as it is completed and the student is to sign also before submission.
The items along the top row (marked with an astrix) are compulsory and must be completed each fortnight; the remaining items are optional activities. A VERY HIGH EXPECTATION accompanies homework this year and all written work must be of a very high standard (cursive writing), written in a sharpened lead pencil ONLY and a rubber used for erasures.
Students will not be required to do any make up work for incomplete homework, however, homework unattempted, incomplete and not submitted on 2 occasions in a row will result in the parent being contacted.
Spelling
Spelling words accompany each grid and are to be learnt every night. Words will be tested WEEKLY during the classroom spelling test.
Tuckshop
Operates on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, thanks to our wonderful mums in the school. If you could spare some time on one of these mornings to help out, they would love to see you!
Technology
At Beechmont State School we have a great range of technological equipment available for use by the teachers and students. Each block has its own computer lab, with the computers being updated regularly. The children are taught skills to ensure they maintain their knowledge in our fast-paced, technological society.
Contacting the Teacher/s
Rachel Vines - As I have children at home, I usually leave directly after school. Therefore I am best contacted in the morning before school as I am usually in the classroom (or floating around) by 8am. I am happy to meet after school by request. My preferred method of communication is a simple note to or from home. I also do try to be diligent with my e-mail: rvine3@eq.edu.au, obviously this is available 24/7.
Kerry Pryor - Feel free to drop in and see Kerry on a Friday, drop her a note, pass on a message through Mrs Vines or e-mail on kpryo8@eq.edu.au.
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