Central Idea: Voluntary organisations provide essential support for systems to function
Lines of Inquiry:
UOI - Welcome to the 4th unit of inquiry. This unit is going to be an exciting one as students will enquire about how voluntary organisations help the world around us and why they are important. The students will be begin to learn about why we need NGOs and how systems inside these organisations are important for them to function. We will hear from a HWA parent who works for the U.N and how this organisation has an influence on the nations of the world. This unit will give them an opportunity to take action to actively support a NGO, depending on where the inquiry takes the students. As you can read below, there will be links made to other learning areas to extend learning in literacy and mathematics.
Language Arts: English - As usual, students will continue building upon their vocabulary and spelling rules with the weekly spelling list.This unit of inquiry has a large focus on thinking and analysing skills as they will need to start writing persuasive texts (expository texts) using good paragraph structure and sound arguments while following the writing process. With this in mind, students will work on finding out, reasoning and summarising information in their own words. Students will learn how to write persuasively on a range of topics such as school issues and why we need to support NGOs.
Reading comprehension skills will continue to be enhanced as they will start to be assessed on deeper thinking skills and learning to ‘read between the lines’. This is important as students learn to think critically about what they are reading and how to respond to a text.
Behind the News (BtN) will start again in February. This news program designed for this age group allows the students to engage with the news that is happening around them. The students develop their thinking skills, questioning skills and reasoning skills every week. Last unit, the students looked at interesting current affairs such as fake news, artificial intelligence and America's relationship with the rest of the world.
Mathematics - For this unit, students will continue to challenge their own understanding of number as they begin to work with more advanced operations. This includes working with a square root, ratio, integers and figuring out algebraic equations. Students will also be exposed to word problems, from simple to complex, to help prepare them for middle school style mathematics. We encourage students at this age group to begin using a scientific calculator to figure out advanced word problems.
Visual Art - Over 4 weeks, students will use art time will look at the benefits of being organised and how being an organised environment makes them feel. Students will have an in depth look at how we can govern, guide and protect where we live and how we live. A project will include city or town planning using art and craft materials. Some outcomes that will be looked at may include spatial awareness, composition and positive and negative spaces. They will also consider the thinking behind the planning and reflect on their decisions.
PSPE - The outcomes involved in P.E and PSPE classes include:
- identifying the components of fitness; e.g., strength, endurance, flexibility, cardio- respiratory activities, and relate these to personal fitness level
- Describing and charting individual fitness changes as a result of engaging in physical activity.
- Working in small groups, plan and participate in a fitness circuit using different games to develop endurance, strength and flexibility.
- Keeping a log of their nutritional intake and physical activity and describe change over time.
Chinese - In Chinese UOI and in the language lessons, students will begin to understand the need for NGOs and the function of volunteers in NGOs. From posters to writing compositions, students will also express ways to support a NGO in Chinese and will have an opportunity to find out about the inner workings of a Chinese NGOs.
Music - Students will inquire into the evolution of musical instruments from past to present, its associations through place and time, and how it has influenced composers and their compositions. They will learn to inquire and reflect through a simple research project. They will learn communication, organization, and reflective skills through working individually and in a group.
Lines of Inquiry:
- How systems within organisations.
- Why we need non-governmental organisations (NGOS).
- Action we can take to support NGOs.
- Function
- Responsibility
- Social Skills
- Thinking skills
UOI - Welcome to the 4th unit of inquiry. This unit is going to be an exciting one as students will enquire about how voluntary organisations help the world around us and why they are important. The students will be begin to learn about why we need NGOs and how systems inside these organisations are important for them to function. We will hear from a HWA parent who works for the U.N and how this organisation has an influence on the nations of the world. This unit will give them an opportunity to take action to actively support a NGO, depending on where the inquiry takes the students. As you can read below, there will be links made to other learning areas to extend learning in literacy and mathematics.
Language Arts: English - As usual, students will continue building upon their vocabulary and spelling rules with the weekly spelling list.This unit of inquiry has a large focus on thinking and analysing skills as they will need to start writing persuasive texts (expository texts) using good paragraph structure and sound arguments while following the writing process. With this in mind, students will work on finding out, reasoning and summarising information in their own words. Students will learn how to write persuasively on a range of topics such as school issues and why we need to support NGOs.
Reading comprehension skills will continue to be enhanced as they will start to be assessed on deeper thinking skills and learning to ‘read between the lines’. This is important as students learn to think critically about what they are reading and how to respond to a text.
Behind the News (BtN) will start again in February. This news program designed for this age group allows the students to engage with the news that is happening around them. The students develop their thinking skills, questioning skills and reasoning skills every week. Last unit, the students looked at interesting current affairs such as fake news, artificial intelligence and America's relationship with the rest of the world.
Mathematics - For this unit, students will continue to challenge their own understanding of number as they begin to work with more advanced operations. This includes working with a square root, ratio, integers and figuring out algebraic equations. Students will also be exposed to word problems, from simple to complex, to help prepare them for middle school style mathematics. We encourage students at this age group to begin using a scientific calculator to figure out advanced word problems.
Visual Art - Over 4 weeks, students will use art time will look at the benefits of being organised and how being an organised environment makes them feel. Students will have an in depth look at how we can govern, guide and protect where we live and how we live. A project will include city or town planning using art and craft materials. Some outcomes that will be looked at may include spatial awareness, composition and positive and negative spaces. They will also consider the thinking behind the planning and reflect on their decisions.
PSPE - The outcomes involved in P.E and PSPE classes include:
- identifying the components of fitness; e.g., strength, endurance, flexibility, cardio- respiratory activities, and relate these to personal fitness level
- Describing and charting individual fitness changes as a result of engaging in physical activity.
- Working in small groups, plan and participate in a fitness circuit using different games to develop endurance, strength and flexibility.
- Keeping a log of their nutritional intake and physical activity and describe change over time.
Chinese - In Chinese UOI and in the language lessons, students will begin to understand the need for NGOs and the function of volunteers in NGOs. From posters to writing compositions, students will also express ways to support a NGO in Chinese and will have an opportunity to find out about the inner workings of a Chinese NGOs.
Music - Students will inquire into the evolution of musical instruments from past to present, its associations through place and time, and how it has influenced composers and their compositions. They will learn to inquire and reflect through a simple research project. They will learn communication, organization, and reflective skills through working individually and in a group.