Science Integrated unit

I love to integrate units in my learning program. There is just not enough time to teach in isolation and also by integrating units, students have the opportunity to transfer knowledge across curriculum areas. The most recent unit I have designed and given to my Grade 5 students is called 'Ocean's Alive' and it is a science intgrated unit focusing on an understanding that living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment. The unit is handed to students as a learning contract where depending on the level of thinking involved in the activity more points are rewarded and depending on points students at the end of the unit are rewarded with an A-E. It follows the philisopical thinking of Ralph Pirozzo. The unit integrates Bloom’s Taxonomy and Multiple Intelligences. It provides for the thinking skills and learning styles of all my students. It is an engaging, exciting and challenging learning environment for all my students.The best thing is it helps improve independency and time management in my students. If you would like to check out the unit head over to Teachers Pay Teachers and preview it. I also have a picture of half of the unit provided in my blog. I hope it inspires some of you out there to get on board with the importance of catering for all students through student learning styles and Blooms Taxonomy. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Mundays-Memoirs

Completion of history unit

My Grade 5'a completed their student led inquiries yesterday with oral presentations. I was amazed at the engagement level and pride these kids had in their work. Student choice dramatically increases engagement in their learning. All students had to choose an event or person that had a significant impact on a colony in Australia in the 19th Century. We had an array of subjects. Students also had choice over how they presented their work. Some chose PowerPoint, some posters and others made books. The final result was rewarding as a teacher as it allowed me to reflect on the teaching and learning and see that this experience was worthwhile. Engagement=Learning!

Term 2

NAPLAN complete and feeling great to be back into a normal classroom routine. My grade 5's are currently working on an integrated historical inquiry of the 19th Century. Timelines have been completed and now students get to choose an event or person from the 19th century to do an Inquiry on. They can present the information however they choose. Students are so engaged which is fantastic. When completed students will complete an oral presentation on their Inquiry. I have found many historical resources on Scootle which have been helpful. 

NAPLAN nearly completed!!

My Grade 5's have been working so hard on their NAPLAN tests this week. Only one more to go tomorrow. I felt like a proud mum watching them all focused and working hard on their test the last few days. I am really looking forward to getting back to my normal routine. Bring on final test tomorrow so some normality can occur. 

Sunrise/sunset art

My Grade 5's have been working on an integrated unit on light so I decided to integrate art by drawing a sunset. We looked at images of sunsets on google and discussed observations. The forefront in a lot of images was dark with the sunset and sky as the focus. With this in mind I offered students the use of charcoal for the forefront and oil pastels for the feature. Students also discussed perspective and distance and the use of a horizon for a focal point. I also modeled how to shade. The students enjoyed working on these and they are now proudly displayed on the wall.

Buddies Program

Nature Scavenger Hunt Recently my Grade 5s helped their Prep buddy class complete a nature scavenger hunt. A list of treasures, which included things like something green, something rough, two types of seeds and a chewed leaf, were written on a piece of paper and given to the Grade 5s to read to the Preps. The items were collected in a bag by the Preps and taken back to class. This activity took a whole lesson. Next time the Grade 5s will be helping their buddies classify their chosen items. This has a strong link with Scientific learning intentions where students will have to observe their chosen objects and classify them according to their appearance. This activity can be extended by using two hoops and making a Venn diagram where students would have to put items into the hoop and classify their similarities and differences.

photos of buddy book