Term 2 Science

Before we embark on our next exciting Science Unit for Term 3, I thought it would be nice to summarise some of the inquiries that took place in Term 2.

We began by investigating “Light.” We brainstormed what we thought we knew and what we’d like to know.

From our posed questions, we conducted some simple experiments to try and explain how light travels and helps us to see.

Using a “peek box,” we learned that light is needed to see any object. Light reflects off an object into our eye and allows us to see. To demonstrate our understanding, we drew ray diagrams showing the path and direction of the light.

    

       

Our next challenge was to try and make light go around a large box. Each team was given a large box, a torch, an object for the light to shine on and a mirror. We were then left to our own devices to see if we could make it happen!

It was noted that some materials were especially good at reflecting the light. So what happens to light with materials that aren’t so reflective? Based on what happened to the light, we classified materials as either transparent, opaque or translucent.

                  

We researched the contribution Galileo made to our scientific understanding. Ask your children what he invented and how it worked!

Galileo’s invention allowed people to discover more about space and from here our unit moved into learning more about our solar system.  We made models to demonstrate how the Earth revolves around the sun and the moon revolves around the Earth.

Again in teams, we each researched the key features of a different planet of the solar system. 

                       

We then compared how long each planet takes to orbit the sun. A scaled model of the solar system was then created by taking our planets down to the Valley and measuring the distance of each planet from the sun. The distances are extraordinary - we couldn’t even fit Neptune in!

                         

Stage 3 Sphero World Cup Soccer Championship

Stage 3 Sphero World Cup Soccer  Championship

Japan v Senegal or 'pink v blue'

After a tense and exciting battle with a number of off-sides, 2 x yellow cards, one player lost under the stage and another player even shooting out the door of the hall! 

The final score was similar to the Japan v Senegal 

Score of 2:2 - our draw was 3: 3!

500 Word Writing Competition

So you love to read books by your favourite authors?  

Think you could come up with an awesome story too?

THEN THIS IS THE COMPETITION FOR YOU! 

Ask your parents first!!!!

THE CHALLENGE: Use your awesome storytelling skills to create a 500-word short story of your own.

There are three categories:

7 - 8 YEARS

9-10 YEARS

11-12 YEARS

PRIZING UP FOR GRABS: The winner in each category will receive signed copies of their mentors' books and a personalised congratulatory video also from their mentor.

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The winning story in each category will be turned into a physical book for you to keep (ten copies per winner).

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Each winning story will be published in ‘Just Kidding’ magazine alongside an interview with the author.

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Let your imagination run free and write about something you like. Remember your story can be about absolutely anything you like.
The only criteria is to keep your story to under 500 words in total. If you think your story should include illustrations, you can send them in too.

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Use the online entry form https://www.justkidding.com.au/nwc to submit your story 
or 
you can email your work to mystory@yarramedia.com.au   - remembering to include your name, your age, your address, contact number and email.

Check out the terms and conditions here: 
https://www.justkidding.com.au/copy-of-terms-conditions 

ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 31ST 2018

Good luck!

Dyslexie font

Dear Parents,
I wonder if you've noticed that some of the work coming home from school is printed in a different font.  This font is called Dyslexie font and is designed for people with dyslexia to make reading, learning and working easier.  
Every letter is uniquely shaped and increases the ease of reading for people with dyslexia.
It was designed by a Dutch dyslexic student who felt it helped him to read more easily.
We've installed it on our computers for everyone to use - it's very subtly different.

Northern Beaches Young Writers' Competition

Attention all budding authors! Here is an opportunity for you to stretch your writing skills and enter a local writing competition. For details follow the link:

Northern Beaches Young Writers' Competition

Stage Debating

This afternoon Year 5 and 6 held the second round of our debating tournament. Mrs Cutmore and Mr Scott were very impressed by the level of improvement from last week's round. Each team was a little more prepared, and each team tried that little bit harder with rebutting an argument. Well done Year 5 and 6!
For next week, use your planning time with your teammates wisely. This is important to writing a good line of argument. This is real collaboration - working effectively with people who are not your besties. Also each speaker needs to give more evidence for their reasons, making your thoughts and ideas deeper and your points clearer.

Looking forward to next Friday and the next round of debates.

Stage Maths

Everyone in Year 5 loves Tuesday Maths. During our Maths time on a Tuesday Year 5 and Year 6 join together to work in specific groups with a teacher. Mr Scott, Mr Marrett, Mrs Groch, Mrs Duffy and Mrs Cutmore all take a group which targets specific skills and concepts. We all stretch our learning dispositions each time we meet.