Diary+Announcements


 * __Announcements & Reminders for your diary:__**

__ November 7th: __
=__October 17th:__= =__**September 19th:**__=
 * ==== It's picture day Monday (7/11) :)====
 * ==== Spelling this week surrounds the theme of our maths "probability and statistics" unit as well as our science "energy systems" unit. Term 4 week 4 ====
 * ==== Maths - students have been creating and interpreting line graphs & double bar graphs, and will be having a greater focus on probability this week====
 * ====Science (Energy systems) - students are creating an object that moves or has a moving part to it, as well as a switch that turns on an of off====
 * ====Music is Fun notes are due back====
 * ====Skip-A-Thon donations are due back by next week====
 * Spelling this week is plurals for "y" endings, found at the following link: Term 4 Week 1
 * //**Skip-A-Thon fundraiser next week**//
 * Science: Students are working with electrical circuits and will be provided with information soon for building an electrical device that moves.
 * Maths: students are working on a quick/short unit about __//mapping//__ (scale & coordinates) and would benefit from playing "Battleship" type games at home. We will then move on to __//graphing & statistics//__ followed by __//patterns & algebra//__
 * Current Events: one article and one map to be completed for the 1st of November
 * Writing, students are to complete a recount/news article about an event in which they took part over the holidays (by Wednesday 19/10)
 * Writing: students have a focus on persuasive writing / expositions this term
 * This week's spelling link: More Suffixes Week 9 Term 3
 * Students are performing a dance and presenting work at a nursing home on 20/9
 * Please see last week's updates below re: science fair forms & Camp photo forms
 * There has been another form sent home regarding your child taking a science test and allowing the anonymous results to be reviewed by the Department of Education and Children Services (DECS) THIS FORM IS DUE BACK this week, please.
 * Science Fair projects will be completed and presented Monday afternoon (19/9)
 * We will finish presenting Australian History book reports by this Thursday morning (22/9)

__** September 12th: **__

 * **Sausage** sizzle **$ due** Monday (12/9)
 * Students are learning 2 dances, a song, and completing artwork to present at a **nursing home** in week 9 (20/9)
 * **Camp** is fast approaching and a "photo taking **form**" must be returned **ASAP**
 * **Science Fair** is next week (week 9) and students were to have **green forms signed** and brought back just over a week ago.
 * Students have been completing assessments in maths (space & shape) and science (chemistry) and **will need parent signatures on these tasks by the end of the week**. We will also review current events and present book reports this week.
 * **Spelling** (due Friday) theme is words that end in el, al, or le as well as the "ness" suffix. Please click on spellingcity.com link here: Stupendous Suffixes

__**August 29th**__:
 * **School closure**next Wednesday 7/9
 * **Sausage sizzle**(yellow forms) went home today. Money is due no later than 12/9
 * **Father's day stall this Friday**
 * **Dress up**for Book Week Friday & Premier's Reading Challenge forms due Friday
 * **Science Fair forms signed and brought back (green) by Friday**
 * Maths p.54 #1,2,and 4 should have been done in class today (29/8)
 * Science //Crystal formation lab report//due Tuesday
 * Spelling theme: maths (shape & space) Friday
 * Chemistry glossary quiz Wednesday
 * Current Events due Friday
 * Book report due September 9th-16th

__**August 22nd:**__
 * Spelling words this week are from our science chemistry unit. Pleas click the link: Chemistry Spelling
 * Current Events due 2/9
 * Book Report to be presented to the class between September 9th and September 16th (this involves a Journal entry or letter, as well as completing a "book report form" and preparing to present this form to the class. The students also need to be able to explain where on a timeline their historical fiction book fits).
 * Science Fair (just for our class) instructions have been given to students and the bottom portion of one of the forms needs to come back by Friday.
 * We created crystals in science, and will continue with another vocabulary quiz next week.
 * Please see the math page to the right to find a checklist of objectives we've been covering re: Geometry and Measurement. We are going to be reviewing how to use protractors next week and then we'll be ready for an exam.

__**August 15th:**__
 * Spelling words this week are from our class novel, Hatchet. Please click the link: Hatchet Spelling List
 * Maths - New South Wales exam Tuesday.
 * Puppets for design and technology done by Wednesday.
 * Last few weeks have focused more on grammar and now students will focus on writing (journals, book reports, and expositions)
 * Book report and Current events both due the 1st Friday in September

August 8th:

 * Spelling focus: countries (in preparation for our Book Week celebrations in Week 6 "One World, Many Stories") Click here: This Week's Spelling
 * Chemistry title page due Tuesday (9/8) Students should focus on their work and glossary terms thus far when drawing and labelling diagrams for their title pages.
 * Grammar Booklet due Thursday (11/8)
 * Maths focus is currently on drawing shapes and converting metric measurments (example: 23km = 23000m)
 * In Design and Technology, students are completing 3D shape puppets which we will use in upcoming drama classes

August 1st:

 * Welcome to term three!**
 * __Spelling__Pretest Monday and test Friday
 * __Science__: We have started a unit focused on **Chemistry**. So far, students can identify chemical reactions, separate solids from solids and solids from liquids. Students will have a **vocabulary test Tuesday on the glossary words**provided to them. Students will create an experiment for our class science fair at the end of term three.
 * __SOSE__: students are reading Historical Fiction novels this term to better understand a period of time in Australian history. Students will present their books at the end of term. Mrs. Amodeo has started extensive research with the students regarding the Gold rush era, and continued study re: democracy.
 * __Maths__: our current focus is on distinguishing, drawing, and naming three dimensional shapes and their parts. This will be followed by a unit on measurement.

**July 4th:**

 * This is the last week before our term 2 break. I hope everyone had a look at their report cards on Friday. We will be starting some new work in maths this week (probability games and geometry concepts) with more of a geometry focus to start term three. We will also focus on Chemistry in science. As for this week, here are some updates for you:**
 * Spelling test Wednesday - only 6 activities required
 * Students narratives were due today and many need to finish them up tonight (these was fictional writing about diverting an asteroid en route to Earth)
 * "Leader of the Pack" excursion to Adelaide High this Thursday morning. Those not attending will still be expected to attend school.
 * Students will start drama with Mrs. Edginton on Friday and this will continue for the rest of the year
 * Assembly this Friday - our class will be singing 2 songs
 * Early dismissal Friday @ 2:15pm (Students return to school on July 25th)

//It has been a pleasure working with you these past 6 months, and I look forward to the next 6 months - which I'm sure will speed by even more quickly!//

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend...and now, hopefully, we'll sort out a few due dates below to alleviate panic:

 * Science **
 * planet report & design task due Friday (science - see blue sheet or attachments in Science section to the right)
 * English**:
 * book club job due tomorrow (Wednesday, June 15th)
 * spelling week 7 term 2 due Friday - only 7 activities
 * Students will present a poem of their choice, out loud, for the class on Monday
 * Asteroid Narrative Story due a week from Thursday (we'll work on it in class)
 * Forms**:
 * Leader of the Pack (the musical) forms due back by Friday, please ($8)

__June 6th:__

 * Spelling this week focuses on apostrophe usage to show ownership or contractions (10 activities & test Friday)
 * Maths basic facts test Friday
 * Optional review/support time Wednesday at lunch re: fractions, rounding, place value, ratios, percentages, and decimals
 * Science creative design task assigned (to go with planet information report) and both are due at the end of the next week
 * Writing - students are learning how to plan and write a narrative (fictional) story
 * Reading - book club job #6 due Wednesday (and we are reading Hatchet together as a class in order to blog with the Canadian class)
 * SOSE - new current events due last day of June

**__May 30th:__**

 * **Spelling "Term 2 Week 5" test Friday (and 10 activities)**
 * **Book Clubs due Wednesday (see English instructions to the right)**
 * **Current Events were due today and a new one will be handed out later this week**
 * **Students will be creating information reports in science regarding a planet, moon, or space phenomena**
 * **Sose with Mrs. Amodeo will involve more mapping during the rest of term 2**
 * **Thanks to those who created shadow puppets, they looked intricate and thoughtful for the presentations**
 * ***MATHS TESTS IN SMARTBOOKS NEED A PARENT SIGNATURE - PLEASE HAVE A LOOK**
 * **Basic Facts test on Frida**y


 * __May 23rd - Wow - Week 4 already!__**
 * **Spelling Term 2 week 4 (see [|www.spellingcity.com] for practice)**
 * **We are working on shadow puppets tomorrow; any materials they'd like to use can be brought in**
 * **Book Clubs (3rd activity) due Wednesday (see English to right)**
 * **Current Events due next Tuesday (May 31st - see SOSE to right)**
 * **Maths test & last week's book club activity to be viewed & __signed__ in students SmartBooks**
 * **Students have science handouts they are working on regarding days, seasons, planets, solar system**
 * **Ask your child about the starfinder s/he's created in science**
 * **We are working on a blog with our Canadian counterparts about the novel, Hatchet. Please have a look. We will eventually email the Canadian students as well.**

__**May 16th**__:
 * Spelling "Term 2 Week 3" Friday (www.spellingcity.com under "Term 2 Week 3" for practice)
 * Book Clubs (2nd activity) due Wednesday (see English at right for another copy)
 * Current Events due at end of month (see SOSE at right for another copy)
 * Students will be taking a maths assessment home that they wrote on Monday
 * Students are studying planets in and out of our solar system and explaining the characteristics needed for survival on the planet they choose.
 * Students also created a star finder last week to look at the night sky and identify constellations. Please ask your child to talk with you about how it works.
 * **SmartBooks should go home along with Diaries every Friday for a parent to see new assessments and work that has been handed back.**

__**May 9th:**__
 * Spelling Term 2 Week 2 Friday
 * Maths Fractions (traffic lights handout) due Monday (9/5)
 * Science Title Page due Monday (9/5)
 * New book clubs have started and are due each Wednesday
 * Current Events (2 articles) due at the end of the month
 * We are working on a new unit in science based in Earth & Space as well as continuing our maths unit on fractions, decimals, and percentages (I will put the outcomes for these units up soon)

Students should keep one item in the book, per subject, of which they are proud.
 * __May 2nd:__**
 * spelling #12 test Friday
 * maths list of % fractions and decimals by tomorrow
 * maths basic facts test Friday
 * Smart books returned to school, emptied and ready for term two.
 * Mother's Day stall this Friday

__**April 4th, 2011:**__
 * Spelling for week 10 can be found at @http://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=2048650 as well as with this list:[[file:Spelling List 10.doc]]
 * Maths basic facts test Friday (different to what we have been doing, so please discuss with your child)
 * Maths Vocab quiz Friday
 * Parent Teacher interviews this week, please ask your son or daughter for your time (forms went home a couple weeks ago and an appointment slip went home last Wednesday with your official time).
 * Whole School Assembly Friday
 * Oceans Alive Performance Wednesday


 * March 28th, 2011:**
 * Science vocabulary quiz Thursday (see science to the right for vocabulary and study links)
 * Spelling test Friday (check __www.spellingcity.com__for extra games and activities)
 * Maths test Friday
 * Current Events due Friday (Egypt article, map, and NASA article)
 * Camp forms will be accepted until Friday
 * Interviews will occur next week, and Mrs. Edginton will send home an appointment card this Wednesday


 * March 21st, 2011:**
 * Book Club #5 (last one) due Wednesday
 * Students were given a list of science terms and helpful notes Monday, and 10 of these vocab. words will be tested this Thursday
 * Book Report due Friday (Report includes: 1 cause & effect chart, 1 journal entry as a character, 1 thinking chart, and 1 character bubble)
 * Spelling Week 8 words (2 activities per week and test Friday)
 * Maths weekly speed tests Friday
 * Current Events due next Thursday, March 31st (includes 2 articles and a map of Egypt)


 * March 15, 2011:**
 * **WEDNESDAY IS "Ride/Walk to School" DAY!**
 * NO spelling because it is a short week with our Clipsal field trip Thursday and Protectors presentation Wednesday
 * Items to bring to Clipsal: snacks, water bottle(s), sunscreen, hat (optional: pocket money & camera)
 * Book Club Job due Wednesday (see English section to the right for job descriptions)
 * Maths basic multiplication test Friday
 * see Science section to the right for an overview of our Life Systems unit, lab reports, and current Alien/Plant webquest
 * Interview times will be sent home for which you can sign up...this information is on a PINK piece of paper
 * Sausage Sizzle information slips also sent home WEDNESDAY


 * March 7th, 2011:**
 * Kate Ellis visits this Friday morning for a Recognition Ceremony for our new school buildings.
 * No school on Monday, March 14th
 * Book Clubs due Wednesdays (see English link to the right for a copy)
 * Spelling Week 6 activities at www.spellingcity.com or click here Week 6 "ee" or "ea" words
 * //Complete and Incomplete sentences//activity completed by Thursday, March 10th
 * Maths test (multiplication) Friday
 * Animal Reports handed in Friday (work time provided Thursday)


 * February 28th, 2011:**
 * Short week this week. Students will not have school Friday, and therefore are only required to complete eight spelling activities for the week instead of ten. Unit 4 (week 5) activities
 * Maths speed Multiplication test Friday (students are at level 2,3, or 4 this week)
 * Athletic Trials this Wednesday
 * Students are completing their summer recount and animal reports this week
 * February's Current Events & Mapping due Monday, February 28th (March current events introduced this week)
 * A colourful curriculum statement was sent home during week 2 and I'd love for you to have read it. Please ask your son or daughter for it if it has not yet arrived home :)


 * February 8th, 2011:**
 * Spelling - 2 activities per night (test Friday)
 * Unit one study activities
 * Maths Speed Multiplication test Friday
 * school crossing note given today 8/2 & needs to be brought back by Friday
 * song - practice & memorize lyrics for Friday - **We are hosting the assembly**
 * SRC - dot points for speech ready by tomorrow (speeches presented on Thursday)


 * February 15, 2011:**
 * Spelling - 2 activities per night - practice @ spellingcity.com @http://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=2418355
 * See calendar below for more due dates & routine homework
 * Maths - we are learning about place value millions to thousandths, estimating products, and representing numbers. Ask your child about the "Junk It" games and test work
 * Excursion Trip March 17th went home today (due back March 10th)