Learning about probability (with Scratch the Cat)

In mathematics this term, the students have been learning about chance and probability. Yesterday, we started using a programming language called ‘Scratch’ to create our own mini-computer games based around these probability concepts.

To give students an idea of what is possible, they can play a two-up simulation that I created using Scratch. They can even open up the app using Scratch and see how it was put together. Perhaps someone will even improve it!

In weeks to come, I will be sharing some examples of the students’ work on the class blog. Stay tuned!

Parent survey

Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents and family members who attended Wednesday’s learning journey. It was a pleasure to see students and family members all so excited about the learning that is happening at Landsdale.

We would appreciate it if all parents could complete a quick online survey. This will help us to plan future evenings and to improve the quality of the service that we provide to you and your children.

Learning Journey

As advised in the school newsletter, Landsdale Primary is holding a ‘Learning Journey’ between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm tomorrow (Wednesday). This is an opportunity for students to share with you some of their amazing work and to reflect on their learning this term.

During the learning journey, your child will guide you through LA31 and the specialist rooms, showing some of the activities that they have enjoyed as well as describing areas that they find challenging. To guide this process of student reflection and goal-setting, we have developed a student passport. However, this passport is simply a guide — each child’s journey is unique and the evening will reflect this.

Please note that a learning journey is not a parent-teacher interview. The evening is designed to be student-centred and to assist the children to reflect on their own learning. If you would like to discuss your child’s progress, just let me know and we can schedule a time for a meeting.

 Photo Credit: eflon via Compfight cc

Video Tutorial: Multiplying and Dividing by Ten

The number ten is the key to our decimal number system. Today’s video tutorial shows how to multiply and divide by the number ten. This may be easy when working with whole numbers but watch out for those decimals!

Our assembly item

Thanks to all parents and family members who came along to our assembly item on Wednesday. I was so proud of the effort that the children put into this item. It was a complicated act to perform but they nailed it!

If you would like to watch the assembly item again, it is now available on our class blog.

If you are interested in viewing the full assembly (including merit awards, the national anthem etc), just drop me a note in your child’s diary and I will make sure that your child has a copy on his / her computer.

Year Six Culture Project

All year six students are beginning a project that involves researching a country. Your child has been given their country and we are currently learning how to search for keywords in a text and how to make ‘jot notes’ out of them.

Students will be required to do most of their research at home, using text books, the Internet or the public library. We will be using the research to formulate students’ writing for the project here at school.

Topics that MUST be included are:

• Geography
• Population (and growth over the last century)
• Religion
• Traditional food
• Weather and climate
• Labelled map
• Language and some examples
• Currency

Some of the topics that COULD be included in the projects are:

• Lifestyle
• Sport
• School life
• Flag
• Ancient history
• Resources (imports and exports)
• Traditional clothing

It is important that you only help your child with the researching part of this project, as we will be working on the written part of the project at school only.

We anticipate this project being completed and presented to peers in the first couple of weeks of term two.

Thank you in anticiaption of your support,
Year Six Teachers and Ms Leanne White

Photo Credit: greekadman via Compfight cc

LA31 Assembly – tomorrow!

Don’t forget that the LA31 assembly will be held tomorrow (Wednesday 3 April) at 2pm in the undercover area. All students should bring their costumes with them to school and get changed at lunchtime.

Our assembly will highlight the school’s I-Value program which teaches students the values and behaviours necessary to be a successful and contributing citizen in the 21st century. As a part of the Values program, two of the students from LA31will be receiving merit certificates plus one will be selected as ‘Aussie of the Month’.

We would love to see you there!

(Artwork by Patricia Lima, Landsdale Primary School, brought to life by Jeska Design).

Spellodrome working again

I am pleased to report that Spellodrome, our online system for learning spelling, is operational once again. Students can now access all of their spelling lists, past and current, and practise their words using a range of games and activities.

I am sure that all students have completed their spelling homework for this week. Remember, students should be practising their spelling, reading and maths each night for a total of around thirty minutes. These fundamental literacy and numeracy skills lay the foundation for all of the learning that takes place in class.

Every student has a personalised spelling list which is designed to precisely meet their needs. If your child is finding the words too easy or too hard, please let me know and I will adjust this.

I will occasionally supplement the regular homework with project-based tasks. Details of our upcoming culture project will be posted on the blog tomorrow.

Happy Easter!

Spellodrome logo courtesy of spellodrome.com