During the past fortnight students have been learning many new skills. Students have learned how to use Spelling City and email. Understanding why we use email instead of writing letters is very important. Also NAPLAN often has questions that relates to emails.

Students can see how Visual Literacy is a powerful tool and students are looking more closely and critically at certain illustrations in picture books. Questioning students about what they can see, what is actually happening in pictures increases student’s confidence and vocabulary. It is important for students to be able to observe and describe from the whole picture to the smallest part and look for the clues that the illustrator has used to develop meaning in the story.

This process is also a great thinking tool for students to develop as it encourages students to think up questions as well.

In history students in Year 3-6 did a ‘peel the fruit’ thinking activity. This activity encourages students to think beyond what is in front of them. They will continue to keep adding the questions and thoughts as they work through a history unit.

Mrs. Shaw