Year 6General InformationWelcome to Year 6 at Discovery CollegeThe three Year 6 teachers are Ms Kim Cassel (6KCL), Ms Tanya Surawski (6TSI) and Mr Matt Baron (6MBN) and the Educational Assistant is Mrs Michelle Feehan. The teacher's can be contacted at the following email addresses: Kim Cassel:
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StationeryEach Year 6 student is responsible for having the correct stationery items. Stationery kits may be purchased from the PTA shop or from other outside sources. The list of equipment can be viewed by clicking on the stationery list in the 'Downloads' section below. LaptopsStudents in Year 6 are responsible for their own laptop computers. Students must ensure that laptops are brought to school fully charged each day in a pouch or carry case. If the laptop needs charging throughout the day each student is responsible for providing his or her own charger. Some families might like to consider purchasing a second charger to be kept in the classroom so as to avoid carrying one to and from home. Headphones and a USB drive at least 2GB in size are also a necessary addition. Lockers and LocksAll children in Year 6 have the option to bring a suitable lock for their lockers so that their laptops and other valuable items can be stored safely throughout the school day. The lock is not compulsory, as laptops and valuables can be stored in the classrooms, but it is a recommended additional item. CommunicationIn Year 6, students, teachers and parents communicate through a variety of methods. We adopt a similar strategy to that of the secondary school in that we will allow students to choose their preferred communication and organisation tools. Students may prefer to use their school diaries to record homework and important events or they may choose to record this information electronically using their laptops. Likewise, parents are able to communicate through the diaries, via email or through phone conversations with the classroom teachers. It is the responsibility of the students to notify their class teacher of any parent communication recorded in the diary. Students must have their diary with them at school each day and should use the plastic wallets provided to transport notices to and from school. Web UpdatesThe Year 6 web site will be updated regularly with news, unit information, resources and multi-media. Students will be notified when updates are made. DownloadsPlease click on the links below to access important information relating to the Year 6 programme.
News & Updates3 September 2010Excitement reigns supreme in Year 6 with a fantastic start to the school year already behind us. Routines and expectations have been established and our learning is full steam ahead. Our 1:1 laptop scheme is up and running with all children already showing a great deal of maturity and responsibility with their new machines. Our swimming programme is also underway and has proved to be lots of fun. It was great to see so many parents at our information evening recently. We've had a good parent response to being a camp volunteer and look forward to working with some of you soon. More information about camp will be available in the near future. 'You Tell Us' week is coming up with appointment bookings now being made via DC website. All parents should have received an email with login details by now. Please log in and choose a time slot that suits you best. A questionnaire will be sent home soon, if you can fill it in and return it to school before your appointment it would be much appreciated. Unit of Inquiry As part of our inquiry into communication technology over time we have looked at the ways that we communicate with each other. Our findings have indicated that most of use a range of technology to communicate with many different people all around the world. But what about in the past? We have identified a range of communication technologies from the past that were influential in changing the way people connected with each other, some of which have developed over time into modern day communication tools. We will be investigating these inventions further over the next week or two, before creating web sites to explain how they were used and how they influenced society at the time. As a part of this inquiry, we will be looking at the communication tools available to us today and drawing conclusions about their effectiveness for communicating in different ways. Language In Language we are working on a unit that focuses on writing in the style of an explanation. During this unit the children will be analyzing samples of explanation writing to develop an understanding of the visual and text features of this text type. By the end of the unit the students will be expected to write their own explanation text about a communication device. They will be evaluated on their ability to:
Maths Our first unit of mathematics this year is under the strand of number. Numbers are used to interpret information, make decisions and solve problems. The children have already begun to read, write, model and order numbers up to the millions place. We have started to investigate just "How Big is a Million?" The students will continue to work with patterns in our number system in decimals and be introduced to negative numbers. They will also revise their understanding of how to make decisions and solve problems using addition and subtraction. Alongside this, they will continue to develop their strategies for evaluating how reasonable their answers are in real-life situations. Year 6 Correspondence Programme of InquiryUnit 1 - CommunicationTransdisciplinary Theme: Where we are in place and time The first unit in year six comes under the trans-disciplinary theme of "Where we are in place and time". Under this theme the children are inquiring into the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, more specifically, the technological discoveries that have influenced these relationships. During this unit, students will be investigating communication technology throughout history that has brought individuals, groups and civilizations together. They will have the opportunity to explore the influences different technology has had on how individuals and groups communicate with one another. The children will be introduced to a variety of digital literacy including, wikis, blogs, social networking and social bookmarking, and be able to draw conclusions about their effectiveness in a range of social situations. Central Idea: 'People have developed technology that has shaped the way that communities interact.' Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Reflection, Connection, Change Learner Profile Focus: Reflective, Communicator Attitude Focus: Independence, Confidence Unit 2 - BiodiversityTransdisciplinary Theme: Sharing the planet The second unit of inquiry in Year 6 comes under the transdisciplinary theme of "Sharing the planet". Under this theme the children are inquiring into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things. During this unit, students will inquire into the importance of biodiversity in determining the health of our planet. They will investigate different types of biomes and ecosystems and discover how they support biodiversity. Using our local area, the children will learn about the importance of wetland areas and use their science skills to evaluate the health of the mangrove ecosystem near Discovery College. Central Idea: Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems. Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Causation, Connection, Responsibility Learner Profile Focus: Caring, Principled Attitude Focus: Commitment, Respect Unit 3 – Let's CritiqueTransdisciplinary Theme: How we express ourselves The third unit of inquiry in Year 6 comes under the transdisciplinary theme of "How we express ourselves". Under this theme the children are inquiring into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values as well as the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity and our appreciation of the aesthetic. During this unit we will investigate the many ways people can express their emotions through Art. The students will create a piece of abstract artwork that depicts an emotion and critique a peer's artwork using a formal critiquing method. The children will also create a film for the ESF Film Awards that portrays an emotion without using speech. During Music lessons, students will compose their own music to accompany the film. Central Idea: Art is connected to emotions and can be represented in many ways. Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Perspective, Reflection, Connection Learner Profile Focus: Open-minded, Communicator Attitude Focus: Confidence, Creativity, Appreciation Unit 4 - MatterTransdisciplinary Theme: How the world works The fourth unit of inquiry in Year 6 comes under the transdisciplinary theme of "How the world works". Under this theme the children are inquiring into the natural world and its laws, how humans use their understanding of scientific principles, and the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. During this unit the students will participate in several scientific experiments and draw conclusions from their results. We will inquire into the many ways that people can change matter and discuss the implementations this can have on the health of our planet. Students will be asked to take a stance and participate in debates on various issues relating to changing matter. Central Idea: Changing matter can pose challenges and provide benefits for society and the environment. Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Form, Change, Responsibility Learner Profile Focus: Principled, Knowledgeable, Thinker Attitude Focus: Curiosity, Integrity Unit 5 – Making a Difference - PYP ExhibitionTransdisciplinary Theme: How we organise ourselves The exhibition unit of inquiry in Year 6 comes under the transdisciplinary theme of "How we organise ourselves". Under this theme the children are inquiring into the structure and function of organizations and their impact on humankind and the environment. During this unit students will be inquiring into various organisations that provide services to the environment or humankind. Students will have the chance to identify opportunities for service in their own school, community, or further abroad and will form small organisations with the aim of making a difference in an area that they feel passionate about. The exhibition is a chance for Year 6 students to demonstrate the independence and responsibility that they have developed throughout their primary school years, as well as being an opportunity to take action as a result of learning. Throughout the unit, the students will be mentored by teachers from across the school, as well as seeking current and relevant information from a variety of primary resources. Central Idea: Organisations can make a difference to humankind and the environment. Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Function, Causation, Change Learner Profile Focus: Communicator, Thinker Attitude Focus: Cooperation, Enthusiasm Unit 6 – ChangesTransdisciplinary Theme: Who we are The final unit of inquiry comes under the transdisciplinary theme of "Who we are". Under this theme the children inquire into the nature of the self, including our personal, mental, social and spiritual health, as well as focusing on human relationships. As part of this unit students learn about physical and physiological changes to their bodies during adolescence. Developing positive relationships and identifying strategies to support each other through these changes is a major focus. This unit also allows the students to inquire into the changes they will undergo when transitioning from primary school to secondary school. Central Idea: External and internal factors cause changes in our lives. Lines of Inquiry:
Key Concepts: Causation, Change, Responsibility Learner Profile Focus: Open-minded, Balanced Attitude Focus: Empathy, Tolerance English Language OverviewThe English Language curriculum is divided in three strands: Writing Language, Oral Language and Visual Language. These three strands are inter-woven into all areas of the curriculum and particularly the units of inquiry. However, specific skills in these three areas are taught in stand alone Language lessons. Written LanguageThe written language strand includes reading, writing and spelling. In Year 6 students study text in the form of a weekly literature circle. In literature circles, students are encouraged to read critically and study the craft of story writing. Students also engage in the study of reading through shared reading linked to the unit of inquiry. Writing in Year 6 focuses on the students continuing to improve the structure and content of their writing. Students are taught to write for specific purposes and audiences. The process of drafting, editing and publishing encourages the students at this level to continue to improve their written work. Words Their WayWords Their Way is the spelling program that is used in Year 6. The program focuses on improving spelling through word study and the identification of patterns in words. Students are taught in differentiated groups that cater to their specific needs. Oral LanguageThe oral language strand includes speaking and listening. In Year 6 students are encouraged to become confident speakers and effective listeners. In Language lessons, students are instructed in successful presenting and debating techniques. Students are also trained in listening for specific information and responding appropriately. Visual LanguageThe skills of viewing and presenting are taught in conjunction with each other. Students analyse visual media and text for audience, purpose and meaning. Students will draw upon these skills when they create their silent movie for the ESF Film Festival. Maths OverviewDC mathematics policyThe Discovery College mathematics policy outlines the school's philosophy of teaching mathematics. In this document below, you will be able to find information regarding the school's goals, assessment, and teaching practices. Mathematical StrandsThe Maths curriculum is organised into 5 strands. Below you will find a short descriptor for each strand or what we want the children to know.
Related concepts: There are many related concepts that could provide further links to the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry or further understanding of the subject area. Related concepts, such as pattern, boundaries and base systems, have been embedded into the descriptions for each of the strands above. Schools may choose to develop further related concepts. Year 6 Mathematics OverviewThe following document outlines the Maths units covered in Year 6. Please note the timing and duration of these are approximate and may change to suit the needs of a particular class. As each unit begins, Maths targets for that unit will be posted below. Student TargetsThroughout our Year 6 Mathematics units, the students are working towards achieving targets that show their understanding of the content and their ability to implement them in various contexts. Student success for each 'I can' statement is measured through their formative and summative assessments, a range of 'hands-on' classroom activities and observation of the student's understandings as well as independent working skills. At the start of each unit a target sheet for that unit will be added below. Unit 1 – Number and Place ValueMathematical Strand: Number Central idea: The base ten system enables us to meaningfully understand and use numbers to solve problems. Lines of Inquiry:
Web Resources:
Mathletics - www.mathletics.com Online ResourcesChineseDear Year 6 Parents and students,
Hope the above information can help you and the learning!
Homework |
CURRICULUM 
PYP Year 6
DC Mathematics Policy