Curriculum News

Welcome back to term 3. I love term 3 in classrooms. The students are settled so nicely, they know the routines and processes of their classrooms thoroughly and we see a lot of growth in student learning, in this term.

Setting Homework Routines

The beginning of each term is a fantastic time to re-establish some routines for homework and home revision. Having a clear homework expectation and a set place and time to complete homework is the most effective way for children to develop long lasting habits. I encourage you to sit with your child/children and work out the best time and setting for them to complete their homework and also what you expect they get done in that time.

Perhaps in the morning when eating breakfast at the bench might be the best time.

Maybe as soon as your child comes home from school, they complete their homework at the table before they play.

It is also important that students in year 6 start to think about their study habits and what ‘revision’ may look like at home so they can learn to ‘go over’ the things they have learnt that day in order to prepare for high school. I encourage year 6 students to spend approximately 5 minutes per subject, revising what they learnt that day, taking notes in their own words and reading over these. So, in a day, students may be taught English, Maths, Science and HASS which would be twenty minutes of revision for that day.

Student Support – Tier 2 and Tier 3

In previous years, including semester one of this year, class teachers have identified students they feel need extra support in their learning. These students are identified as either needing tier 2 support (instruction given in smaller groups focussing on regular class work that is broken down into more hands on and targeted tasks) or tier 3 support (more intensive instruction in very small or individual groups focussing on more heavily modified learning). To let you know about this support, teachers would send a note home for you to sign, acknowledging you understand the support your child will be receiving. This semester, no notes will be going home for signing. Instead, parents will be sent an e-mail, letting you know of this support. Please reply to this e-mail so we know you are aware of the support your child will be receiving.

Any questions, please feel free to e-mail me: dmath9@eq.edu.au

Have a great day.

Dee Mathiesen

Head of Curriculum