Having returned from a very informative and enjoyable Study Tour last week, the students are continuing to complete follow-up activities in all areas of the curriculum.

On Friday they were challenged to create a model inspired by something they saw or experienced on the trip. The design brief was that it needed to be something that could be commenced and completed at school in a maximum of three periods, using readily accessible materials.

The range of different models, reflecting all aspects of the trip is an insight into the many different things that capture the imaginations of our children and their creativity in tackling challenges to realise their plans.

Below are pictures of the completed models.

After the day we have had it is no surprise everyone was happy to get some rest. After an early start with an optional jog along the Murray, followed by the tour of Port of Echuca and its historic wharf, we spent an hour or so on the Pevensey before lunch in the park. There was time for a quick play in the playground before we visited the Holden Museum, did some shopping and watched the Dancing Emus puppet show. Next we walked along the river to Oz Maze where it took at least an hour to locate the eight capital cities in a giant maze map of Australia. Back at the motel there was time for a swim in the pool before dinner. After dinner each cabin put on a puppet show before Mrs Gilbert’s singalong / dancealong spectacular which had everybody up on their feet. We finished up with a limbo competition in which Annie and Grace were the victors. I wouldn’t say they were begging to go to bed but they certainly weren’t complaining either.

It is a glorious day to be steaming down the river aboard the Pevensey. We have enjoyed a tour of the historic wharf where we learned a little more about Echuca’s history to which the history of the Murray River is tightly linked.
Mr Pittard, who has shown the students his own model steam engine during science lessons at school, is enjoying this opportunity to explain the real thing.

…..click here to read more

Recent rain has brought the park to life. A vast wetland attracts birds in abundance. Emus, wallabies and kangaroos roam freely while koalas, snakes, lizards, spiders, wombats, tasmanian devils and many more are housed in large natural enclosures. In the education centre children were given the opportunity to handle live animals including a blue tongue lizard, a giant cockroach and a sugar glider.

Well we’re not ‘there yet’ but we have had the opportunity to let off a bit of steam in preparation for the next leg of the journey.
The log lockup is a big attraction for the children who are trying to get into it as I write.

Today the children will bring home a notice entitled “Final Camp Details”. Please keep it handy to refer to on Monday morning.

Many students have asked about the clothing and equipment list for Echuca. This was sent home with the original permission form, but is listed here for anyone who has misplaced it.

BRING THESE ITEMS – (all items should be clearly named)

Welcome back to Term 4, and your final term as a Year 3 student. We are going to have our best term ever, starting with a trip to Echuca. Because this is a Study Tour, we are going to Echuca to learn about many things, including the history of Echuca and the Murray River. Perhaps you know a little about this already, or you might like to start investigating. Have you ever wondered what a river town was like 100 years ago? 200 years ago? 500 years ago? 10 000 years ago? What do you think has changed? Do you think there is anything that has stayed the same? We have put some links on the sidebar for you to have a look at, and Mrs Lawrence has lots of books in the library too.

When we go on a paddle steamer, we will see some heat energy and energy transfer in action. Energy that starts as stored  energy in redgum timber, will end up making the paddle steamer go. See if you can think through all the steps that make this possible.  If you can’t, have  a look at the link on the right. If you still can’t understand it, make sure you ask lots of questions while we are on the paddle steamer. It is much easier to understand when you are looking at a giant steam engine that is actually making the paddle steamer go.

During the Study Tour we will visit the Kyabram Fauna Park where we will learn about some of Australia’s native animals. Again many of you probably know a great deal already, but I think you will find out something new. The teachers always learn something when we go to the Kyabram Fauna Park. In Science this term we will be learning a lot about living and non living things and the categories we organise them into, so we will start with the animals we see at the park.

Another interesting place we visit, is the Tongala Dairy Farm where we learn about some of the challenges dairy farmers are facing, and also about how milk gets from a cow in Tongala, into our refrigerator.  We will visit lots of other places too, and incredibly you will still have lots of time to play with your friends.  It will be lots of fun.

Look at the picture and practise using some of the descriptive writing skills you have learned this term. You might use (but not over-use)

• metaphor
• simile
• personification
• alliteration
• verbs that make the writing exciting

Maths topics this term include division and equivalent  fractions and as forecast, children who know their times tables are mostly finding  them easy to learn. Learning times tables is something we do at school, but in order to develop automatic response, children also need to practise at home. Those who have put in the extra effort to master tables, have no trouble learning short division and can perform these operations well beyond the requirement for Year 3. Similarly, when asked to express a fraction in its lowest terms, children who know their tables can instantly see the common factor and complete the operations without difficulty.

There are many ways to learn times tables, and children have had the opportunity to share the way they learn best. Some like to write them down, some like to be quizzed, some use flash cards, some use computer games. If children haven’t learned them yet, maybe they should consider a different method. Knowing all of the tables up to 12 x 12 is a great start for Year 4. Children are encouraged to keep a chart of their progress towards this goal. They can generate a times tables chart using Excel and shade the ones they have already learned, to record their achievements and identify targets. They should break the process down into achievable chunks and start immediately. The setting and achievement of goals is an important and transferrable skill too, which is a byproduct of this process, as is the self discipline required to choose this activity over say, watching TV or playing computer games.

Learning times tables in Year 3 is not a guarantee of mathematical success, but children who do not know their tables will be in a class with a great many children who do. Being unable to call up number facts when problem solving, can be a real setback. Often, by the time children have worked out the multiplication or the division, they have forgotten how it related to the problem, and confusion and frustration sets in. Knowing tables gives children important mathematical confidence and puts them in a strong position to advance their mathematical understanding.

This week we will be learning the 8X tables. The first thing to do is identify the ones already known. Next, identify patterns that will help. eg 8 X 6 is double 4 X 6 etc. Easy ones are 1 X 8, 10 X 8 and 11 X 8. We have learned the 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X and 6X, so there aren’t many left to learn. For those who haven’t learned these yet, now is the time to do it. I have explained to the children that we can practise tables at school, I can test them, give them strategies, remind them and encourage them but I cannot tip tables facts into children’s brains. (Technically I can, but it takes up a lot of time, penalises those who already know them, and results in children not wanting to come to school)  Children must apply effort to this task. Congratulations to all of those that have.

All Year 3 students will perform in Grand Music Showcase at the Frankston Arts Centre on Wednesday 5th September. This is a wonderful opportunity to come along and listen to the school’s larger ensembles. 3A and 3B form Mozart Choir. They rehearse once a week, and will be involved in extra rehearsals in the lead-up to Grand Music Showcase. Strings students will also perform as part of Corelli Strings.

“Music Camp” will be held at school this week on Thursday and Friday. Children are allowed to come in free dress on their rehearsal day. Mozart Choir rehearsal is on Thursday 17th August. All Year 3s can come in free dress on this day. On Friday 18th Corelli Strings will be rehearsing so student in this ensemble will be able to come in free dress on Friday as well.