Amphibians Class

Below you can see that the Amphibian Seniors have made a variety of polyhedrons from their nets (flat 2D layout). We examined the difference between Prisms and Polyhedrons taking note of their bases. The Dodecahedron (12 sided 3D shape) was the winner and a lot of sticky tape was needed!

Our Work

We will continue our work on “The Coming of Man.” This term, students will learn about how man progressed during the period of 10,000 BCE to 1CE. Each child will complete their own project and we’ll combine this work to create a massive timeline on our louvre room wall.

The children will examine different civilisations; how agriculture came to be; the history of language and numbers; forming communities, towns and cities; innovations and inventions. The children will complete different projects from the following list: Man around 10,000 & 9,000 years ago; Mesopotamian Civilisation – Sumerians, Babylonians, cuneiform; Indus Valley Civilisation; Ancient Egypt; Ancient Greeks & Trojan War; Ancient China; Persia; Roman empire; Maya; Incan civilisation; Aztecs; Jesus Christ; Minoans; Mauryan empire India; Mt Vesuvius & Pompei; The Woolly Mammoth & animals that went extinct in this period; Australian Aborigines; Types of calendars especially Gregorian & Julian.

Playtime

Our playtime is from 11:45-12:15. Our lunch time is 12:15 to 12:45. We asked the class what they did at playtime and this is what they said: “I play gaga ball and run around; I play on the monkey bars; I play basketball; I play touch rugby; I play cricket; I walk around with my friends; I play with Cycle Oners; I talk with my friends; I play on the C3 playground with my friends.”

 Morning arrival reminder

Children are asked to arrive at 8.15am. If your child arrives late (at 8.30 on-the-dot or after), it’s quite unsettling for your child and the others. Children always seem to need 5-10 minutes to say hello to their friends and gather their thoughts for the day. They tend to do this, no matter what time they arrive – so if they arrive late, they don’t settle easily to work.

 School uniform policy

Please support our school uniform policy by helping your child wear the correct uniform. If your child doesn’t have the correct school jumper, please supply them with a navy coloured jumper to match. Multicoloured socks and shoes are creeping in – our uniform policy states that children are to wear navy or white socks with black closed in shoes.  Hair below shoulder level should be tied back.  Additionally, Smart watches with a phone function are not allowed.

Can you help?

Forks & Spoons – somehow these disappear. We are looking for donations! Once known for their abundance, these kitchen eating utensils, are now extinct on the upper floor of the big building.

Book review:

Attached to this newsletter is our readathon book review for term three. This work requires your child to read as much as they can. Their readathon list is due on Monday 26^th August (week 8). Please find attached.

Reading aloud at home.

Although your child is able to read well, they’d still benefit from reading aloud to you at home.  Often children can read well, but haven’t a clue as to what they’ve read. Asking your child questions about the text will help them recall information plus identify ‘inferred’ meanings. Have discussions about the information. Also, ask your child to read using all of the punctuation. Are they pausing at full stops? changing their voice for questions? changing their voice for different speakers? If your child isn’t using the cues of punctuation to alter their voice, please point it out and help them. The use of punctuation makes text make sense. I realise time is short – but 10 minutes (a few times a week) while you cook dinner or listening to your child while driving in the car will really make a difference. All students would benefit greatly.

Lunch box ideas

The children have compiled a wonderful list of lunch ideas (on the following page). For Montessori at-home work, perhaps encourage your child to take a basket when shopping, give your child a budget and have them choose a healthy lunch to make themselves each day. Children can have the opportunity to make their lunch in advance. It also provides an opportunity for your child to calculate their expenses and only buy what they need.

Our senior students said:

• They’d like to make their lunch;
• They’d enjoy the process of making it;
• They’d like to learn how to make their own lunch;
• For independence;
• To learn how to budget;
• To feel empowered;
• Taking a job off a parent and feel like they’re contributing to the family;
• Personal satisfaction of eating their own prepared food.

 Events:

Wed 7^th to 9^th August – Senior Mystery Tour: The seniors go on a mystery tour and are not told where they’re going or what activities they’re doing. And yes, it is also a secret from the parents. Our 3A seniors are super excited! (from Matthew)

Mon 26^th August “Readathon” due.  Gota get reading because readathon is here but don’t stay up till nine o’clock reading because we don’t want tired grumpy children. (from Matthew)

Wed 28^th Aug – Father’s Day Stall. If you are a father stop reading here, just remember to bring five dollars to get a present. (from Matthew)

Thurs 29^th Aug – Italian Assembly  Students will need a coloured T-shirt. Please note students must come to school dressed in their school uniform. (see Rosie’s email).

Fri 30^th Aug – Student Free Day – Parent Teacher Conferences. These are held 1^st and 3^rd term – watch out for the booking newsletter from the office.

Fri 13^th Sept – Sports Fun Day.  See office news letter for information.

A huge thank you to Kai and Matthew for their ideas, editing and contributions to this newsletter.

Also, please always send me an email if you need to see me. I enjoy keeping in contact and meeting with you to solve any small or big problems. Thanks for entrusting us with your beautiful children and your support.

Have a great term!

From Elizabeth & Julie plus Kai and Matthew

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term 2! We have had a busy term so far, and Kai has written our newsletter – thanks so much, Kai!

This term, the Amphibians learned about Forensics! Forensics are scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime. So “Who stole the jewels?” To work this out, each child was both a suspect and detective.  They created a file on themselves, plus other suspects, complete with a mug shot.  They interviewed each other, and investigated all the clues. We did finger-print analysis, handwriting analysis, de-coded a ransom letter, cast shoe prints, compared tire prints and analysed clues like matching fibres using the microscopes. Eventually they narrowed down the suspects and found that Yvonne was the villain they needed to arrest. They had a wonderful time and loved arresting our Principal, Yvonne. She was read her rights and marched up to the classroom to be interrogated. Finally, the charges were dropped because they found a co-conspirator! They had a lot of fun, and huge thanks to Yvonne for playing along with it.

Recently, the Amphibian’s class had a Devonshire Tea! They learned how to make scones, set the tables, serve and eat scones with jam and cream. They also had a cup of decaffeinated tea. They loved it! These activities support the Montessori subject of Practical Life. One photo is of the children being posh and the other with their happy faces. It was such a team effort and lots of fun.

Elizabeth & Nathalie

Amphibian students enjoying some artwork by the billabong.  What lucky students we are at CMS!

Our 3A students have been studying the First Great Story and making planets and stars for presentation at our 3A Café event early in term two.

All of the planets have been made in proportion – scaled down by 1000. It’s very exciting and amazing to see how small Earth is, compared to Jupiter. We’ve hidden it for now, so it’s a surprise, but we’ll show you our finished work early in Term two!

In term one, some of our Amphibian students were amongst the senior students who enjoyed a leadership incursion from YLead.

Welcome back to school! We warmly welcome Nathalie Colin-Sullivan as our C3A assistant whilst Keyonie is on maternity leave. Nathalie brings classroom experience as a qualified teacher, Montessori parent, plus is studying for her C3 Montessori qualification. We are lucky to have her!

Amphibian work this term:

We are studying Botany and wow it’s been fun so far! We’ve filled the classroom with plants, and we’ll make macramé pot holders to hang even more plants in the classroom. So far we’ve planted seeds and they’ve already sprouted. We’ve begun making science experiments using bean seeds to show for Grandparent’s Day. Our work is hands-on with caring for plants and growing plants from seeds. We intend to collect seeds from the fruit or vegetables we eat and experimenting with growing them. So please encourage your child to bring in vegetable scraps that we can regrow (see picture for ideas). Our work will also be influenced by the amazing grounds of our school – especially with colours. We have already heard a story about the colours that nature makes and how they’re on the colour wheel. We will work with the plant kingdom nomenclature, identify the various forms of leaves, roots, flowers, herbs, seeds, fruit etc.

Students will follow their own individual path of enquiry to research and experiment. It is terribly exciting!

Here’s a summary of some of the questions that the children want to find out about:

• Why do flowers smell lovely?
• How can plants live in different conditions?
• Why are flowers different colours?
• Why do plants have thorns?
• Why are leaves green?
• How and why do plants create pollen?
• What are weeds?
• I want to learn about lichen/ leaf shapes / terrariums / photosynthesis / respiration / bark / poisonous berries / fungi / carnivorous plants / aquatic plants.

Senior Graduation preparation: Parents of Seniors – Please email or send in a printed copy of photographs of your child at CMS to help them make their senior gift to you. Ideal photos might be of their first day at school or with their friends at school or at camps.

Lost T Shirt: We have a purple sports shirt adult size “S” that was left here after the Arts Gala. Does your child own it?

Senior Entrepreneurship (Written by Shaylah the Great)

The seniors get to choose between entrepreneurship and work experience to do in their final term of school. They all have chosen to do entrepreneurship, where they create, launch and manage a business. They must make their own stall and sell their own goods with a budget of only $20. They get the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurship skills, preparing them for the future. Market Day will be on the 12th November and all the cycles will be able to come and buy our good or service.

Water bottles: As it’s getting hotter, please remind your child to bring their water bottle to school each day. Water bottles can stay at school through the week, and be taken home on Fridays.

Book reviews: Your child’s final book review is attached. It is due on Monday 22nd November. (Monday of Week 8)

Mental maths: Mental maths is due each Tuesday for Middles and Seniors – but never in the first or last week of term. Junior students are NOT required to do Mental Maths homework.

Grandparent’s Day: Is on Friday 22nd October! If a grandparent is unable to come, you’re more than welcome for your child to bring a family member or friend. The children are preparing their science experiments to show off that day.

Have a great term!

Elizabeth & Nathalie

Book Review – Life-sized character presentation

Due Monday 22nd November, 2021

Part one:

Create a life-sized model of the main character in your story. Use cardboard or a similar material. If you like, you can make it so that your face pokes through or you can crouch down behind it. Dress them as they are dressed in the book. You may like to dress the character in real clothes or make the clothes (just don’t glue pictures on or draw clothes on the model). You may draw on the face and body parts.

Part two:

When presenting this, you’ll tell the story of the book from the character’s eyes. This will be their perspective of the story. Their perspective will include the character’s feelings about the event/s including his/her hopes, dreams, problems, concerns and frustrations. Speak in first person, past tense, because you’re pretending to be the character and the story has already happened.

Part three:

You’ll need to type up or hand-write out your script and hand it in. It’s up to you if you want to make palm cards, but you won’t need to hand those in.

NOTE: Do not choose a book that has been made into a movie.

Book Review Evaluation – Life-sized character presentation

Preparation effort Student Reflection

How much effort did I put into making the character?  Did I do my best work?

Presentation

Did I write a script that sounds like the character is talking?  Did I use voice expression as though I was the character? Did I include the character’s feelings about the event/s including his/her hopes, dreams, problems, concerns and frustrations.  Does my script tell the story of the book?  Was my audience engaged?  Did I have my script ready to hand in?  Did I do my work on time, by the due date.

Hi Amphibians and Parents, Maia and Aliana here. Welcome back to Term Two of 2021. We hope you all had an amazing holiday! We will be helping to write this newsletter.

Amphibian’s Work

This term, our Amphibians are learning about energy, with a focus on electricity. Students will learn about electrical safety in the home, and then create battery-run electrical circuits. They’ll learn about the flow of electricity, how electricity works, volts, currents (amps) and resistance (Ohms). Students will create science experiments surrounding complete and incomplete circuits and learn about insulators and conductors.

Amphibians host 3A Café Recount:

On Wednesday 21^st of April, the Amphibians held their annual 3A Café. The students presented important parts of what they learned over the term and showcased their 3D artefacts. We made food for the parents and offered them tea or coffee.  Th the Amphibian students and their parents became involved in a class-material of their choice. Not long after that, we formally said goodbye to the parents and cleaned up the classroom. Parents! Another big Thank You for attending this event, we really appreciate it and hope to see you again next year!

Arrival to school at 8.15am:  It’s really important for children to arrive at school as close as possible to 8.15am. This fifteen minutes is important for the Amphibian students to mentally prepare for the day ahead.  They usually wander into the classroom,  hang up their bags, put their lunches in the fridge, talk to their friends and get themselves ready for the activities of the day. Without this time, they begin the settling in process at 8.30, and they can feel late – causing anxiety and feeling like they need to catch up to start their day. So, please help your child start their day by arriving at 8.15am – thank you!

NAPLAN: This term, our Middles will be taking a NAPLAN Test. It will run from Tuesday 11^th to the 18^th of May. We wish them all the best!

Free Dress Day: On Friday, 7th May, we will have free-dress day. If you choose to wear non-school uniform, please bring a gold coin donation as we are raising money for the Starlight Foundation.

Mother’s Day Stall: Also this Friday, the P&F will be holding a Mother’s Day Stall. Every class will have a chance to buy beautiful items for their mother/grandmothers. The prices are usually around the $5 mark so don’t forget to bring your money if you’d like to purchase a gift.

School Incursions: We’ve had two incursions this year. The first one we had was held by Walter Smart and Friends. They put on a fun and interactive performance, educating us on water usage and different ways to save water. The second incursion we’ve had this term was the Buy Smart Program. They taught us about advertisements, marketing scams and smart ways to use our money.

Questions to ask your Amphibian student after school each day:

• What made you smile today?
• Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed?
• Who did you sit with at lunch?
• What lessons did you have?
• Can you teach me something?
• Did you like your lunch?
• What was an exciting thing that happened today?
• If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?
• How’s your friendship with (?) How is he/she?
• What kind of person were you today?

Thanks Parents for your helpfulness and support –  From Elizabeth, Keyonie, Maia and Ali J – (Amphibians Class)

Amphibian’s Book review

Click below for Task Sheet.  DUE DATE: Monday, 7^th of June

Amphibian’s Book Review Project Task Sheet

Amphibian News – Term 4, 2020

Our work this term

We are studying the human body. We have started off with learning about the five systems – skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and nervous. I have made a lovely array of card sorts and collected a variety of 3D anatomical materials for the children, to support their learning. The children are directing our studies and have brainstormed and want to know many interesting questions such as: Why do we need glasses? Why do people get heart attacks? What is malaria? Why do we sleep? How are freckles made? It’ll be a very interesting unit! We also have two doctors – Peter Norton and Richard Thompson supporting us by coming and speaking to the group and also helping us with dissections. Peter is organising 22 hearts or eyes for the children to dissect in a few weeks’ time.

My Year

This year has been crazy! It started off with the bushfires then Covid-19. We had home-schooling in Term 2, which was a challenge for everyone. In Term 3, we started our Multi-cultural project which was a tribal exhibition. Our class separated into 3 tribes, The Kinjilan People, The Euca tribe and the Koalians. We made up our own language, religion, culture and our own huts. We were so exhausted at the end of Multi-cultural day. It is now Term 4 and the end of the year is coming. We are going to camp with the Cycle 2’s and it’s going to be so fun. The seniors are going to graduate at the end of the year and the Middles have to write a speech for 1 or 2 of them. This year has been fun, exhausting and extremely weird. Stay safe and have a good time working!

By Aliana & Minna.

Book review attached and homework reminder

Please don’t forget to support your child to complete their Mental Maths / Targeting Spelling work. It’s due every Tuesday. Their book review is also attached and is due Monday 23rd November. Here is the task description.

Dates to remember:

October 14th-16th: Cycle 2&3 Camp
October 19th-23rd: Book Fair
October 23rd: Crazy Science incursion (to be confirmed)
October 30th: Day For Daniel – wear red to school
November 11th: Remembrance Day Assembly
November 20th: Graduation Dinner
December 3rd: Graduation Assembly

By Xannon

Water Bottles and Hats

It’s getting hotter – please ensure that your child brings their water bottle and hat each day.

Senior Update

It’s term 4 and it’s the senior’s last few weeks at CMS. We’re all super busy getting our vision boards and senior gifts organised. Our vision board will be done on a canvas and has pictures of our goals and things we hope to achieve in life.  In week 6 we will be doing entrepreneurship and work experience.  Entrepreneurship is where we start our own business and sell our goods or services to raise money for a microfinance project for someone overseas. Work experience is where students go and gain experience around the school doing things like working in the office, working as an assistant, or grounds work. We will also be finishing our resumes, so we can learn how to do them.

By Maddie

Thanks for all your support. Have a great term!

Elizabeth, Keyonie, Maddie, Xannon, Minna & Aliana

PS – The photo is Elizabeth’s mamma and baby possum that lives in her garden.

Amphibian News – Term 3, 2020

Our work this term:  This term, the Amphibians will ‘Form a Tribe.’ This work will deliver a real life experience where the children will be required to understand human’s fundamental needs, create their tribe’s culture, including: customs, food, drama, dance, music, shelter, history, rituals/festivals/traditions, clothing, values/beliefs/attitudes and their religion.

The children will form small groups and will be able to imagine living on their territory, where there are enough natural resources. They will decide on their tribe’s name, how they’ll collect/grow food; decide on their shelter; their culture; map the area (including landforms); decide on rules, laws and religion; discover neighbours and form their own government. This will help the children to understand the process involved in new settlements, tribes, communities and countries formed.

Senior Mystery Retreat 2020 – Wed 12th Aug- Fri 14^th Aug 2020.

This year, our seniors are unable to attend Canberra due to Covid-19. So, we have organised a very exciting alternative. To make this event even more exciting, we have decided to keep the details a secret from our senior students. Therefore, we will not be releasing a formal itinerary or details to parents until the students have departed. Safety is always our first priority, they will not be too far (within a 68km radius) and the accommodation comes with very good reviews. Further information has been sent home with the senior students.

Magazines for Vision Board – As part of our leadership program, our Seniors will create their individual vision boards to help them with goal setting. To support us, could you please send in magazines or print with pictures that are suitable. Thankyou!

Icies – The P& F has requested that one parent from each classroom helps out with the sale of icies on a Friday. The times are 11:15 to 12:30pm. If you can help out, please email pandfcms@hotmail.com or contact Kylie Sartorelli.

Reading and Borrow Box – Hey Everybody,  if you or your kids are finding it hard to read or to get reading, you can download an app called Borrowbox. It is an audio book provider that lets you loan books to listen to. You get about a month to finish it. There are endless amounts of books from ‘Binky Bunny goes to bed’ to ‘Moby Dick’ and it’s free. All you have to do is enter your library name and password. I like it when I’m going to bed. Now I mostly like physical books but this got me started.   Aston

Fabric – If you have any, can you please send in fabric that we can use for making each Tribe’s traditional clothing and also a flag for each group. Our preference is for bold colours with no patterns. Huge thanks!

Mental Maths / Spelling homework – A large number of children are not handing in their mental maths/spelling homework. Please would you support your child to complete this work by each Tuesday. If your child doesn’t have their homework book with them, they can hand in ‘back-up’ plan work where they print appropriate work off the internet, or failing that, they can write out a page of maths of their choice. Mental Maths / Spelling homework is expected to be handed in each week, except the first and last week of every term. Juniors do not do this homework.

Book review is attached – it’s due on August 31^st – Week 8.

School Uniform – Thanks so much for putting in an effort to help your child wear the correct school uniform. Our class is starting to look great! Don’t forget about the second-hand shop for items required.

Thanks Elizabeth & Keyonie

Due:  Mon 31^st August 2020

Diary- Part 1

Choose one main character from the novel you read and create five diary entries from his/her point of view that reveals a major event or events in his/her life. Be sure to include the character’s feelings about the event/s including his/her hopes, dreams, problems, concerns and frustrations. Begin with “Dear Diary,” and write from the first person point of view and in past tense (e.g. Dear Diary, Today I went to see my best friend and we. . .) Conclude each entry with the character’s name. Make sure that each diary entry is in sequential date order. For each entry, if possible, write a date. Remember many dates of holidays can be checked on a calendar.  If no dates are given, but seasons or other clues are given, then guess an approximate date.  Hand-write your entries.  Some diary entries may be longer or shorter depending on what you write.  Juniors need to write about 400 words, middles about 500 words and seniors about 600 – 1000 words. The overall presentation of this assignment should look like a diary. It may be simply stabled together or you can make a small booklet. When choosing a book, I always prefer a non-fiction book, a historical book, a biography or autobiography, however if this is too difficult, any novel will do.

Three sections are needed:

Page 1      A title page (your name, your book’s name, due date, plus a major heading that says “Diary of ….(whoever your character’s name is).

Page 2      An information sheet (full name of the character; his/her age (guess if you don’t know) where he/she lives and any other important information.

Page 3+       Diary Entries – Five entries that start with “Dear Diary” and conclude with the character’s name.

Diary- Part 2

Presenting to the class.

You will present your diary to the class in week 8 of this term.  You will read one diary entry to the class and then tell us the plot of your story using palm cards. Please make sure that you practise your presentation and prepare your palm cards in advance.