Grade 5 & 6 – Odd Year

Term 1: Australia as a nation

Our ‘Australia as a nation’ unit covers Laws, Government and Federation. Students discover why and how Australia became a nation as well as what contribution significant individuals and groups have made to the development of Australian society. Key figures and events leading up to Federation are researched. We look at the roles of the two houses of Government; local, state and federal jurisdiction; parliament and the law making process. Students create their own political parties and learn the structure of how elections are run.

Term 2: Solids, Liquids and Gases

In Term 4, students explore how Solids, Liquids and Gases behave in different ways and can be observed as having different properties which can be classified. Throughout this unit the students will observe and explore, through experimentation, the way Solids, Liquids and Gases change under different circumstances. This will extend their understanding and support their discovery that not all substances are easily classified.

Term 3: What a disaster- Humanities – Geography, Earth and Space Science.

Students study how sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface. In exploring the interconnections between people and environments, students examine how environmental characteristics such as climate and landforms influence the human characteristics of places, and how human actions influence the environmental characteristics of places. They learn that some climates produce hazards such as bushfires and floods that threaten the safety of places and gain an understanding of the application of the principles of prevention, mitigation and preparedness as ways of reducing the effects of these hazards.

Term 4: Mind, Body & Soul – Health and PE, Personal & Social & Ethical Capabilities.

Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills to create opportunities and take action to enhance their own and others’ health, wellbeing, safety and physical activity participation. They develop skills to manage their emotions, understand the physical and social changes that are occurring for them and examine how the nature of their relationships changes over time. They are provided with opportunities to contribute to building a positive school environment that supports healthy, safe and active choices for everyone. They also explore a range of factors and behaviours that can influence health, safety and wellbeing. They identify the reasons for, and the impact of, conflict and suggest strategies to reduce or resolve conflict.