What do we need to know about the Thrass chart?

Over the next few weeks I am running a 'Thrass Catch-up Workshop' for students who are new to the school. 
Some points for parents to understand regarding the Thrass tool are:

English words are produced using 44 sounds.
The THRASSCHART has 44 boxes. The function of these boxes is to give a physical reference for each sound in English.

English is made up of two distinct groups of sounds.
The THRASSCHART has two distinct parts. One part groups the sounds that are the consonant phonemes of English, the other groups the sounds that are the vowel phonemes of English.

English words are written using letters, Capitals and Lower-Case. 
The Alphabet is placed at the top of the THRASSCHART showing both the Capitals and Lower-Case versions of each letter. Letters are used to represent sounds in written words. Learners need to be able to name and identify them. Alphabetic knowledge is important as this code is used as an indexing reference system in books, electronically etc.

Pictures can be named and described using words. We use words to write a story. 
The THRASSCHART has a picture (120) for each word on the chart. Learners learn to read by associating with a picture. Oral and written language skills can be developed by using the pictures on the chart for identification, classification and story telling.

WHY HAVE A THRASSCHART?
Sounds in English words can be represented with different letter combinations. 
Each of the 44 boxes on the chart contains the most common spelling choices for that sound. It also has a word for each spelling choice. The THRASSCHART allows the learner to quickly identify a group of letters as depicting an associated sound in a word. When we read we have to identify grapheme groups and associate them with a sound. The sounds are then blended together to make words. When we write we have to identify sounds we can hear and choose a spelling choice for that sound.

Sounds have common written patterns. 
Each word on the THRASSCHART contains only spelling choices that are on the chart. This analogous cross-reference allows the learner to start to visualise common spelling patterns thereby building an understanding of spelling. Each word on the THRASSCHART can be spelt using patterns from other chart words. e.g. bird is made up of bird, shirt, dog.

Classwork - Division

Watch the video below on short division, then follow the steps below...

Maths Dictionary: 

Step 1: Under the heading 'Division - Symbols', record all of the terms and symbols that are used to demonstrate division.

Step 2: Watch the video below on Long Division

Maths Dictionary:

Step 3: Now record how to work through a basic division question - recording it horizontally first and then vertically (therefore using both division symbols) as well as a longer, more challenging question (using the examples in the video).

Now tackle this question (in your maths book): 4250 divided by 3 (note: you will have a fractional remainder)

Once you have your answer - you are ready for the activity sheet! 

If you are having trouble working out the answer; join the small group.

Library Lovers Month - Mystery Reads!

We have been challenging students to try new books

and launched Library Lovers Month.

All students were given the opportunity to pick a Mystery Read from reading only the first sentence of a ‘hidden’ book

- no title, no cover picture, no author details ..... tricky!

Students got a Library Lovers Book Mark and were invited to write their name, the title of the book and tell us what they thought of their ‘mystery’ read.

Congratulations to everyone who took the challenge – very brave!  

  Keep Reading!

Premiers Reading Challenge 2018!

It is exciting to launch the Premier's Reading Challenge for 2018. The aims of the Challenge are to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

If your child attended St Luke’s Grammar in 2017 they are already enrolled in the Challenge for 2018. Their existing PRC username and password are the same as last year and access is at PRC site: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html from Monday 5 March.

Mrs Duffy will send home a Personal Reading Record along with student log-in details on Monday or Tuesday this week and the students will then be able to access the PRC site and record books read.

By entering this challenge, your child is declaring that they have read the books entered in accordance with their school year rules.

 

K-2 students – can read the books on their own, read them with someone, or someone can read to them. If your child is reading simple chapter books they can attempt the 3-4 challenge – please let Mrs Duffy know if this is your child so that she can change the record?

3-6 students – must read the books on their own, but someone can help choosing them.

Book lists are found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html 

Complete rules are found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/rules.html

The Learning Hub team has gathered a selection of PRC books for each stage that are now on display in the Hub. Students will need to visit your local library to access other interesting titles.

Don’t forget - we are launching the event with a Scholastic Book Fair and the cabinets are due to arrive in the morning of 6 March we will open for sales on Tuesday after school. Come along to the Learning Hub from 2.35 to find an exciting range of PRC and other book titles.   

Book Fair opening hours:

Tuesday 6 March from 2.35

Wednesday and Thursday 7 & 8 March from 8.00-830 and 2.35-3.00

Monday 12 March 8.00-8.30 and 2.35-3.00

             

The students have until the 31 August 2018 (11.59) to complete the Challenge.

An Amazing Week 5

This week has been an incredibly full week of learning activities.  We have been;

• investigating the difference between a chemical and physical change of matter by conducting experiments in the staff room
• learning about collaboration and team work through running our very first fundraiser - Ice Cream Day
• creating tutorials explaining how to correctly complete long multiplication equations.
• continuing to plan our narratives on Popplet

We hope you enjoy the photos and video below...

Maths video and links for BODMAS

Here is a link to the useful website

Here is the video if you need to re-watch it at all.

Helpful Links for your Science Assignment

We have our first assignment set to be completed during science time in class.  Below are some links to help you with your iMovie.

Here is a link and video to remind you about matter, it's states and properties:
Chem4kids



Here are some links to help you with further distinguishing the difference between Reversible & Irreversible change.
BBC - KS2 Bitesize Science - Reversible & Irreversible change
The K8 School - Reversible & Irreversible change

Once you have recorded your definitions for both Reversible & Irreversible change in your comment below; you may like to play this fun game show to test your knowledge:
BBC - Reversible & Irreversible changes