Research Inquiry

Building on the understanding of what children think research is, each child was asked to find someone who does research to interview about what they think research is.

Each student has worked on their own research narratives.  They have by created a mind map and conferenced with a teacher to develop their research question.

With emphasis on the process of research rather than the product, students were encouraged to think about how they could use a range of research mediums, for example creating surveys, designing experiments, contacting and interviewing experts, visiting specialist libraries or centres, organising excursions or school visitors. Goal setting, problem solving and project planning skills required for this process were also emphasis.

There were many workshops on

·        How to find people to question – sources

·        Key information – purpose of questioning

·        Building good questions

·        Interview techniques

·        Data collection

·        Find an expert

·        Interview questions

·        Writing letters

·        Filming recording transcribing

 

We went on excursions to Ian Potter Gallery and The State Library to investigate different forms of research.

The conclusion of the Inquiry involved a reflection on what they have learnt about research.  Many students decided that research is ongoing,  it never ends and that they will continue their research into the future.

Whole School Transition

On Monday 10^thDecember the whole school transition program will begin to enable the children to become familiar with change.

On Monday and Tuesday the children will visit their 2013 neighbourhoods from 10 to 11am and they will have lunch in their new neighbourhoods.

On Wednesday 13^th December all children will go to their new neighbourhoods at 2.30 and will be dismissed or are to be picked up from the new neighbourhood at 3.30 by their parents or carers.

The more children can participate in managing change, the more they can anticipate it with excitement.

3-4 Neighbourhood Research Inquiry    

 

Dear parents,                                                                                                  27/11/12

 

This is a letter to keep you updated on our neighbourhood research inquiry unit so that you can best support your child’s learning.  At the moment, students have begun their own ‘research stories’. We are supporting students to move away from an understanding of research as only a fact finding  process based around a limited topic such as ‘the sea’ or ‘animals’ for example, into an understanding that research is a narrative, determined by the perspective and evidence provided by the researcher. Research is not just finding out what is already known and re-stating it but is also about creating new thinking.

 

Each student has begun to think about their own research narratives by creating a mind map and having this conferenced with a teacher. We are emphasising the process of research (rather than the product) and we are asking student to think about how they can use a range of research mediums (for example creating surveys, designing experiments, contacting and interviewing experts, visiting specialist libraries or centres, organising excursions or school visitors). We are also emphasising goal setting, problem solving and project planning skills required for this process.

For this reason we have encouraged students to refine their research into topics that are possible to attempt locally.

For example

An interest in Anne Frank can become a research title “Is there an ‘Anne Frank’ in Melbourne?” which can be developed through various research methods including a trip to the Holocaust Museum’. “Why do Kookaburra’s laugh?” becomes ‘”Why do people think Kookaburra’s laugh?”

Ways to support your child

·         Discuss the topic your child has started exploring and ask to see their mind map

·         Discuss the research mediums (methods) they are planning on using

·         Discuss the step or goal they are currently up to

·         Discuss what kind of an expert may be suitable for their project and consider if there are any experts within their existing community.

·         Discuss any smaller excursions that may extend their research

 

Thanks in advance for supporting this learning and thanks generally for giving us the opportunity to work with your children.

Alexandra Hilvert and Sheryal Musumeci

Patrick's Blog

Patrick has created a blog to inform us of what he has been up to since he left us in term 2. Click on the link below to access the site. The password is "PHPS34".

patrickstriptotheuk.tumblr.com

If you would like to Skype him, his username is patrick.taylor308.

Camp Manyung

All Year 34 went to Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza for three days September 10th - 12th.
Great times were had by all.


How to use a bow and arrow
Archery via
Archery via
Archery via

An explanation of archery at camp
2012 Camp Manyung

State Library of Victoria Gusto Excursion 30/10/12

Gusto! A culinary history of Victoria
We will see the rich culinary history of Victoria in this exhibition, featuring gastronomic treasures from our collections – from the first Australian cookbook, published in 1864, to an actual World War I army biscuit.

Gusto! explores Victoria's historic and contemporary culinary landscape, covering subjects such as the history of viticulture, Indigenous foods, sustainable food practices, fine dining and food rationing, and also features the fascinating stories of significant Victorian culinary figures including Jacques Reymond, Rita Erlich, Guy Grossi and Stephanie Alexander.

The program has been divided into blocks: equal time looking at the Gusto! exhibition, in the computer lab having a look at the online resources, showing how research is done using the library catalogue and seeing some other parts of the Library to tie in with the research aspect (eg. the Newspapers room).

We will be leaving school on Tuesday at 9.15AM and returning at approximately 1.30PM.
If you are able to accompany us please contact your home group teacher.

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/event/gusto-culinary-history-victoria

Research Project on Assessment.

A letter is being sent home with the children this week. It outlines a research project that some teachers are involved in over the next 6 months with Professor Marilyn Fleer at Monash University. The letter outlines the project “Assessment beyond borders: Potentive assessment in Primary School”. The project is looking at varied ways to assess children both at school and at home. It also includes consent forms for you to fill out and return to school as soon as possible. We would appreciate your support in this research project.

Establishment of a Parents Gardening Club

School Council Facilities committee has recommended that a gardening group be officially formed in order to more effectively coordinate the gardening plots in the school. Members of the Facilities Committee and school staff will be in attendance. We wish to invite all interested parents to attend this meeting on Wednesday 7th November at 5.00pm in the meeting room opposite the school office.

Research Interviews

During this term, students will be planning and carrying out their interviews for the research inquiry. The main objective of this interview is for the students to discover different conceptions of the term 'research' by asking purposeful questions to people who use research in their profession. By collecting this data, and sharing it with others in the Neighbourhood, we hope to collate an insightful picture on research and the act of researching.

Basil Sellers Art Prize Excursion

We had a great time yesterday at the Ian Potter Gallery excursion where we saw the exhibition of the Basil Sellers Art Prize. We explored the relationship of Art with sport and investigated the intentions of the artist in connection to their art. The students were given the opportunity to use their research skills when trying to answer some of the questions the gallery posed.

We will be using this experience to look further into visual literacy and critical literacy of art during term 4.

Students looking and discussing the photograph by Christian Thompson.

The staff at the gallery gives a talk about some of the pieces of art at the gallery.

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN results went out to parents last week and we hope that you have received this safely. The results of the set tests were valid for April 2012 as it takes the examination body quite some time to deliver the results to the school. We would like to stress that NAPLAN is a snapshot of student achievement and reflects their ability to manage the ‘test genre’ as well as their aptitude for the five disciplines represented in the test.  Although most students managed to cope with the timed aspect of the test, there were few who were adversely challenged by this restriction. NAPLAN test is designed to give an idea of where the students are placed after their first three years of schooling (Prep to Year-2) and needs to be considered as a culmination of learning to this point. We would also like to stress that this is one of many forms of assessment and while we understand that parents consider NAPLAN as an important form of assessment, we do not consider it in isolation. We use a range of assessment tools available to us to accurately determine where the child is placed across the curriculum. 

Term 4 computer lease payment

Term 4 computer lease payment is due and payable on the first Friday of Term 4 i.e. October 12, 2012. If your child is in Year 3 it is $97.80 and Year 4 is $108.80. At this time can we remind parents of their financial responsibility under the agreement, please see Page 1 of your Contract Agreement. If payment is not received within 7 days of the invoice you will be in default of the agreement therefore the MacBook will be withheld from your child i.e. not able to take home each night. This is a requirement under the insurance component of the lease agreement.

Research Inquiry - Part 1

In response to many requests from children to negotiate projects as of late, we have decided to develop our inquiry focus around what a researcher is and the role of a researcher. As we focus on inquiry as a learning approach, investigating understandings of what research means to children is important. We would like to build the understanding of research from a fact finding process around a limited topic such as ‘the sea’ or ‘animals’ for example, into an understanding that research is a narrative, determined by the perspective and evidence provided by the researcher. Research is not just finding out what is already known and re-stating it but is also about creating new thinking.

In order to collect information as to the current understandings of research amongst the children we gave them a very open-ended research question, ‘Research the neighbourhood’. We filmed and analysed the responses of the children. From here we decided to pose a more specific question which incorporated the word story in association with research. ‘There are many stories in this school. Research a story of interest to you’. We wanted to see whether this would create different pathways of research. Again we filmed and analysed the learning. We also offered an opportunity for children who wanted to research a scientific story to do so.

As a result of our research in relation to research and research processes we are building some focus areas to work around and these big understandings are that

• Research needs to incorporate a range of experiences and sources of information 
• The use of the computer provides only one perspective 
• Research is to create your own narrative and your own interpretations with evidence to support the narrative. 
• There is a relationship between truth, perspective and research 

Research Inquiry - Part two

We would like to focus on building the understanding of what children think research is. To do this we will be asking each child to ‘Find someone who does research to interview about what they think research is’.

We will be supporting the children by offering workshops on;

• How to find people to question – sources
• Key information – purpose of questioning 
• Building good questions
• Interview techniques 
• Data collection 

We do ask parents to support their child in finding someone to be interviewed either in person, by phone or email.

Week 8 Term 3

LA Possibilities T3W8 Completion Day N2

Research Inquiry Term 3

Research Inquiry – Part One

In response to many requests from children to negotiate projects as of late, we have decided to develop our inquiry focus around what a researcher is and the role of a researcher. As we focus on inquiry as a learning approach, investigating understandings of what research means to children is important. We would like to build the understanding of research from a fact finding process around a limited topic such as ‘the sea’ or ‘animals’ for example, into an understanding that research is a narrative, determined by the perspective and evidence provided by the researcher. Research is not just finding out what is already known and re-stating it but is also about creating new thinking.

In order to collect information as to the current understandings of research amongst the children we gave them a very open-ended research question, ‘Research the neighbourhood’. We filmed and analysed the responses of the children. From here we decided to pose a more specific question which incorporated the word story in association with research. ‘There are many stories in this school. Research a story of interest to you’. We wanted to see whether this would create different pathways of research. Again we filmed and analysed the learning. We also offered an opportunity for children who wanted to research a scientific story to do so.

As a result of our research in relation to research and research processes we are building some focus areas to work around and these big understandings are that

·         Research needs to incorporate a range of experiences and sources of information

·         The use of the computer provides only one perspective

·         Research is to create your own narrative and your own interpretations with evidence to support the narrative.

·         There is a relationship between truth, perspective and research

Research Inquiry - Part two

We would like to focus on building the understanding of what children think research is. To do this we will be asking each child to ‘Find someone who does research to interview about what they think research is’. 

We will be supporting the children by offering workshops on;

·         How to find people to question – sources

·         Key information – purpose of questioning

·         Building good questions

·         Interview techniques

·         Data collection

We do ask parents to support their child in finding someone to be interviewed either in person, by phone or email.

Parent Helpers for Camp

The 3/4 neighbourhoods are still looking for one additional parent to accompany us on our annual camp which runs from the 10th til the 12th of September. Parent helpers are an important part of the camp as they aid the teachers to provide a safe and comfortable experience for the children. The camp will be a great experience for all involved, so if you think you would be able to assist us please contact one of the 3/4 teachers as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance,

The 3/4 team.

Premiers Reading Challenge

The deadline for submitting your Premiers' Reading Challenge (PRC) list of books is Monday 3 September.

Please enter the books eligible for the PRC, which you have read, onto your login page at the PRC website.

Then, print a list of books with your name on it and ask a parent/guardian to sign it. Give this signed printout to your Home Group Teacher. Enjoy the Challenge!

Week 6

LA Possibilities T3W6 N2
N2 Timetable T3 W6

Week 5

LA Possibilities T3W5 N2

N2 Timetable T3 W5

The preparation for the Alice in Wonderland production is in full swing this week, with full dress rehearsals coming up next Tuesday. The 3/4 neighbourhood teachers would all like to wish all those students involved the in production, be they performers, technicians or designers, all the best for Wednesday and Thursday night. We are all really looking forward to it.

Inquiry

We have completed our Imagination Inquiries. Samples of the children's learnings will be available in portfolios, on display boards and display books. The children will be celebrating the publication of some of their books in the Publication Inquiry with author Nicole Cameron coming in to launch her new book on the 29th of August (further details to follow).

Our new inquiry will be examining the role of the researcher, the purpose of research and the process of researching. This week an open ended research question was given to the children to simply "Research the Neighbourhood". We were interested to see what mediums they engaged with, what questions they asked, whether the children were able to set parameters in their response and what disciplines they connected with. We are building up an understanding of the children's perception of the term 'research'. We are framing another research question this coming week that is more specific, providing a bigger timeframe. Again, we will be looking closely at the research processes that they use.

Here are some photos of students from both neighbourhoods taken during the activity.

Some students captured the neighbourhood using a digital camera.

Students frequently used the internet as a research resource,
while some used more traditional means of recording their findings.

These students incorporated their previous inquiry by
collaborating on a book about the neighbourhood.

Some students used iTunes to make their findings 'speak'...

while other students created a performance based on their research.

Massimo and Jake are googling different items found in the
neighbourhood and recording them on a Word document. 

Florence, Via and Olivia have found the school on Google Street View.

Students reflect on the activity.

Week 4

N2 Timetable T3 W4

Week 4

LA Possibilities T3W4 N2

Online Safety

Online safety for children is an important issue for schools and parents. We discuss internet safety at school and we have set appropriate expectations for the use of computers and the internet in the neighborhoods. While we realise that many of you are very experienced users of the internet we felt that some tips on how to ensure your childs safety online would be helpful.

1. Password Security - Our passwords and usernames are our online identity and they need to be kept secret. If you or your child think that a password has been seen by someone else, change it straight away. Also talk to them about choosing passwords that are more than six characters and use a combination of letters, numbers and punctuation marks as this will ensure that they have a strong password.

2. Computer Location - Ensuring that your child uses the internet in an area of the house where you can supervise will help to ensure that they are safe when online.

3. Social Networking and Forums - Talk to your children about never giving away personal information when communicating with others on social networking sites or on internet forums.

4. Communication - Encourage open communication with your child about the internet and the things that they enjoy online. Encourage them to let you know immediately if they see something that they don't understand or something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

For more information and fun activities try the Australian government's Cybersmart website which is linked below.

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

Camp Manyung Recreation Camp

Surrounded by vineyards and rural properties, Camp Manyung is nestled in a small rural belt between Mt Eliza and Mornington, overlooking Port Phillip Bay and only 1-hour drive (60km) from the Melbourne CBD.

Camp provides many experiences in the domains of health and physical education, science, personal and interpersonal development and the thinking processes.

The website address is: www.camps.ymca.org.au                Melways reference map 105 A6.

We will be attending as a whole unit – together for 3 days. The accommodation is shared bunk rooms of 7 or 8 children. We will work out rooms, with the children, based on their friendship groups once we know who will be attending camp.

We need all expressions of interest with the $100 deposit to enable the final bookings and organisation to be made based on number of children attending by this Thursday July 26^th 2012

Multiplication and basic facts

We thought that you might find this document regarding multiplication written by the curriculum coordinators in mathematics. We hope that you find this information useful.

Chance and Data Investigation

This year, the 34 Year Group have been working on a Chance and Data investigation every week. Here is the detail of the investigation they will be exporing from this week.

The students roll two dice in a simulated game of Aussie Rules football. They play all four quarters in a competition against a partner and the scores are similar to the real thing. This simple dice simulation has the fun of a game, but also involves many number, chance and data concepts. Collecting class data allows analysis of several aspects of the mathematics. We then move into using a computerised model, which allows for long term patterns to be explored, and empirical results can be compared with theoretical expectations.

 Learning outcomes and related concepts
• Whole number skills
• Probability comparisons and calculations
• Collection and organisation of group data
• Probability distributions
• Concept of expected results
• Calculation of averages
• The mathematical investigative process (Working Mathematically)

 Learning stages
1. Building the simulation model with dice
2. Small group work playing the game
3. Coding and collecting group esults
4. Discussing and analysing the data
5. Investigations using computer simulation - calculating empirical probabilities
6. Conclusion and summary

 Features
Connecting to (and modeling) a recreational game: Most investigations benefit from an interesting context and games can be a great source of these. However, it is the conversion of the game into an investigation that frames the learning. Use of concrete materials: Each student rolls two dice; the first rolled being the goals and the second the behinds. The concreteness makes the entry to the puzzle accessible to all.
Non-threatening: The randomness of the game and the easy entry skills makes the game appealing. Having 'entered' the game context, students can then be informally exposed to various mathematical ideas at a level that suits their confidence and ability. Collecting group data: The game is a played in pairs, but the decision to invite students to list the scores on the board cleverly sets the scene to change from a game into a whole group investigation. The data, being generated by students provides important 'ownership' and any stories or patterns in the data are 'their stories'. Empirical versus theoretical calculations: At several places throughout the investigations calculations are performed in both modes, allowing students to see and discuss the relative merits of each.

Information regarding NAPLAN

Here is a letter from Esme regarding the upcoming NAPLAN tests, catch-up tests, disability support and exemption. If you have any question, feel free to come and speak to us regarding this matter.

Dear Parent/Carer

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2012 tests for Years 3 and 5 students will be held on Tuesday 15 May (Language Conventions and Writing), Wednesday16 May(Reading Comprehension) and Thursday17 May 2012 (Numeracy). NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

During test week, catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Friday 18 May 2012. However, we do ask that every effort is made to have your child at school on time (by 9am) in order to assist with the smooth management and organisation of testing.

If your child is eligible for support due to disability or an exemption, you should discuss this with his/her teacher prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted.

Students may be withdrawn from the NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a Student Withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

Later in the year you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia.

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au or the NAPLAN website at www.nap.edu.au.

Esme Capp

Principal

Mother's Day Classic

Come and join us for the Mother’s Day Classic fun run on Sunday 12th May to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Follow the link below and register for the 4km walk or run or if really keen there is the 8km run. Please remember to enter PHPS as the team. This is a fantastic event and is lots of fun for the whole family. Everyone gets a medal and most importantly, the run raises vital funds for breast cancer research. Michelle and Sophie will be holding some training runs around Princes Park on Sunday 14/4, 22/4, 29/4 and 6/5 at 9am. Look forward to seeing you there.
Sophie 0414 834 855 Michelle 0413 215 472

http://mothersdayclassic.com.au/register-online

The Premier’s Active Families Challenge

The Premier’s Active Families Challenge

Here is a message from the organisers of The Premier’s Active Families Challenge...

The Premier’s Active Families Challenge is a key component of the Victorian Government’s commitment to get more people more active more often.
· The Challenge provides a great opportunity for all Victorian families to spend time together and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. 
· Families participating in the Challenge are asked to do 30 minutes of physical activity a day for 30 days between 19 March and 30 April 2012. 
· Each family that registers will receive 20 free YMCA passes, discounts at Rebel Sport, one free child pass to the Melbourne Aquarium and one free child pass to the National Sports Museum, and opportunities to win prizes including iPads and Rebel Sport vouchers. 
· There will be regular tips and ideas on ways to keep active throughout the Challenge.

Get more active more often, spend quality time together and have fun. It’s free, it’s easy, and there are plenty of chances to win prizes for yourself or your school . Register online at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/challenge or call 1800 463 684 , and remember to include our school’s name when you register.

Writer's Notebook

This Monday, students will be receiving their own Writer's Notebooks, which they will be expected to make an entry into every week. The Writer's Notebook is an excellent way of inspiring students to write, explore different genres and make writing relevant. Writer's Notebook contains two parts. The first part is the Seed of Thought, where students paste in a paper-based inspiration from home, such as a newspaper cutting, a ticket from a show or sporting event, a pamphlet from a museum exhibition, a photograph, a postcard, a picture found inside a magazine etc. This allows students to connect their writing with their 'out-of-school' experiences and come up with inspirations that are relevant to them. From this Seed of Thought, students write some ideas that come to mind and some possibilities for a full piece of writing. The possibilities might include a poem, a story or an informational piece. The students then choose one of the possibilities and write a full piece of writing inside the writer's notebook.

As all students are expected to bring in something to use as a Seed of Thought at the beginning of the week, we ask parents to discuss during the weekend which Seed of Thought to choose from home.

We are hoping to mark the end of the academic year by presenting the students' completed Writer's Notebooks to parents.

Parent Responses to the Welcome Festival

We are asking children as a home learning possibility to interview parents and carers about the Welcome Festival. Students are able to produce this in a written format or as a recording. We ask that parents review the responses for their accuracy. These can be handed in to one of the neighbourhood teachers.

Parent Reps

Here is a message regarding Parent Reps from Angela at the Community Relations Sub-Committee.

We are looking for 2-4 parents from each neighbourhood to volunteer as a parent rep for 2012. The role of parent reps is to encourage and co-ordinate parent involvement in the educational and social activities of the school in collaboration with the neighbourhood teachers.
If you are interested, please speak to the teachers in your child's neighbourhood by Thursday 1 March.
Angela Palombo

Parent's Information Night

There will be a Parent Information Night on Wednesday 29th February at 4:00 - 5:00 (straight after the Welcome Festival). You will be able to find out about the learning within our neighbourhoods and answers to any particular questions regarding Year 3/4. We hope to see you there!

Welcome Festival Invitations

 

On Friday, our students took home the invitations to the Year 3/4 Welcome Festival which will be on Wednesday 29th February at 2:30 - 3:30. This will be the result of the inquiry into the creation of a festival within our neighbourhood. Students created their invitations using poetry and then personalised and published them. All parents, relatives and carers are welcome to our Neighbourhoods to meet our community of learners, teachers, and celebrate our learning. Hope some of you can make it!

Our Neighbourhood in the Papers!

If you bought the Sunday Herald Sun on Sunday, you may have noticed that there is an article regarding our school, with a fantastic photo of the students from Year 3/4 Neighbourhoods, on page 5! You can also access this article HERE on their website if you didn't get the chance to go and get a copy!