Welcome to Year Five.  We are looking forward to an enjoyable and productive learning year.

PHILOSOPHY FOR MIDDLE PHASE LEARNERS
Children in Year Five are Middle Phase Learners. They have their own significant learning needs and characteristics.  We aim to cater for these needs using strategies such as:  promoting relevance and connection with life outside school; allowing learners to take ownership and have a voice in their own learning; and promoting relationship building among teachers, students and the community.

DIMENSIONS OF LEARNING
At Ascot State School teachers use the Dimensions of Learning Framework.  This framework is not a curricula but rather a philosophy that provides key elements for effective and successful learning and teaching. It establishes guidelines for effective learning by:

.  Providing a supportive, nurturing classroom environment

.  Encouraging children to take risks in learning

.  Providing opportunities, which suit a variety of                        
   learning styles

.  Establishing a variety of configurations within the
   classroom (group, whole class and individual situations)

.  Increasing the skills base of each child (scaffolding)
   by providing an increased array of learning
   opportunities

.  Ensuring that each child understands the function and
   purpose of their learning. 

“Goal Setting in Year 5”

KEY LEARNING AREAS

.  English   
.  Mathematics
.  Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)
.  Science
.  Technology
.  Health and Physical Education
.  Languages Other Than English (LOTE) - Japanese
.  The Arts

“Hands on Maths Activity”

SPECIALIST LESSONS
Students are involved in the following lessons with qualified specialist teachers on a weekly basis:-

.  Physical Education        ½ hour lesson per week
.  LOTE                      2 x ½ hour lessons per week
.  Music                     ½ hour lesson per week      

HIGHER ORDER THINKING (HOT) SKILLS
Ascot children participate in a HOT Skills Program.  In Year Five children develop these skills through a particular focus on Graphic Organisers such as Venn Diagrams, Timelines, Flow Charts and Concept Maps.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)
ICT is integrated throughout the Year Five Curriculum.  Children have access to classroom computers, engage in weekly 45 minute computer lab lessons and develop a wide variety of other skills through planned, focused and meaningful classroom activities as part of their studies.

REPORTING

Student Report Cards are distributed at the end of semester one and two. Parent Teacher Interviews are offered in Semester one.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FEATURES
Year Five children are located in spacious, modern, open area classrooms with features such as computer nooks, wet areas, outside space and withdrawal rooms.

CAMPS/EXCURSIONS
In Year Five the children attend their first camp which is aimed at enhancing skill development in many areas via activities that involve problem solving, teambuilding, goal setting and pushing personal limits.  Children are also involved in other shorter excursions which enhance the learning opportunities in their current units of study.

“Fitness Activity”