Stage 3

• English
• Mathematics
• Science and Technology
• Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE)
• Creative Arts
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

English

In English, students learn to read, write, speak , view and represent language. They learn about the English language and literature through working with a wide range of spoken, visual, multimedia and digital texts. Students learn how language varies according to context, and how to communicate with a range of audiences for different purposes. They learn to read for information and pleasure. Students gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar and learn to think in ways that are imaginative, creative and critical.

Some Year 5 examples

Students:

• communicate effectively for an increasing range of purposes, eg to entertain, inform and influence audiences
• use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse information and ideas, comparing content from a variety of textual sources including media and digital texts
• read, recognise and respond to themes and issues within texts and justify interpretations by referring to own
  knowledge and experience
• use grammatical features, eg pronouns, conjunctions and connectives, to accurately link ideas and information to ensure meaning when composing texts
• use known word meanings and base words when spelling unknown words, eg sign … signature
• think critically about aspects of texts such as ideas and events
• respond to short films, documentaries and multimedia texts that express familiar and new aspects of the broader world
• read texts for specific purposes, applying appropriate text processing strategies, eg predicting and confirming, monitoring meaning, skimming and scanning.

Some Year 6 examples

Students:

• use an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies, applying appropriate text strategies, eg predicting and confirming, monitoring meaning, skimming and scanning
• plan, rehearse and deliver presentations, selecting and sequencing appropriate content and multimodal elements for defined audiences and purposes
• plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, choosing and experimenting with text
  structures, language features, images and digital resources appropriate to the purpose and the audience
• investigate how the organisation of texts into chapters, headings, subheadings, home pages and subpages for online texts and according to chronology or topic can be used to predict content and assist navigation
• think imaginatively when engaging with texts, using prediction, eg to imagine what happens to characters after the text.

Mathematics

Mathematics in K–6 focuses on developing students’ mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning and problem-solving through their study of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations, using strategies to make decisions and solve problems relevant to their further education and everyday lives.

Some Year 5 examples

Students:

• read, write and order numbers to at least tens of millions
• measure angles of up to 360° using a protractor
• record lengths and distances using combinations of millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres,
  eg 1 km, 200 m
• calculate the areas of rectangles by multiplying the length by the width
• add three or more numbers with different numbers of digits, with and without digital technologies, eg 42 000 + 5123 + 246
• multiply three- and four-digit numbers by one-digit numbers, eg 673 × 4
• create, with materials or digital technologies, a variety of patterns using whole numbers, fractions or decimals, eg ¹/₄, ²/₄ , ³/₄, ⁴/₄ or 2.2, 2.0, 1.8, 1.6
• use 24-hour time and am and pm notation.

Some Year 6 examples

Students:

• calculate common percentages (10%, 25% 50%) of quantities, eg 10% of $200 = $20
• represent common percentages as fractions and decimals, eg 25% means 25 out of 100 or or 0.25
• construct 3D models of prisms and pyramids and sketch front, side and top views
• identify and name parts of a circle including centre, radius, diameter, circumference, sector, semicircle and quadrant
• find a location on a map that is a given direction from a town or landmark, eg the town is north-east of Broken Hill
• add and subtract decimals with a different number of decimal places, with and without digital technologies, eg 2.0 + 0.75 + 0.05 = 2.8
• solve addition and subtraction word problems with more than one operation, eg I have $40 000 to buy a car. The car is $36 118. I want to add tinted windows for $860. How much money will I have left over?

Science and Technology

Science and Technology develops students’ skills in thinking, investigating and problem-solving. It gives them knowledge and skills in scientific investigation and inquiry, design and applying technologies. Children pose questions, test ideas, and develop and evaluate arguments based on evidence.

Some Year 5 and Year 6 examples

Students:

• construct simple circuits incorporating devices, eg switches and light globes
• use models to demonstrate that the Earth revolves around the sun, and the moon revolves around the Earth
• present ideas and explanations about how the structural features and behaviour of some plants and animals help them to survive in their environment, eg shiny surfaces of leaves on sand dune plants and nocturnal behaviour in some animals
• describe how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use observations of the night sky to inform decisions about some everyday activities, eg food gathering and ceremonies
• plan and use a design process to produce solutions to meet design requirements.

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE)

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) provides opportunities for students to explore the past and present to develop an understanding of their personal and community identity. They investigate the interactions between people, places and environments that shape their nation and world. They learn to participate in society as informed, responsible and active citizens.

Some Year 5 and Year 6 examples

Students:

• learn about people, groups and events in the past, eg convict life and the gold rushes
• explain events that led to Australia’s Federation
• describe experiences of Australian democracy and citizenship, including changing rights over time
• talk about stories of migration and learn what it means to be Australian
• examine different cultures and their contributions to Australian identities
• investigate how the natural environment influences people and places eg bushfires
• investigate the ways people influence places and how they are managed eg local planning
• investigate Australian and global connections and recognise global responsibilities.

Creative Arts

Creative Arts gives students experiences in the visual arts, music, drama and dance. They have opportunities to explore their creativity in each of these areas.

Students learn to appreciate the meanings and values that each artform offers. They perform and express themselves through the visual arts, music, drama and dance.

Some Year 5 and Year 6 examples

Students:

• improvise with photographs and other artwork to create their own artwork
• move to music and perform in singing and dance combinations
• take on roles and situations adapted from their imagination and from literature including poetry
• talk about different features of the music and differences in style, eg folk, rock
• take on roles to demonstrate characterisation such as challenging stereotypes or exploring status and relationships in performances..

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) develops the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives. Students learn about the importance of good food and regular exercise and develop positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.

Students learn how bodies grow and change over time. They learn skills to play individual and team sports, and the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Some Year 5 and Year 6 examples

Students:

• explain the benefits of personal lifestyle choices, eg eating healthy food, participating in physical activity
• value differences in others and develop an understanding of discrimination
• demonstrate teamwork, tactics and precision when performing in a range of physical activities
• explain the importance of communication in relationships and positive ways to deal with conflict
• recognise the effects their decisions can have on the health and safety of others
• consider their physical activity levels and participate in physical activities that enhance health.