Persuasive Writing Topics

This holidays you may like to practise your persuasive writing!

Here is a list of possible topics to choose from:
- Too much money is a bad thing.
- People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
- Kids should get paid for good exam results.
- Kids should have less homework.
- Handwriting is important.
- We should teach good manners in schools.
- Short hair is better than long hair.
- I'm old enough to babysit!
- Children should be required to read more.
- Mobile phones should never be used while driving.
- Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
- Children should be able to choose their bedtime.
- We should allow pets in school.
- I'm old enough to stay at home alone.
- We should all grow our own vegetables.
- Video games can be educational.
- Aliens probably exist.
- School should take place in the evenings.
- Country life is better than city life.
- Teachers should be paid more.
- People should live on the moon.

Don't forget to use the structure we have been learning in class and I will be happy to look at anyone's extra work after the holidays!

Please remember that BTN is great to watch over the break for ideas!

Anzac Day 2013

This last fortnight we have been learning about Anzac Day.



As a class we read the book 'My Mother's Eyes' by Mark Wilson.
The book has its' own website with a Teacher's Guide here.

We have also been talking about Sydney's famous Anzac Bridge. It links Sydney with Glebe and other Inner Western Suburbs.Some facts about the bridge, it is:
- The longest cable-stayed bridge in Australia, with a main deck length of 805 metres, including a 345 metre span between the towers. The two 128 metre towers support 128 cables.
- Amongst the longest concrete cable-stayed bridges in the world.
- A landmark visible from many of the city's inner suburbs.
- Eight lanes wide.



On one side of the road is an Australian ANZAC Soldier (also known as a 'Digger'):


On the other side of the road is a New Zealand ANZAC Soldier (also known as a 'Digger'):


Perhaps you will keep your eyes out for these wonderful bronze sculptures next time you drive, walk or cycle over Anzac Bridge! Do you think you can tell the main difference between an Australian and New Zealander soldier?

Our local War memorial is the Randwick War Memorial. Information is available here.


We also made a wreath on behalf of our grade. This wreath will be on display at our local memorial for Anzac Day.


A list of child-friendly Anzac Day websites can be found here.

Some excellent reading lists of books with an 'Anzac theme' are available here and here. Some of these titles would make excellent holiday reading, many would be available at your local library!

HSIE: Wilderquest

WilderQuest is a fun and innovative children’s program designed to ignite a love of nature. Its aim is to motivate and encourage children to learn about, and experience the natural world, using a combination of digital and real-life experiences.You can visit the website and play the game here.

2013 Anzac Day Song

At our ANZAC Day Assembly this year we will be singing together.
Here are the lyrics to the song we have to learn:

Although you're getting on in years,
and memories seem to disappear
Some things will never fade away
Some memories will always stay
there's one day in each year you will not forget
If this year's your last year we will not forget

One more parade, One less digger by your side.
One year you're marching, the next year you ride.
Hold your head up high, hold your head up high.
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

It seems a long long time ago.
A young man far away from home.
Friends made and lost along the way.
Some memories will always stay.
Those who died those who live you will not forget.
If this year's your last year we will not forget.

One more parade, one less digger by your side
One year you're marching, the next year you ride.
Hold your head up high, hold your head up high.
Lest we forget, Lest we forget

Bridge:
The sound of cannon roaring by,
the smoke and fire covered sky,
the nights of terror as you pray.
Some memories will always stay.

At the closing of the day,
a grateful nation rised to pray.
Some things will never fade away,
some memories will always stay.
Not for one day but always,
we will not forget.
Your memory forever we will not forget.

One more parade one less digger by your side.
One year you're marching,
the next year you ride.
Hold your head up high, hold your head up high
Lest we forget lest we forget.

This is my Great Grandfather George David Richards. He was a Company Sargeant Major in World War I and World War II. He trained horses for both wars.

This is another of my great Grandfathers, Ernest Edwin Hughes. He served in WWI. It is believed this photo was taken when he was 16.5 years old.

This is my grandfather Charles Keith Colgate, he served in WWII. He married my grandmother Jessie Neilson in 1944.

HSIE: The States and Capital Cities of Australia

Today we have been learning to name the States and Capital cities of Australia on a map.

We have played this game to help us remember the names and locations of each State and Capital City.

Here is another game to help us learn the States of Australia.

I printed out blank maps from this website for the class to check their knowledge.