Grade 1 News
Hello Grade One families!
Can you believe we are already halfway through Term 2? Time is flying, and our Grade One students have been working so hard and having lots of fun along the way! Below is a little peek at what we’ve been learning over the past few weeks.
English
In English, we have been learning all about split digraphs – that sneaky ‘e’ at the end of a word that makes the vowel say its name! We’ve looked at:
- a_e like in cake
- e_e like in these
- o_e like in home
- u_e like in cube
- i_e like in bike
Students are practicing reading and writing words with these sounds every day.
Talk for Writing
We have added something very exciting to our English lessons – Talk for Writing! This is a new way of learning through retelling, changing, and creating stories.
We’ve been focusing on the story The Gruffalo and students have loved using actions and voices to retell it. They have been so creative when changing parts of the story to make their own versions. It’s been wonderful to see their imaginations shine!
Core Knowledge
In Core Knowledge, we’ve been learning about the early explorers who came to Australia from Europe. We’ve learned about important people like Abel Tasman, James Cook, Burke and Wills, and Matthew Flinders, and why their journeys were so important in Australian history. Students have been amazed by the adventures these explorers went on!
We also learned that while these explorers made big discoveries from a European point of view, their arrival had a big impact on the First Nations Peoples of Australia. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were affected when their land was taken, and their ways of life were changed forever. This is an important part of our history to remember and respect.
Literature
On Wednesday, 21st May, we joined schools across Australia to celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime! We all read the book The Truck Cat at the same time. What a fun way to share a story!
Through this book, we have been learning how to make our sentences longer using prepositional language (e.g. on the hill, under the table, next to the tree). This helps us become more descriptive writers.
Maths
In Maths, we’ve been learning all about direction and position – words like left, right, on, under, behind, next to, around. Students gave each other directions to move around the classroom and used maps to guide their friends!
We’ve also started learning about length and Mass. Students are comparing how tall, short, long or small objects are. We’re using informal measurement – that means using objects like blocks or icy pole sticks to measure. Students are learning to make sure the items they use are all the same size for accurate measuring.
Reconciliation Week at Wimba
During Reconciliation Week, we learned about being kind, respectful, and including everyone—especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We read stories, had class discussions, and created art to show what friendship and fairness mean. We also learned about the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag. The colours and symbols on the flags are very special. They help us remember and respect the First Peoples of Australia and celebrate their culture.
Things to Work on at Home
English:
- Reading every night and writing it in your child’s diary
- Practising the split digraph sounds: a_e, o_e, e_e, u_e, i_e
- Writing words with these sounds
Maths:
- Practising number formation
- Counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s
- Giving directions using left and right
- Comparing objects by length and using words like longer than, shorter than, taller, smaller
Reminders
- Curriculum Days: Thursday 5th June and Friday 6th June – No school for students
- Public Holiday: Monday 9th June – No school
- Scienceworks Excursion:
- Excursion Date: Monday 16th June 2025
- Payment Due: Monday 2nd June 2025
- Cost: $38.00 This exciting excursion will help students learn more about space and the solar system, which links to our upcoming Literature and Knowledge Unit Joe and the Stars. Students will explore exhibitions, take part in the Blast Off! workshop and watch Tycho Goes to Mars.
- Premiers’ Reading Challenge: Don’t forget to keep logging your child’s extra reading at home!
- Breakfast Club: Open to all students on Monday and Thursday from 8:30am – 8:45am
If you have any questions or would like to chat, feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Miss Kernick, Mr Pejic, Miss O'Reilly Ms Clancy, Miss McColl