What's Happening in our Classroom

Explanation Texts

Our students are well into learning all about the ‘Explanation’ Text Type. In reading they have been learning how to interpret a flow diagram and orally construct a text to match, using appropriate action verbs and time connectives. In Writing, students have been constructing Explanation texts using four time connective sentences to explain the process they can see in a flow diagram.

Phonics

During our Phonics sessions our students are continuing their learning about digraphs (when two letters make one sound) and have learnt the following digraphs so far this term:

‘gn’ as in gnome and ‘kn’ as in knight, make the /n/ sound at the start of a word

‘le’ at the end of a word makes the /l/ sound like in the word noodle

‘ow’ can make the long /o/ sound, like in the word snow

Spelling

Each fortnight our year 1’s get new spelling words, which we divide up into three categories. Visual words are words which have tricky spelling patterns, so we need to learn them visually. Phonological words are words which have predictable spelling patterns and the letters match the sounds heard, so we can sound them out to spell them. Morphemic words contain a base word to help us spell them, such as the word ‘jump’ in jumping. We use our knowledge of the base word to help us spell the whole word.

Maths

Our students have started learning about Area in Mathematics. We learnt about how to estimate and measure the area of everyday objects in the classroom. Some fun investigations we did in our sessions was finding the area of our footprint and handprint. The Grade 1’s partnered up in helping each other trace their hands and feet and investigate who had the smallest or largest area. Students also had the opportunity to explore measuring the area of surfaces using their hands, kinder squares, counters and unifix blocks. 

The Year 1’s have also been learning about grouping and sharing numbers. They use their knowledge of counting by 2s, 5s and 10s to count a collection of objects and to ensure they share objects equally between groups.

SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behaviours) in Year 1

In Term 4, the Year Ones are utilising their Classroom Matrix.  The Matrix guides and clearly defines the expected behaviour in the classroom. The Year 1 teachers recognise and reward students who display our values on the classroom matrix with a BUZZ Award card.  Each week the students with 10 BUZZ Award cards can spin the Reward Wheel.

Inquiry 

This term our Inquiry topic is ‘Geography’. We are excited to be learning about our interconnectedness to PLACE, where we are in the world and how it has changed over time. By discovering maps and what our local community has, we will be able to understand how the needs of our community have shaped the landscapes. In turn we will connect to the community by creating awareness of the rich and outstanding programs we have at Mackellar. Stay tuned and come along with us on our journey.

Donna Piscopo

Tina Iannuzio

Renata Cugliari

Tammie Hoang 

Grade One Teachers