Level 1: Connect

Dear Level 1 Parents and Families

Welcome to Term 2! We hope everyone had a great break. Wasn't the weather a delight! What an exciting time we have had over the past two weeks being back at SEPS. It's so great to be back with our Level 1 superstars. The students' enthusiasm and level of engagement has been great to see. 

We have lots of amazing learning ahead and lots of assessments this term too.

Thanks again for your anticipated support of your child's learning this term.

Term 2 Reminders:

Literacy:

We hit the ground running with literacy over the past two weeks. We have explored two fabulous books, 'Anzac Biscuits' and 'Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo' (see below) and through these books, students have been involved in a number of activities including letter writing, making connections, identifying author's purpose, character profiling, and asking and answering questions. Students have also been given many opportunities for reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Next week we are beginning another fantastic new book called 'Wendy'. The study of this book will provide the opportunity for students to create their own picture story book, complete with a beginning, middle and an end. We can't wait to see what the students produce. We will share some snippets in our next newsletter.

Heart words: those, these, today, world and because. 

Phonemes: ar as in car, all as in ball

Rules/Concepts/Morphology:

Maths:

In our recent Level 1 Math sessions, students explored two essential mathematical concepts: partitioning numbers and measuring the length of objects. These fundamental skills are crucial building blocks for developing mathematical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Partitioning Numbers:

Level 1 explored partitioning numbers, which is the practice of breaking a number into smaller parts. This skill helps students better understand the structure of numbers and how they can be manipulated. Using manipulatives like blocks and counters, students practiced breaking numbers into different parts—such as splitting 6 into 3 + 3, or 7 into 4 + 3. This activity not only strengthens their understanding of number relationships but also builds their ability to think flexibly about numbers.

Measuring Lengths:

Next, the students switched gears to focus on measuring the length of various objects. Armed with rulers and even non-standard units like paper clips and blocks, the students measured objects around the classroom. They learned the difference between longer and shorter objects, comparing and recording their findings.

Students also discussed the concept of standard and non-standard units of measurement. For example, how many paper clips does it take to equal the length of a pencil? By engaging in these activities, the students began to see measurement as a real-world skill that can be applied to everyday objects and situations.

Looking Ahead:

Our Grade 1 mathematicians are off to a strong start, and these foundational lessons will continue to build as we explore more advanced topics. We will revisit partitioning numbers in future lessons, using them to solve addition and subtraction problems, and we’ll deepen our understanding of measurement with both standard and non-standard units.

Tips for Parents:

You can reinforce these concepts at home by helping your child partition everyday items, such as snacks or toys, into different parts. For measuring, try using a ruler to measure objects around the house or use non-standard items like string or even their own footsteps to measure distances!

Inquiry:

Inquiry Focus: Family Life Over Time

This term, Year 1 students are exploring the concept of change over time by looking closely at how life today compares to the past. Through stories, photos, objects, and conversations about their own families, students will learn to recognise what has changed and what has stayed the same. They will be encouraged to think about how people lived in the past and how those experiences are similar to or different from their lives today.

To guide this learning, students will explore big questions such as: 

How do we talk about time and the order things happen? 

How has family life changed over the years? 

How can we show the differences and similarities between the past and the present? These questions will help students build their understanding of time and history in a personal and meaningful way, as they begin to connect the stories of the past to their own world.

Level 1 Term 2 Specialist Timetable 

Wishing you all a fabulous fortnight.

All the best,

Suzanne, Robyn, Leon and Kylie

Level 1 Teachers