Curriculum News
English
Reading and Viewing
This term we will continue to work through Little Learners Love Literacy (LLLL) in Year 1. We will be learning new phonemes (sounds) and the corresponding graphemes (letters), as well as revising previous learnt phonemes/graphemes. We will start the term with a focus on spelling using the graphemes taught throughout the year. One of the main foci of Term Four will be around the spelling rules and when to use the different graphemes for the one phoneme. The students will continue to practise reading skills through decodable books in the classroom and their take home readers. We will also continue to explore concepts such as homophones and synonyms.
Writing
This term, our writing focus will be on persuasive and narrative writing. Students will explore the language, structure, and purpose of each form of writing, developing both their creativity and their ability to write with impact.
As part of these units, students will continue to strengthen their punctuation skills and focus on the correct structure of a sentence. They will also learn how to plan and structure a persuasive text, while identifying and using the grammar and punctuation features commonly found in persuasive and narrative writing (e.g. adjectives, adverbs).
Additionally, students will take part in handwriting sessions, focusing on correct letter formation, consistent sizing, and using the appropriate writing lines—baseline Year 1.
Speaking and Listening
As all students have now had their turn with the Mystery Box and our class toy, we will be making a change to our Oral Language program.
Students will be asked to present a few persuasive points on a given topic. These presentations are not intended to be big projects, but rather an opportunity for your child to practise speaking confidently in front of a group of their peers. Clear guidelines and information will be sent home in Week 2.
Mathematics
This term we will be continuing to use the Ochre Education resources, as well as supplementing them with hands-on rich learning tasks.
This term, the Year Ones will be covering a range of mathematical concepts, including:
Data – collecting and representing data by developing questions and making observations.
Location – following directions and using the language of left and right.
Time – learning the days of the week, months of the year, and beginning to read an analogue clock.
Shape – exploring both 2D and 3D shapes.
Number – building fluency with addition and subtraction facts to 20. Using written methods to solve 2 digit addition and subtraction problems.
Religion
Students will explore God’s creation as a precious gift and consider their responsibility to appreciate, respect and care for our common home. Through the teachings of Laudato Si’, students will reflect on ways they can show gratitude for creation and contribute to caring for the world around them. Towards the end of the term, students will turn their attention to the season of Advent, exploring the Jesse Tree and its stories of God’s love and plan for his people, leading to the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Science
Our science this term will be a biological science unit. We will look at the needs of plants and animals including air, food, shelter and water and how the place in which they live meets those needs. We will also recognise that plants produce their own food and animals need to find their food.
Humanities
In Term 4, Year 1 students will explore cause and effect through the lens of Ancient Egypt. Students will investigate how the environment, people and events of Ancient Egypt influenced the way people lived. They will explore simple cause-and-effect relationships, such as how the Nile River supported farming and communities. Through stories, discussions and hands-on activities, students will develop their ability to ask questions, make connections and explain how and why things happened in the past.
Wellbeing
In Term 4, Year 1 students will explore their personal and cultural strengths as part of our wellbeing program. Students will identify their own strengths, recognise the strengths of others, and develop an appreciation for the different cultures, experiences and qualities that make each person unique. Through discussions and activities, students will build self-confidence, practise showing respect and learn how their strengths can help them overcome challenges and build positive relationships with others.