Year 1 News
Reading
In Reading, Year 1 students have been learning about Retrieval Questions. The answer to retrieval questions can always be found in the text. Students have read a range of short passages of texts and have had the opportunity to answer questions about the passage. They have also had the chance to come up with their own questions about the text they have read to further develop their understanding. Students worked very hard during Reading sessions and it was evident their knowledge of retrieval questions greatly improved!
“I like answering questions.” - Aydin 1B
“I liked the story about the bee.” - Maria 1B
“I like answering questions and writing sentences to answer them.” - Oscar 1B
Writing
During Writing, Year 1 students have been working on writing recounts. They have been focusing on using time connectives such as first, then and next to describe the events in the order they occurred. Students have also been learning about nouns, verbs and adjectives in Grammar sessions. They have been finding nouns, verbs and adjectives in a range of sentences. It has been great to see students grasp the concept and be able to apply it in their writing!
Year 1 students have also been diligently practising their handwriting, focusing on carefully forming letters on the dotted thirds. It has been wonderful to see students taking their time to ensure they do their best in their handwriting.
“A noun is a person, place, thing or animal.” - Elliot 1B
“I like writing about my weekend.” - Brooklyn 1B
“I like doing handwriting because it is fun.” - Julia 1B
Maths
During Maths sessions, Year 1 students have been learning about length. This has involved them engaging in a range of hands-on activities, focusing on measuring and comparing the length of various objects around the classroom. Students have also been exploring the concept of Mass. They have learnt how to use hefting to determine whether an item is lighter or heavier and to compare the mass of various objects. Students have had the opportunity to use balance scales to measure the mass of different objects around the classroom. They used unifix to measure and compare the mass of objects. It was great to see them engaged in their learning and working cooperatively in small groups.
“The scissors were 8 unifix long.” - Olivia 1B
“The dice was 4 unifix long.” - Nami 1B
“The playdoh was the heaviest thing.” - Isaac 1B
“My glasses had the same mass as 29 unifix.” - Oscar 1B
Inquiry
In Inquiry, Year 1 students have been exploring the patterns of the sun, including the path it takes across the sky throughout the day. They have been noticing that the sun is in different places in the sky at different times of the day, and using this to help them understand morning, afternoon and evening. Students have also been discussing the different activities they do at each time of day and comparing their daily routines with others, noticing similarities and differences.
They have also been learning about different types of landscapes, including natural, managed and constructed environments. Students have been identifying the features of each type of landscape and exploring a variety of examples to build their understanding of the world around them.
“I brush my teeth in the morning.” - Selim 1A
“The sun was over by the flags in the morning but now it’s beside our building.” - Daniella 1A
Social and Emotional Learning / SWPBS
In SEL, Year 1 students have been learning about the skills needed to work in a friendly way with a partner. They discussed and practised important behaviours such as taking turns, listening to each other, sharing ideas and using kind words.
Students have also been focusing on how to be responsible, particularly by playing in appropriate play spaces and making safe choices during both learning and play times.
They have been exploring what respect looks like and sounds like in different situations, including in the classroom, on the playground and when speaking with others. Students practised using respectful language and actions to show care for those around them.
A big focus has also been on being kind by focusing on their own actions. Students are learning that they can make positive choices, even if others around them are not, and that their actions can help create a happy and safe environment for everyone.
“We can show respect by showing whole body listening when the teacher is talking.” - Aiza 1A
“It is important to focus on my own actions because it helps me concentrate on my work.” - Zade 1A
AUSLAN
In AUSLAN, Year 1 students have been learning how to use their hands and fingers to show size, helping them describe whether something is big or small. They have been practising how hand movements and positioning can change meaning and add more detail to their signing.
Students have also been introduced to a range of Auslan handshapes, including ‘Bent Flat’, ‘Soon’, ‘Plane’, and ‘Bent Two’. They have been learning and practising different signs that use these handshapes, building both their confidence and accuracy when signing.
“We learned to sign plane.” - Archie 1A
“We need to have our voices off during Auslan.” - Savannah 1A
