Learning In My Level 

LEVEL 1

It has most certainly been a busy start to the term for the students in Level 1! We have hit the ground running, learning about minibeasts in Inquiry, revising the content learned throughout the year in Literacy, and have already had a couple of incursions! The end of year assessments are well underway and it has been wonderfully encouraging to see the students progress and mature as they move toward starting Level 2.  

In Numeracy this term, Level 1 students have had great fun exploring the different attributes of two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects, using a range of hands on materials. They have worked collaboratively to estimate and measure objects using informal units and have also examined the features of a calendar. It was wonderful to see the students engaged when creating graphs and analysing their data.  

In Literacy, the students have continued to build upon their phonics knowledge. They have further developed their understanding and application of different reading strategies, including the author’s purpose, visualising for comprehension and making connections with the text. It has been lovely to hear students voice their opinions as they learned about how to write a persuasive piece of writing. What wonderful thoughts and opinions they have!  

Our Enrichment sessions have provided the students opportunity to apply their phonics knowledge through use of digital technology. They have begun producing their work in Book Creator and will continue to add to their knowledge as the term progresses.  

During our Inquiry topic this term, the students have begun learning about minibeasts. Each week we are focusing on a different minibeast and will conclude the unit with a special ‘Bug Ball’! We have already had a minibeast incursion, where the students caught bugs, studied insects under the microscopes, designed warning colour patterns and explored life cycles. By far the most popular experience was interacting with the butterflies in their enclosure. It certainly piqued the students’ interest in the topic! In a few weeks we will be heading off to the IMAX Museum to further our learning there.  

Here are some of the students’ responses when asked about the Minibeast incursion:  

“I think the incursion was amazing!” – Miles    

“I loved feeling the butterflies.” – Zaina    

“I Iiked the yabby.” – Henry   

“It was spectacular to see a real life chrysalis.” – Jasmine    

“I liked the part where you could look at the dead butterfly parts and knew that they had  fur on them.” – Dexter  

“I liked touching the creatures. They were very interesting.” – Bonnie  

“It was amazing when we could feed the butterflies.” – Mae   

The students were highly engaged when presented with a message about cybersafety at our recent incursion presented by Brainstorm Productions. The show was entitled ‘Zanna and the Lost Code’ and detailed ways in which we can engage safely with digital technology. There was a particular focus on taking regular breaks from digital use and not interacting with strangers online. This valuable message helped support our wider Wellbeing Program.  

As we approach the end of the year, we would like to thank all the parents who have supported our many learning programs in Level 1. We would not be able to provide such a rich learning environment without your support.  

Level 1 Team  

LEVEL 2

Level 2 has had a busy start to the end of the year. Over the holidays students did a fantastic job writing, editing and practising their speech for the Public Speaking Competition. Everyone did a fantastic job, congratulations to the finalists. We wish Rayani all the best for when she represents Rangeview later on in the term.  

English 

This term, to support our Inquiry topic of Minibeasts we have be learning about non-fiction texts. Students have learnt to identify the different features of a non-fiction text and how to compare and contrast the information that they found. Students have also been practising their speaking and listening skills during our writing workshops. We have been reading our stories out loud and learning how to give constructive feedback to their peers to improve their writing.    

Enrichment 

This term in Enrichment, as part of our digital technology focus, we are working collaboratively in groups, practising some Readers’ Theatre and will go on to create some iMovies. Students are really enjoying these sessions. We will also be using the laptops to do some touch typing and word processing in readiness for Level 3. In the later part of the term, we will be continuing to learn how to code with the app Scratch Jr on their iPads and the Ozobots.  

Inquiry  

We have already participated in two amazing incursions so far this term. The first was an incursion run by Brainstorm Productions called Zanna and the Lost Code. This aimed to teach students about the importance of being safe online. Students also enjoyed an amazing incursion where students got to learn all about Minibeasts. During the incursion students rotated through a butterfly tent and engaged with other minibeasts at activity stations. They caught water bugs, studied bugs under microscopes, designed warning colour patterns and explored life cycles. 

Level 2 is looking forward to finishing out the year with a bang with the Level 2 Sleepover, Minibeast Bug Ball, building birdhouses, Colour Run, Carols and finding out our grades for next year during transition.  

Level 2 Team