S1 Newsletter

English

In spelling, we will be learning to read and spell words with the graphemes:

• ‘dd’ and ‘gg’ such as 'odd' and 'egg'
•  ‘le’, ‘al’ and ‘el’ such as 'little', 'local' and 'camel'

We will also be learning about words from Greek and Latin origin:

• ‘tri’ meaning three, such as 'triangle' and 'tripod'
• ‘centi’ meaning one hundred, such as 'centimetre'

We continue our imaginative writing unit, building towards writing our own narrative using a story graph to make sure we include all the good bits.

We can do this by:

• planning our ‘sizzling start’ and ‘exciting ending’ first
• planning the problem to build tension

Mathematics

Stage One are coming to the end of their 3D spatial structure unit, having explored different objects we find everyday, such as cylinders, spheres, cubes and prisms. Not only are we more confident to name and describe them, but we have been finding ways to measure how much space they take up (volume) or how much space they contain inside (capacity/internal volume). It has been interesting to see the development from forming groups into using array structures for area concepts and layering concepts in volume.

Coming up in Weeks 5 and 6, we will be learning to give and follow directions, and describe the positions of familiar objects and places.

We can do this by: 

• using the language 'left' and 'right'
• following instructions to make models or position objects
• interpreting or making simple maps

PDHPE

This semester, students are learning to play a range of games in which they can safely explore the skills of rolling, stopping an object, throwing, catching, bouncing, striking, hitting and kicking. Fundamental skills will be practised and refined through playing the games of kickball, stickball and paddleball, and correctly using equipment. Students will also explore ‘parkour’ through the exploration of non-locomotor skills such as bending, twisting, stretching, swinging of body parts and balancing. This will be taught by Rebecca O’Hara, who is a fully qualified gymnastics coach.

In our Drug Education unit, students are learning about what to do when they are unwell, the importance of the safe storage of medications, and how to use medicines safely. 

3D objects and volume investigations in maths

‘Loud Shirt’ Day and activities such as the lip reading challenge.