Spotlight on Learning

Stage 1

It is difficult to believe we are already in Week 8 of Term 2! It has been an action-packed term of learning in 1J and I look forward to the final weeks of the term.

In writing, we have been learning about narratives (which 1J now know are 'stories'!). Students explored the 'story mountain' and can now recall the structure of a narrative:

Orientation (characters and setting are introduced)
Complication (the central 'problem')
Series of events (how the characters solve the 'problem')
Resolution (ending of the story)

Using stimulus pictures, students were able to plan and write their own short narrative. It was amazing to see, hear and read the creative ideas of the students during the planning stage. Students were enthusiastic about writing their narratives, and they proudly transformed their finished pieces into complete 'books' with front covers.

In maths, Year 1 have been learning about reading the time on the analog clock. They focused on telling 'o'clock' and 'half past' times, and were introduced to 'quarter to' and 'quarter past' times as well. Students really enjoyed using their mini clocks to practice creating different times.

Most recently, 1J have been learning about addition and subtraction, and the strategies we can use to solve problems. This week we were using number lines to count forwards (addition) and count backwards (subtraction) to answer questions.

Keep up the great work 1J!

Miss Jacob - 1J Class Teacher

Stage 2

Last week marked the culmination of our English unit, and 4J was eager to showcase their persuasive techniques. They made a compelling case for why the class should have a pet, citing reasons such as increased student responsibility, reduced stress levels, enhanced happiness, and improved focus. Strengthening their argument, they noted that all teachers agreed and pointed out that scientific evidence supports the stress-reducing benefits of pets. How could a teacher argue with that?

Stay tuned... it seems a pet rock won't suffice!

This week saw the start of a new English Unit, “Piano Fingers” by Caroline Magerl. A charming picture book about finding your talent, even if it takes some time and a little help. Students will examine the techniques used by author and illustrator Caroline Magerl and will learn to recognise the ways in which a reader's attention can be drawn towards particular words and images.

Over the next two weeks, our math unit will focus on the idea that what we measure determines the unit we use. Students will compare and describe three-dimensional objects by making models, sketches, and diagrams. They will also draw models from different views using squared and isometric paper. Additionally, students will learn to measure capacity with litres and millilitres, using scaled tools to compare measurements. They will be encouraged to solve problems, discuss their findings, and show their understanding. We aim for students to connect these concepts for a deeper understanding.

Here are some pictures of what we have achieved so far.

We have also been busy training for our upcoming athletics carnival, practicing long jump, high jump, and shot put. I am impressed with the students' "have a go" attitude and their determination to succeed.

Mrs Jones - Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3

Throughout this term, the Stage 3 students have been diving deep into the world of sketching, learning all about shading techniques. It's been an exciting journey for them, full of exploration and discovery as they work on adding depth, dimension, and contrast to their drawings.

Students have been trying out all sorts of pencil grips to see what works best for them. It's been fascinating for them to explore the different ways they can hold their pencils, each grip giving them a new way to create interesting effects. Whether they're holding the pencil lightly for delicate shading or pressing down hard for bold lines, they're always eager to see how it changes their artwork.

Through all this experimenting, the students have learned just how much of a difference a small change in grip can make. They've seen first-hand how adjusting the pressure and angle of their pencil can completely transform their drawings, adding texture and depth in ways they never imagined.

Mrs Son - 5C Classroom Teacher