Year 1/2

Literacy 

In Literacy, students have finished their novel study of The Little Prince. Throughout this unit, students focused on a range of comprehension strategies, including visualising, predicting and inferring. They also worked on writing detailed summaries that included key details of who, what, when, where and why.

Students did a wonderful job demonstrating their understanding of the novel and showed deep knowledge of the text through their discussions and written work.

In our next unit, students will explore nonfiction texts. They will draw on their first-hand experiences from the Wildlife Xposure incursion to read, research and create their own nonfiction pieces of writing. 

Maths

In Mathematics, students have been developing their understanding of multiplication. They have explored how multiplication represents equal groups and have used a range of strategies, including skip counting, repeated addition, arrays and bar models, to represent and solve multiplication problems. Students have also been developing their understanding and use of multiplicative language, such as groups of, multiplied by and times.

Students have also been exploring mass by comparing and measuring objects using balance scales. They have developed their understanding of the language hefting, heavier, lighter and equal, and used informal units to compare the mass of different objects.

Humanities 

Over the past three weeks, our Grade 1 and 2 students have been busy learning about our Solar System.  Students have been exploring the order of the planets, as well as the Sun, Moon and Stars. We have been developing our understanding of what we can see in the sky and how the objects in our Solar System are connected. 

We also had the opportunity for students to explore how forces can make things move. They had lots of fun designing and making spinning helicopters and investigating how different forces affected their movement.

We will soon begin a creative project where students will use their knowledge and imagination to design and make one of three things:

a toy for a toddler,  a model of our Solar System or  a piece of artwork that demonstrates forces through twisting, scrunching, cutting and tearing.

We would love families to continue to bring in clean, safe recycled materials and craft supplies that students could use for their projects. Things such as cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes, paper, paper plates, plastic lids, string, wool, egg cartons and other interesting recycled materials would be fantastic.

We can't wait to see what our young designers and scientists create!

Wellbeing/ Respectful Relationships 

Over the past three weeks, our Grade 1 and 2 students have been learning about asking for help. We have talked about recognising when we have a problem, knowing when we need adult support and practising ways to clearly explain what is wrong and ask for help.

We are now moving into learning about gender norms and stereotypes. This learning helps students understand that our interests, strengths and the activities we enjoy are not limited by whether we are a boy or a girl.

We will be exploring ideas such as:

• Boys and girls can both play football, dance, cook or build.
• Jobs and careers are for everyone. For example, both women and men can be firefighters, teachers, doctors or builders.
• People can have different interests, skills and strengths, and these differences should be respected.

These conversations are an important part of helping children develop positive and respectful relationships and understand that everyone should have the opportunity to explore their interests and strengths.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations with our Grade 1 and 2 students.

This week some of our Grade 1 and 2 students participated in a Kids Helpline's Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson.  Students learnt about the 3 steps towards Anti-Bullying. 

Step 1=Pause, take a deep breath and name your feeling.  

Step 2=Choose, speak up, be kind and support.  

Step 3=Act, asking a trustworthy adult for help.  

Wildlife Xposure 

The Year 1/2 students experienced an fantastic incursion. They enjoyed safe, hands-on encounters with Australian wildlife, including gliding possum, frog, turtle, friendly lizards, snakes, crocodile and a barn owl. Guided by experienced wildlife educator Tommy, students touched, observed and learnt about these fascinating creatures. The program encouraged sensory exploration, curiosity and an understanding of Australian animals and their environment. It was an exciting and memorable learning experience!

Spelling Bee

The Year 1/2 students participated in the Moriac Primary School Spelling Bee. It was wonderful to see students step outside their comfort zones and, most importantly, enthusiastically encourage and support their classmates. We were extremely proud of everyone who participated!

Kind regards, The 1/2 Team 

Emma, Lisa and Danny.