Grade 1 News
📅 Important Dates & Reminders
All important dates and events are available on our Compass Calendar. Please check the calendar regularly to stay up to date.
Upcoming dates/Important Info
Wednesday 20th May: Scienceworks Excursion (details to come closer to the date)
Monday June 8th: King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Icy Poles will be sold outside the senior school Monday & Tuesday lunchtimes
Key Information
- Students are to bring their take-home bags to school daily (optional) to swap books for home.
Colour Run
Students had an amazing time at the Colour Run, enjoying lots of fun, laughter, and colour here are some photos from the day!
Learning Reflection
➗Maths
This fortnight in Maths, students have been building their understanding of number and measurement through hands-on and engaging activities. In Number, we explored the concepts of “one more” and “one less” using materials such as base-10 blocks and hundred charts. Students practised identifying numbers before and after a given two-digit number, and applied this knowledge to solve problems, explain their thinking, and identify errors. We also strengthened our understanding of place value by creating, comparing, and reasoning about two-digit numbers. We further explored number bonds and partitioning numbers into two different parts. Eg. 56 can be partitioned as 50 and 6 or 20 and 36.
In Measurement, students were introduced to the concept of length. They compared and ordered objects using language such as longer than, shorter than and the same as. Students explored both direct and indirect comparison, using tools like string to measure and compare objects that could not be placed side by side. These activities helped develop students’ reasoning and problem-solving skills in meaningful, real-world contexts.
📖 Literacy
Word Work:
This fortnight, students have been learning about the digraphs ai and ay, exploring how ai is used within words while ay is found at the end of words. We have also continued to review the ed digraph and the three sounds it can make (ed, d, and t), helping students recognise and apply these patterns in their reading and writing. Towards the end of the fortnight, students will begin learning about the ee and ea digraphs strengthening their decoding and spelling skills.
Handwriting
This fortnight students have practised forming the letters r, i, u, w, x, t, l, k, y, g, p, and h
Literature:
This fortnight, students will begin exploring 'Iggy Peck, Architect' by Andrea Beaty. They will practise listening to and responding to the text, asking and answering questions, and sharing ideas about the characters, events, and key messages in the book. Students will learn how both the words and illustrations work together to tell the story, and will make connections to their own experiences, particularly around creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance.
In Writing, students will learn to identify and create statements and questions, focusing on using correct punctuation such as capital letters, full stops, and question marks. They will also practise building more detailed sentences using the conjunctions “but” and “because” to expand their thinking. Throughout the unit, students will develop their vocabulary by learning and using new words from the text, and will continue to build confidence in sharing their ideas through speaking, drawing, and writing tasks.
Towards the end of the fortnight on Friday the students will also begin a new text 'The Most Magnificent Thing.'
Knowledge Rich:
This fortnight, students have been learning about all things astronomy as they explored the solar system, our home in space. They discovered that Earth, the planet we live on, is just one of many celestial bodies, and learned about how the sun, moon, stars, and planets are all connected. Students learned that the sun is a giant star that provides us with light, heat, and energy, and began to understand how Earth moves in space. They explored how Earth’s orbit around the sun and its rotation on its axis cause day and night. As part of this unit, students were also introduced to the exciting history of space exploration. They learned about NASA, the Space Race, and the Apollo missions to the moon, as well as what it takes to become an astronaut. Students loved learning about all the different planets sharing and creating their favourite one with their class.
It has been wonderful to see students so engaged and curious as they develop their understanding of space and our place within it. As we wrapped up our Astronomy unit, students enjoyed getting creative by designing their own planet posters, choosing a favourite planet and sharing interesting facts about it.
Wellbeing😊
This term in our wellbeing sessions, we have a major focus on the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Program. Grade 1s will be focusing on the topics listed below.
This fortnight, students have been exploring emotional literacy through a range of engaging games and activities. They have been building their understanding of different emotions and recognising how our body language can change depending on how we feel. Students also discussed situations that may act as triggers for certain emotions and explored positive strategies to help manage and resolve these feelings.
Curious Corner
This fortnight, students have had the opportunity to explore our Curious Corner, sparking their sense of wonder and creativity. They have particularly enjoyed how this area connects to our current unit on Astronomy, allowing them to apply what they have been learning in class through imaginative play. It has been wonderful to see students beginning to make connections in their learning while also supporting one another as they explore and discover together.
Homework
Optional Homework for Grade 1
For homework in Grade 1, the expectation is that students will read their take-home book to an adult each day. Every student will choose a new book from their classroom on a daily basis (optional). Students will need to return their previous book before receiving a new book. Here is a link to a folder to access Sparkle at home activities if you wish: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/126BRm52aR9NyaCdEgnCljLC3X0MWqupj
If you are not sure which level your child is on, please ask your child’s teacher.
For those students who are off sparkle, please encourage them to read any book of their choice at home.
Thank you for reading our newsletter, please remember if you have any questions feel free to contact your child’s teacher.
Grade 1 Teachers,
Catia Anson, Bella Albanese and Jess Kitteringham.