Argus Community Report

Mentor Groups

Well done to all the Argus students on a fantastic Term 1. Students have worked very well in their learning groups this term, and have settled well into their mentor groups each morning and afternoon. 

 Mentor groups for 2021

12A- Ants group: Addy & Alex

12B- Butterflies group: Fanny

12C- Caterpillars group: Carla

12D- Dragonflies group: Laura

12E- Earthworms group: Elin

Reading

In reading the last few weeks, students have also been developing their phonological awareness. We have been Looking at letters and sound combinations, and identifying the various sounds within a word. Students investigated words that have the same endings and rhyme with one another while practising how to blend and segment which involved them identifying individual sounds and syllables within words and then breaking them down into those individual sounds.

Writing

In Writing, students have been learning about procedural texts. We have been looking at the different sections of procedural texts, including the equipment / ingredients and the method. Students have also been learning about action verbs (doing words) and how to use these words in their procedural writing. Students will be using the skills they have learnt in Writing sessions, to write a healthy recipe, as part of our Inquiry unit about Healthy Living.

Maths

In Maths, students have been learning about place value and base 10. Students have been applying a range of strategies such as bundling, ordering numbers, renaming and identifying the value of digits in a number. Students have had the opportunity to use a variety of math equipment to assist them with their learning such as bundling sticks, MAB, dice, unifix blocks and counters. They have also produced some amazing pieces of work that showcase their understanding of base 10 and place value.

Social and Emotional Learning 

During SEL this month we have been learning to identify Ant and Elephant problems within the classroom or in the school yard. We have then been coming up with possible solutions to help us deal with these problems. Basically, Ant problems are ones the students can solve themselves with minimal help such a e.g. I can’t find my pencil. Perhaps look where you were sitting or go and get one from the teacher’s container. Elephant problem is when e.g they fell off the monkey bar and hurt themselves. Solution, quickly get a friend to get the yard duty teacher to help you and call for help from first aide.

Students have also been identifying problems that may have occurred at home and how they found a solution.

Students have also been discussing things they may do to make people feel good (bucket filler) or things they may do to make people feel bad (bucket dipper). We are using this as a reward system for filling our own mentor group buckets for a treat, e.g. give someone a compliment, smile at them, ask them to play a game with you etc.

Inquiry

In inquiry, as part of our healthy living unit, we have started learning about how to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of ourselves. Students have been learning about the importance of healthy behaviours such as going to bed early, exercise, and brushing their teeth. Students have also started researching recipes that they love to cook and eat at home, and we will be making a community recipe book to celebrate the end of the healthy living unit.

We hope you all have a wonderful and safe break and we look forward to seeing you all back in Term 2 :)

Important notes to Remember: 

• Doors open at 8:40am
• Dismissal at 3:10pm
• Please bring a hat to school each day in Term 1 and 4
• Ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled. This includes clothing, drink bottles, hats and lunchboxes (lids too)
• Students are to come to school with a water bottle each day (labelled)

What you can do with your child at home

• Continue to read to and with your child each night.
• Encourage your child to develop more independence. (Help pack/unpack their school bag/lunch, or get their uniform ready)
• Encourage your child to take increased responsibility for their own belongings.
• Establishing a regular routine helps students to develop a positive approach to learning and will benefit them as they progress through their schooling.
• Encourage your child to practise tying their own shoelaces.
• We continue to promote healthy eating at school. We allow students to have a piece of fruit and vegetable break at 10:15am. We try to discourage highly salty, sugary and processed foods. We talk about these foods as ‘occasional’ or ‘sometimes’ food that can be enjoyed on ‘special occasions’ rather than as part of a child’s daily diet.
• If you need to speak to your child’s mentor teacher, please contact the office to pass on the message or organise this before or after school.

Kind Regard, Argus 1/2 teaching team

Carla, Fanny, Addy, Alex, Elin and Laura