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
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.
Learning Reflection
Parent Celebration Morning
We were so excited to open our doors on Friday morning and welcome families into our classroom to experience what a typical morning looks like for our Grade 1 students. From observing our morning entry routines to participating in Word Work, practising reading goals, and completing Maths Masters activities, the students absolutely loved having you there. It was wonderful to see so many families engaging with and celebrating the learning that takes place each day in our classroom.
➗Maths
This fortnight in Maths, we have been exploring different ways to represent and solve addition and difference problems within 20. Students used ten-frames, counters and number bonds to represent addition number stories and develop their understanding of how numbers can be combined to make a whole. We practised using known number facts and subitising strategies to find totals efficiently, rather than counting each item one by one.
As our learning progressed, students were introduced to the addition (+) and equals (=) symbols and learned how mathematicians use these symbols to record their thinking. We practised writing and reading number sentences, such as 14 + 3 = 17, and explored how different addition combinations can be equivalent. Students enjoyed investigating examples such as 3 + 3 = 5 + 1 and solving missing number problems.
We also began learning about the concept of difference. Using counters, pictures, bar models, number bonds and number lines, students compared quantities and identified how many more were needed to make two amounts equal. These activities helped students develop their understanding of the relationship between addition and finding the difference between numbers.
Preview -
Next fortnight, students will complete their Addition and Subtraction Unit, consolidating the strategies and skills they have been developing throughout the term. They will then begin exploring Measurement, with a focus on duration. Students will learn to understand and compare units of time, sequence events, and use language related to the passing of time, such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, and weeks.
📖 Literacy
Word Work:
This fortnight, students have finished exploring the digraphs ee and ea, building their understanding of the different ways the long /e/ sound can be represented in words. As these spelling patterns can be tricky, students have practised identifying, reading, and spelling words containing both digraphs.
We are now beginning to learn the trigraph igh, which makes the long /i/ sound in words such as light, night, and high. Students will be learning to recognise, read, and spell words containing igh, helping to strengthen their decoding, reading, and spelling skills. Throughout the fortnight, students will have opportunities to apply this new spelling pattern every morning during word work.
Preview -
Next fortnight, students will begin focusing on 'ough' and all its six sounds.
Handwriting
This fortnight students have practised forming the letters i, g, q, y, r, u, w and x.
Literature:
This fortnight, students wrapped up their learning around The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. To celebrate the end of the unit, students had fun making fairy bread while following and discussing instructions, helping them understand the purpose and structure of procedures. They then applied this knowledge by writing their own procedural texts.
We are now beginning a new narrative picture book ‘I want my hat back’. Students will be practising their comprehension skills by responding to the story, sequencing key events, and retelling the narrative in their own words. They will also explore how illustrations and text work together to tell a story and deepen understanding. Throughout the unit, students will develop their vocabulary knowledge by learning and using Tier 2 words from the text. In Writing, students will be learning about commands and exclamations, identifying their features and applying them in their own sentences.
Preview -
Next fortnight, students will begin a new Writing Unit based on The Day the Crayons Quit. Through this persuasive writing unit, students will explore how authors use reasons and persuasive language to convince their audience. Students will then apply these skills to write their own persuasive letter.
Knowledge Rich:
Students have begun an exciting new inquiry unit exploring Ancient Egypt. Throughout the fortnight, students have shared their prior knowledge and started delving deeper into key aspects of this ancient civilisation. They have explored important ideas such as pyramids, pharaohs, deserts, and daily life in Ancient Egypt. Students also got to explore writing their names in Hieroglyphs just like the scribes did in Ancient Egypt.
Wellbeing😊
This fortnight, students explored the importance of teamwork and what it means to work effectively with others. They enthusiastically took part in a partner challenge where they balanced a crayon on each fingertip while walking around the classroom and outdoor spaces. It was wonderful to observe the open communication between partners, as well as their perseverance, resilience, and determination to keep trying when faced with challenges.
Students also participated in a game called Traffic Lights, which focused on developing their listening skills. Through this activity, students learned the importance of being not only good listeners but active listeners. We discussed how active listening can support positive friendships, strengthen teamwork, and help us succeed in many different areas of our lives.
Preview -
Next fortnight, students will be participating in their second circles session for the term and also reflecting on their own personal strengths.
Curious Corner
This fortnight, students have continued to have the opportunity to explore our Curious Corner, sparking their sense of wonder and creativity. They have particularly enjoyed how this space connects to our current unit on Ancient Egypt, 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.