Grade 1 News

Important Reminders

As per our school's SunSmart policy, all students are required to wear hats until the end of April 2024.

Please note that all Grade 1 Library books will need to be returned next Wednesday 29th November. There will be no more library borrowing for the rest of this year.

Learning in Action

Literacy

Our students viewed, read and explored the text ‘Tyrannosaurus Drip’ by Julia Donaldson. They contrasted and compared this David Roberts illustrated text to Axel Scheffler illustrated texts. Students noticed how David Roberts used a lot of pale colours, white space and patterns, while Axel Scheffler had vibrant colours and drew a lot of different creatures.

In Writing, students have focused on the /ow/ as in ‘cow’ and /ou/ as in ‘loud sounds. They have practised decoding a range of words using this sound and then applying this knowledge to encode and spell the words. 

Library

Library sure has been action packed lately! Together we read about Larry Leadbeater (Victoria’s faunal emblem) and how his 300 year old home (tree) was chopped down. His human friend helped him to persuade the Victorian Government to change the laws to protect old growth forest. In their small groups, the students wrote letters to the Victorian Government either thanking them or trying to convince them why old growth forests need to be protected. We shared our writing with Jo Watson, the author. We excitedly anticipate a reply from Jo.

All books need to be returned to the Library starting Monday, November 27.

Maths

Students have been revising their knowledge of subtraction recently. Students have looked at the structure of a subtraction number sentence, total-part=part, and used this to help them with worded problems. Students have also been introduced to a number line as a tool to help them with equations. This knowledge will support them greatly going into grade 2.

Inquiry

The highlight for Inquiry was definitely the visit from Gayle from Share Space Inc. Gayle’s Share Space started by putting one box of free books out the front of her house, in 2020, to now helping to provide food and essentials to more than 600 people (families and single people) across Rowville and Lysterfield. This also includes almost 30 homeless people. The main focus for our discussion was around the sustainable actions that Gayle ensures the Share Space follows, including saving food from landfill, reusable bags, providing a forum for community members to donate clothing and household items to others, fundraising ideas such as the 10 cent can and bottle scheme.  We also focused on the fact that humans and animals need nutritional food, clean water, shelter and a sense of connection, in order to not just survive but thrive. LPS donated 4 boxes of Freddo Frogs for Gayle to use to support her families. The students brainstormed ways that we could action, to support the Share Space, so stay tuned for more information to come.

More information about Gayle and the Share Space can be found on Facebook ‘Share Space Inc’, or on the website sharespace.org.au 

Wellbeing

We have cotinued to focus on revising all of the Friendology and RRRR concepts throughout the year. Students have created a page in their Friendology book to explain how the Friend-o-Cycle works. 

Preview to Learning

Literacy

Next week, students will begin their unit on persuasive writing. They will learn how this differs from informative and narrative writing. They will also learn why writers use this style of writing and read real-life examples. 

Library

With official Library visits coming to an end, the students will be able to work in their small groups to reflect on their learning over the year.

Maths

Students will continue revising topics they have already looked at including multiplication and division in preparation for grade 2. 

Inquiry

Over the next fortnight we will explore the 5Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle. Our Term 4 Sustainability Unit will come to a close with a 'Call To Action'. This has been inspired by the amazing work of Gayle and Share Space. Stay tuned for more information to come about this next week.

Wellbeing

Students are looking forward to working with their buddies to share their Friendology books.

Student of the Week

Congratulations to our Grade 1 award winners.

Colour Run!

The Colour Run in Week 6 was a huge success! So much fun had by all - thank you again to our amazing PFA for organising the event.

Swimming Week!

We were extremely proud of the enthusiasm and maturity the Grade 1s demonstrated this week throughout our swimming program! It was great to see them all in the water developing important swimming and water safety skills.