Grade 1/2 News

We would like to warmly welcome everyone back for Term 2, which is set to be a busy, enjoyable, and exciting term.

As we are moving into the colder months, please ensure that all jumpers are clearly named. This will make it easier to return them to their owners if they are not placed back in bags after being taken off.

Keep an eye out for some information that will be sent home by the end of next week regarding parent helpers to support our reading program.

On the last day of Term 1, it was wonderful to see our students enjoying our annual Easter Hat Parade. There was a fantastic amount of effort put into creating the hats, and we would like to thank our families for supporting their child/ren with this special event.

What we have been up to...

On Tuesday, we enjoyed watching Where Is the Green Sheep? at Ulumbarra Theatre. It was wonderful to see Mem Fox’s beloved picture book brought to life on stage. For many students, the highlight of the show was when the Blue Sheep “pooped” on stage after eating some of the farmer’s flowers.

Last week, our focus text was ANZAC Ted, a touching story about a little boy’s teddy bear that was passed down to him from his grandfather. Battered, torn, and missing an eye and an ear, he might look scary, but he has a great story to tell. ANZAC Ted went to war, keeping soldiers company and giving them comfort. Students enjoyed creating their own ANZAC Ted and designing a special ANZAC Ted bookmark. These activities allowed students to respond creatively to the story while reflecting on its important message.

This week, our focus text is Welcome to Country. This beautifully written and illustrated picture book introduces readers to the Wominjeka (welcome) ceremony of the Wurundjeri people of Melbourne and surrounding areas. Written in both English and Woiwurrung language, the book shares the traditional Aboriginal custom of warmly welcoming visitors to Country. The story highlights the importance of respectfully acknowledging ancestors, community, and the environment, while inviting others to connect with the spirit of the land and its people.

In Writing, students have been exploring recounts. We have been learning how to retell events in the correct order and expand simple sentences with adjectives to provide more detail and make our writing more interesting.

In Mathematics over the past two weeks, students have been developing their understanding of place value and number concepts. They have been learning to locate and place numbers to 1000 on a number line, regroup collections to 1000 for efficient counting, and compare and order three-digit numbers. Students have also practised identifying missing numbers on number charts, partitioning three-digit numbers, and writing numbers in expanded form. Some students have also begun exploring four-digit numbers.

Maths Challenge!

Mathematics and numeracy at home

If you’re looking for ways to support your child’s Mathematics learning at home, this website offers helpful videos, resources, and ideas: https://www.vic.gov.au/mathematics-and-numeracy-home

This week's tips outline some counting activities that you can try at home.

Hunting for numbers

Number hunts are a fun and engaging activity for your child. Ask your child to find numbers around you. Look at and say the numbers on car number plates, signs, calendars, newspapers, shopping catalogues, speed signs, and houses.

Upcoming Learning - Term 2

Week 3 and 4

Reading, Writing and Spelling: 

Our focus texts for Week 3 and 4 next term are:

• A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet

• The Little Corroboree Frog

   

Phonemes and Heart words for  Term 2 will include: 

Week 3: ir, ur, er

💗 – girl, first, her

Week 4: air

💗 – hair, fairy

Week 5: oo (book)

💗 – look, took, put

Week 6: ow, ou

💗 – out, now, down, house, our

Week 7: oy, oi

💗 – boy, toy/s,

Week 8: oo (boot)

💗 – food, soon, zoo, school

Week 9: eer

💗 – dear, hear, year

Week 10: Revision based on student need

Mathematics: Over the coming weeks, students will be learning about measurement by exploring length. They will measure the lengths of objects and shapes using informal units, solve problems using indirect comparison of length, and order objects by comparing their lengths.

Topic: This term our unit will focus on Sustainability. Students will look at decomposition, the Earth's resources, Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. 

Respectful Relationships: The overarching focus for Respectful Relationships this term is Personal Strengths. Students will be involved in a range of games and activities which identify their personal strengths.

Our team and emails are as follows:

Madie Floyd: Madison.Floyd@education.vic.gov.au

Tegan Edwards: Tegan.Edwards@education.vic.gov.au

Jane Rodda: Jane.Rodda@education.vic.gov.au

Sami Craig: Samantha.Craig@education.vic.gov.au

Chris McClellan: Christopher.McClellan@education.vic.gov.au