Year 1
Welcome to Term 4!
It’s hard to believe we’re in our final term of the year already. This term promises to be a busy and exciting one, filled with opportunities for our Year 1 students to grow as learners, creators and collaborators.
Term 3 Highlights:
Term 3 was an exciting and busy term in Year One.
In Mathematics, we learned all about Multiplication and Division. We practiced sharing equally into groups and used strategies such as skip counting and drawing to solve problems. We explored 2D shapes and 3D objects looking at their features to help us to name each one and practiced finding the mass of objects using hefting and balancing scales.
In our MSL lessons, we continued to learn about a range of different digraphs and spelling rules to help us when reading and writing. We practiced using the long spelling of sounds such as 'tch' and 'dge' when it is followed by a short vowel and learned the Gentle Cindy rule, now understanding when the letters 'C' and 'G' make their soft or hard sounds in words. We consolidated our knowledge of a range of irregular words such as said, was and want and practiced reading aloud to a partner to develop our fluency and accuracy skills.
To begin our term, our literacy lessons focused on Dreamtime stories, linking to our Inquiry unit of ‘Tell me a Story’. We explored our mentor text 'Tiddalick the Frog' identifying key vocabulary and understanding the author's purpose and message. We read a range of additional Dreamtime Stories and practiced writing character descriptions based on the authors choice of words, comparing different stories as we went. For the remainder of our term we learnt to read and write poems. Looking at a range of different poetic techniques and features such as alliteration, rhyme and similes we built our inferential and literal comprehension skills, using evidence from the text to support us. We wrote a collection of poems using these techniques working hard to use a range of interesting vocabulary. We read our poetry to each other and the class practicing our fluency and expression when reading aloud.
In Reading this term, our focus will be on strengthening comprehension skills. Students will explore how an author’s word choices create meaning and bring stories to life, using mentor texts such as Magic Beach and Jetty Jumping. They will also learn about persuasive techniques through the Don’t Let the Pigeon… series. Throughout the term, students will continue practising both independent and partner reading to build strategies that help them become confident and thoughtful readers.
This term, we are also introducing “Reader of the Day.” Each student will have the opportunity to read a short book of no more than 20 pages to the class, which should take around five minutes to read aloud. To make the experience enjoyable, please ensure your child practises their chosen book at home before their turn, so they feel comfortable with the text and are not struggling to decode the words. Additionally, we ask that they prepare 2-3 questions to ask the class about the book. Your class teacher will send home a roster with each student’s assigned day early next term.
Our Writing program will encourage students to expand their skills and creativity. This term we will be working on building compound sentences, understanding and applying narrative structure, and choosing more specific and descriptive words to enhance our writing. We will also learn how to structure persuasive texts, while continuing to focus on using boundary punctuation such as capital letters, full stops, exclamation marks and question marks.
In MSL (Multisensory Structured Literacy), we will continue strengthening our knowledge of spelling patterns and word structure. Students will explore vowel teams such as au, aw, ew and ue, learn how the letter s can also make the /z/ sound, and practise the rules for making words plural, including the use of -s and -es endings. We will also apply rules for adding suffixes, including the doubling rule (1:1:1), words ending in y and SFE words with suffixes. Finally, students will practise identifying and reading rabbit syllables (VC.CV) through games, activities and reading practice.
In Maths, we will be revising and extending our number knowledge with a focus on place value, addition and subtraction strategies, and sharing. Students will also apply mathematical thinking to real-world concepts, such as giving and following directions to move people and objects, collecting and representing data using displays and digital tools, and comparing data. We will also be comparing and ordering objects and events using attributes such as length, helping students make connections between maths and everyday experiences.
This term’s Inquiry/STEAM focus is on sustainability. Students will be learning about the 6 R’s (Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Repair) and considering how we can make positive choices for our planet. As part of their project, Year 1 will be working with Year 2 to create a short persuasive video about one of the R’s. These videos will be shared with the school community to spread the important message of sustainability and inspire others to take action.
Important dates
Wednesday 15th of October: CERES sustainability excursion
Tuesday 28th of October: School production dress rehearsal and performance
Monday 3rd of November: Student Free Day
Tuesday 4th of November: Melbourne Cup Day
Monday 24th of November: Professional Practice Day (Student Free)
Friday 19th of December: Last day of school, early dismissal 1:30pm
Remember to refer to the school newsletter and Compass throughout the term for updates. If your child is having a birthday and you would like to bring in treats for the whole class, please check with your classroom teacher regarding allergies.
We are looking forward to a term full of creativity, curiosity and collaboration. Thank you for your continued support as we head into this final chapter of the year. We can’t wait to see the wonderful progress and achievements of our Year 1 students in Term 4!
Thanks,
The Year 1 Team
Maddie Daniell (1A co-team leader), Amy Midson (1B co team-leader), Rachel Scott and Jess Kennedy (1C)