Year 1 

Spotlight on Learning

Dear Families,

Welcome to Week 6. As we continue through the term, our focus in the classroom remains on creating a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for all students. We encourage children to make good choices, care for one another, listen carefully, and try their best in all learning tasks. These expectations help ensure that every child feels safe and ready to learn each day. We hope all familes have a safe and enjoyable long weekend (no school on the 9th of March, Monday).

Warm regards,

The Jerusalem Community Team 

Important Reminders

1. Term 1 is a SunSmart term and 'No hat, no play', please ensure your child has their school hat everyday.
2. All students are expected to wear full St Thomas’ school uniform — either summer, or PE is fine, but it must be the official school uniform. 
3. Reading daily is a big factor in academic progression. Students should read everyday to a parent or family member to increase their word/sound knowledge.
4. Lunchboxes should include fruit or vegetables and lunch to fuel students for learning throughout the day.

This week:

Award winners: Awards are handed out to students who show exemplary school values of Safety, Respect and Learning each week during weekly community assembly. If your child receives an award, but is absent on Friday, they will receive their award during the next weekly assembly.

English phonics: This week in Reading, we have been learning the (long i) sound using the trigraph igh as in high and digraph ie as in pie. 

English writing: This week we read "Somebody's Land" by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing. The book helps students understand why we say the Acknowledgment of Country everyday. Students discussed Aboriginal culture and traditions. Each day students wrote a response based on what they learnt from the book. We also discussed that Aboriginal people care for Country, therefore they only take what they need from the land. 

At home: You can also watch the book on Youtube and discuss the themes in the story. Ask students questions about the book and reflect what they learnt from the story.

Mathematics: This week in mathematics, we have shifted our focus to addition and subtraction. Students are focusing on using a number track to add 2 numbers they generated together. 

At home: Roll 2 dice and add the total together. 

Intergrated studies: This week, students explored the natural and built features of our school and learned about how people care for the land. They also reflected on the importance of respecting Aboriginal land and noticed how the school has changed over time.

Religious education: In our Religious Education lessons, we have been learning about the season of Lent. During this special time in the Church, we talk about ways we can grow closer to God by showing kindness, helping others, and making thoughtful choices. We will also be learning about Almsgiving, which means giving to people who need help. Students will explore simple ways they can care for others through generosity and compassion. 

Students explored the story of The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44). We discussed how the widow gave all that she had, even though it was something she needed. Students reflected on how it might feel to give away something you truly need compared with giving something you no longer need, helping them understand the deeper meaning of generosity and sacrifice.

Social and emotional learning: This week, students listened to Tilda Tries Again to learn about what we can do when things get hard and the importance of trying again. They reflected on a time they faced a challenge and thought about how they showed resilience.

AUSLAN: 

Students have started unit 2 of AUSLAN, they are learning about classroom instructions. These are the signs they learnt this week. 

Next week 

English phonics: Next week, in reading students will continue to learn the long i sound but with the grapheme -y like in try, fry and cry. 

English writing: Next we will be reading "Looking After Country with Fire" by Victor Steffensen and Sandra Steffensen.

Mathematics: Next week, in mathematics students will continue to focus on adding numbers. They will explore number lines and learn about convincing peers of their thinking. 

Intergrated studies: Next week, we will be exploring First Nations sustainability practices.

Religious education: We continue learning about Caritas and Lent.

Social and emotional learning: Next week, we will be focusing on personal and cultural strengths.

Ways to engage with the newsletter:

• Read the weekly book with your child at home (there is often a read aloud on you tube). Talk about what the book's most important ideas are.

• Ask your child to retell the story using their own words.

• Talk about who the characters are, where the story is happening.

• Use the spelling words provided to make up sentences at home or simply a 5 word mini dictation.

• Take the idea around Mathematics and ask students to repeat an activity they did at school, with you.

Important Dates

• TERM 1 Key Dates
• Monday 9 March - Public Holiday — School Closed

• Thursday 2 April - Holy Thursday — Last Day of Term 1

   

  TERM 2 Key Dates

• Tuesday 21 April — First Day for Students

Contact Us @ Jerusalem

jerusalem@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.auOR

The Jerusalem Team