Connect: Level 1

Reminders: 

• Please remember to bring your sun hats into school. Students are more than welcome to leave their hats in their lockers if that works best for you. 
• Next week is testing week for Level 1 students so Investigations will be moved to the afternoon to allow us to use the morning sessions for testing. 

Celebrations: Our Wanyara incursion was a success! The Wanyara group provided interactive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural experiences to help students understand and embrace an Aboriginal perspective of our country. They focused on physical activity and on cultural learning. The programs were all facilitated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students were able to take part in dance activities, painting, playing different games, as well as listening to elders tell stories. 

Students also completed their Science Learning Tasks. They were so excited to take their musical instruments home and share their learning with their parents. It was a terrific task and we are so proud of how much knowledge students gained from this task. 

Science: In Science we have been learning about sound. Last week the students made 'telephones' with Wilko and Safety Sue. Once again, they came back very animated and bursting to tell us all about their lesson. Wilko and Safety Sue are definitely a highlight on a Friday!

Numeracy

In our maths curriculum, the students will be exploring the essential skill of giving and following directions to familiar locations. Through engaging activities and real-world applications, they will consolidate their ability to understand and communicate directions effectively. From learning the basics of left and right to understanding compass directions, our students will learn to navigate their way through practical exercises that enhance their spatial awareness and critical thinking. This crucial skill not only aids in mathematical development but also fosters practical life skills, ensuring our young learners are adept in finding their way confidently through the world around them.

Spelling:

New Phonemes:

1. /oo/ as in moon- in the middle of a word. Also /oo/ as in book, in the middle of a word. It's important for students to recognise this sound and its spelling patterns.
2. /es/ as in eat- in the middle of a word. Also /ea/ as in bread, in the middle of a word.

New Prefix and Suffix:

1. pre- (meaning before). This prefix means 'before' and is typically used to signify 'before' or 'prior to'. For example, when you try to prevent something, you come 'before' it to put a halt to it, thereby keeping it from happening. 
2. -est (most):   The suffix -est adds the meaning “most” to short adjectives and adverbs - as in calmest, which means “most calm.”

Literacy

In the next couple of weeks, students will be showcasing the writing skills they have learnt this term to create their own narrative. They will be able to choose what they would like to write about and have the opportunity to publish it. Students will be identifying the 4 different types of sentences and creating their own sentences. There will be a particular emphasis on punctuation such as full stops, exclamation marks, question marks and discussions about when to use commas. 

Reading fluency will continue to be a focus until the end of the term by having daily 'fluency pairs'. During this time, students read the same passage in partners, track each other's reading and then each student records their number of words read each day. They need to understand that it is important to read fluently with the right amount of expression and intonation to assist with comprehension. We always love celebrating their growth from the beginning of the week to the end! 

Health

In our school community, we emphasise the importance of emotional well-being and understanding our feelings. As part of our holistic approach to education, over the next two weeks we will explore the meaning of emotional health with our students. Through interactive discussions and activities, we will encourage our young learners to recognise and express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.