1/2 A Mainstream 

What we have been up to: 

We can’t believe we are in the new building and it is already the end of week 4! We are settling into our new space and students are enjoying all the new benefits the room has to offer. Some of the things they have noticed are: it’s clean, new, has beautiful colours, and is calming! 

Our investigations into different mixtures around us have continued and thanks to everyone who sent jars into school. Students have experimented with potion making and are starting to discuss how different substances visually change when they are mixed. 

Maths: 

We have continued to deepen our understanding of fractions. Students have been extending their understanding of what it means to partition objects, but also collections into halves, quarters and eighths. Classes  have started a new unit on statistics and using data to visualise and wonder about the world around them. First we explored interpreting data displays and reorganising the data to make comparisons and pose questions. 

Literacy:

I would like to issue an apology to the grown ups in the homes of 1/2A students, as you may have been receiving some very compelling writing attempting to persuade you to adopt a pet that needs a new home, go on an extravagant holiday, or celebrate someone’s birthday every day of the year. Sorry, not sorry! Students have been doing a fantastic job of their persuasive writing! We have been focusing on the use of persuasive language and the need for evidence or proof when we make an argument for something. You can support your child with their development of persuasive skills by prompting them to give facts to back up their choices. 

As part of our phonics program, classes have begun Little Learners Love Literacy Stage 7.4 sounds. For the next two weeks, we are focusing on the /yoo/ sound  as in new, and u as in music. We will then move on to the /oo/ as in blue and rude.

What’s to come in the next two weeks:

• Year 2 day camp on Thursday 5th November. We will leave promptly after 9:00am, so please be at school by 8:50am or by 8:30am if you have any medical requirements. More information to come next week.
• Continue reading at home. There is plenty of time for screens as they get older. Fostering a love of reading is most important at this age:) Audio books and reading great literature to your child is very beneficial too. If your child is choosing a text that is ‘too easy’, work on other skills like fluency (see above) and comprehension strategies. 
• There are lots of ways that you can be exploring mixtures at home! Cooking is a great way to explore how ingredients change when mixed together. 
• Students will be continuing to collect data over the next two weeks. We will pose the question ‘How do you like to eat potatoes?’ and ask students to survey the class, then organise it and display it.