Year 1/2's

Knowledge Building

We have finished our Knowledge Building unit on The First Scientists. Students explored the author’s purpose, questioning and finding evidence explaining why Corey Tutt wrote the text. We then used our knowledge of the text to explore the structure and features of information texts, including subheadings, diagrams and technical language. Students then had a go at writing their own introductions, drafting, editing and publishing a polished final copy.

Our Year 2 students also completed a mini poetry unit. They explored different poetry structures and entertaining writing techniques, including acrostic poems, rhyming poems, cinquains and haikus. It was wonderful to see their creativity and imagination shine through their writing!

Phonics

Our phonics learning continues each day, with students building their confidence in reading and writing. We have been strengthening students’ ability to recognise and read common high-frequency words, apply their knowledge of sounds when decoding unfamiliar words, and develop greater accuracy and fluency when reading. Students are also continuing to practise forming letters correctly and applying their phonics knowledge when spelling and writing sentences through dictation and modelled writing. 

Mathematics

In Mathematics, we have been learning about multiplication and division. Students have used counters to create arrays, organising collections into rows and columns to make skip counting easier. We have also used bar models, repeated addition and repeated subtraction to represent equal groups.

Students have been creating thinkboards and solving worded problems, as well as exploring the difference between sharing and grouping situations. They have been learning to identify whether the number of groups or the number in each group is known. We have also continued to build fluency with counting by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s.

Auslan

In Auslan, students have been learning signs for weather and family members, including hot, cold, rainbow, cloudy, sunny, windy, family, mum, dad, brother, sister and cousin. They have been combining their new vocabulary with prior learning to form simple sentences and express preferences, such as talking about their favourite weather and describing their family.

PBL – Play-Based Learning

Students have enjoyed a range of play-based learning experiences that have encouraged creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. They have explored schools and dinosaurs through dramatic play, designed houses using LEGO, and worked together to construct tall buildings using planks, foam and wooden blocks. Students have also enjoyed puzzles and games such as Snakes and Ladders, developing their turn-taking, communication and problem-solving skills. We also saw some very creative ripped paper collage art!

PMP – Perceptual Motor Program

PMP sessions have provided students with regular opportunities to develop coordination, balance and control, while also strengthening their ability to collaborate, follow instructions and take turns. Through structured physical activities, students have built confidence in their gross motor skills and their capacity to participate safely and successfully in group settings. Activities have included vortex throwing, bean bag toss, basketball skills, obstacle courses, soccer ball kicking, skipping and jumping. Students have also participated in a target-based throwing activity, where they aim to bounce tennis balls into a range of containers assigned different point values. This game supports the development of accuracy, control and strategic thinking, as students adjust their throwing technique and make decisions based on the number they are trying to land in. It also helps with addition as the students keep their own score. Who knew maths games were in PMP? Throughout these sessions, students have shown growing independence, resilience and teamwork, while continuing to strengthen their coordination and active participation in physical activities. 

ICT

During Year 2 ICT sessions, students have continued their work on Google Sheets and have learnt how to create a simple bar chart showing class preferences for colours and foods. We then practised following a set of instructions to create a colourful image, locating cells using the letters and numbers as co-ordinates. 

Wellbeing / Inform and Empower

Students participated in an Inform & Empower Ollie Online incursion, focusing on the importance of keeping personal information private when using the internet. We discussed how people online may not always be who they say they are and explored ways to stay safe when using technology.

During our Wellbeing sessions, students have been exploring ways to be fair and respectfully disagree when they feel someone is not being fair. We also completed a School Bingo activity, where students worked together to locate and learn about the new expectation signs positioned around the school.

Swimming

Our swimming program has been a great success! Students have had a wonderful time developing their swimming skills while also showing that they can be respectful, organised and responsible. They have done a fantastic job following instructions from different teachers, navigating changes to usual classroom schedules, and managing the routines involved in travelling to and from swimming on the bus. We are very proud of the way everyone has approached the program!

SAKG

We only had one Kitchen Garden session this fortnight due to swimming disruptions, but it was a fun and hands-on session nonetheless! Students made sweet corn soup and flatbread, while practising different chopping techniques and building their confidence with kitchen skills. 

**Remember we have Book Week next week, and our dress up day on Friday 28th August. This year’s theme is ‘Symphony of Stories’.