Prep-2 Sector 

PREP

What an amazing start we have had to Term 3! The students have come back to school with so much enthusiasm and maturity. 

In Mathematics we have been exploring addition, subtraction and location. Students have been busily using strategies to add two collections as well as developing language to describe where things are located such as behind, above, left, right etc

In Reading we have begun an author study on Eric Carle and students are enjoying reading a variety of books written and illustrated by the author. In Writing students are working on sequencing ideas as well as adding more interesting vocabulary to their sentences. 

The main event so far has been the reaching of our 100 days of school milestone. Students enjoyed dressing up as 100-year-olds and  in 100 themed outfits. We saw a great display of projects completed to an amazing standard! Students incorporated some fun 100 days themed learning experiences and fun was had by all.

The Prep Team

Year 1

In Grade 1, this term we are looking at location and position as part of our math unit of learning. The students had a great time following along with directional language such as “raise your right arm” or “raise your left leg”.

As part of our reading lessons, we have been doing an author study of books by Mem Fox. During these sessions the students have been practising digraphs with words of the week.

In Respectful Relationships this term, grade 1 are looking at different emotions & feelings and strategies for feeling better. One activity saw the grade 1’s taking photos of their own face displaying an emotion, and then making a poster about that emotion.

In the spirit of the Olympics, we have been talking about teamwork. The students showed their teamwork by working together to make puzzles.

'You can if you think you can'

The Year 1 Teachers

Year 2

Hello from the grade 2 space! Our students have hit the ground running with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Here’s a snapshot of the engaging activities and learning experiences that have been unfolding in our classrooms.

🧮Mathematics: Mastering Addition                       Strategies

In Math, we’re focusing on addition and exploring various strategies to solve problems effectively. Students have been:

• Counting On: Practicing counting on from a given number to add.
• Using the Split Strategy: Breaking numbers into parts to simplify addition.
• Utilising Number Lines: Visualizing addition problems to enhance understanding.
• Showing Our Work: Drawing diagrams or using other methods to represent our problem-solving process.

📚Reading: Deepening Comprehension and         Studying Authors

Our reading program is in full swing, with students engaging in:

• Predicting, Summarizing, Inferring, and Connecting: Enhancing their comprehension through these key strategies.
• Author Study: Exploring the works of Aaron Blabey, analysing his writing style and other authors and their writing style as well as applying their techniques to their own writing.

✍️ Writing: Creating Like Aaron Blabey

Inspired by our author study, students are channeling their creativity into their own writing by:

• Crafting Unique Characters: Mimicking Blabey’s memorable characters/ideas.
• Incorporating Illustrations: Using visuals to complement their narratives.
• Developing Engaging Stories: Applying creative techniques such as using our sense to capture the readers’ interest.

🌍Humanities: Celebrating Diversity and               Inclusion

In Humanities, our focus is on:

• Inclusion: Celebrating our differences and what makes each of us unique.
• Family and Traditions: Sharing and learning about diverse cultural practices and traditions.

💖 Health: Fostering Friendship

In Health, we’re focusing on:

• Being a Good Friend: Writing letters to Wibbly to offer advice on making friends and practicing inclusion.

🔬 Science: Exploring Forces

In Science, students are:

• Understanding Forces: Learning about push, pull, gravity, and friction.
• Conducting Experiments: Exploring how different forces impact movement through hands-on activities.
• Documenting Findings: Using a table to collect information about what has been observed.

🔔 Upcoming Dates to Remember

• Green and Gold Dress-Up Day: This Friday, August 2nd, is Green and Gold Day. We encourage all students to dress in green and gold to celebrate our school community.
• Dress Up as Your Culture Day: On Thursday, August 8th, students are invited to dress up in traditional clothing or costumes that represent their culture. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and heritage.
• Year 2 Science Works Excursion: Please remember that August 14th is the last day to pay for the Year 2 Science Works Excursion. If you have any questions or need further details, feel free to speak with your child's classroom teacher.

We are incredibly proud of the progress our students are making and the enthusiasm they bring to their learning. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. We look forward to a fantastic term filled with discovery and growth!

Remin

Warm regards,

Grade 2 team. 

Yr 2 Team

Digital Technologies

In this week’s newsletter, we are continuing to use resources from Common Sense Media – a website that encourages students to be great digital citizens.

Pause & Think Online

There are lots of things to think about when it comes to being a responsible digital citizen. 

At school, our P-2 students are learning all about it, and now they can show you what they know!  They're learning to ...

• Pause and think before searching, clicking, or sharing. 
• Be kind online.
• Find balance using media and tech.
• Pay attention to their feelings to make sure they feel safe and know when to stop.
• Stand up to online bullies.
• Carefully choose the digital footprints — like posts, pictures, and comments — they leave behind.  

Check out the music video featuring our favourite digital citizenship friends! Watch it together (turn on captions so you can see the lyrics), and sing along!

              https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/pause-think-online

Now talk about this together:

1. What was your favourite part of the song? Why? 
2. What's your favourite character?  Why? 
3. What are some ways that you can do what your favourite character does in the video? 
4. What can be challenging when you try to Pause and Think online?

Jessica Mathews