From the Year 1 Classroom

We can’t believe that the end of Term 4 is quickly approaching! We are at the pointy end of our term with lots of things going on. We are so proud of how the children are displaying qualities that show that they are ready for Year 2. The children are starting to feel some fatigue due to the warmer weather and busy school days, so please be kind to yourselves as we finish of our year. If you are missing any items of uniform or food containers, please check all lost property in our learning spaces and at the front office, as our tubs are beginning to overflow! 

Literacy:  

Last week our students started to dive into the wonderful world of poetry! We’ve explored what makes a poem special by discussing its key elements—such as line breaks, stanzas, rhythm, rhyme and repetition. The children have been reading and performing poetry aloud with expression and rhythm, bringing words to life in exciting ways. 

We’ve also taken our first steps as poets! Using our senses, the students have written poems that describe things they love, their feelings, and special places. It’s been amazing to see their creativity shine through in their words. 

This week, we’re adding a festive twist by exploring Christmas poetry. The children are learning how to use adjectives, verbs, and rhyme to create joyful poems that capture the magic of the season. We can’t wait to share some of their wonderful work with you soon! 

We will also continue to revise the sounds (digraphs and trigraphs) we have learned throughout the year and revisit our Tricky Words to help develop automaticity in our reading and writing. 

Maths:  

Over the last 2 weeks, we’ve been building strong foundations in addition and subtraction. Our focus has been on developing strategies that help students understand numbers and how they work together. 

We’ve explored counting on and counting back using number lines to solve problems efficiently. The children have also been working with number bonds, discovering how numbers can be combined and split in different ways. 

Another exciting skill we’ve practised is partitioning two-digit numbers in multiple ways. For example, breaking 34 into 30 + 4 or 20 + 14 helps students see the flexibility of numbers. Using these strategies, the children have been writing their own addition equations, applying their understanding to real problems. 

These activities are helping students become confident and creative problem-solvers! 

Religion:  

In Religion, we have been learning about the season of Advent—a special time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. The children have discussed what Advent means and why it is important in the Christian calendar. We’ve explored how Advent helps us focus on hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. 

Throughout this season, the students have been engaging in activities that build anticipation for Christmas, such as creating Advent crafts and reflecting on ways we can show kindness and generosity. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to understand the deeper meaning of Christmas beyond the celebrations. 

Kris Kringle:  

We are excited to share that Year 1 will be having a Kris Kringle gift exchange on the last day of school! This is a fun way for the children to celebrate the end of the year and spread some festive cheer. 

Important details: 

Budget: $5 

Notes: Information and name slips will be sent home this week. 

Date: Last day of school 

We can’t wait to see the joy and excitement as the children exchange their thoughtful gifts! Please remind students to keep their KK a secret, to keep the gift exchange exciting!  

Upcoming Dates:  

1st-5th December: Swimming Lessons at Yarrawonga Pool.  

9th December: State-wide Transition Day 9.15-11.00am. 

11th December: Yr 1 End of year excursion to Tunz-a-fun.  

12th December: Carols by the Lake 6pm at Mulwala Waterski Club  

15th December: End of year Mass Celebration.  

16th December: Students last day of school - 3.15 pm dismissal.  

Last week 1W celebrated our own amazing Mrs Sarah Wollington, fresh from winning the Sandhurst Teacher Excellence Award in Bendigo! The award celebrates excellence in literacy leadership and impact on student outcomes. The 1W classroom was full of excitement, smiles, and very proud little people