Level1 

Welcome to Level 1 2023!

We are looking forward to a year full of fun and challenges and to create memories that last a lifetime. 

Reading 

This term we will be exploring reading strategies, word decoding and building our comprehension strategies. We will have a particular focus on maintaining fluency, predicting and summarising whilst using reading strategies to decode unfamiliar vocabulary including Chunky Monkey, Eagle Eye and Stretchy Snake. We will endeavour to create a community where students will be able to discuss their thoughts, opinions and ideas about a text. These skills will help students learn how to read for meaning to ensure accurate comprehension of a text. 

Thinking questions

What do you think will happen next? Why do you think that? 

What reading strategy have you used? 

What happened first, next, then and last? 

How would you feel if… ?

Weekly focus:

Week 1: Positive Start Program

Week 2: Revision of all Reading strategies

Week 3: Monitoring and Self Correcting

Week 4: Monitoring and Self Correcting

Week 5: Maintaining Fluency 

Week 6: Maintaining Fluency

Week 7: Predicting 

Week 8: Predicting 

Week 9: Summarising

Week 10: Summarising

Writing 

Level 1 students will work on their handwriting by strengthening their pencil grip, correct letter formation, size and use of the dotted thirds. We will have a strong focus on writing recounts and short stories this term with an emphasis on different language elements within each of the genres, and how to organise and add details to their writing.

Thinking questions

What did you do on the weekend? 

Who did you do it with? 

When did you do it? 

Where was it?

What sequencing words can you use to discuss the order of events? 

Who is the main character? Where are they? What is their problem? How did they solve it? How did they feel in the end? 

Weekly focus:

Week 1: Positive Start Program

Week 2: Recount 

Week 3: Recount 

Week 4: Recount

Week 5: Recount

Week 6: Narrative

Week 7: Narrative

Week 8: Narrative 

Week 9: Narrative 

Week 10: Narrative 

Spelling: 

During spelling this term, Level 1 will be implementing the Jolly Phonic Spelling and Grammar Program. Students will engage in a range of multisensory activities around different sounds. Students will have the opportunity to continue practising the Magic Words. Students will also be introduced to different elements of the English language including proper and common nouns and when to use ‘a’ or ‘an’.

Thinking questions

What sound does "sh" make? 

What are the short vowel sounds? 

What are the long vowel sounds? 

Weekly focus:

Week 1: Positive Start Program

Week 2: Revision of all sounds

Week 3: sh and capital letters

Week 4: ch and sentences

Week 5: th and sentences

Week 6: ng and capital letters 

Week 7: qu and proper nouns

Week 8: ar and common nouns

Week 9: short vowels and alphabetical order

Week 10: ff and ‘a’ or ‘an’

Maths  

We will be focusing on reading, writing and making numbers in a variety of ways using concrete manipulatives like MAB (base 10 blocks), number expanders and tens frames. We will work on place value such as numbers before and after, including counting 1 more, 10 more and less. We will also be introducing the concept of skip counting, focusing on 2s, 5s and 10s. We will explore a range of hands-on and open-ended activities that involve students strengthening their knowledge of money, time, informal measurement and how they can apply this to the real world around them.

Thinking Questions

What number comes before __ ? 

What number comes after __? 

How many tens and ones in __?

Which number is bigger/smaller?  

Weekly focus:

Week 1: Positive Start Program

Week 2: Graphing  

Week 3: Number and Counting 

Week 4: Number and Counting 

Week 5: Measuring informal length

Week 6: Data and Chance

Week 7: Place Value

Week 8: Place Value

Week 9: Money 

Week 10: Time

Inquiry

In Inquiry this term, Level 1 are learning how we grow and change and how to be the best that they can be. Students will be able to identify safe and unsafe situations, practise listening carefully and expressing themselves clearly to deal with conflict. They will consider healthy food choices at home and school. They will also continue to develop physically, socially and emotionally as they try new experiences.

•      How can I make sure I’m always safe?

•      What foods are healthy to eat?

•     How have I changed and how will I change?

•      How can I express my emotions clearly and deal with conflict?

Important Dates

Start of term: 31th January 2023

Friday 3rd February - Positive Start BBQ Lunch

Thursday 9th February - Information Night

Sunday 5th March - Clean up Australia Day

Monday 13th March - Public Holiday - Labor Day

Monday 20th March - Harmony Day

Friday 24th March - National Ride to school day

Monday 3rd April - Easter Bonnet Parade and raffle

End of term: Thursday 6th April 2022

Communication 

Miss Jackson: emily.jackson3@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Miss Regan: courtney.regan@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs Reid: kathryn.reid@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Miss Kelly: rebekah.kelly@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au