Xenica Community Report

Dear Families, 

The Xenica teachers would like to thank all of the families for their ongoing support towards the students . We look forward to continuing to share our learning with you next Term.

Reading 

In Reading, students have been focusing on predicting, summarising and inferring. Teachers have been using different model texts to expose students to a range of genres. Students have been working on making predictions before, during and after reading. To make a prediction, students have utilised clues for the book. We looked at summarising a story in the order events occur. Students explored the structure of a narrative and worked on putting back together a narrative that was jumbled up. We have also investigated how to infer using our prior knowledge and clues in the book. Students have also been given picture prompts to generate their thinking on what they see, what they know and what they infer. 

Writing 

During Term 2, students have been working on writing narratives. We have been working on producing narratives following the writing cycle. (planning, drafting, revising, editing and publishing). Students eagerly have generated ideas for characters, settings, problems and solutions. To enhance the students' writing, we have also explored the concept of adding in nouns, adjectives and verbs to give detail to our writing. 

Maths 

In Maths, students have been working addition and subtraction. We have been focusing on using different strategies to work out the problem. Students have used addition strategies such as: counting on, friends of ten, part part whole, jump strategy, doubles, doubles plus 1.  Some of the subtraction strategies utilised are: counting back, number lines and fact families. 

SEL 

In Social and Emotional, learning students have been learning about ant problems and elephant problems. We have also been talking about the learning pit. Ant and elephant problems assist students in distinguishing between which problems we can solve independently. It also helps students to understand problems that need adult assistance. 

Inquiry 

In Inquiry, the students have been learning about states of matter. Students have explored liquids, solids and gases. The students have learnt that there is a fourth state of matter called plasma. We also have discovered the different types of gases called carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen. They have participated in a very exciting inclusion run by Mad About Science. In this incursion, students performed multiple experiments. Some of their favourite experiments are the plasma ball, dry ice, making gas bubbles, reaction of baking soda and vinegar and investing candles.  With the dry ice, students saw some hot water reacting with this substance. The reaction created giant, white bubbles which were safe to touch. They all had an amazing time! 

Victorian Curriculum

Here is the link to the Victorian Curriculum if you would like to take a look at what we cover throughout the year. 

https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/level1

Reminders 

• Doors open at 8:40am
• Dismissal at 3:10pm
• Ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled. This includes clothing, drink bottles, hats and lunchboxes (lids too) 
• Students are to come to school with a full water bottle each day (labelled)

What you can do with your child at home

• Continue to read to and with your child each night.  
• Encourage your child to develop more independence. (Help pack/unpack their school bag/lunch, or get their uniform ready)
• Encourage your child to take increased responsibility for their own belongings.
• Establishing a regular routine helps students to develop a positive approach to learning and will benefit them as they progress through their schooling.  
• Encourage your child to practise tying their own shoelaces.
• If you need to speak to your child’s mentor teacher, please contact the office to pass on the message or organise this before or after school.

Kind Regards,

1/2 teaching team

Holly, Scott, Adriana and Laura