Classroom News

Foundation - Grade 2 

Foundation

Term 4 is one of our favourite terms in Foundation. It is exciting seeing them show greater independence with their learning and we love celebrating what leaps they have made. Term 4 is also a busy one. We started off with a bang with our zoo visit and House Sports Day. Thanks to all parents who volunteered to make both a success!

What We Are Learning

Reading:

This term we are learning about some very well loved authors. Over the next few weeks we are reading texts by Mem Fox. In Writing we are learning to write information reports using our zoo excursion as a writing seed.

Mathematics:

Students are consolidating addition and subtraction strategies. Ask your child about the "count on" strategy!

Integrated:

This term students are exploring the topic “Let's Get Physical”. In this unit students will be learning about how to stay healthy. This week we will be learning some zumba moves with Miss Harrison. 

Next week Foundation teachers will be continuing our one on one testing with students. 

Reminders:

Don't forget to enjoy the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday!

Grade 1 & 2

Wow! What an amazing House Sports day we had last week. All the F-2 children participated and had the best day. We were all exhausted afterwards and had lots to share including some ‘personal best’ achievements. Well done to all our students who participated, we are very proud of you!

This term, the grade 1 and 2 children will once again partake in the Patch garden activity with Clare every fortnight. We also have a cooking session using ingredients from the Patch. If you are available to help with the preparation and cooking session, please contact or leave a message with Clare Pattison at the office.

A reminder that Term 4 is a Sun Smart term and ALL students are expected to have their hat everyday to wear during play times and for sport. Please support your child to check their bag in the morning for their hat in readiness for the day!

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING:

Reading:

In weeks 3 and 4, students have been focussing on making text-to-text and text-to-world connections.  These connections are  generally more difficult for children to make (compared to text-to-self connections) as it requires children to read more widely and be aware of events that have happened or are happening around the world or in their immediate environment. Children have been scaffolded through this process using various mentor texts and have been explicitly taught the various ways in which their connections can be recorded (e.g. sticky note thinking, venn diagram, double and triple entry journals).  In tying in with our Integrated unit of ‘How are we Connected?’, our reading focus will centre on making text-to-text, text-to-world connections using Dream time stories, which occurs in week 4.

Writing:

In writing, we are continuing with learning about persuasive writing, however focusing on advertisements. We are looking at the structure and purpose of an advertisement, catchy phrases and slogans being used, thinking about the word choices that are being used and how advertisements are eye-catching. This week we will be focusing on incorporating our ‘Ideas and Voice’  in the 6+1 Traits of Writing into our persuasive advertisement.

Maths:

In maths, we now exploring fractions. What is a fraction? Where do we find fractions?  The students are investigating fractions with shapes and collections. They are involved in ‘hands on’ activities and are using their digital devices to record and demonstrate their thinking. In Year 1 students are expected to demonstrate a ‘half’ with shapes and collections. In Year 2 students are expected to demonstrate halves, quarters and eighths with shapes and collections. We have very high expectations of our students at BPS and so we will also be challenging the students by investigating thirds and fifths as well. Please ask your child to share their understanding of fractions so far!

Music

The upcoming Christmas Carols night requires all students to learn the lyrics of two Christmas songs. The lyrics and music have been placed in Showbie on your child’s iPad. Please support them in practising the songs in readiness for the concert.

Integrated

The students have begun to explore our inquiry topic this term is ‘How Are We Connected’.  We started the unit by looking at world maps and where our family is from. Our focus has us now exploring Australia and its seasons. The students have identified indigenous seasons and how they are represented in different parts of Australia which is very different to the seasons we know in Victoria. Students will now investigate our local community which includes our excursion to Blackburn Lake next week and our school environment at BPS.

Upcoming Events

Week 5: Blackburn Lake excursion (Year 2s - Wednesday 6th Nov, Year 1s - Friday 8th Nov - half day)

Week 5: Evening of Music

Week 7: School Disco

Week 9: Monday 2nd December - Our 130th Year Celebration (whole school dress up in olden days clothing)

Week 11: Family Christmas Carols Night