Reader’s Workshop: 

This term in Reader’s Workshop we have been working on our individual reading strategies. We use our reading folders daily which remind students of their reading goal and how to be a successful reader. We are continuing to build independence and stamina. We have been focusing on the reading strategies of inferring and five finger retell to assist with comprehending a text. Students have been learning to ‘read between the lines’ by using our prior knowledge and clues from books to work out what the author has not said. We have been developing a love of reading anywhere and anytime! Students have been enjoying reading just-right books to help them get smarter at reading. This term they have also enjoyed spending time reading with buddies, classmates and soft toys. 

Don’t forget to read every day and fill in your reading log one book per day! 

Writing: 

This term we have been learning how to write information texts. We started our learning by deconstructing procedures and looking for language features and the structure we needed to follow. We then began discovering how to gather facts from information sources such as books, eBooks and appropriate websites on topics that gauge students’ interests. Year 1 has also been learning how to read and understand non-fiction texts, such as a table of contents, glossary and the difference between a fact and an opinion when gathering information. Students have been using the bump it up wall, checklists and student rubrics to help them independently improve their work. They have written information reports in small groups, pairs and individually on a range of topics. 

Mathematics: In Mathematics, Year 1 students have been focusing on creating equal groups. Students have been given opportunities to explore dividing large number of things into equal groups. They have been using a variety of manipulatives such as counters, cubes and everyday objects. These activities will aid their foundations for multiplication and division.  

Students in year 1 have also been enjoying learning about subtraction. They have been engaging in a variety of planned activities to practice their subtraction skills. Students have been using different strategies such as using manipulatives, counting backwards and forwards to subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers.  

Science: 

In Science, students have been exploring various habitats and understanding the essentials for the survival of living things. Their learning journey has been enriched by using a diverse range of resources. These include informational books from our school library, digital books accessible through the Epic reading app, and the use of QR codes to access informative videos. Through these research activities, students have been able to deepen their understanding of local and native animals. This includes gaining insights into their habitats, identifying their needs to live, and even engaging in drawing and labelling the unique features of these animals. 

SEL/Health  

In Health, we have been learning how to build respectful friendships. Students have been exploring how to be fair and honest. They have been learning what makes a good friend and how to be kind to each other.