Grade 1/2

As we approach the end of Term Two and the winter weather sets in, Grade 1/2 has enjoyed another busy and exciting term filled with learning, growth, and plenty of “aha” moments. We have taken time to reflect on student progress throughout the assessment and reporting period and celebrate just how far they have come. This term, we were excited to welcome Abbey Kerr, a Deakin University student completing her final placement, into our classroom for four weeks. Abbey brought kindness and fun to her teaching, and we look forward to having her return in Term Three. Students also continued to enjoy the Bluewater swimming program, building their water confidence and safety skills. A special shout-out goes to our Grade One and Two students for stepping up as positive role models and leaders across the school community. We also enjoyed engaging learning experiences through the Responsible Pet Ownership incursion and National Simultaneous Storytime, which brought learning to life in meaningful ways.

Our literacy program has continued to run smoothly, with students growing in confidence and taking on more challenging learning tasks. In Sounds Write, students have been working hard on blending and segmenting sounds, helping them become more confident readers and spellers of polysyllabic words. Reading time has been especially impressive, with students improving their fluency and expression, and many now rereading to check for meaning and giving thoughtful ‘grow and glow’ feedback to their peers. Our text-based units have focused on persuasive and response writing through fun and engaging picture books. Students responded to I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, retelling and sequencing events, exploring how words and pictures work together, using interesting Tier 2 vocabulary, and writing commands and exclamations. Through The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, students stepped into persuasive writing, giving reasons for their opinions, strengthening their vocabulary, and writing persuasive letters with growing confidence.

In Mathematics, students have been busy strengthening their skills in addition and subtraction. They have been recalling number facts within 20, solving problems involving 1 and 2 digit numbers, and using their understanding of place value to help them solve problems efficiently. Students have been using strategies such as jump, split, and compensation, and are becoming more confident and accurate problem-solvers each week.

In Inquiry, students have continued exploring our unit Growing Well, investigating what plants and animals need to survive. They have been acting like scientists by making predictions, running simple experiments, recording observations, and thinking about what their results mean. Students have also been getting creative by designing dioramas that show an animal’s habitat and how it meets its needs.

In Respectful Relationships, students have been learning all about positive coping strategies. They have been thinking about their emotions, exploring respectful ways to express how they feel, and practising strategies to manage big feelings such as fear, frustration, and anger.

A huge congratulations to all students in 1/2 for a fantastic semester of learning! It has been wonderful to see their confidence, curiosity, and enthusiasm grow each day. We are so proud of everything they have achieved and cannot wait for more exciting learning adventures in Term Three.

- Miss Lowe