Grade 1/2

It has been a wonderful start to the year in Grade 1/2. The students have enjoyed reconnecting with friends, making new connections, and settling confidently into our classroom routines. They have taken pride in setting up and looking after our learning space, creating an environment we enjoy teaching and learning in every day. An early highlight of the term was presenting our “What Makes Us Unique” Elmers at assembly, where students confidently shared their ideas with the school community.

In literacy, the Grade One students have begun learning the extended code through Sounds-Write, building on their sound-to-letter knowledge to support reading, writing, and spelling. Our Grade 2 students are working with Miss McLaren on the extended code, further developing their understanding of more complex spelling patterns and strengthening their reading and writing. Fluency practice has started, with students rereading texts throughout the week to build confidence. Daily handwriting practice focuses on correct letter formation and writing neatly on dotted thirds, with many students showing great success. Our first text-based unit for the year, ‘A Year on Our Farm’, is a beautiful story that follows a family as they live through a year on their Australian farm, experiencing each season and the different activities, changes in landscape, and challenges they bring. We have completed various activities that have helped students understand and respond to episodic narratives, use tier 2 vocabulary, identify fragments and sentences, and write and edit simple sentences.

In Mathematics, students have learnt to collect, record, and interpret data using tally marks and picture graphs. We had some very interesting data sets and expert data collectors! We are currently focusing on place value, using ten frames and base 10 blocks to make multiples of ten, partition two-digit numbers, compare and order numbers, identify digit values, and represent two and three digit numbers. Students are also applying their knowledge to solve a variety of problems, demonstrating some very impressive problem-solving skills.

In Inquiry, students have been learning classroom routines and expectations while exploring our school values, Community, Aspire, Respect, and Excellence. They have been thinking about what these values look like in action and how they can apply them in real-life situations both in and outside of the school environment.

Through class discussions and collaborative activities, students are developing a strong understanding of what it means to work together, make responsible choices, and treat others with respect and kindness.

In Respectful Relationships, our Feelings Check-In station is helping students reflect on how they are feeling throughout the day. This is preparing them to explore the Zones of Regulation more deeply and to develop skills in self-awareness, empathy, and positive interactions with peers.

It has been a wonderful and settled start to the year, with students demonstrating enthusiasm, responsibility, and confidence in their learning. Their curiosity, engagement, and willingness to try new things make us excited for all the growth and achievements ahead.

- Miss Lowe