WELCOME TO ECHIDNA - MS MARIA MURPHY
Dear Parents,
Welcome to class Echidna. We are an enthusiastic group of students who have been setting learning goals for the term. There is a strong focus in our class on achieving our personal best, resilience and encouraging others to achieve. I am looking forward to a busy and productive year with Class Echidna.
- Stage 1 Sport – Every Wednesday
- Infants Assemblies – Every second Friday (even weeks 2.25pm)
- Library is on a Thursday
- Information Technology/Music with Mrs Cook
English
Literacy sessions will run in the classroom every morning, incorporating Reading and Viewing, Speaking and Listening, and Writing and Responding activities. Students will investigate what techniques authors use to create a good story and how illustrations enhance the story. We will look at how the author uses language to create interesting imaginative characters and students will have the opportunity to respond to texts both orally and through written responses. There will be no formal Speaking and Listening activities this term as they will be integrated into our rich discussions of literature. Parent helpers are most welcome to assist during reading groups.
Maths
Year 1 Maths content will be taught within the class.
Core work undertaken this term will include:
- addition and subtraction
- whole number
- data
- measurement of length
- fractions and decimals
- time
- patterns and algebra
- multiplication and division
Problem solving and daily number sense will be integrated into daily lessons, with a strong focus on working mathematically.
Science and Technology
Our science unit is Material World & Weather. We will use practical investigations that allow students to imagine and pose questions, develop processes that can be used to solve problems and, explain observations. The students will investigate to answer a question, explore an idea or solve a problem that includes fair testing and replication, interpretation of data, reaching a conclusion and communicating findings.
History
We are studying The Past in the Present . Students sequence events in order, using a range of terms related to time. They pose questions about the past and use sources provided (such as physical, visual, oral) to answer these questions. They compare objects from the past and present. Students develop a narrative about the past using a range of texts.
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
During Term 1 students will be studying the safe use of medicines and participating in activities to build positive relationships and resilience. PE will be run by S.I.S.A and Sport will focus on fundamental movement skills and ball skills. Stage 1 sport this year will consist of rotational activities.
SEL- Social & Emotional learning will be embedded in our Literacy sessions and Personal development/Health.
Homework
You will receive a home reading log to record books that are read which can include library and personal books. Students may also record books that they have read at home. Students will be revising their Frys sight word list. It is extremely important for students to practise reading regularly to develop confidence and a lifelong love of reading. We have a choice board and news will be based around the ‘Topic of the Week.’
Reminders
· Attendance and Punctuality
All students are expected to be at school in time to assemble in the class line at 8.55 am so that lessons can start promptly. Students who arrive after 9am should proceed to the office accompanied by an adult. Any student arriving after this is deemed to be “partially absent”. It is vital that students arrive in class on time so that their learning and the learning of others is not impacted.
· Library: Please remind students to pack their library bags ready for returning and borrowing books each Thursday.
· Hats: Please check that your child has a labelled hat at school each day.
· Trash free Tuesday and Waste free Wednesday- Bring along lunch in a container without the plastic and packaging to help our environment and receive some bonus points for our class.
· Tissues and Paper Towel: It would be very much appreciated if students could bring a box of tissues, paper towel and some hand soap to add to our class supplies.
· Seesaw: Please sign up to Seesaw. It is a valuable communication tool and I will be using it to showcase student work and send class messages. Please understand that I will only respond to Seesaw messages between 7.30am and 4pm (when I am not teaching) so please phone the office or send in a note if you have an urgent message for that day.
· Headphones: It would be useful for students to have a pair of headphones to use when working on IPads or computers.
Should you require any further information or if you have any concerns at all regarding your child, I would be very happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time.
Kind regards,
Ms Maria Murphy