Parent Information

Dear Parents,

Please read the following information:

Math Pencil Cases
A big thank you to all those parents (and grandparents) who helped make up the Math pencil cases on Thursday. I can imagine that they were a very tedious task and both Amy, the children and myself greatly appreciate you taking the time to help with this wonderful resource! I will be sending each of the pencil cases home this week to ask you to label each item. I have found that if you place your child's initials on each of the cards, the counters and the tape measure it is easy to find it's owner when it goes missing. I will send the pencil cases home with a permanent marker and would appreciate if you were able to label them as soon as possible.

Parent interviews
In week 8 and 9 I will be holding parent interviews, I would realistically like to see everyone to discuss their child's progress so far this term and to have a chat about the rest of the year. I will be putting a parent interview roster up outside the classroom with options of some later times on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday the 23rd March until 6.30pm. If you cannot make it into class to put your name down, please let me know and I can make a time for you.

Science and History unit
Please read the previous blog posts about some of the things that your child needs to bring for History every Thursday for the next four weeks and some items for our Science experiments to help create our musical instruments.

Don't forget there is no school tomorrow as the staff will be attending a PD about the wonderful program URstrong - Friendology. If you are available, there will be a parent information session tomorrow from 3.30-5.30pm.

Have a lovely day tomorrow and see you on Tuesday.

Thank you

Miss Prowse

Year One Science

In Science this term, the Year One students have been learning about sound and light are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed.

Over the next few weeks, we will be designing a musical instrument out of recyclable materials. We are asking you to bring in any recyclable materials such as:

- Tissue boxes
- Paper towel middles
- Food boxes
- Lackey bands
- balloons
- Paper plates/ cups
- Plastic jars
- Beads/dried beans

If you could start bringing in items from Tuesday week 7,  in a plastic bag marked 'SCIENCE' that would be greatly appreciated. We may also require some parent help on the Friday we have Science (between 11.20-12.45)  to help construct the musical instruments so please keep an eye on the blog for what week it might be.

In our Science lessons, we have been exploring different ways sound can be made. We have looked at sound waves how they are invisible waves that travel through the air and to show our understanding, we made string phones and found out that the vibrations travel along the string so the other person can hear on the other side.

Below are some pictures of the children experimenting with sound using the string phones.

We also went for a look around the school for places that are light and places that are dark. We found the oval and the grassed area outside the classroom was very light and the hall behind the curtains was a very dark place. We looked at the different parts of the eye and what happens when light enters our eyes. The children loved seeing their pupils dilate and contract when exposed to light.

Below are some pictures of our findings around the school.

We love learning about sound and light!

Miss Prowse

Week 6 Merit Award Winners

Congratulations to Miah and Jack who were this weeks merit award winners! You are both Year One super stars!

Miss Prowse

Year One History Unit

Our History Unit – We Need You to Start Collecting Items!

As a part of our History program this term, we are exploring the terms ‘past’, ‘present’ and ‘future’. In this week’s history lesson, we have created a plan to collect some special items or photographs from our life, starting from:

-        When I was a Baby (bring something in for week 7): Items may include a baby photo, a special item of clothing, a favourite toy, a baby item such as a bottle/dummy, etc.

-        When I was young (bring something in for week 8): Items may include a favourite book, a special toy, something that you made, a photo of you hitting a milestone, a certificate or medal.

-        Now/In the Present (bring something in for week 9):  Items might include a current family photo, a favourite toy or sports item, an item from the house, a photo of a current pet.

-        In the Future (bring something in for week 10): What do you see in your future? Is there something you would like to learn to do? Is there an achievement or a goal that you would like to reach? You could draw a picture or print out a picture of something that you would like to see in your future.

     Please bring in only one item from each category. We will need our special items at school by each Thursday in time for our History lesson.

Star Citizen for Compassion

Congratulations to Kai Gleeson who was our Star Citizen for Compassion. You are a wonderful role model to your classmates Kai!

Miss Prowse

Parent help needed!

Good evening parents,

On Thursday 9th of March, we are seeking assistance in assembling some Maths resources for each of the Year 1 students. Both Miss Rundle and myself would like to create a "Maths pencil case" for each student that includes tactile maths equipment that will greatly assist in the students learning.
This should only take an hour to an hour and a half and you will have an area set up in the hall with all the resources you need. There will of course be coffee and morning tea to keep you going through the morning.

If you can help on Thursday 9th of March from 8.45am (after gathering time)
 please email me at: prowse.monique@cathednet.wa.edu.au

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Miss Prowse

Counting on Maths!

In our Math sessions over the last two weeks, we have been learning a variety of strategies such as doubles, friends of 10 and counting on from the bigger number.

The concept of 'counting on' is that we always count on from the bigger number when we are adding two numbers together. We use the term - think big, count small. The children loved playing a game from Dr Paul Swan which encouraged children to look at two numbers and choose the bigger number to count on from eg. 8 + 6 = 14.

Below are some photos of them playing the game

If you wish to play the game at home, please click on the link to download and print the game and your child can show you how to play.

Think Big Count Small board game

We also learnt a really, really unforgettable song that is promised I would put on the blog for the kids so please enjoy!

Also a reminder that I will be at school tomorrow but I will be taking out children to complete one on one Literacy testing (see previous post).

Many thanks

Miss Prowse