Prep | Year 1 News

Unit of Inquiry

Students have been inquiring into interconnectedness of human made systems and communities, the structure and function of organisations and the focus on primary resources that are processed in different ways to meet the needs of consumers. Since returning from the holidays students have researched and have become more knowledgeable in identifying fibres and what the form/ function of these fibres have in everyday life. Year 1 communicated new wonders and became familiar with the importance of connection and how the fibre undergoes a change when being produced. Specifically, students explored the transformation of wool into woollen socks/ jumpers and also, how the cotton seed transforms into clothing like t-shirts or cotton buds etc. Students have developed their critical thinking skills by explaining the importance of every stage in the production process and the consequence of taking a stage away. Year 1 finished this fibre aspect by making connections to the world. Students explained how seasons relate to clothing and it is important that everyone has access to all types of fibre to protect them from different seasons.

Throughout the coming weeks, students will inquire into the food aspect of this inquiry and they will explore how our food undergoes change. Students will continue to participate in cooking experiences that will demonstrate how change occurs.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, students have been communicating their new knowledge of 2D shapes. Year 1 has been identifying various types of lines like vertical, horizontal and diagonal as well as exploring lines in everyday context. Students have begun the exploration of 2D shapes by identifying, creating, sorting and describing various shapes. They specially focussed on quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, circles and triangles.  At home it is encouraged that your child goes on a 2D shape hunt. They can then identify various shapes and describe these shapes orally by using the language of sides and vertices.

Writing

In writing, students have been practising the skill of creating procedures. Year 1 has identified what goes into writing a successful procedure. It includes title, ingredients, method and clear steps. Students followed a procedure when making fairy bread or orange juice as well as communicating the procedure of how wool is turned into woollen socks. Students will explore more procedures in the coming weeks including how to make jelly and how to make muffins.

Music

In Music, Year 1 are continuing on their group string program, learning new techniques and songs, being exposed to different string instruments, as well as establishing ensemble understanding through communication, collaboration and performance etiquette. Furthermore, the boys are working on the development of music interpretation and sight-reading skills.

We have also introduced the Stand-Alone Unit of Inquiry presented by Musica Viva called Timmy and the Breakfast Band. Within this unit, we will be exploring the connections between music and emotion, music and movement as well as folk music to connect to the Musica Viva education stimulus. Timmy and the Breakfast band came to perform for the students. The band consists of 3 musicians, a cellist, a multi-instrumentalist and an acrobat! This was a wonderful experience, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the live performance. The students will continue to enhance their musical understanding through notation, storytelling and creative expression through composition and performance by showcasing emotion within music.

Mandarin

After using common verbs (kan le/saw, qu le/went, chi le/ate, wan le/played) to share the holiday highlights, Year 1  students started the UOI unit “How We Organise Ourselves” by looking at living things and non-living things (Form) before learning about the “production” as a concept. We have been learning and practising related vocabularies in a range of class activities for students to incorporate their Communication Skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing). Boys have been enjoying the interactive word games as a class, in groups and in pairs and this helps them to feel increasingly confident communicating the learned words/phrases in Mandarin.