Our big focus in Maths in Term 2 is Addition. In particular, we are learning to add two numbers more easily by using mental strategies such as Counting On, Doubles, Near Doubles and Make to Ten. When we count on, we start with the bigger number. It is a good strategy for adding 1, 2 or 3. We can use patterns around us to help remember the doubles facts. E.g. 5+5=10 (Think: fingers on two hands) and 6+6=12 (Think: two rows of eggs in a carton). Once we are confident with our doubles, we can work out facts close to these, which we call ‘Near Doubles’. E.g. 6+7 (Think: Double 6 is 12, so 6 + 7 must be Double 6 plus 1 more … 13!). Finally, knowing the pairs of numbers that make 10 (1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6 and 5 and 5) can help us when adding numbers close to these pairs. E.g. 7 + 4 (Think 7 and 3 makes 10 … 1 more is 11!). This strategy is called Make to Ten.
We have begun Term 2 writing Procedural texts, or ‘How-to’, texts. Year 1 and 2 students have many skills which we can teach others about through Procedural Writing. These areas of expertise include ‘How to make a paper aeroplane’ and ‘How to make an origami dog face’. Through this unit, we will be learning how to give clear and detailed instructions. We will also continue to improve our handwriting, spelling and basic punctuation (full stops and capital letters) through this unit.
We are continuing to enjoy reading and listening to great books from our library, including new ones recently purchased by Mrs. Spurr. A key focus this term is improving our ability to infer, or use clues, to make sense of what we are reading.
History is the focus of our Enrichment topic this term. We were surprised to find out that there was an old Broadmeadows school a number of years ago which Mr. Ben attended. We have been wondering about the changes that have occurred since Mr. Ben went to the old Broadmeadows Primary School. Soon we will be inviting him to our Learning Space and we will get to ask him lots of questions about the old school. We are interested in finding out who taught him, what the uniform was like and what games he liked to play when he was a student.
In LLI we have been writing about our books and writing words with spelling patterns. We have been making great connections between our books.
Grade 1/2 students have been participating weekly in a Digital Technology program. Students have mastered how to log on and shut down a laptop, zoom in and out, and find folders to play games.
Students have been learning how to drag items whilst playing ‘Tetris’, typing with 2 hands, using the arrow keys whilst playing ‘Snake’ and using the spacebar during ‘Run’.
Please click on the following links if you would like to play these games which assist your childs learning.
Enjoy. Miss E.
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-snake
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-tetroid-3
http://bigbrownbear.co.uk/learntotype/
