Welcome to Term 3.

                        

Stage One Term 3 Overview

Welcome back to our families and students as we begin Term 3. We are looking forward to a fantastic term of learning. 

In week 2, the students will begin our Life Skills program. The cost is $36 per child. Information was made available in the school newsletter last term with a permission note sent home to families. 

Numeracy-This term, mathematics lessons will focus on; addition and subtraction, data, fractions, 2D shapes. area, mass and length. Students will participate in group work, ‘hands on’ activities and written work in their Targeting Maths text book.

Literacy-This term we will focus on Connotations, Imagery and Symbol as part of our English Textual Concepts. Please continue to encourage your child to read and keep a reading log. Reading should continue to be a focus for your child. Books read from school or home can be added to the reading log. Remember reading should be an enjoyable experience. You may like to read to your child, have them read to you, “buddy read” and take turns to read.

This term as part of our History unit of work we will be looking at Families Past and Present. In addition, students in Stage 1 will be asked to participate in ‘directed news’. It is hoped students engage with family members, ask questions and share experiences with their class during news sessions. The directed news timetable is below:

Week	News Topic
1 and 2	Free Choice
3 31st July to 4th Aug	Bring in a baby photograph and talk about your own history. Discuss when and where you were born and describe your family. The photo may also be on a USB.
4	Free Choice
5 14th Aug to 18th Aug	As part of our history unit, each student will be required to bring in an artefact that relates to them or a member of their family. Describe the artefact that you have bought in for the ‘class museum display’. What can we learn about you from this artefact?
6	Free Choice
7 28th Aug to 1st Sep	Bring in a favourite picture book that is special to you. Describe the book and talk about why you have chosen this book to share with the class.
8	Free Choice
9 11th Sep to 15th Sep	Ask your parent/carer about a game that they played when they were young.  Describe the game to the class.
10	Free Choice

Stage One" Speak Off."

Stage One students went to the hall today to hear the finalists from Year 1 and 2 present their speeches. The standard was very high and the teachers were very impressed with the quality of the speeches.


Well done to our amazing speakers who used eye contact, clear voices, volume, humour and expression to engage the audience.

Visit to Hunter Life Education Centre

Stage One students had a fantastic time when they visited Healthy Harold this week. They learnt about the qualities of being a good friend and how we use body language to communicate. The students also learnt about safety and how to keep safe in different environments and what to do when you feel unsafe. Everyone loved seeing Healthy Harold who was as cheeky as ever!

Creative Learners at Belair!



Stage One Students began our Creative Learners' groups last Friday. The students are learning an activity such as music/percussion, mosaics, dance, science experiments, jewellery making and recorder.  Stage One students were very excited to be participating in such creative and engaging activities. We are so lucky to have parents and helpers share their skill and expertise in these areas. This is a wonderful example of collaborating with our Belair Community. Thankyou to all those involved in this fantastic program.



Welcome To Term 2.

Stage One is ready for a fantastic term of learning. It is wonderful to see the students so refreshed after their holiday. The Stage One teachers are very impressed with how students are working hard towards achieving their learning goals.
This term students will be participating in:

• Creative Learners at Belair (Week 5)
• Public Speaking (Week 5- Monday 22^nd-Friday 26^th May)
• Healthy Harold Excursion (Life Education)

Notes and information will be going out for these events closer to the time.

Here is a brief overview of what students are learning in the Subject Areas:

Literacy

This term Stage One will be focussing on Authority and Argument in English. Year 2 students will be writing persuasive texts. Year 1 students will continue to write recounts and descriptive sentences. Year 1 will also learn how to write a procedure.

Students will be taught specific grammar lessons focusing on nouns, verbs and adjectives. The Year 2 spelling lists for this term are on the spelling page of the blog.

Numeracy

Year 2 students will be focussing on fractions and using ½ notations, volume and capacity, 2 and 3 digit numbers and calendar months.
Year 1 students will be focussing on place value, addition and subtraction, fractions and time.
All students will participate in ‘hands on maths’ activities and real life problem solving to increase their understanding of applying maths to different scenarios.

Science and Technology

Students will be taught a unit called ‘Spot the Difference’ where they will be considering the ways materials can physically change into liquids, solids and gases. They will observe and record the changes that occur when different foods are heated and cooled.

P.D.H.P.E (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education)

Students will be visiting Healthy Harold (Life Education) this term and will learn about healthy living and lifestyle choices. Our Personal Development lessons will link with this excursion. Sport activities will focus on the skills necessary to play soccer, cricket and T ball. Physical Education lessons will continue to consolidate the fundamental movement skills.

Semester One Reports will be sent to families in Week 10, Term 2. Should families have any concerns, please make a mutually suitable time to see your child’s teacher.

 We are looking forward to a busy and productive term.

Marking Rubric for Public Speaking

Students will be presenting their speeches in Week 5 (Monday 22nd May to Friday 26th May.) Stage One teachers use the following marking guide to assess the students. This is an excellent guide to help you prepare your child for their speech presentation.                                    

	Cluster 4 or below	Cluster 5	Cluster 6	Cluster 7	Cluster 8	Cluster 9+
	0 – 5 marks	5 – 10 marks	10-13 marks	13 – 16 marks	16-19 marks	20 marks
Length	Delivers a brief speech to the familiar people	Delivers a brief speech to the familiar people	Delivers a speech to the class	Plans and delivers a speech to the class (approx. 2mins)	Plans and delivers effective extended oral presentations (2min-2.5mins)	Plans and delivers effective extended oral presentations (2min-2.5mins)
Palm Cards	Palm cards may or may not be correct size. Simply reads from palm cards.	Palm cards may be correct size. May begin to look up at audience from palm cards.	Palm cards are the correct size. Begins to look up at audience from palm cards	Palm cards are the correct size. Regularly looks up at audience from palm cards	Uses palm cards correctly (correct size, used as a reference only)	Uses palm cards correctly and effectively (used as a prompt only and correct size)
Structure Sequencing , Introduction & Conclusion)	Speech may or may not have clear sequencing	Speech has correct sequencing. Events are recounted in order.	Prepares a speech that has a clear introduction	Prepares a speech that has a clear introduction	Prepares a speech with the correct structure (good introduction and conclusion evident)	Prepares a speech with the correct structure (engaging introduction and conclusion are evident)
Language Usage	Mostly stays on topic	Stays on topic throughout	Stays on topic that is appropriate to audience	Stays on topic that is appropriate to audience	Language and topic is appropriate to audience	Language and topic is appropriate to audience
Volume	Volume is audible by small group	Volume is audible by small group	Volume is audible by whole class	Volume is easily audible a whole class	Volume is easily audible a whole class	Volume is easily audible a small crowd
Expression	Very little change of expression at this stage.	Begins to change tone and vocal register for different parts of the speech	Begins to change tone and vocal register for different parts of the speech	Evidence of increasing expression	Speech presented expressively (change in emphasis, interesting to listen to)	Speech presented expressively (change in emphasis, interesting to listen to, rise and fall in voice)
Eye contact & Stance	Little or no eye contact and stance is not steady	Some eye contact and stance is steady	Some eye contact and stance is steady	Employs eye contact and stance is steady	Employs good eye contact and stance is steady	Employs effective eye contact and stance is steady
Clarity (pacing and clear voice)	Articulates most speech sounds and words, pacing may be uneven	Articulates most words and sentences clearly	Articulates most sentences clearly	Articulates most sentences clearly, even pacing for most of speech	Spoken voice is clear and pacing is appropriate (not too fast, all words can be understood)	Spoken voice is clear and pacing is appropriate (not too fast, all words can be easily understood)

Animal Shelter Dioramas

The Need For Shelter
This term, Stage 1 have been learning about different types of shelter. The students have explored and investigated both the natural and built shelters of humans, animals and plants and how these shelters vary depending on the type of environment they live in.
As a culmination of the unit the students were then involved in a design project that involved making a 3D model of an animal shelter or habitat. Students were required to plan their design, keeping in mind some of the challenges that the animal may face - such as pollution or deforestation.
Students were asked to think about the materials they could use to create their model and the process involved in its creation. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and produced some outstanding results across the stage. Here are our students creating some of their wonderful animal habitats...