Yr1 Weekly Update – 06/09/17

 

 

Scientists observe and classify in order to understand more about living things

 

 

Unit of Inquiry

On Monday we had our beach clean-up trip, which was linked to our previous inquiry Sharing the Planet, to help Plastic Free Seas clean plastic from a beach near Discovery Bay.

We worked extremely hard!  We worked with our friends to collect rubbish what was left on the beach and had washed up from the sea.  Once we had collected a HUGE pile of rubbish we started to sort the rubbish we had found.  We were amazed at how much plastic we had found!  Forks, straws, packaging…

Talking points:  What is a living thing?  How can you tell if something is living or not living?

 

In our inquiry into How the world works, we have spent the week exploring into living and non-living things.  We have looked at animals, plants and humans and are making lists that explain how we can tell them apart.

We have started to look at the different ways that we can classify living things.  We are starting to spotlight the different animal groups and how they can be used to work out what animal something is.        

 

Literacy

We continue to explore phonics in class through a variety of games, direct instruction and reading.

We have started to look at a variety of non-fiction books linked to our inquiry, specifically about animals and animal classification.  We have also been looking at different types of texts and media that we can use to find things out so we can answer our questions.

We have been using PebbleGo on the splat website to access a whole host of ebooks linked to our inquiry.

 

Maths

We are continuing to explore addition and subtraction this week.  We have been investigating some of the different strategies that we can use when we are adding and subtracting.  We have looked closely at using tens frames and number lines to support our learning and help us to make our understanding of addition and subtraction visible.

We have discovered how easy it is to work out answers to addition problems on a tens frame.  We are also learning that subtracting can be a little bit tricky…and we are starting to realise that we need to check our work carefully!

Talking points:  Using the different language of addition and subtraction – add, plus, more, altogether, take away, subtract, minus, what is left?

 

Reminders

HATS, SUNSCREAN AND BUG SPRAY EVERY DAY!

Dentist visits

Dentist visits have begun this week and continue over the next few weeks.  On the day of your child’s visit they need to bring their toothbrush.  The dental booklet will be sent home at the end of the day.

 

Pets

Some classes are looking for pets to come into school.  If you have a pet and it can easily be brought to school please contact your class teacher.

We would like the children to observe and be able to learn about how to care for them.