Guided Reading  This occurs on a daily basis in all Year 1 and 2 classes.  Small groups of children are explicitly taught reading and comprehension strategies by the class teacher.  Groups are usually formed according to the child’s individual instructional level % accuracy in reading. This is always higher than their home reader level % accuracy  During this time the class teacher will listen to all individuals read and will monitor their success.

Home reading  This is meant to be an enjoyable time where you recognise your child’s success and enthusiasm for reading.  Home readers are sent home each night.  The level of home reader sent home is meant to be easy for your child to promote success and increase their confidence.  Parents can support their children’s reading by : - being encouraging - discussing the story with their child - giving the child time to work out unknown words - model good reading by reading alternate pages ( refer to your child’s reading log book for further tips)

Letter I.D. Magnetic Letter sorting. Breaking words: doing going hop pop Make words: If you know dog make it say log

Introduction to book Give a quick initial orientation so you build the children up for success. Look at the pictures so they get an idea of what to expect. Find and search for familiar words – use 2 fingers like curtains to locate words. Point out what they know. After Level 4-5 take their finger away as this will affect phrasing and fluency if this remains Praise, Praise, Praise! Give a quick initial orientation so you build the children up for success. Look at the pictures so they get an idea of what to expect. Find and search for familiar words – use 2 fingers like curtains to locate words. Point out what they know. After Level 4-5 take their finger away as this will affect phrasing and fluency if this remains Praise, Praise, Praise!

Reading Prompts Pull your finger across the word – say the sounds as you see them. Do it again and listen carefully. Now pull it all together.

Reading Prompts Does it look right? Does it sound right? Does it make sense? Does it look right? Does it sound right? Does it make sense?

Writing Sight Word knowledge is not only important in reading but also in writing. (words that should be instantly recognised, unable to be sounded out, frequently used words) Success in weekly spelling tests is important, but the ability to transfer this knowledge into their own writing is more imperative. Quality of writing is far more important than Quantity

Writing help at home  Ensure your child has a good grasp of sight words – in weekly spelling and also in homework booklets. Constantly refer to these to maximise retention.  Encourage your child to write things at home ie: lists, letters, stories, recounts about outings/holidays. Make it fun – send letters and stories to friends and relations.  Edit work together, encourage them to self correct. Encourage them to attempt to write a word before seeking assistance.  Model good writing habits. Let them see you writing and editing.  Internet writing activities – writing fun writing fun

Importance of Handwriting Handwriting is a tool used across all subject areas and also within everyday tasks in order to convey information or ideas. Research has shown that handwriting in the earlier grades is linked to basic reading and spelling achievement. For example, when students are learning how to form the letter ‘m’, they are also learning the sound the letter makes.

Teaching Handwriting in Class and at Home In class students use the ‘Targeting Handwriting’ textbook as well as their writing book (2-3 lessons per week). Emphasise and teach children consistent formation of letters using a continuous stroke (without lifting their pencil off the page). Teach alike formed letters together, for example, ‘a’ ‘c’ and ‘d’ all start with the same loop and can be taught in a group. Using written arrow cues or tracing to help children remember how to form letters.

Continued… Teaching the correct pencil grip improves handwriting as well as comfort and speed of writing. Some ways to remember what good hand writers do: Three Finger Men hold the pencil in place, Pointer and Thumbkin on top, face to face. Tall Man likes pencil to rest on his side, And two Lazy Men go along for the ride. 1,2,3,4 are my feet flat on the floor. 5,6,7,8 is my back up nice and straight. 9, 10, 11, 12 show me how your pencil’s held. 13, 14, 15, 16 now we’re ready to start our writing.

Mathematics In 2012 as a whole school we have moved away from using a commercial program and are now using a combination of hands on and written activities from the NSW Mathematics syllabus to support children’s learning. In Year One it is very important that the children learn the basic concepts of Whole Number and Mathematical operations (Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division).

Whole Number Counting forwards and backwards. -by ones, twos, fives and tens. -from a given digit. -on/off the decade e.g.. 40,50,60/47,57,67 Ordinal numbers at least to 31 st Place value, reading and writing numerals. More than and less than. Money.

Mathematical Operations Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division

Addition and Subtraction Develop a range of mental strategies and informal recording methods: Counting on from the larger number Counting back from a number Counting on or back to find the difference between two numbers Using doubles and near doubles Combining numbers that add up to ten Records number sentences using drawings, numerals, symbols and words. Bridging to ten; split strategy; jump strategy* (using a number line) Bundling objects to make groups of 10.

Multiplication and Division Rhythmic counting/skip counting 1’s,2’s,5’s,10’s. Describing collections of objects as rows, groups and later columns. Finding the total number of objects – repeated addition e.g. 5 groups of 4 is Model commutative property of multiplication e.g. 3 groups of 2 is the same as 2 groups of 3. Modelling division by sharing a collection of objects into equal groups. Recognising odd and even numbers. Modelling division as repeated subtraction*(later in the year).

ICT Connections – Great for Literacy and Numeracy - Fantastic for spelling word practice. - Incorporates Literacy and Numeracy. Need username and password from classroom teacher racy/parents/index.htm racy/parents/index.htm