Term two has been action packed for the Grade 1/2 students. We have had two exciting incursions and an Inquiry topic filled with lots of interesting questions and amazing information.
Professor Maths came to visit on 3 May. Not only was he quite the entertaining magician, but he also provided students with a wide array of rich open-ended math activities. Students worked in small teams to complete activities, allowing for the development of collaboration and communication. Here’s some reflections from the children:
- “You had to challenge yourself and it was quite good.” – Asha
- “I loved that the professor could do magic.” – Maryam
- “I liked it because of the pizza cutting.” – Alex M
Drama Toolbox has been visiting us on a weekly basis as part of a Social Emotional Learning program. Students have been on a journey to discover personal strengths, self-management, social management and social awareness—all very important life skills learned in an engaging, interactive way. Some of the children’s comments included:
- “I liked the team work we did. I also liked how all the animals didn’t give up!” – Will B
- “Drama Toolbox was very, very, very fun and I was a turtle. This Drama Toolbox was the best day ever.” – Neon
Our Inquiry topic, ‘Remarkable Resources’, has seen students questioning where our resources come from and how we can protect and conserve these resources. Classes have been undertaking scientific experiments about the water cycle, how materials decompose and growing plants.
Students have also been looking at the amount of rubbish we produce and consequently how we impact the world around us. In one classroom, the children counted lunchbox rubbish for the day. The total was 26 pieces. Students then calculated if every grade in the school had the same amount, in one day we would have 572 pieces of rubbish. Using calculators they worked out how much rubbish the whole school would have for a whole year (40 weeks) = 114,000 pieces of rubbish. During a child’s schooling years at Fairfield Primary—that is seven years—800,800 pieces of rubbish goes to landfill. WOW!
Students have made many reflections about the ways they can impact the world around them:
- “I think it is helpful to reuse things.” – Lynette
- “I think we should cut down on waste.” – Ava L
- “It helps the environment. Instead of throwing it on the ground…you can put it in the recycling bin to make something new.” – Clody