first day of school Tag

In Year 2, we have been learning to add and subtract numbers in different ways.

In the first lesson of the week, we had fun learning about Four way sums, also called turn around sums, that can be made up of numbers. Four way sums mean that there are two addition sums and two subtraction sums that can be worked out.

For example:
2 + 9 = 11
9 + 2 = 11
11- 2 = 9
11 – 9 = 2

To help the students work out their sums we learnt the number facts that the answer to an addition sum is always the highest number and the first number in a subtraction sum is always the highest number.

Then we learnt about bonds of 20 or numbers that can be added or subtracted to make 20. We also calculated the answers to Four way or turn around sums with these numbers in our workbooks.

In lesson 3, we looked at how to add and subtract 10’s and how knowing bonds below 10 helps us work out sums of 10. For example, if we know 2 + 5 = 7 it is easy to work out that 20 + 50 = 70.

Lesson 4 was also very fun. The students learnt how to use a number line to add and subtract 3 or more numbers. We learnt that the answers stays the same when we add the same numbers in a different order. For example 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 and 2 + 4 + 3 = 9

During the last lesson of the week, we did a revision activity. Each student was given 3 cards. They wrote 5 sums of 20 on the first card, 5 sums of 10 on the second card and 3 train sums on the last card. We strung the cards onto some wool and tied it at the end so that the cards stayed on. Some students wanted to put the cards up like bunting in their room and some of the students wore their new sum necklace.

The students have really enjoyed learning about addition and subtraction of numbers in fun ways and have certainly learnt a lot during these lessons.

Bronwen Nuthall
Year 2 Teacher

In the Jelly Fish class, we have been learning about different parts of the face as well as the function of each of these parts.

Our little students had an amazing time creating different pieces of art to represent their own faces. Some of this art was product focused with the aim being that students create a face with all the right parts in all the right places, an introduction to portraiture.

Other art activities were focused on the process of making art rather than the end result, giving our students the opportunity to select their own materials and create their own artwork which is inspired by an image or object that has been provided. The purpose of this is to provide students with the opportunity to channel their creativity, plan, problem-solve and express themselves without restriction of resources or space.

Activities included drawing a picture of their own face which was inspired by a photograph of themselves, making a face from shapes and newspaper cut-outs and ice painting with primary colours so that we could use sight to observe what happens when these colours mix. Students were captivated by the formation of secondary colours each time the primary colours mixed, this proved to be a great introduction to science within art.

The main purpose of creating Art in the Foundation Phase is not to achieve perfection in a final product, but rather to encourage creativity and self-expression, develop fine motor skills through the manipulation of different materials, and to cultivate a love and appreciation of art.

Candice van der Vyver
Jelly Fish Class Teacher

It has been a pleasure to host the Fine Motor Club in the Junior Primary this term. A group of keen Year 1 to Year 3’s have been putting effort into strengthening the muscles in their fingers, hands, wrists and shoulders. We always warm up by doing hand and finger “gym”; exercises, strengthening and conditioning. This helps to “wake up” the muscles the children will be needing for our session. These are also useful, fun actions that they can implement in their daily routine, and they can practise doing these before completing tasks like homework or handwriting lessons.

During the course of our first lessons, we have used common items, which they can easily find at home or in their class, to complete 3D shape construction, building and weaving. These processes allow for creativity, whilst subconsciously still strengthening their fine motor skills. Simple items such as playdough, prestick, pasta, matches, pipe cleaners, blocks and toothpicks can all be used in a variety of ways to stimulate your child’s development.

Examples of some fun activities include:

• Making 3D shapes, such as a pyramid or a cube, using toothpicks and Prestick or matches and playdough
• Wrapping pipe cleaners around straws, forks, chopsticks, etc. to create curls
• Threading macaroni/looped cereal onto spaghetti or pipe cleaners
• Place sequins/buttons/small items onto the sticky side of Cellotape (try to make a repeating pattern)
• Balance playing cards/dominoes and build stacks or A-frames
• Pick-up sticks (make your own by painting or colouring in Skewer sticks)
• Make your own playdough/salt dough and build letters and numbers to make spelling and maths practise more interactive
• Instead of using your fingers to pick something up, use a pair or tweezers, a peg or kitchen tongs
• Shadow puppets
• Window tracing
• “Ceiling” art – paste or tape a page under a table/chair (correct length for your child’s arm length), lay down on the floor and draw or write on the page (wonderful for shoulder muscle development!)
• Using a ruler to draw lines or measure
• Using a dropper, teaspoon or syringe to do art/mix colours/explore with consistencies of materials (such as oil and water).

Make these activities into timed races and compete as a family – your loadshedding entertainment is now sorted!

Kim Hahn
Year 1 Teacher

Monday, 16 January was a beautiful sunny day and the Teachers at Blouberg International School welcomed their new students. As the new faces arrived in Year 1, some very excited and others a little more apprehensive, they quickly settled into their new class and greeted friends from last year. There is always a buzz on the first day as students reconnect and tell their peers all about their holiday.

Some comments from the Year 1 students about the year ahead.

I am excited to do ballet. – Purity
I am excited to learn about maths. – Nikraad
In Year 1 am excited to do gymnastics. – Chaitrika
I want to learn about how nature works. – Ayominde
I am excited to learn more maths. – Sofia
In Year 1 am excited to do maths and drawing. – Lolwam
I like to do colouring. – Tiwatope
In Year 1 I love doing maths. – Jonah
I am excited to be grown up and I want to be a soccer player like Ronaldo. – Chimdindo
I am excited to make new friends in Year 1. – Isabella
I am excited to learn about stories. – Tinashe
I am excited that there are new people and I get to play with Daisey at playtime. – Juliet
I want to learn new things. – Anam
I am going to do maths. – Somto
I am excited to be in Year 1 because I will be 7 years old. – Luka
This year we all get to play on the big field and we write sentences. – Alupheli
I like learning about science. – Likani
I like to draw and learn new things. – Marcus
I want to be in Year 1 because it is fun for me. – Naleli
I like to work and be kind to people. – Leah

Ann Cordner
Junior Primary Coordinator and Year 1 Teacher