Reading - Close Reading and Vocabulary

This term the whole school is focusing on Close Reading, which involves reading a short text with rich language several times. Each time, students concentrate on different aspects of the language and answer questions such as what the text says and why the author chose certain words. Reading a text several times enables students’ thinking to go deeper, helping them notice new details and understand the meaning more fully.

We are also building students’ vocabulary knowledge across all subjects.

• In Geography, students are learning words such as city and landmarks. They write a child-friendly definition, then use “Show Me” boards to show their understanding — by writing the meaning and drawing a picture of what the word represents.
  
  
• In Mathematics, the focus is on vocabulary linked to data. Students are learning how words such as and change the meaning of a question, and how phrases like how many more involve finding the difference between two numbers.

“We read the same text and Mrs Butler asks us different questions at the end.” – Myles
“I learnt what landmarks are and I can name some landmarks like Luna Park and the MCG.” – Tiana
“I learnt what the word city means. I can draw a city with lots of cars and tall buildings and traffic.” – Leo
“I can put the new words in a sentence. My family go to the MCG. It is a landmark in the city.” – Ariana

Teaching Strategy - Cold Calling

In Year One, we have been using the strategy  Cold Calling. This means that instead of asking for volunteers, the teacher sometimes calls on students by name to answer questions or share their thinking. Students know they may be called on at any time, which helps them stay engaged and ready to participate. Cold Calling is not about putting students “on the spot” but about making sure everyone has the chance to contribute, not just the most confident hands that go up.

 “It helps me think about the answer because I might get chosen.”
  “I like when the teacher asks me, because I get to share my ideas.”

Student Voice

Students are given opportunities to share their ideas and make choices in their learning. In Mathematics, students chose an area they would like to collect data on. This gives them ownership of their investigations and makes the learning meaningful and engaging. In Geography, students are taking part in creating their own city with landmarks. They choose the materials, decide which part of the city to design, select the landmark to include, and choose who they would like to work with.

“I collected data about our favourite animals — guinea pigs won!”
“I collected data about our favourite food - sushi was the favourite!”
“I worked with my friends to build the MCG.”