Prep  News

What a fantastic start to Term 4 we have had in Prep! The children have returned full of enthusiasm and curiosity, ready for an exciting final term of learning. Our Unit of Inquiry, How the World Works, is guided by the central idea “Wondering, exploring and noticing helps people make sense of the world.” Already, the children have been busy asking questions, making observations and discovering new things about the world around them. Across all areas of our learning, we have been exploring how curiosity and careful observation help us develop a deeper understanding of the world.

We are thrilled to share that Prep has welcomed some very special new class pets, Hermit crabs! After researching these fascinating creatures and learning about their needs, the children were delighted to finally welcome them into our classroom. Our new pets have already sparked plenty of curiosity, with the children observing their behaviours, asking thoughtful questions and taking responsibility for their care. Our Hermit crabs have provided an authentic opportunity to connect our research, reading, writing and scientific observations as we learn more about living things.

Our young authors have been exploring how writers can share their expert knowledge to teach others. We have begun investigating information books and noticing the special features authors use, including titles, headings, labelled diagrams and detailed illustrations. Drawing on their interests, observations and discoveries from our Unit of Inquiry, the children are learning how to communicate their knowledge and teach others about the world around them.

In Reading, we have been discovering that books are not just for enjoying stories but also for finding answers and learning new things! The children have been exploring nonfiction texts, noticing their features and discussing the interesting facts they discover. Our inquiry has provided meaningful opportunities to ask questions, investigate topics of interest and use books to deepen our understanding. We have also begun recording our discoveries through pictures, labels and simple sentences, making connections between what we read and what we observe in the world.

Our mathematicians have been taking their learning beyond the classroom, exploring the world around us to discover that patterns really are everywhere! Through careful observation of our natural and built environments, the children have been noticing patterns in leaves, flowers, shells, buildings and everyday objects. Back in the classroom, these discoveries have inspired hands-on investigations where students identify, describe, copy, extend and create their own patterns. By looking closely, making predictions and explaining their thinking, the children are discovering how patterns help us make sense of the world, bringing our Unit of Inquiry to life through mathematics.

It has been a wonderful beginning to our final term in Prep, with curiosity, exploration and discovery connecting our learning in so many meaningful ways!

Angela Rush