In Prep

The Preps have had a very positive start to their school year. It has been fantastic to get to know all of the children and to see them begin to form connections with each other.

We have focused on classroom routines and students are learning how to become more independent and how to follow instructions. They are becoming accustomed to ‘the school day’ and learning to sit and focus for a period of time during class time. Students are also working on their listening skills and putting their hand up during learning time to answer questions and share their thoughts and opinions with others. 

Students have also had opportunities to improve fine motor skills through hands-on activities such as manipulating playdough, tracing and writing their names, cutting and pasting and drawing and colouring pictures. This is important for the children to continue to build upon these skills as this will help them to increase their hand strength and in turn learn how to write and increase their stamina when learning how to form letters.

In English, we have started with our Literacy program called InitiaLit. Students have learnt about what a word is and the difference between words and pictures. We have been learning to count syllables in words, and  understanding what rhyming words are. Students have also focused on learning how to segment the sounds in words. These skills are the foundation for  beginning to learn how to read and we will begin teaching the sounds and letters in the next couple of weeks.

Another part of the InitiaLit program is called ‘Story Book’ Lessons. This is where we read a book over a number of sessions and children are learning to understand the meaning of different vocabulary and answering comprehension questions about the book. We also discuss the story and focus on retelling the beginning, middle and end of stories orally.  The Story Book lessons also have a ‘creative response’ where children are able to respond to the story in a creative way, which they really enjoy being part of. 

In Writing, the children have started with language experience. First they start with drawing a picture and then the children orally say the sentence matching their picture they have drawn.  The sentence is then modelled by the teachers and the children are making connections and exploring the concept of writing and communication. 

In Mathematics, the children have been learning about Time. They are learning how to order the days in the week and what we do on these days. For example, we have Specialist Classes on Monday, and Library on Thursday. Students also listened to the Story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar.' The students needed to follow the sequence of what the Caterpillar ate on each day and put the food  in the correct order. They did a fantastic job completing this task. Students also have been playing number games with partners. They are learning about number concepts and how to take turns and follow instructions of a game.

The children have been focusing on their own social and emotional wellbeing. We have been discussing how to be a good friend and the importance of sharing. This week we read the story ‘Sharing A Shell.’ We discussed how it feels to share and they drew on their own personal experiences and how they connected to the story. The children made their own ‘Crab in a Shell’ and enjoyed responding creatively to this story! They look very colourful in our classroom! 

Last but not least the children have had opportunities during the week to engage in developmental play which they really enjoy as they have the choice of what they want to do during this time. The children are given time to  play with toys, dance and sing and take part in pretend play. Children are learning to communicate with classmates, share and problem solve. This has definitely helped to form friendships and connections. 

It is a privilege to be part of their first experience of school and we are looking forward to a productive year ahead of learning, friendship, and having fun.

Sarah O’Hara and Marie Geogiadis

Prep Teachers