Principal's News
Our Level Bulletins this week aim to give you an insight into what your child is learning in Maths sessions at present. All year levels follow our whole school instructional model and use the following structure:
- Fluency - Please refer below as we outline what this is in greater detail.
- Whole – The Learning Intention is addressed at the start. This is visible to all and referred to throughout the session. The teacher will model how to use a strategy or solve a problem OR the teacher and the children will work through a problem together and share ideas.
ANCHOR CHARTS are referred to in this part of the lesson and children are encouraged to refer to these throughout the lesson.
- SMALL : Task/Experience: Enabling; Explore; Extending
During this part of the session, children engage in a learning experience whereby they are allocated or choose from ‘Enabling; Explore; or Extending’.
During this time the teacher works with a small group of children where the teaching is targeted and aims to support the child to grasp a concept and or develop understanding on how to use a strategy. All children get the opportunity to work with the teacher in a targeted teaching group.
- WHOLE: Summarising/Reflection in Action/Exit Ticket
At some point throughout the lesson, the teacher will stop the class and draw attention to the learning intention and an example that demonstrates it. Children may be asked to share during this time. Exit tickets are given towards the end of the lesson and these can come in various forms. The aim of an exit ticket is to help the teacher determine what the children understand and how to support them in their learning moving forward. Some examples of exit tickets include:
- Reflection- children reflect on what they learned, what they liked, or what they're still confused about
- 3-2-1 – children summarise three things they learned, two things they liked, and one question they still have
- Write a question you have about what you learned today
- What is one thing you would like me to explain more clearly?
- What is one thing you would like us to review again in the next lesson?
- Write one fact you learned in today's lesson
A SPOTLIGHT ON FLUENCY - What is Maths Fluency?
Fluency describes students' developing skills in choosing appropriate procedures, carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and appropriately.
During this part of the lesson, teachers give children 5 minutes to practice a skill to promote automaticity. This time provides children to recall number facts including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division automatically.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO SUPPORT FLUENCY
Please refer to your child’s Bulletin page for suggestions on what you can do at home to support your child to develop their fluency.
Examples include learning 10s facts (or friends of 10); skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10, 3s, 4s; times tables; algorithms such as vertical addition and subtraction; multiplication and division.
What else is happening at Armadale Primary?
Don't forget to join us tomorrow evening from 5.00pm onwards for our Welcome Picnic ! One of Jai's coaches will be running a soccer clinic for all the kids which starts at 5.00pm- 6.00pm. Then there's more fun with water play on the courts. The PFA are generously providing a FREE sausage sizzle and Zooper Doopers for our kids. It's a great opportunity to meet new families, catch up with old friends and connect with the school community. You are still welcome to bring your picnic, rug, chairs and your own nibbles.
No event is complete without extra helping hands. We’d love your support at the BBQ and in supervising kids activities. If you’re able to lend a hand, please sign up using this link.
NAPLAN is going well and we will be finished on Monday with Maths being the last assessment. Well done to all our Year 3 and 5 students for giving it a go and doing their best. We are incredibly proud of all of you.
Wednesday 19 March is School Photography Day and children will be bringing home the pamphlet today with the QR code for you all to use to order the photos. It will be great if all children can be present that day.
Friday next week , 21 March is Harmony Day, please see the COMPASS sent out yesterday from Connie which outlines everything the children will be doing to celebrate such a significant event. Please consider the opportunities for our parents and carers to be involved with the children. We love seeing you at our school!
Warm Regards
Rochelle Cukier and Connie Apostolos
Principals