Prep Bulletin
A Snapshot into Writing
Learning Intention: To formulate a wondering question.
Background - Big idea
The Preps have started a new Big Idea this week “ Seasons affect how the world works and influence the way we live.” Our Driving questions directing our learning are; What are seasons? What makes up our world? How do seasons affect living things?
This Big Idea explores biological science, chemical science, space and earth science and physical science.
Before exploring this Big Idea we asked the students their Seasons Wonderings.
Learning Experience
Whole:
The teacher wrote the new Big Idea statement on the board and discussed it with the class. Then the students had a think about what they don’t know about seasons and what they might be wondering about. To follow, the teacher modelled how to formulate a wondering question, focusing on a question needing an answer and starting with one of the 5 W’s (who, what, when, where, why, how) and using a question mark at the end.
Small:
Students had a go at writing their wondering, using one of the 5 W’s, identifying initial and ending sounds of words and including a question mark at the end. Students were encouraged to use their alphabet mat to identify as many sounds in words as they can. Then they drew a picture of their wondering using details and real life colours.
Enabling: initial sounds
Explore: middle and end sounds, capital letter at the start, question mark at the end, spaces between words
Extending: the whole word (beginning, middle and end sounds) sentence case
Student Examples:
In this learning experience, students are working towards:
- Identifying initial and ending sounds of words
- Using familiar words in their writing
- Starting their question with a 5W
- Forming a question (capital letter at the start, spaces between words, question mark at the end)
- Understanding the difference between a question and a statement
What you can do now to continue the learning at home from this experience:
- Discuss what season we are in
- Discuss the changes we see in the environment during different seasons
- Encourage your child to identify sounds in words when writing
- Encourage your child match identified sounds to a letter
- Encourage your child to write any wonderings they have and practice forming a question
Alyssa, Paisley and Julian
Prep Team
Alyssa.Thermos@education.vic.gov.au