Foundation News

Term 3 = finished!

Can you believe we've worked through another term and are left with only 1 to go!? It's been a hectic but pleasing term to see student growth and development. All of our students are achieving such pleasing results.   From losing teeth, new friendships, pre and post maths tests, reading levels, reading words, spelling and writing conventions and poetry it's visible that our students have worked consistently hard and demonstrated excellence and resilience.  We've had to say goodbye to our class mate, Kane, as his family transition to Warnambool  to make a new start.  We wish them all the best!

Achievements

This term we've worked on developing our writing skills with a focus on correct use of conventions.  With explicit teaching most students have been able to not only verbalise their understanding but show evidence that they can write using an upper-case letter the beginning of a sentence and finishing their idea with a full stop.  With opportunities to write at home this is something you can support them with as they develop consistency and understanding.

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Holiday Home Study

Of course we all love holidays to have the mental break from the everyday routines and busy days. I will be taking time to relax although my "holiday reading" content is building up quite quickly! 

For those families who like to occasionally revisit areas of learning here are some ideas that can be done at home:

- celebrity heads with numbers

- hands on games such as snap, fish and memory

- writing letters to family members and friends

-board games (K Mart have cheap ones!)

- writing a holiday journal to share in Term 4

- cooking & measuring

- shopping and the value of money

- dot-to-dot and fine motor activities

- Reading Eggs (app).

I encourage to maintain the reading routine you have established with your child. Book talk is an important part of reading. Chat about the book before, during and after reading and really encourage your child to talk about their ideas and ask questions about the book. Here are some questions you can ask at different times before, during and after reading the book:

*Look at the cover – what do you think this book is about?

*What is happening in the pictures?

*How could we work out these tricky words?

*What do you think is going to happen next?

*What was your favourite part of the book? 

*Who was your favourite character in the story? 

Appreciations

Of course we wouldn't be able to do what we do without the support of our families and ES staff.  A big thanks to these families for their help this term:

Sally Hanley and Sarah Lloyd for classroom support and Emily Harris for her kind craft donations.  Of course Kylie and Jane have continued to be a crucial support to all of our students and me! We thank you so much!

Next term we welcome parents and families to come and read with us and help with PMP or any other area you feel comfortable with.  Emma's nanna is coming in to listen to students read at the beginning of Term 4 - we can't wait!

Happy Holidays!

Have a safe and relaxing break whilst you recharge the batteries ready for the lead up to Christmas and summer!