Prep

English

Reading

During Term 3, the prep students have continued focusing on retelling and sequencing a narrative. They have learnt to identify the main characters in the story (who), where the story happened (setting) and retold at least two key events from the story in the correct order following the structure of the beginning, middle and end. 

Students have continued learning about making predictions on a text. They have used text clues such as pictures to help assist and prompt them with making a guess about what the story may be about or what might happen next. They have also used their prior knowledge to discuss what they already knew about a topic before reading a text to encourage them with making predictions.

Furthermore, the students have engaged in inferring characters' feelings using text clues and their prior knowledge, as well as, making connections to the text and/or character.

Writing 

In writing, students have continued their work on writing about a recount on an experience that has already happened and have utilised the elements of who, what, when and where.

The students have learnt how to write a narrative, focusing on retelling narratives they have been exposed to during reading. They have used these skills to develop and write their own narratives including a beginning, middle and end.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, this term prep students continued to engage in the 100 days of school routine. This included keeping track of each school day until students reached 100 days. Some ways of tracking the days included, using a 100 ‘s chart, counting icy pole sticks, marking a blank 100’s frame and marking a calendar. We were able to reach the 100 days of school mark in Week 4 and celebrated excitedly as a cohort dressing up to the theme of 100.

Throughout the term, students have learnt about three topics which included number sense, capacity and addition and subtraction. During the number sense topic, students focused on connecting the name and numeral up to 20.  During the capacity unit, students identified objects that were heavier and lighter and compared them to see which object was heavier and which object was lighter. During the addiction and subtraction unit, students learnt how to add and subtract to find the total. 

Inquiry

In Inquiry, students engaged in understanding their family history, including identifying members of their family, their cultural traditions and the ways different cultures are shown. The key concepts covered this term were to identify our culture, our place in the world and who we are. The key understandings that have been addressed are sharing and reflecting on personal histories and cultures to reflect on who we are. Through these understandings, key questions have also be covered such as, what is my history / my story and how do I know, what are cultural traditions, what are some of my own traditions that I celebrate, what are the different ways that we show our culture to others? The students enjoyed learning about each other's cultures and traditions. Students also had the wonderful opportunity of participating in two incursions from DreamCity and Melbourne Airport to consolidate their learning further. 

LOTE - Chinese

This term in Chinese Preps began with countries’ unit and students learnt 4 countries both in speaking and writing forms. Basically, they traced the Chinese names of Australia and China, coloured in the flags for Australia and China. And then they learnt facial parts and learnt basic knowledge on mooncake festival – Mid Autumn Festival. At the end, they did some revision on numbers and colours which we learnt from the previous semester.

Art

The Preps have had another fantastic term in Art. They have explored the elements of shape and form, and worked with a range of materials including modelling clay, chalk and fabric. They have also created artworks using a combination of these different materials. Indigenous artworks were incorporated into some sessions and the works of Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso were the inspiration to explore how shapes and angles can be used to create artworks. Art activities involved lots of discussion and play, as we discovered the creative possibilities in making artworks using a range of elements.

Fantastic work Preps. What wonderful artists you all are!!

P.E

During this term our grade prep students have continued to grow in Physical Education by continuing to learn about the different fundamental motor skills required to play sport and that are used for everyday activities. The students in prep have worked on moving their bodies and being able to follow rules and instructions. One of our main activities during the term was an obstacle course where each student was given the chance to participate. In this activity we used a range of equipment including trampolines, hurdles, balance beams and tunnels to showcase different movement skills and understand body control. In addition to this, students also worked on the skills of leaping and dodging. Also, during term 3, students worked on the skills of throwing and catching. This is a core fundamental skill that we have worked on throughout the year with our students. We are starting to use these skills in games and getting the prep students ready for grade 1 Physical Education where they will move into a range of different sports that showcase the fundamental motor skills. The last thing that we worked on was striking. Students have now begun to use an object such as a tennis racquet and hit a ball or bean bag with it. They have all improved and showed a great willingness to learn. It has been an awesome term 3 for the grade preps. I look forward to finishing the year off next term and seeing them continue to grow as students in Physical Education.