Prep Curriculum Newsletter
Reading
In Reading this term students will continue to explore concepts about print. They will learn to sweep across the page from left to right and notice features of words (including letters, uppercase, lowercase). Through a variety of comprehension strategies such as prediction, determining importance, identifying verbs, making text-to-self connections, and answering literal questions, students are able to deepen their understanding of the material. By predicting what may happen next, making connections based on their own life experiences, answering questions about characters and plot, and determining important facts and key points, students develop a strong grasp of the text. Additionally, students expand their vocabulary by encountering new words in rich and engaging mentor texts, enhancing their overall reading and language skills.
Writing
This term in writing we are focusing on recounts and instructional writing, along with the importance of using precise verbs and simple sentences. Recounts involve narrating or retelling personal experiences or events in an organised manner, typically found in diaries, journals, and personal narratives. Writing to instruct aims to provide directions or explain how to perform tasks, with examples including to-do lists, recipes, and craft projects, offering clear, step-by-step instructions to help the reader achieve specific objectives. In both genres, we will continue to expand our knowledge of verbs, nouns and the structure of simple sentences such as capital letters and punctuation.
Maths
This term, students will embark on their mathematical journey, delving into a diverse range of foundational concepts that will pave the way for future learning. They will explore additive operations such as addition and subtraction, grasping the fundamental principles that underpin these operations and their practical applications in everyday scenarios. Moving beyond numbers, students will explore the geometric realm, distinguishing between 2D shapes and 3D objects, and discovering their properties. As they advance, understanding mass will become essential, where they will learn to measure and compare weights, developing a tactile sense of quantitative relationships. In parallel, students will delve into statistics, deciphering data through engaging activities that involve sorting, organising, and interpreting information. Through hands-on and interactive lessons, these young learners will not only absorb mathematical concepts but also cultivate a curiosity-driven approach to problem-solving, setting a solid foundation for their academic journey ahead.
Wellbeing
This term we will be celebrating 100 days of school, Bullying NO WAY! and RUok day. These events compliment our four Rs program (Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships) and the Resilience Project. We will discuss and participate in activities such as facing our fears, emotional literacy and problem solving skills when interacting with other students. This will enhance their understanding of how to support themselves at school and feel a sense of belonging to the Kismet Park school community.
Inquiry
This term in Inquiry, students will be exploring where they live. They will describe the features of their own place and the meaning of belonging to that place.
Later in the term, students will explore Digital Technology. Throughout this unit, students will learn to recognize and identify digital systems commonly used in daily life. They will explore safe online practices. Additionally, they will identify digital systems for specific purposes and learn to follow, describe, and represent step-by-step sequences to solve straightforward problems effectively.
PE
In Prep PE classes, students will focus on learning fundamental movement skills through play-based activities like running, jumping, throwing and catching. They will play basic games, while also developing social skills through teamwork and cooperation.
Japanese
This term our Foundation students will be introduced to farm animals and colours using engaging flashcards, interactive games, and catchy songs. They will be saying sentences such as "The cat is grey" in Japanese, applying their new vocabulary to build simple sentences. Through tracing and copying activities, students will strengthen their reading and writing skills, mastering the focus vocabulary. They will put their knowledge to practice by creating their very own minibooks, filled with colorful illustrations and the vocabulary they've learned. These books will be a source of pride as they read them aloud, individually and chorally, with their classmates!
Students will also learn about Tanabata (Star Festival), a celebration of hope, dreams and working hard, and we're excited to share this special Japanese tradition with our Foundation students.
Visual Arts
This term students in Prep will continue to explore new materials and techniques to create works of art. They will explore threads and textiles as they learn to sew a simple running stitch to make a decorative but useful item. Students will discover other famous artists such as Pablo Picasso as they explore their ideas and styles. They will continue to develop a courageous outlook as they give new techniques a go and they will work safely in the art room. This term students will experience how exciting it is to share their artworks with their family and community at our well anticipated show.
Performing Arts
This term in Performing Arts, Preps will be developing their dramatic skills and teamwork to explore concepts of inclusion and 'big emotions'. They will engage in various role-plays and social stories to learn how to be a good friend and become more inclusive of their peers. Students will develop their facial expressions, body language, and use of tone to portray a range of emotions and work on understanding how these are expressed physically by others.