Prep

English

Reading

At the start of this term, students engaged in the twenty first days of reading, setting up their classroom libraries and learning different aspects of a reading lesson and the expectations. Throughout the term students have engaged in class discussions, read alouds, turn and talk and oral language experiences to support and extend their beginning reading behaviours. During this term,  students learnt the reading comprehension strategy of  previewing and predicting. Students learnt how to make a prediction before and during reading a text, using their prior knowledge to make connections. 

Writing 

At the start of this term, the prep students focused on the systems and routines that will build lifelong writers. Students were introduced to language and shared writing experiences, with a focus on developing students’ oral language and understating that writing is a method to communicate a message. Students were also introduced to the writing centres within their own classrooms which promotes active inquiry into how letters and words work. After the first twenty  days of writing, students then focused on providing a retell/recount of an event. During this time students learnt how to share a recount of an experience or story they had encountered. 

Mathematics

In Mathematics, this term prep students have engaged in the 100 days of school routine. This has included keeping track of each school day until students reach 100 days. Some ways of tracking the days include, using a 100 chart, counting icy pole sticks, marking a blank 100s frame and marking a calendar. We can’t wait until we reach 100 days of school!

Students have learnt the structure  of a mathematics lesson and have had the chance to explore the materials on the maths trolley and how to use them to help them learn and solve mathematical problems.

Throughout the term, students have learnt about three topics which included pattern, shape and counting. During the pattern topic students explored how to sort objects by different elements such as shape, colour or size. Students learnt how to make, copy, continue and explain which part of the pattern is repeated. During the counting unit, students learnt how to count each object once, know that  numbers are said in a particular order and how to count forwards and backward to and from 10. 

Inquiry

Prep students successfully learnt how to be a good learner and the skills, routines and expectations required to make positive choices. They worked on their social and emotional skills, in particular emotions and how different types of emotions make us feel. Towards the end of the term, the Preps investigated hygiene practices that they follow to keep their bodies healthy and clean.  The Preps were very lucky to have a special visitor called Dr Bethany who came to visit and helped them learn about keeping our teeth healthy and  clean. 

Science 

Throughout Term 1 the Preps have been introduced to the Biological Science strand of Science through learning about living and non-living things. Through cut and paste activities, songs and stories, students have been learning how to identify living and non-living things; along with what living things need to survive.  With a focus on what plants need to survive, the Preps are currently carrying out an exciting investigation by using lentil seeds to be turning into sprouts and furthermore, growing their own seeds by providing them with water, air and sunlight. The Preps will be practising their observation and recording skills whilst we watch the seeds grow bigger! A small glimpse of their work so far can be seen here:

Our Biological Science strand will continue into the start of Term 2 where students will be learning all about the five senses and various activities, including nature walks.

Well done on a wonderful first term in Science Grade Preps!

LOTE 

This term, there has been much organisation and preparation for the Auslan program to commence in Term 2, at Melton West Primary School as our new LOTE subject! Classroom teachers will begin facilitating the learning and will be provided with comprehensive resources and a teaching program from Auslan Education Services. Teachers and students will learn lessons by accessing links to videos including visuals in their classroom environment to support their learning of Auslan. Educators will also be provided with professional learning by members of Auslan Education Services to build capacity and provide the knowledge and skills in facilitating the program. We look forward to our students learning this wonderful skill which will provide many opportunities to communicate with the broader and inclusive community. Notifications will be in our newsletters and social media platforms when learning commences.

Art

What a wonderful Term 1 the Preps have had in Art. They have settled into the Art room routine really well and have demonstrated positive attitudes and appropriate behaviours during lessons. The topic for this term was Colour Theory. Students were introduced to the Primary Colours of red, blue and yellow and experimented with these colours to make other colours. They used different mediums, such as paint and crayons when creating artworks and mixing colours. The Preps looked at artworks by different artists to explore how colours can be used to make art more exciting and meaningful.       Preps you have been amazing and have produced some fantastic artworks in your first term at school! Well done!

P.E

What a great start to the year we have had for our prep students In Physical Education!  During this term we worked on the fundamental movement skills and were able to introduce our students to the games-based learning approach. All students in grade prep were given ample opportunities to participate in games and demonstrate their ability to follow rules and work with others. Students have learnt about being safe and respectful while completing all tasks in Physical Education. Some of the key fundamental movement skills that we have worked on were running, jumping, skipping, and hopping. The students had fun practising these skills and it was evident during our obstacle course lesson that incorporated all these movement skills. Also, during this term our students have begun to learn about how they feel after exercise and what some of the positive impacts are of being healthy. We also spoke about what it means to be healthy. I was extremely excited to work with the prep cohort before the year started and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait for what further growth we can achieve for term 2.

Music

In Music, Grade Preps have learned about the routines and expectations of their learning environment. This included using instruments safely and showing positive behaviours. The topic for this term was Sound. Students explored making sounds with their voices and percussion instruments. They learned the difference between speaking and singing including understanding dynamics (loud and soft). Students began exploring tempo (fast and slow) with a variety of instruments including tambourines, hand drums, maracas and claves. Grade Preps were exposed to many songs including nursery rhymes to support their knowledge of sound and their Literacy learning. Well done on a great term of music, Grade Preps!