Big Idea #2

Foundation

What are we learning in Foundation?

The School Wide Key Understanding we are exploring this term is;

Known expectations and routines help me to manage myself and interactions with others.

Our second Big Idea linked to this understanding is;

Our actions impact the class group.

We expect this portion of our Inquiry to go for approx. 6 weeks starting in week 8.

We have broken down this Big Idea into four key stages. These stages are;

1. We express our ideas and feelings.

1. We listen actively. 

1. We respect different ways of being and doing.

1. We practice the skills required to include others.

To enhance this portion of our Inquiry, in English we will explore these texts;

Silly Birds by Greg Driese

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts

Castle Crashing by Andrea Rowe

Over this period we will also explore the following texts;

The Very Noisy Bear by Nick Bland

Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival

Milo's Monster by Tom Percival

The English concepts that we will explore through these texts are;

1. Concepts of print
2. Summarise and retell
3. Responding to text

The Maths concepts that we will explore through this Big Idea are;

1. Counting 
2. Data collection
3. Algebra (patterns)
4. Days of the Week

To support your child's learning in English we encourage …

• reading from a wide variety of sources (such as cookbooks, picture story books and magazines) and discussing finer details such as letters, words, and sentences, and how they work together.
• reading short stories and practising retelling the main parts of the story like beginning, middle, and end in order, discussing definitions of words, as well as sharing thoughts and reflecting.

To support your child's learning in the Math concepts outlined …

• Count objects such as toys into cups or containers, cover/uncover the objects and then recount them, building up trust that the number stays the same.
• Conduct brief surveys about favourite foods, pets, holiday destinations etc.
• Observe and remark on visual patterns which may occur in households and the surrounding neighbourhood.
• Discuss a weekly schedule for your family, matching regularly occurring events to their day and time.

This term we are beginning our whole school Wellbeing program called RRRR: Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships. The program teaches social and emotional learning and respectful relationships. Our focus is Help Seeking. 

The main Wellbeing concepts that we are exploring include:

1. Who are your helpers at school?

1. My helpful people

1. How to ask for help

If you have any questions about this Inquiry, or you have any skills, resources, experiences or talents that may help us as we explore the concepts, please contact your classroom teacher. 

If you have any craft supplies or materials to donate, please leave them in the donation drawers at Stela’s entrance doorway.

With kindness,

Foundation Team