Prep

Our Prep STEAM Innovators will continue exploring the different fields within STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — with each lesson giving them the opportunity to engage in a variety of fun and practical challenges. With a focus on building practical problem-solving skills, students will reimagine classic fairy tales, brainstorming creative ways to help characters overcome their challenges. 

From helping Jack climb a beanstalk more efficiently to building a better bridge for a trio of goats and a stronger house for a family of pigs, students will draw on real-world materials and STEAM principles to solve fantastical problems in inventive ways. 

In Robotics Innovation, Prep students at GWPS will explore the exciting world of robotics and coding through fun, hands-on learning experiences. Using Bee-Bots and Spheros, students will learn how to give instructions, sequence commands and use simple code to control movement and direction. Students will put their new skills into practice by programming robots to create letters and shapes. Along the way, they will develop their spatial awareness, sequencing and problem-solving skills. 

In Art Innovation, Prep students will explore the cultural art form of weaving. They will begin by learning about abstract art, using shapes, colours and lines to create an expressive background for their paper weaving. Students will develop their fine motor skills and learn how to use a plain weaving technique to create their first artwork. 

For their second piece, students will explore wool weaving, experimenting with different ways of weaving and combining materials. They will also learn about complementary colours and how using contrasting colours can help their artwork stand out and create visual interest. 

Music Innovation 

During Term Four, Prep students will explore the exciting world of beat, rhythm and sound through movement, body percussion and a variety of percussion instruments. Students will develop their understanding of the steady beat in music and discover how different sounds can be created using their bodies and instruments. 

Students will participate in fun songs, games and movement activities, using actions such as clapping, patting, stamping and clicking to explore different rhythms and sounds. They will also experiment with percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, hand drums, shakers and triangles, learning how to play with control and respond to musical cues. 

Throughout the term, students will develop their listening, coordination and ensemble skills by performing rhythms individually, in small groups and as a whole class. They will explore how different sounds can be combined to create music and build confidence in keeping a steady beat, copying simple rhythms and performing together.