Prep

Maths 

Over the past fortnight, our Preps have been busy developing their mathematical understanding through a range of fun, hands-on learning experiences. We have been exploring number, place value, position and direction through games, discussions and practical activities.

In our number work, students have been learning to identify ordinal positions on a number track and within a sequence, using words such as first, second, third and last. We have also been practising counting in tens using ten-frames and exploring how numbers are made up of tens and ones.

To develop our understanding of place value, students have been using ten-frames, bundling materials and base-10 blocks to explore how ten ones can be grouped together to make one ten. They have been combining tens and extra ones to make and represent different two-digit numbers, helping them understand how numbers are formed.

We have also been learning about position and direction. Students have been practising describing where objects are, moving a given number of squares on a grid or game board, and following and giving verbal directions to move objects to different locations. These activities have encouraged students to use their listening skills, mathematical language and problem-solving strategies.

Here are a few simple ways to practise our maths learning at home:

• Counting in tens: Count forwards and backwards in tens together.
• Tens and ones: Use LEGO, blocks or other small objects to make groups of ten.
• Ordinal positions: Talk about who is first, second or third when playing games or lining up.
• Position and direction: Give simple directions such as "move three steps forward" or ask your child to find something under, beside or behind an object.

Everyday activities provide wonderful opportunities to practise maths and build confidence. Thank you for supporting our little mathematicians at home!

Writing 

This week in Writing, our Prep students will continue developing their confidence and independence as young writers! We will be practising writing CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words by listening carefully to the sounds we hear and matching them to the correct letters. We will also continue working on our letter formation, making sure our letters start in the correct place and sit neatly on the line. We will be putting our skills into practice by exploring picture prompts, brainstorming ideas and creating our own sentences. Using our Colourful Semantics strategies, students will learn to include who, what they are doing and where in their sentences.

We will also focus on remembering the important features of a sentence:

• starting with a capital letter.
• leaving finger spaces between words.
• finishing with a full stop.

We are so PROUD of the progress our Prep writers are making as they become more confident sounding out, spelling and writing their own ideas!

Integrated 

This week in Integrated, our Prep students will be learning about the language of the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which our school is located. We will explore some local First Nations language words and learn how to say the names of people, animals and familiar places. Students will use maps and pictures to help locate our school and develop an understanding of the connection between First Nations Australians, their Country and the places that are important to them. We will practise saying our new words together, matching local language words to their English meanings and creating pictures to represent what we have learnt. We encourage families to continue the learning at home by asking your child to share some of the new local language words they have learnt. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and develop an appreciation of First Nations languages, culture and connection to Country.

Respectful Relationships 

This week in Respectful Relationships, our Prep students will continue learning about what it means to play fairly, include others and show respect. We will discuss what friendly and unkind behaviour can look and sound like when playing with others, and explore ways to make sure everyone feels welcome and included, regardless of their gender. Through discussions, role-play scenarios and games such as Duck, Duck, Goose, students will identify how our words and actions can affect others and the different emotions people might experience when someone is being unkind or too rough. We will focus on the importance of taking turns, sharing, encouraging others, helping friends join in and using kind words. Students will also explore the idea of self-control and how we can make safe and respectful choices when playing with others, even when we feel frustrated or excited.