Prep

English

Reading

Throughout the term in reading we have been focussing on the expectations for reading lessons.   During this time, students collaboratively developed a classroom library based on their interests. Students learnt about the expectations of take home readers and what to expect during our reading blocks. They also had opportunities to engage in shared reading, read alouds, conferencing and fluency pair reading with a focus on indicating the title of a book, where to start reading, reading from left to right across the page and discussing the placement of images and words in a book. Students also engaged in Phonics lessons which embed the process of teaching children the relationship between letters and sounds and how to use those relationships to read and write words. 

Writing 

Throughout the term the students engaged in shared writing experiences, developing their oral language and their understanding that writing is a method to communicate a message. Students explored what good writers do and learned about the structure of our writing lessons, writing expectations and the writing process through think, talk, draw and write. The students had opportunities to engage in a retell/recount unit of work, during this unit, students learnt how to share a recount of an experience or a story they have read through drawing a picture and writing a simple sentence.  We also focused on how to hold a pencil correctly, and how capital letters are used for names and the beginning of sentences, and full stops/punctuation marks signal the end of a sentence.

Mathematics

In Mathematics this term we have been focusing on counting, Simple graphs - birthday graphs, letters in our names, eye colour, and how many people live in our house. We have also been engaging in Math games and activities, and subitising -we explored the concept of ‘how many’ without counting. We have also been focussing on number sequence, before and after, matching numerals to representations of objects, days of the week and months.

Inquiry

Throughout the term the students have been learning about classroom procedures and expectations. Students engaged in lessons related to our morning and afternoon procedures, classroom rules, the school values and the positive behaviour matrix, which covers expected behaviours in all settings of the school, including inside and outside of the classroom, the toilets and digital technologies (iPads). Students also engaged in learning with our Inquiry topic called squeaky clean. Students learned and  explored practices that they can follow to keep their bodies healthy and clean. We engaged in learning about  daily hygiene routines, healthy eating and what things we can do to keep clean and why some people’s health needs are different from others.

Science

What a fantastic first term of Science we’ve had in Prep!

This term, students were introduced to the biological sciences by learning about living and nonliving things. Through True or False hunts, cut-and-paste activities, songs, and stories, the preps explored how to identify living things and what they need to survive.

A highlight of the term has been our plant investigation. The preps have been growing their own seeds, ensuring they have water, air, and sunlight to help them sprout. They have been practising their observation and recording skills, carefully watching their seedlings grow in terracotta pots.

As we move into Term 2, we will continue our biological science learning by exploring the five senses. Through a range of exciting activities, including nature walks, students will discover how our senses help us understand the world around us.

Well done to all our budding scientists on a wonderful first term of Science! We look forward to more hands-on discoveries next term.

LOTE 

During Term 1 2022 in Auslan, the F- 2 students learnt about:

‘What is Auslan?’ (Australian Sign Language). Auslan is a signed language using the

hands, with no voice, which is used by the Deaf Community. They learnt the Auslan

Alphabet, and frequently used signs associated with Colours, Family, School, Farm

Animals, and Describing Animals. The students also learnt to sign Numbers in Auslan

using their dominant (writing) hand. The topics taught are the core for future learning in Auslan.This learning was introduced through explicit sign teaching videos, games, stories, and group practice. Learning Auslan involves both expressive (signing) and receptive

understanding skills (reading back what others’ sign), hence activities were designed to

develop these skills. The students were encouraged to participate in lesson related

activities and to share their learning and understanding with their peers and teacher.

At this level the focus is on learning Auslan signs through repetition with songs, games

and poems. Students mainly work in the whole group that is managed by the teacher.

Art

What a wonderful start to the year the Preps have had in Art. They have settled into the Art room routines 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 an amazing start to the year it’s been in Physical Education for our Prep students! This term, we’ve been busy developing fundamental motor skills through fun, games-based activities. The children have been learning to hop, skip, jump, and even try some dance moves—all while discovering what PE is all about!

One of the highlights was our exciting jumping circuit, where students had a blast bouncing on a trampoline before testing their balance by walking across a beam. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they challenge themselves and support their classmates.

Beyond movement skills, our Preps have also started to understand the importance of being active and working together. Their enthusiasm and energy have been fantastic, and I can’t wait to see them continue to learn and grow in Term 2!

Music

Our Prep classes have enjoyed a successful term one in Music. At the beginning of the term our preps exhibited their ability to adapt their behaviours to a new learning environment and demonstrated their ability to express themselves through the medium of music. Everyone was able to exceed expectations during performance (singing, ukulele and percussion) and composition activities (glockenspiel and xylophone) by displaying control of the elements of music, including dynamics, pitch, tempo and Duration. Students also developed their singing, drumming and ukulele skills. Well done!