Prep

Reading 

This week in Reading, our Prep students have continued building their phonological awareness skills by practising syllable segmenting and counting. We have been clapping, tapping and “robot talking” words to break them into syllables, helping students hear the different parts within longer words. 

This supports their ability to decode and spell words as they begin to recognise that words can be broken into smaller, manageable chunks. The students have shown great enthusiasm when identifying how many syllables are in their names and in familiar classroom words.

We were also introduced to onset and rhyme and have continued exploring this important early reading skill. Students are learning that the onset is the first sound in a word, and the rhyme is the rest of the word that follows.

Through games, oral blending and word play, the class practised breaking words apart (for example, /c/ – at) and putting them back together again. Developing confidence with onset and rhyme helps students recognise word patterns and supports their early reading and spelling development. We are so proud of the way they are listening carefully and having a go!

Maths

In Maths, our Prep students have been continuing their exploration of patterns. They have deepened their understanding by creating and identifying three-part patterns using colours, actions and objects (for example: red, blue, green or clap, stomp, jump).

We have also introduced a new focus on sequencing events across the day. Students are learning to use time-order words such as first, next, then and last to explain when events occur. As part of this learning, they have explored the different parts of the day and discussed when certain activities usually happen. For instance, we know that we eat breakfast in the morning and put on our pyjamas at night.

We are incredibly proud of the way our students are developing their mathematical vocabulary and confidently sharing their thinking.

SEL and other

Over the past few weeks, we have been focusing on helping students settle into school routines while building strong foundations for learning and wellbeing.

In our classroom, we have been exploring the Zones of Regulation, with a deeper focus on the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. Students have been learning what these zones look like, feel like, and how they might experience them throughout the day. We have discussed how the Green Zone helps us feel calm, focused and ready to learn, and how the Blue Zone can feel tired, sad or low energy. 

The children have been doing a wonderful job identifying their feelings and beginning to understand strategies to support themselves.

We have also been spending time learning and practising our school expectations and daily procedures. From lining up, unpacking bags, and moving around the classroom, to building our independence during learning tasks, the Preps have shown great responsibility and enthusiasm.

Starting school is a big milestone, and the students have done an amazing job adjusting to full days at school. We are especially proud of how they are building their stamina, resilience, and confidence each day. They are becoming more settled, independent and engaged in their learning routines.