Literacy and Numeracy

CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING 

MATHEMATICS AT HOME

Congratulations to all students and parents on completing one complete term of mathematics during Remote Learning. Many parents have asked questions about how they can best help their children. Whilst this is not easy, there are some helpful hints below. Have a wonderful holiday and keep looking for the mathematics that is all around us - even during the holidays. 

Mr Josh Crowe

joshua.crowe@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au

Developing Oral Language Skills

The link between oral language development with reading and writing ability and general academic success has been well documented and researched over the years.

The upcoming holidays may be a great time to focus on the links between the three through shared experiences.  Below are a few suggestions that may help:

• Following a recipe to prepare a family meal, discussing steps and methods along the way.
• Exploring local parks, nature reserves and playgrounds with a focus on finding something new or interesting that sparks curiosity.
• Building with everyday materials, discussing what has worked and possible improvements.
• Exploring and creating fairy gardens and Spoonvilles with matching stories shared about the adventures of the characters in these places.
• Board games, card games and charades enabling children to follow instructions, celebrate victories and disappointments.
• Link into websites and live webcams of places that you may have visited during the holidays and discuss:

Melbourne Museum  https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/at-home/virtual-tours/

Melbourne Zoo  https://www.zoo.org.au/animals-at-home/

Scienceworks  https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/at-home/virtual-tours/

Penguin Parade  https://www.penguins.org.au/virtual/live-penguin-tv/ 

Sea Life Aquarium https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/live-stream-sea-life-melbourne

A list of other possibilities https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/family-and-kids/school-holidays

• Free time, free play and role play to foster a love of exploration, a sense of awe and to develop the language and language skills with each.

Whatever you do over these holidays, may it be restful and re-charging and enable you to connect with your family.  Enjoy the next fortnight!

Keep safe and well.

Premiers' Reading Challenge

Well done and congratulations to all of our students who have completed the challenge! This week, there have been issues with logging in to the challenge due to issues with the website.  Certificates will be issued as soon as I can verify all books.  Even though the challenge is over, I hope that you can enjoy a great book or two over the holidays.

Happy reading!

Mrs Cathy Dimitrakopoulos

cathy.dimitrakopoulos@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au