Room 16

Room 16 has been working to improve Literacy through reading. This term our focus has been on reading Big Books. Big Books help to improve the imagination of children and their attention span. It provides opportunities for all the students to participate in and enjoy the book reading experience. Reading books encourages confidence in students in developing their language skills. Additionally, large letters, huge pictures and discussion questions help the students to better understand the story.

Each fortnight we select a Big Book and our learning areas are focused around the book we read. One such book that was selected was a story suitable for early exploration of the themes and issues relating to the concept of Diversity- “ELMER”, an elephant with rainbow and white squares arranged as a patchwork who has a cheerful and optimistic personality, and who loves practical jokes. We looked at the front cover and children shared their ideas and predictions. After reading we discussed the theme of the book and related it to our personal experience. Children learnt the subtle message is that it is OK to be different and each one of them is unique and special.

We used our reading in "Child Protection Curriculum" to talk about emotions, how to recognise these in others and how to react appropriately if someone is scared or upset. In Numeracy students played Elmer’s Dice game to challenge their partners. In Art students expressed their creativity by designing their elephants in recognition of Elmer's unique appearance and personality. Elmer’s maze was loved by one and all.