As part of our continuous work to be A Step Ahead, the Specialist team are turning up the volume on self-reflection. Scaffolded through explicit teacher modelling, students will

engage in various methods and strategies for metacognition (thinking about their thinking), rating themselves on the success criteria of the lesson, and identifying what their next step is.

They may be asking themselves questions such as:

"What skill am I working on?"

"How am I doing?"

"How do I know?"

"What is the next step for me to work on?"

They may be using strategies such as Four Finger Reflection, Exit Tickets, Visible Thinking Routines and many others. This attention to their own achievement will assist students to stay focused, be attentive to the purpose of a task, and apply themselves to improve.

The Specialist Team

ART NEWS

This is Miss Michael from the Art Room, I am collecting some items throughout the year for our Art classes and wondering if you could help me. All recycled things. You may find these items just around the house, for example, containers could be found after you have finished off your delicious Indian, Friday night take away, or, you may like to donate something that’s hiding deep in the garage within the ‘I’ll get to it one day’ pile.

I’ve listed the items I am on the look out for below, there will be a red box outside the office if you’d like to contribute at any stage. Thankyou!

Paper cups / plates

Plastic containers

Textured or thick wool

Old coloured pencils

Newspapers

Thin cardboard

Corks

Pattern Paper such as wrapping paper

Any objects that could be used as a stamping/printing tool

Flat, small-medium rocks

Old frames

Patterned pillows

Fairy lights

Lanterns

SPAINISH NEWS

It has certainly been an interesting start to the year in Spanish class! We have been acting out a story about a girl and a tiger (your child/ren should be able to tell you all about this story!), singing songs, making up stories and learning about each other. We are now getting to know some high-frequency words such as hay (rhymes with eye, means ‘there is’), tiene hambre (is hungry), ve (sees), quiere (wants), comer (to eat), va (goes), chica (girl) and chico (boy).

I hope your child is driving you crazy by singing the very catchy song ‘Soy una pizza’ (I’m a pizza)! If you want to hear more of it, it is available on YouTube at this link:

https://youtu.be/FOHCzNFbpts

If you want English subtitles, try this link:

https://youtu.be/yjmUtW2J_S0

Recently P – 2 students showed how clever they are by re-ordering pictures from the story we have been learning. Year 1/2 students (and some Preps) were even able to add the sentences and read them to me! I am so proud that they can do this after only one term of Spanish!

The multi-age group participated in an engaging Easter Egg activity where they had to read, write and re-order sentences from the story, but this was made more complicated by the addition of rotten eggs and Brain Breaks!

I will shortly be sending home an optional Spanish ‘project’ with all students with a range of activities they can choose to do (one or more). The activities are differentiated to suit all students from Prep – 6. I will ask students to have a parent or guardian sign this ‘project’ as I would love for you to be involved and see just what your child/ren has achieved in Spanish! Feel free to also write any comments as feedback helps me with planning.

Now for the big news! Maestra has a fluffy llama on the ‘carrito’ (trolley) I use to carry my things from class to class. But poor llama does not have a name! L ¡Qué lastima!

All students from Prep – 6 are invited to enter this free competition to name the llama. The prize will be a fluffy llama of your own! I will hand out forms for you to complete then give the form to Maestra or your classroom teacher by the 14th May. You can use a boy name or a girl name – we have not yet decided on a gender!

If your family (adults) is interested in seeing some Spanish language films, the Spanish Film Festival is on right now!

Find out more at:

https://www.spanishfilmfestival.com/sessions/melbourne

For students, don’t forget to check out my Spanish YouTube channel, Spanish Fun for Juniors at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW4bMmnj6cH6_2dZX4WdPHQ

At the moment there is a lot of material from my last school, but I will be adding videos throughout the year so subscribe and be notified when videos are added!

This link is also great, particularly for Heritage speakers of Spanish (but other students may find it fun as well):

https://spanishmama.com/spanish-resources/

If your child/ren speaks Spanish as a home language, please get in contact with me so we can discuss what your goals are for your child. Some of the things we do in class are more suited to beginners.

Breaking news!!

Today the multi-age students were treated to a visit from a representative from the Embassy of Ecuador, who spoke to them about the geography, animals, interesting facts and issues in Ecuador today. If your child was involved, please encourage them to tell you all about the visit!

Until next time, ¡adiós!

Love, Maestra (anne.mackelvie@education.vic.gov.au)

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