Teaching and Learning

English

Students have been involved in a variety of English and Mathematic activities that prepare them for the introduction specific content areas which will begin in week 4. These have included:

Recount reading and writing.  These recounts have focussed on what student did over their holiday break. Students used the prompts: Who was involved? What happened? Where did the event take place? When did it happen?  to support their reading, writing and drawing attempts.

Shared reading experiences using big books, and interactive texts. Reading skills such where the cover is, where the title is, how to turn the pages, how to read from left-to-right have been emphasised. Shared reading is also used to teach decoding strategies. In many classrooms, especially our older classes, teachers have used sticky notes to cover up part of a word, and then had students use the first letter and the picture to figure out what the word says.  As with all reading, comprehension is a focus.

Pre-writing activities which focussed on getting students fingers ready for writing. They practised threading laces through shapes, threading beads by following a pattern and tracing over the wooden letters to practise formation skills.

Mathematics

Students have participated in a range of activities to develop and reinforce basic skills.  These activities have given students opportunities to explore basic number concepts, such as the counting sequence, one-to-one correspondence, number recognition, number combinations and place value. Some classes have had fun measuring themselves and other objects using informal units such as bean bags, paper clips and blocks.

Social Competencies

The Social Competencies program encourages the development of a range of skills and abilities that enable students to discover self-awareness, work cooperatively, solve problems and experience a sense of purpose and achievement. There is great emphasis placed on developing the skills of cooperation, care and respect for each other. At this time of the year in particular, the focus is on the importance of following section and class rules which supports the development of these skills. Along with this, students have revisited whole body listening, lining up when the bell goes, gathering resources for their learning and packing up equipment.

The assessment process has begun. Students are completing a range of assessment tasks that provide a clear picture of their  individual learning needs which in turn informs teachers about where the learning program should be aimed.

Kath Moore

Watsonia Campus Principal

OSHC Extend

Here we go again for another year! First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sadia Zahan & I have been working for Extend from 2014. Prior to coming here, I was coordinating at St Joseph Northcote Primary. I run my program based on children's strength & interest. I am excited to work with this beautiful group of children & look forward working closely with parents & school community.

Please feel free to give us any feedback, it will be really appreciated.

                                                                              Thank You – Sadia Zahan Extend OSHC