Foundation in focus 

Welcome back to Term 4 

This term we are learning all about...

Literacy

Reading 

This term we will be focusing on comprehension, questioning and understanding what we are reading on a deeper level. We will be exposing our students to a range of texts about the farm and we will be encouraging our students to read out loud with fluency. We will then touch on nouns, verbs, adjectives, synonyms and antonyms. We will cover a range of Jolly Phonic digraphs that are spelt in different ways for example or, au and oor. 

Writing 

We will continue to explore and write narrative texts making 

sure they have a clear beginning, middle and end. We will then move to exploring information reports and we will write our own about farm animals. Towards the end of the term we will move to letter writing and write a special letter to Santa. 

We will endeavour to hear our students read as soon as possible and assess their reading level for take home readers. Spelling and sight words will be tested in the coming weeks and certificates given for the levels missed in remote learning. Please encourage students to read every night and practise their sight words. 

Speaking and Listening 

In Term 4 we will be having students focus on speaking to the whole class about an experience or object from home. We encourage students to have a go at speaking in front of the class. We are learning about the difference between a statement and a question. 

This term we will be focusing on 

-eye contact when speaking to an audience 

-clear speaking and projection of voice 

-appropriate volume when speaking to an audience 

- confidence 

- answering questions

All students across the week will have an opportunity to speak to the class and listen to others and ask and answer questions. 

We will continue to encourage the 5L’s of speaking and listening. 

Numeracy 

This term we will be focusing on time, money, measurement (length, weight, volume) and division (sharing).

Lessons will include activities to help us learn are:

-Reading a clock and telling time to the hour and beyond

-Describing things we do in the morning, mid morning, afternoon and evening. Recording a timeline of events

-Comparing objects to see which is longer/shorter, heavier/lighter and holds more/holds less. Learning about capacity, length, volume and measurement

-Identifying the names and values of Australian coins and notes

-Using money for shopping transactions in our pretend shop in the classroom

-Sharing objects fairly with a group of friends

Students will be using lots of hands-on resources and many lessons will be outside and related to real-life experiences.

Inquiry

This term, our Inquiry focus is ‘It’s Alive’ At the Farm. 

Foundation students will be encouraged to learn about food and where it comes from. 

How does it get from the paddock to the supermarket to the plate? 

What do farms give us? 

What animals live on the farm and what are their babies called? 

What are the characteristics of farm animals? 

How are farm animals different from other animals such as zoo animals? 

What do farm animals give us? 

The Inquiry unit finishes up at the end of the term with students researching their favourite farm animal and completing an information report, oral presentation, craft and model of their animal. 

Learning about the farm and it’s role in our lives is a fun and engaging Inquiry unit.

Specialists 

This term, Foundation students have their specialist classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is important to wear running shoes and comfortable sports uniform on your PE day. 

Tuesday 

FAMusic and Japanese 

FBJapanese and Music

FCArt and PE 

FD PE and Art

Thursday 

FA Art and PE

FB PE and Art

FC Music and STEAM 

FD STEAM and Music 

Specialist Teachers

Special events 

October

Friday 23rd Oct

Grand Final Day (No School)

November

Tuesday 3rd Nov

Melbourne Cup (No School)

Wednesday 4th Nov

Foundation 150th Day of School Celebration

(further details to come)

Friday 27th Nov

Curriculum Day (No School)

December

Friday 18th Dec 

Meet your 2021 Teacher 

Term 4 ends - 1:30pm dismissal

Transition to Grade 1 

Teachers are beginning the process of transitioning students to be ready for Grade 1 at HEPS. There will be more information to come in regard to this. 

Parent / teacher communication 

Please continue to use the heathmonteastps email as a form of communication with your child’s teacher. 

If you need to speak with your child’s teacher please call the school and teachers will return your call when they are able to and not teaching students. 

If you would prefer a Webex meeting rather than a phone call this can also be arranged at a mutually agreed time.

Start and end of day drop off and pick up 

With strict restrictions placed upon staff at school, a chat over the fence and at the gate at the end of the day is no longer possible. If you need to speak with your child's teacher please email or call. 

The gates and times are also published in the school newsletter. 

A&B 8:45-8:55am     3:20-3:30pm    Gym

C&D                              Art

E-I                                  Villa

J-L                                  Front

M-O                              Car Park

P-R 8:55-9:05am       3:30-3:40pm    Gym 

S                                    Art 

T-V                                Villa

W                                  Front

X-Z                                Car Park

HEPS Priorities and focuses in Term 4 after returning from remote learning include...

Priority 1 – Mental health and wellbeing

Our highest priority is the mental health, safety and wellbeing of every student and member of staff. 

Priority 2 – Learning 

Some students have been able to more quickly progress in their learning in the remote and flexible learning environment, others have maintained their rate of progress, and some have, despite their best efforts have found it difficult.

Priority 3 – Transitions

Term 4 is a critical period. Students in Foundation will also prepare for a change of teachers and new classmates. 

A key focus of Term 4 will be to make every effort to ensure each of these end-of-year and beginning-of-year transitions occurs as successfully as possible.

We are looking forward to a fun term ahead. 

Foundation teachers 

Kim, Kate, Kelly and Michelle