From the Classroom

Foundation

As a Foundation teacher of a few years, I am always excited to return to the classroom from the Easter break. Building relationships with the children, as well as strong routines and procedures have gained their confidence/trust to enter the room each day with a smile. And a of course enjoying a  “Good Morning” to start our day.😊

This term, learning sight words will have a stronger focus.  It will be important to practice these at home as well.  Encourage your child to write these for stronger retention. The Oxford Sight Word test is part of our June/December assessment schedule for your child’s grading in Reading.  However, these words should not take priority over reading their take home books in their blue plastics pocket. Your child by now should be confident using their index finger to point to each word as they read to demonstrate 1:1 correspondence. Please remember to sign in your books as a new Reading Log has been placed in your child’s pocket. Teachers use Reading Logs to assess homework practices which is an area assessed in the reporting process. It also demonstrates to your child the importance of homework/reading at home. It also contributes to a home/school partnership which we greatly value.

Learning 2 Dimensional Shapes, recording numbers and counting by 1s, 10s and 5s will be a focus. Missing numbers within the count will also be involved in our Numeracy sessions. The importance of writing the numerals 0 to 9 automatically, quickly and fluently is essential, so much practice will be given to this area. Revision of Days of the Week, features of analogue as well as digital clocks and sequencing events will be important.

A new positive reward system has been introduced and it involves a Golden Ticket which is placed in a treasure chest.  Each day a ticket is drawn and the winner scores 5 stickers, be first in line, sit in the bear chair during mat time as rewards.  We are still fine tuning the reward, so stay tuned.  At the end of the week, the treasure chest is emptied to restart the draw for the next week.

We welcome a new student into our room and her name is Lucy.  She is a delightful little girl with a very caring/gentle personality whose manners are impeccable! Super excited now to have 6 girls within the Foundation group.

Term Two is only 9 weeks and mid- year testing will begin late May for first semester reports to be written. We also have the Cross Country Run down in the bush on May the 9th, as well as whole school photos and the Mother’s Day Stall.  It is a very rich term filled with extra-curriculum activities. The importance of staying updated through the newsletter will be essential.