Level 2 (Prep) News
Curriculum Newsletter
Welcome to Term 1. We hope that you have been settling into the routines of Prep and are ready for the Term ahead. It is wonderful to see the progress that the children have already made with regards to their organisational skills and adhering to expectations. We have also been delighted to observe friendships blossoming and see children shaking hands with confidence.
Please be reassured that we recognise that children learn at different rates and in different ways; we, as teachers, are continually planning learning tasks designed to meet the needs of each child. Should you have a concern, please contact your child's teacher via Compass email. Alternatively, please speak with us at pick up/drop off; our doors are always open. Making an appointment though will ensure that we are able to discuss any matter with you without the distraction of the class or other responsibilities.
The following Newsletter aims to give you an overview of your child's learning this term.
Please note that Prep will be in school 5 days a week as of week beginning 4th March 2019 and finishing school at 2:30pm until the end of Term 1.
Term 1 'All about Me'
Inquiry:
The Integrated Inquiry for this term is called ‘All about Me’. We will be learning about ourselves, our likes and dislikes, favourite things, who we are and celebrating how we are all unique. We will be looking at the similarities and differences in our class by comparing ourselves to our classmates, as well as discussing our families. As part of this unit we will be participating in different incursions to learn how to be independent, such as by tying shoelaces and brushing our teeth. We will also be celebrating ourselves with the exciting excursion, ‘Marvellous Me’!
Literacy
In Reading this term, children are exploring concepts of print through nursery rhymes and traditional tales. Children will listen to, read and role play different nursery rhymes. They will also invent new versions based on rhyming patterns and their growing vocabulary. Children are learning the expectations during reading and building their independent reading stamina. We encourage families to visit their local library, local bookshops and read together with their child as much as possible.
In Writing, children are learning to express their ideas using 'Kid Writing' strategies that allows them to experience success. We are developing children’s fine motor and pre-writing skills through hands on activities. Students will write about their weekends or special events so we encourage families to support at home by talking about your weekend prior to Monday to help develop children’s vocabulary and ideas.
Maths
During Term 1, students will be developing their awareness and knowledge of place value through counting, ordering, identifying and making numbers to 20. Students will have opportunities to use concrete materials, including teddy bears, counters, blocks etc. to show their understanding and aid their ability to explain their thinking. Students’ learning will be linked to real life examples to support them to make connections and access their prior knowledge.
Parents are encouraged to support their child at home by exploring Maths in their daily lives. For example, on the way to and from school each day, explore Maths that you see and experience, including house numbers, shopping, how long events take, how many cars, colours, tram timetables, shapes in the environment etc. Students are also encouraged to practise counting, reading and writing numbers.
Social and Emotional Learning
At South Melbourne Primary School, students are encouraged and expected to demonstrate our Big 10 Essential Habits:
- Follow teacher directions all the way, right away.
- Use quiet voices, respectful tone, and appropriate language in and out of class.
- Be safe around others- keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Remain “SET” during class. (Sit up, Engage in the lesson, Track the speaker).
- Use time effectively; focus on learning, don’t call out or distract others.
- Keep personal and work spaces tidy and organised.
- Smile and use your manners.
- Get along with others; be helpful, kind and caring.
- Try hard all the time even when it is challenging.
- Embraces mistakes as opportunities to learn.
By following these essential habits, we create a productive, supportive and stimulating learning space. Students in Grade Prep have already begun to explore these during Circle Solutions.
We will also learn about the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of regulation help us to categorise our emotions into four coloured categories:
Blue Zone = When we are in this Zone, we may be described as tired, sick, bored or sad.
Green Zone = When we are in this Zone, we may be described as calm, happy, focused, feeling okay, ready to learn and content.
Yellow Zone = When we are in this Zone, we may experience stress, frustration, anxiety, silliness, nervousness, inattention and worry. We may have lost some self-control.
Red Zone = When we are in this Zone, we may feel anger, rage, explosive behaviour, grief, and panic. We may have lost our self-control entirely.
As part of our Circle Solutions, we will learn how to use the zones to self-regulate our bodies through identifying and understanding our feelings. We will also identify the physical behaviours associated with our feelings and will begin to recognise the triggers that cause us to feel unregulated.
Key Dates to remember
- Monday 4th March- Preps begin 5 day week
- Monday 11th March- Labour Day Holiday
- Wednesday 13th March- Prep Information Evening. Specialist fair 6:30-7pm; Presentation 7pm
- Wednesday March 27th- Teddy Bears Picnic 1:30pm
- Friday 5th April- Last day of Term. School finishes at 2:30pm
- Term 2 begins Tuesday 23rd April. Please note that as of Term 2 Preps will stay at school until 3:10pm