Prep

English

Reading- Prep students will be focusing on the first twenty days of reading to begin with.  During this time, students will discuss and learn how good readers choose and care for books to help build and strengthen a motivation and passion for reading. Students will collaboratively develop a classroom library based on their interests and categorise books into sections. Students will learn about the expectations of take home reading and what to expect during our reading blocks, engaging in shared reading, read aloud, conferencing and buddy reading. Throughout the first term, students will focus on reading to understand a text.

Writing- During the first twenty days of writing, students will engage in language and shared writing experiences, developing their oral language and understanding that writing is a method to communicate a message. Students will explore what good writes do and  learn about the structure of our writing lessons, writing expectations and the writing process through think, talk, sketch and write. Students will also learn about our writing centre and the different materials available, which they can use after completing literacy tasks and during developmental play. 

Once the first twenty days are completed and the Prep students are familiar with the writing routine and expectations, we will engage in a retell/recount unit of work. During this unit, students will learn how to share a recount of an experience or story they have been read. 

 Mathematics

In Numeracy, prep students will be engaged in the 100 days of school routine. This will include keeping track of each school day until students have been at school for 100 days. Some ways of tracking the days include, using a 100 chart, counting icy pole sticks, marking a blank 100s frame, marking a calendar and counting unifix blocks.

Students will explore what good mathematicians do, understand the structure of the numeracy lesson and explore the materials on the maths trolley and how to use them to help them learn. Throughout the term, students will learn about pattern, shape and counting. With pattern, students will explore how to sort objects by different elements such as shape, colour or size, as well as learn how to make, copy, continue and explain which part of the pattern is repeated. With shape, students will identify simple shapes and sort them. With counting, students will learn how to count each object once, know that numbers are said in a particular order and practice counting forwards and backwards to and from 20.

Inquiry

During Inquiry this term, students will explore two different units of work. First students will be looking at the unit ’Learning to Learn.’ Students will have the opportunity to explore the School Wide Positive Behaviour expectations of Melton West Primary School and practice these behaviour in and outside the classroom. As a class we will be creating a classroom agreement based around these expectations and classroom routines.  Students will then be looking at the unit, ‘Squeaky Clean’. Students will learn about how to keep their body healthy and clean, through the exploration of what their daily hygiene routine should be. 

Attendance

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day –missing school puts them behind. We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. 

The main reasons for absence are:

Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference.

It's vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term if it can be avoided.

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is a school communication platform where teachers share what’s being learned in the classroom through photos, videos, and messages. Please see the relevant classroom teacher to get your unique code to gain access to Class Dojo.

ART

It has been wonderful welcoming the Prep students into our brilliant art room. Students began Term 1 by decorating their art folios using a variety of art materials. As the term progresses we will be exploring the topic of colour. Students will consider some of the ways in which colour plays a role in our experience of the world. They will learn about identifying the primary colours, red, blue and yellow, and create artworks inspired by artists who use predominantly these colours in their work. Students will be familiarised with the colour wheel and experiment with mixing primary colours to make the secondary colours, green, orange and purple. Some of the exciting materials we will work with include modelling clay, cellophane and paint. We look forward to sharing our artworks with you!

MUSIC

Welcome to Term 1, Music, 2021! In Music, Grade Preps are learning about the routines and expectations of the music room. This includes using instruments safely and showing positive behaviours. The topic for this term is Sound. Students will get to explore making sounds with their voices and percussion instruments. They will learn the difference between speaking and singing including understanding pitch (high and low). Students will learn about tempo (fast and slow) and dynamics (loud and soft) when exploring with their voices and instruments. Grade Preps will be exposed to many songs including nursery rhymes to support their knowledge of sound. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Welcome to Term 1, Physical Education, 2021! In PE, Grade Preps are learning about the routines and expectations of the gymnasium and using sporting equipment. This includes being safe when participating in activities and showing positive behaviours. The topic this term is based on building locomotive skills and students will work on improving gross motor skills such as: running, hopping, skipping, jumping and leaping. They will also participate in games that support these skills and understand the importance of following instructions and rules. Students will experience how to interact fairly with their peers when participating in group games and activities. 

SCIENCE

Welcome to all our Prep students! I am looking forward to seeing all the Preps in our weekly Science session.  This term Prep students will be focusing on the Biological Science strand. Students will be looking at the needs of humans and animals and identifying that both humans and animals need food, water, shelter and sleep to survive. Students will learn about what plants need in order to survive and will have the opportunity to observe growing their own seed.  Students will learn about their five senses – see, smell, hear, taste, touch – and will use them to explore familiar objects.  Throughout the term, students will be involved in many interesting activities, along with some hands-on experiments, which will provide them with a great introduction to Biological Science. This is an exciting term in Prep Science!