Prep

Literacy 

In literacy, the Preps have listened and responded to the story Wombat Stew. We have been discussing the characters, the setting and exploring the meaning of various words in the story. After reading the story, the students sorted different objects into two categories natural and man-made materials. Then they investigated and discussed man-made and natural materials inside and outside the classroom. They also went on a scavenger hunt in the playground to gather natural materials to make Prep stew. 

Maths in Prep

The Prep students are exploring and investigating the additive strategies of combining small groups of objects and partitioning a whole number into as many different ways as possible. It is evident in the classroom that the student's understanding of subitising has supported their additive thinking strategies. Using picture storybooks at the beginning of most lessons has provided opportunities to demonstrate additive strategies through storytelling and for the students to represent their reasoning and thinking. Some students have used story mats and manipulatives such as counters, animals and pictures; others have expressed their thinking through drawing, writing numbers and symbols. During each lesson, the Preps are encouraged to share their thinking with their peers, to identify if they think the same or different to someone and justify their answer. In our classroom, we value the students' voices and listening and learning about the strategies each person has applied. We provide opportunities to build and develop the student's mathematical language when engaging in dialogue with each other to explain their reasoning.  

The question below about Noah was posed to the students; for 10 minutes, the students were in the learning pit. The Preps were encouraged to show their thinking in any way. 

Here is a snapshot of their learning from this task; 

Moonlit Sanctuary 

On Friday, 12 May, the Prep students boarded the bus and went on an excursion to the Moonlit Sanctuary in Pearcedale. May, the Moonlit Sanctuary Educator, shared her knowledge about the various reptiles and animals at the sanctuary. There were opportunities for the students to touch a diamond python, a shingle back lizard and a bearded dragon. After watching the koalas munching on gum leaves, May showed the students koala poo, and they could smell the poo. The kangaroo and wallaby walk was the day's highlight for many students. Throughout the day, the Preps could observe and feel the features of various Australian animals.