Dear Prep Families and Caregivers,

The Prep team have enjoyed supporting students through their first 11 days of school. We have already noticed a boost in confidence as the students navigate their way around their new learning community. The teachers adore their eagerness to engage in whole-class teaching and learning opportunities.

Have a read below to find out everything that has been happening!

Reading

In Reading, students have been developing their knowledge about concepts of print. To assist them in obtaining or extending this knowledge, teachers have been using explicit modelling techniques during modelled reading sessions. Our thriving learning communities have inquired into the parts of a book, how pictures help us read, getting our mouth ready to make the initial sound of a word, as well as, the difference between letters and words. Our incredible Prep students have been risk-takers by experimenting with, and applying, their newly acquired knowledge during independent reading time. All Prep teachers have been thrilled to see their students apply their thinking skills as they are using picture clues to decode words in repetitive sentences.

The Prep team would love for the students enthusiasm for reading to continue at home. As Saltwater P-9 College aims to promote a love for reading, we encourage daily reading at home. This can be done with the support of a caregiver or independently. Students may read a variety of texts including their take-home readers, books from their local library, magazines and newspapers etc, and application learning through Reading Eggs. After reading, it is encouraged that they are asked about their text to promote critical thinking and improve their comprehension of the text. Here are some example questions:

What happened at the beginning of the book?
What happened at the end of the book?
How is the character feeling? Why are they feeling this way?
What was your favourite part of the book?

Writing

In Writing, students have been exploring the fundamentals of being a Smart Thinking Writer, by using pictures and words to express ideas. We have been inquiring into the writing style of recounts. Using the 5W’s (who, what, when, where and why), students have been documenting their weekend happenings using detailed illustrations. With encouragement, students have been open-minded as they use some familiar words and initial, middle and end sounds to express their ideas. We have been modelling to the children correct pencil grip, comfortable writing posture, the use of our helping hand to keep the writing book steady and how to use the word wall to help with the spelling of familiar words.

At home, we encourage students to continue their writing practise using their special writing book. By revising their special sentences, children will create opportunities to revise the high frequency words they have been learning about in class. Not only will this support their writing confidence, as they will be more willing to write and spell familiar words, their reading development will also be supported as they begin to identify high frequency words at a more efficient rate.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, students have been exploring a range of classroom materials to demonstrate what they already know and investigate what they are curious about.

Following the Gradual Release of Responsibility, teachers have been working with their class to model ways in which numbers can be made. This supportive, yet flexible approach, has empowered our students to be creative with their manipulation of the materials as they work independently or in small groups. Our courageous Prep students have also had a wonderful time learning about location and the importance of language when describing location. Following on from class readings of the mentor text, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, students collaborated with their peers as they created oral stories to describe a journey that encountered a variety of different directions.

Reminders

* Students are expected to bring their satchel to school EVERY day.

* In the Primary years, school begins at 8:30am, with continuous entry from 8:20am.

* In Term One, it is required that all students wear their hats during recess and lunch. We kindly remind students to remember their hats.

* Prep students will begin using their iPads in Week 6, please ensure they are configured and are sent to school fully charged each day.

* If you have not done so already, please remember to bring in students' stationery packs.

Thank you,

The Prep Team

Important Dates