What have our Preps been up to?
Our Prep students have been busy, busy, busy! It seems like only yesterday that they started their schooling journey. From kinder kids we now have school kids who can line up, look after their belongings, read, write, count, add, play and get along with others. What an achievement in only a few months. We are so proud of their growth and would like to share what we have been doing with the DPS School Community.
Maths
In Mathematics the students have been working with numbers from 0-20. They have been ordering, making and identifying numbers. The use of concrete materials such as counters and number lines are an important part of developing their mathematical undersatndings. They have loved counting collections using the amazing counters donated from our DPS families. These resources have added an enthusiasm to our counting development. Our maths sessions are always busy and productive with students working within their zone of proximal development.
"I learnt that I can count on to find the total" - Jordan
"When I add numbers I make the number bigger" - Cindy
"Maths is amazing" - Nick
Reading
We love to read in Prep. The children are engaged in independent reading, listening to stories read by the teacher, listening to stories on EPIC on their ipads as well as participating in guided reading. They have learnt concepts of print and are beginning to develop their confidence when reading and responding to short texts. They are proud of being able to change their take home readers independently and watching themselves climb up the reading tower as they read each night.
"I can read lots of words"- Michael
Writing
'Bounce balloons B B B, Crazy kites K K K". If you walk into any Prep writing session you are bound to hear our Sound Waves chant being sung confidently by our students. The students are learning how to identify and write all of their letters and sounds with correct formation. This is tricky business! By using a systematic synthetic phonics program the students are building on their knowledge, understanding and application of our writing system.
"I like writing stories" - Sarah
MAPPEN
This term the students have been immersed in a topic called "Our Sustainable World". They have been exploring through their senses and learning the importance of looking after their environment. We were very excited to have Courtney from Bunnings visit us at school to plant seedlings. We are going to watch them grow and observe changes. The herbs and vegetables we planted will make their way into our sustainability garden once they have sprouted. We are so fortunate to have have built this community link with the newly opened Bunnings at Doncaster.
ICT
The use of information technologies in Integrated into our classroom program in Prep. You will find us using our interactive boards daily. Our document cameras also provide a fabulous teaching and learning resource. The children are always excited to use our Ipads to enhance their learning. they have been using Doodle Buddy to show their understandings in all curriculum areas. They also enjoy reading on EPIC and Reading Eggs and practicing their handwriting. By watching short clips of Hector's World and participating in class discussions we have been teaching students the importance of being safe whilst online.
YCDI
The social and emotional development of our Preps is always a priority. Connie Confidence, Pete Persistence, Ricky Resilience, Oscar Organisation and Gabby Get along visit our classrooms weekly. The students listen intently as the puppets the explain the importance of each of their values. These skills are often practiced through play situations and referred to in many classroom scenarios.....
"This is too tricky". "Are you sticking to it like Pete Persistence"?
"She won't let me play". "What would Gabby Get Along do"?
