Foundation News
Term One Comes to an End.
It's hard to believe students in Foundation have nearly completed a whole term at school. Routines have been set, expectations are being followed and children are now familiar with staff, learning spaces and the physical layout of our school. It's pleasing to see students make an effort to get to know each other, include each other in play and form close friendships that will last for years to come. As we embark on the season of Lent, we wish every one of our Foundation Families a happy and holy Easter and a safe and relaxing holiday. We look forward to seeing all Foundation students happy and rearing to go at the commencement of Term 2.
A Snapshot into how Mathematics is taught in Foundation
Before teaching a particular concept in Maths, it is imperative we find out what each student already knows. We do this by getting each child to complete a pre-assessment task which can take on different forms. Teachers work collaboratively to assess individual student performance and results are entered into a program known as SPA Markbook (an online tool used by teachers in all levels at our school). The program allows teachers to analyse data, group students and identify cohort/individual student needs.
So what does the teaching of Maths look like in a practical sense?
Recently in Maths, students in Foundation focused on the topic of Location. Each student completed an assessment incorporating concepts related to position and movement. Once assessments were marked and data was entered into SPA Markbook, learning groups were created based on student performance. Areas of need were also identified. Following this, differentiated clinic groups were created focusing on skills and concepts needing to be taught. Some students in Foundation worked in clinic groups where they practised hands on activities using toys, allowing them to develop an awareness and understanding of simple vocabulary associated with location (in, on, under, around, etc...). Another group of students worked in clinic groups that gave them opportunities to interpret the everyday language of location and direction, use vocabulary associated with following and giving simple directions and apply their understandings by programming and encoding a robotic toy. A third group of students worked in clinic groups where they had to give and follow multi-step directions using different tools/resources and apply skills to create and build online coding sequences. As you can see from the photo gallery, students were extremely engaged as their learning was personalised and individual learning needs were met.
Finally, once a unit of Maths has been taught, students are given a post assessment. It is important to note when post testing students, we are assessing their understandings based on their long term memory. Each individual student's growth is noted again, using Markbook. Plans are then made for future teaching.
The Season of Lent in Foundation
The students in Foundation learnt about the types of promises we can make during the season of Lent. We discussed the meaning of Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving and Penance and the students all made a special promise for Lent.
Parent Helpers
Parent helpers will commence during Reading and Writing Sessions next term. If you would like to help, please complete the attached form and have your child return it to school before the end of the week. Thank you to parents who have already volunteered their services. A Parent Helper Timetable will be posted in due course.
Week 8 & 9 Learning Intentions
Open the attachment to find out what students will be learning during the final 2 weeks in Term One.
Week 8 & 9 Timetable
Find out what's happening during the final 2 weeks in Term One.
Important Dates
* Catholic Education Week- "The Future is Listening”, 15th March to 22nd March.
* Harmony Week-"Picture a World in Harmony" 15th March to 21st March.
*Saint Patrick's Day 17th March.
* Students finish school at 1:00pm Friday 27th March.
*Earth Hour- Saturday 28th March
Contact Details
Lorraine Uzunovski uzul@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
Jackie Moloney jmoloney@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
Melanie Pizzonia mpizzonia@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
Please note, we will respond to emails Monday- Friday, between the hours of 8am and 5pm.