Learning & Teaching
WRITING IN YEAR PREP
During Semester 2 we traditionally see students in Year Prep making the first steps towards independent writing. Teachers are currently working with students to identify individual writing goals. Some of the goals the students will be working on are:
- Writing the sounds we can hear in words
- Using a finger space between each word
- Using correct letter formation
- Starting my sentences with a capital letter
- Finishing my sentences with a full stop
- Writing multiple sentences
- Using ‘Wow’ words to make my sentences interesting
In the images below you can see the Writing Goal Wall from one of our Prep classes and some examples of the terrific work the students are producing.
YEAR 1 DANCE CLASS
Currently we have a preservice teacher Mr Andy Portelli working in the Year 1 area. Prior to studying teaching, Andy worked in the entertainment industry and is a qualified Dance Teacher. Last week Mr Portelli ran an interactive Dance Workshop with the students from Year 1. As you can see from the photos the students had a terrific time.
READING FLUENCY IN YEAR 2
Each term the Year 2 teachers assess the students for their reading fluency. Reading fluency is about a student’s ability to automatically decode words. To read effectively and with understanding, students need to be able to decode words effortlessly so that they can focus fully on making sense of what is being read. Reading fluency is a powerful predictor of overall reading progress.
In the images below you can see the timed reading fluency assessment being administered individually with students. You can also see students with their InitaLit work books completing tasks associated with ‘High Frequency Words’. Having instant recall of high frequency words is one of the skills required for fluent reading.
READING COMPREHENSION IN YEAR 3
The students in Year 3 are currently reading a novel, or what we might also know as a chapter book. During their Literacy Sessions, the students are building up their bank of comprehension skills, so that they can recall the information contained in each chapter, make predictions about the direction the story may take and then use all this information to develop their critical thinking skills.
As you can see in images below the students are using a digital version of the novel to recall facts from the initial chapters of the book. There is also some impressive handwriting viewable in the student’s work books.
TERM 3 INFORM AND EMPOWER PROGRAM
Students are once again working with our Cyber Safety experts Carly and Marty from Inform and Empower. Parents who attended one of our Cyber Safety workshops back in February will remember that as part of the program, students attend some online workshops each term.
A crucial part of the program is the “Parent & Carer Tip Sheet” that comes out every term. This information enables parents to have conversations at home about the cyber topics covered at school this term.
Download the appropriate tips sheets here: