News Roster Term 2

Please see below for the Term 2 news topics. Your childs news day will remain the same as Term 1.

welcome back to Term 2!

Well, it is hard to believe that Week 1 of Term 2 is already over! 

 

I would like to personally thank parents for welcoming me back. I am happy to be back! I know many of you may wish to discuss your child and how they have settled with me. I can say that the students have all taken the teacher change very well and we even had a visit from Miss 'S' this week. 

 

ANZAC Day

This week we held a special ceremony for ANZAC day. The students were very respectful and showed maturity during the ceremony. We buddied up with our older buddy class on the Thursday afternoon to make a wreath for the ceremony. Sonya and Qihang did a great job of walking it to the flagpole with the Student Councillors of Room 32.

TERM 1 LEARNING

In Term 1, the focus was on sounds and numbers (recognition and counting).

 

The Kindy ‘golden words’ were covered explicitly again, and it would be appreciated if parents could ensure these words have been consolidated and students can recognise them instantly. This will aid in their reading fluency in Term 2. 

 

It was our aim for students to have a grasp on their letter sounds and numbers to 20 in this term, as it is required as a foundation for our learning in Term 2. 

 

TERM 2 LEARNING

This term, we are starting to extend students’ skills and understanding of how sounds can be blended to make a word. We are starting with simple two and three letter words that are decodable (VC and CVC). Later in the term we will move to four letter decodable words.

 

We will be working through the red and blue sight words explicitly as a whole class. Your child's achievement of these words in their individual folders will be determined by their ability to instantly recognise the word in a range of formats e.g in a book, on a flashcard etc. Some students may be ahead of the "whole class explicit words," however, it is important that they not only learn to recognise the word, but also how to use it in the correct context in spoken and written texts. We will continue to support all students to work towards their achievements. Please ensure you are also practising these to reinforce and consolidate their learning.

 

In Mathematics, we are moving beyond basic number recognition and sequences. We will now be introducing students to the concept that a number refers to a quantity and this can be represented as a whole or can be broken into parts. This concept will be the foundation for teaching students to add and subtract numbers in their future learning. This skill can be quite tricky for some students and they usually need lots of reinforcing and encouragement in the beginning. I am happy to help you with the process we use and how to use concrete materials to support and consolidate the idea at home. 

 

 

Room 6 Updates

 And just like that, in the blink of an eye, Term One 2021 is done and dusted!

Thank you to all those who attended the Parent Teacher Interviews. I hope you found the session, and the information that was shared, to be helpful for both you and your child's future learning. 

Literacy

In literacy we have continued to revise the single sounds, and have started focusing on blending, sounding out three letter words and blending the sounds together to say the word. While we continue to revise our Golden Words, we have also started our Red Words List, and reinforce these words by reading them in short sentences. We continue to revise rhyming words and syllables (parts of a word) in daily warm ups and rotation activities. 

News

The news roster has been a great success this term, with all children engaging in the weekly news topics and presenting to the class. They have grown in confidence each time they present, and have made big improvements in their speaking and listening skills in such a short amount of time! Please keep an eye on the class notice board and class blog for updates on the news roster for Term Two. Remember, it is important that all of the children participate in the news program. If your child is away or they are unable to participate on their set day, they will be given an opportunity to do so on another day. 

Sight Word Folders

A reminder that sight word folders should be kept at home for the week and returned on your child's allocated day for us to review. Please practise these words daily and in short sessions. You could write the words onto card and place them around the house or play games like memory and fish. We kindly ask that you do not tick or mark off the words in the sight word folders, as this is done when we review the words with them on their allocated day. 

Home Readers

Please continue to read your guided reading books with your child and return it on the same day as their sight word folder. Listen to your child read their book, encourage them to sound out and blend words, and assist them if and when needed. You can also ask them questions to assist with them comprehension of the story...

Who were the characters? 

What was the...?

Why do you think...?

What do you think might happen next?

You can also ask your child to retell the story in their own words once they have finished reading. 

Library

Our library day is Monday. Please return all books on the first day of Term Two so your child can borrow a new book. 

Numeracy

In numeracy we have continued to revise numbers to 20, how to write them and counting collections. We have started learning to compare quantities; which one has more or which one has less, and we have practised counting on more/less and before/after in a number sequence. The children have been busy learning the days of the week and ordering key events in their day.

Science

While we continue to observe the weather and use language to describe the types of weather that we see and feel, the children have started to learn about the four seasons and each of the seasons' characteristics. We have drawn clothes to suit hot and cold climates and have discussed the different activities we can do in different types of weather. 

On Entry 

On Entry Assessments were completed in Week Six and Seven. Report Summaries have been provided at the Parent Teacher Interviews. If you would like a copy of your child's summary, please do not hesitate to come and see me. 

Term Two commences on Monday the 19th of April.

I would like to thank you all for a fantastic and productive term. I wish you all a Happy Easter and a safe, relaxing break. 

Room 6 Updates

 Welcome to Week Six- this term is flying by! 

The students have well and truly settled into the daily routines and are becoming more confident in their learning environment. I am so impressed at how well they have adjusted to life as a Pre-Primary student, each of them working extremely hard and putting 120% into all that they do.

Literacy

We are continuing to revise the single sounds and The Golden Word list. In the coming weeks, the students will begin learning words from The Red Word list. You can assist them with learning and revising these words by using their Sight Word Folder, which was sent home last week. The students have been practising blending- saying the sounds in three letter words and blending the sounds together to say the word. They are also reading these words in short sentences. 

News

In Week Four the students completed an oral presentation All About Me. The students all did a great job standing up in front of their peers to share the information. We have also started news, which will continue through till the end of term.  The students have been given a day to present their news and a topic that they will need to present about. This news roster is displayed on our class notice board. Having this structured approach will allow the children to further develop their speaking and listening skills.  Please help your child to research the topic if necessary and plan what they will say. The skills they should focus on are speaking clearly, using an appropriate volume and looking at the audience. 

It is important that all of the children participate in the program. If your child is away, there is a public holiday or they are unable to participate on their set day, they may do so on the following day. 

Sight Word Folders

Sight Word Folders have been sent home. Please keep your folder at home for the week and return on your child's allocated day for us to review. Please practise these words daily in short sessions. You could write the words onto card and place them around the house, or play games like memory and fish. 

Guided Reading Books

Guided Reading books will be coming home on Thursdays.  Please listen to your child read their book, and assist them with words as required. You can ask them questions to assist with the comprehension of the story:

Who were the characters?

What was the...?

Why do you think...?

What do you think might happen next?

Please return these reading books on Monday. It is important they are returned on time as a new group will be reading the book. 

Library Day

Our library day is Monday. Please place library books in their library bag and into the blue box every Monday morning. A reminder that students will not be able to borrow a book without their library bag and/or without returning their book. 

Numeracy

In numeracy, we are revising the numbers to 20, how to write them and counting collections. Students have also been learning to sort data and create graphs. They have enjoyed revising concepts and skills through hands on rotation activities, with some favourites being Snakes and Ladders, Spotty Subitising Spider and Catch a Critter. 

Science

In Science, we are observing the weather and discussing the symbols used on weather charts. We have created our own weather chart in class, to track the weather and discuss the changes over the week. We have started exploring the different seasons and their characteristics, and how these seasonal changes and changes in the weather can affect people in their daily lives. 

In Week four, the students engaged in an investigation on how clouds work using shaving foam, water and coloured dye. We will begin investigating wind and what the wind can blow in the coming weeks. 

You can complete the Cloud experiment at home with your child if you wish.

Rain Cloud in a Jar

On Entry Assessment

On Entry Assessments will be starting in Week six. A note went home last week regarding the assessment. 

I want to thank you all for the continued support you provide for your child's learning.  Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. 

Welcome to 2021!

 

Hello and welcome to Room 6's blog for 2021.

We would like to welcome all the students and parents to Pre-Primary, and a special welcome to all our new students and families. It has been an interesting start to the year with the school term starting a week later due to Covid, however, the students have done well adjusting to full time school and the busy life as a Pre-Primary student. To ensure your child gets the most out of the busy school day, please make sure they are getting plenty of sleep each night. Children this age still need between 10-12 hours of sleep to be able to function. 

This Blog will be a place where parents/carers can log on to see what is happening in Room 6. We will post photos of the students involved in different activities, keep you updated about upcoming events, and let you know what we will be focusing on in the classroom.

Parent Information Session

On Tuesday 23rd February at 4:45pm, we will be conducting the Parent Information Session. Due to Covid restrictions that are still in place, we kindly ask that only ONE parent attends the session. The Information Session provides you with valuable information regarding your child's year in Pre-Primary, and acts as an opportunity for you to ask any questions. We would like to remind you that this is a child free event so please organise alternative care for your little ones. 

School App

If you haven't already done so, please download the Wattle Grove Primary School App. This App allows you to notify the school if your child is absent, order from the canteen, keep up to date about upcoming events and receive the school newsletter. The App is available to download for Apple as well as Android phones.

Canteen

The canteen operates on a Wednesday and Thursday. Orders can be placed online, via the School App, or by writing on a lunch order bag which will be available outside the classroom on these days. Students can order for recess and lunch. Please note that if you are ordering using the lunch bags, you will need to write recess and lunch orders on separate bags. Pre-Primary students are allowed to order icy-poles and ice-creams on Thursday only. 

Library

Our library day is every Monday. Students must have a library bag in order to borrow books and are allowed to borrow one book at a time. Students can keep the book at home for the week and return it to class each Monday before their library session. Students can only borrow a new book once their book has been returned. 

Please do not hesitate to arrange a meeting if there is anything you need to discuss regarding your child. We look forward to working with you and your children this year, working together to help them become the best they can be. 

                                                     Dance Party 2020

Here are a few photos from our Dance Party. We hope you enjoy them. All the best for 2021.

We have had a very busy last few weeks with swimming lessons, dancing lessons and preparations for the end of year! 

  Swimming Lessons 

We would like to thank all the parents for your organisation and preparation in ensuring the children were ready for swimming each day. There is a lot involved in getting ready for swimming, traveling on the bus and participating in the lessons. The students’ behaviour has been exceptional so far. It is great to see the students’ confidence in the water and their swimming skills developing over the two weeks.

  Sharing a Hills Christmas

Thank you to all the parents who have donated to the Hills Christmas Appeal. It is wonderful that we are able to help those less fortunate than ourselves. There are many activities planned for the last few weeks of 2020. 

  Dancing and Presentation Party 

The students have been having a wonderful time, practising their dance steps for the numerous dances we will be performing at the dance and presentation party next week. Our Dance and Presentation Party is on Tuesday the 15th of December. The students may wear party clothes, but please ensure they wear school appropriate shoes. We look forward to celebrating the year by shuffling our feet and tapping our toes. It is unfortunate this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions on the number of adults in an enclosed space, we are unable to have parents attend. Keep an eye on the blog for the photos following the event.

  Class End of Year Picnic 

We will be having a Class End of Year Picnic on Tuesday 15th of December. The student have had the opportunity to order Subway. For those who haven’t ordered please provide lunch as usual. This is a student only event. 

  Ringing of the Bell 

Thursday 17th of December is the last day of school for all students. Wattle Grove Primary School has a wonderful tradition to farewell the graduating students with the Ringing of the Bell. At 2pm the students and staff gather near the undercover area to say goodbye. The staff and students from Kindergarten to Year 5 make an arch in which the graduates descend through. Once at the end, each Year 6 student rings the old school bell to signify the end of their primary school years. 

  Final Farewell

As the final term of 2020 comes to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and cooperation throughout the year. The journey that each child partakes in is enriched by the collaboration of both home and school. Your ongoing support with home readers, library books, sight words files, spelling folders, fundraising events and much more, all adds to the learning experience. We greatly appreciate your efforts and hope that you are as proud as we are, with the progress your child has made this year. 

 It has been a year that was very different to any other year and the students have shown their resiliency in coping with the many changes. Again, I would like to thank all the parents for their support in a year which has had unprecedented events. Despite the uncertainty at times, it has been a wonderful year filled with many memories of exciting learning opportunities. 

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our DOTT provider Mrs Moulin for the enthusiasm, passion and knowledge she shares with us. And an enormous thank you to Mrs Johnson for her hard work, organisation and thoughtfulness around the classroom. 

 Six weeks of holidays is a considerably long time for our littlies and we encourage you to help them retain the knowledge they have acquired this year by practising the essentials. Revision of the sight words, blends and number facts will help your child be prepared for Year One. Please encourage your child to write regularly and read every day for enjoyment and to maintain their skills. 

 Term One for 2021 begins Monday 1st of February. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay safe and enjoy your time together!

Mrs Nair