Prep Information

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Powerful learningAt Mentone Primary School we will be taking your child on a journey of Powerful Learning. This learning journey starts in Prep! It will focus on ensuring your child develops the skills, knowledge and resilience to face the challenges of the 21st century. We will harness your child’s curiosity as a doorway to powerful learning.

On this journey we will have High expectations of your child to:

be motivated and have a positive attitude to learning  be curious about their learning ask questions stay focussed on learning goals understand what they are learning be able to articulate their learning use knowledge to solve problems and develop further learning set goals with their teacher and help monitor their progress be challenged and take risks be confident and resilient

This Curiosity and Powerful Learning Approach will underpin our Prep curriculum.

The Curriculum English

Mathematics Interpersonal Development- Restorative Practices

Specialist Curriculum Art

Physical Education Library

Performing ArtsIntegrated/Inquiry Units of Learning: Term 1: Who am I?- Me, Myself and My Community Term 2: Patterns Everywhere Term 3: Endangered Animals Term 4: Fairytales and Indigenous Stories

ReadingCAFÉ, MIOOW

Speaking and Listening

WritingPhonics, RWI,

Letterland, VCOP

English

Speaking plays a very important role in learning to read and write. When we can express ourselves well orally then writing is a much easier process.

We share our experiences during show and tell sessions. We share our learning journey during Discovery Time. We share our likes, dislikes and feelings during story time and

circle time. We listen for and replicate sound patterns in rhymes and songs. We learn to take turns.

Speaking and Listening

ReadingThe CAFÉ Reading program at Mentone is taught form Prep to Grade 6 and learning focuses on skills of:• Comprehension• Accuracy• Fluency, and• Expanding VocabularyIn the CAFÉ program the same language is used across the school, skills build from year to year. Students and teachers conference, set goals, concentrate on specific skills for improvement.

Three initial reading strategies we teach are:• Choose a good fit book• Read to self• Read and share with a partner

Reading at home:• Ensure your child is pointing to the words as they read.• Encourage their attempts to make sense of what they read.• Ask questions and discuss to check understanding

WritingWe begin the writing program by focussing on: Tuning in to the written language by modelling reading and

writing. The teacher models writing. Using a child’s words, the teacher

tunes the children into thinking about the beginning sounds of words, sounding out simple words, pinpointing high frequency words and using interesting vocabulary. They look at punctuation e.g. finger spaces, capital letters and full stops.

Copying and completing common phrases. e.g. ‘ I went to……….’

VCOP (Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation)

Fred Talk Words

Mathematics

Statistics and Probability

Measurement and

Geometry

Number and Algebra

Number and AlgebraIn Number and Algebra, we focus on developing

awareness of number and it’s important role in the environment and the world around them. We focus on:

distinguishing numbers from lettersnumber order and positionthe formation of numbersconnect number names and numeralssequencing numbers from 0 to 20developing counting strategies to enable children to

combine and separate numbers.

Measurement and GeometryWe relate measurement to the children and the environment around them. We tune them into language such as bigger, smaller, taller, shorter, heavier, lighter, full and empty. We allow children to experiment and explore with: liquids and solids through rice, sand and water play using informal measurement (unifix cubes, hands, feet)incorporating cooking into the learning programtime and days of the week.

Statistics and ProbabilityWhen learning about Statistics and Probability:

We focus on children’s interests and collect information, with the children to make pictographs.

We collect and sort information from students about common interests and occurrences such favourite food and eye colour, to enable children to see simple ways to represent information and begin to develop their skills in analysing data.

We discuss the likelihood of occurrences and possibility of what could happen. We use language such as impossible, possible, likely and unlikely.

Discovery Time

Links closely with Powerful Learning and curiosity.

• Open ended activities linked to Curriculum Learning Goals - 2 sessions a week.

• The children know the goals and are tuned into them each session.

• Each session 4 children are chosen to be focus children, 1 child is a reporter and 1 a photographer. They are given a focus e.g. Can you show me what you know about the 2D shapes? These children share their learning with their classmates at the end of the session. The teacher’s questioning is very important as it expands and encourages further learning.

• The children write and draw about their experiences. They are engaged, enthusiastic and their writing is AMAZING!

Restorative Practices At Mentone Primary School we use the Restorative

Practices framework to develop a restorative culture, building relationships and connections with students which will positively impact academic performance.

At the start of the school year all class members contribute to the Class Code of Co-operation.

Restorative Practices sees a move away from traditional behaviour management which focused on punishment and blame.

It empowers students to resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups.

Students have a voice and are involved in solving the problem.

Helps students understand how their behavior impacts others through respectful dialogue.

Restorative Practices

Daily Relational Circles are used in every classroom at the beginning of every day.Why? For students to get to know each other. Build classroom relationships Every student has an opportunity to be heard and seen

at the start of every day Develop emotional literacy Improve self esteem Build student morale Increase student confidence Have fun

Curiosity and Powerful Learning Information Session

Curiosity and Powerful Learning is an approach that Mentone Primary School is extremely excited to be involved in. We will develop and improve teaching and learning practices for the 21st Century Learner.

We encourage you to attend this session to come and find out more.

Date: Thursday the 17th of March Location: Mentone Primary

Thank you for being here. We appreciate

your support.