Exploration Term One Overview
Dear Exploration families,
It has been so wonderful to see all of the Exploration students settle into school so well. The students have been developing their friendships within the classrooms and also reconnecting with friends from kindergarten outside in the yard.
We remind parents that students will commence their full-time week as of the week beginning Tuesday, March 11.
Below is an outline of the curriculum that will be covered over Term One.
English
This term in English students will be exploring the features of a book. We will be looking at the features of the book including identifying the front cover, title, author and illustrator. Students will be engaged in a range of oral language experiences to develop their vocabulary.
A big focus this term will be on developing the children’s knowledge of the alphabet, including identifying the letters of both uppercase letters and lowercase letters as well as the sounds these letters make. Students will be learning to write and identify their names in the correct form, using a capital letter for only the first letter and then lowercase letters after this.
Things that you can do at home to support your child:
- Practise writing their own name
- Practise identifying the letters of the alphabet, and also the sounds of each letter
- Reading books together and asking your child to tell you about the story/ shared book
- Encouraging your child to speak in a full sentence
Maths
In Term One students will be practising counting forwards in order as well as reading and writing numbers. During Maths sessions, students will be exploring patterns and the different ways to make a pattern including shape, object, movement and colour patterns. Students will develop an understanding of time by ordering the times of the day (morning, lunchtime, afternoon and night-time) as well as the days of the week.
Students will develop their language around time by using words first, next, last, before and after to describe events. Later in the term, students will explore a range of counting strategies to help them find the total amount. Students will develop their understanding of positional language by using words in front, behind, next to, under and on top to describe themselves and objects.
Things that you can do at home to support your child:
- Counting (could even be songs and videos) or (counting objects around the house)
- Practise writing numbers
- Using positional language in everyday interactions
- Creating patterns with toys or everyday items
Investigations
In Investigations this term we are learning about the theme of, ‘All About Me’. The Exploration students will be identifying and describing emotions. Developing their social skills and exploring the qualities of what makes a good friend. The students will be engaging in language experiences that will encourage them to communicate with peers using full sentences as well as listening to a range of rich literature texts about feelings. Later in the term, we will explore the theme of, ‘Weather and Seasons.’ Where students will explore images and icons which will help them connect visuals with real encounters with weather and the seasons. Including, seasonal calendars of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Things that you can do at home to support your child:
- Identify and talk about emotions
- Discuss what makes a good friend and show this at home eg. by being kind, using nice words, sharing
- Encourage your child to speak in a full sentence e.g. “Open” becomes “Can you please open this for me?”
- Discuss the weather and how to dress appropriately for the seasons
Religion
In Religion, students are introduced to the prayer table, who is Jesus and the cross. Together as a class students will develop a morning prayer and eating prayer. These will be practised every day while also practising the sign of the cross. Towards the end of the term, students will be introduced to Lent and Holy Week. We look forward to having a wonderful term.
Things that you can do at home to support your child:
- Ask your child what they are grateful for
- Have your child tell you an act of kindness they did for the day
Friendly reminders
A friendly reminder to parents that students need to be wearing hats in Term One and Term Four following our Sunsmart policy. Student hats are kept at school in their little lockers. This is to support students in developing independence in caring for their belongings. It also ensures that students can play in all areas of the playground. If you have any queries about your child’s hat being kept at school please see the teacher. We appreciate your support in this area.
Please be reminded that during the morning drop-off time, parents are requested to stand back and allow students to independently walk to their classroom line with their bags. This develops students’ personal capabilities and independence.
Communicating with your teacher
The best time to speak with the teacher is after school. If there is a discussion that will take more time, please speak with the teacher to make time to sit down and speak together. Seesaw codes have been sent home so that you will be able to see the work they are completing in the class. If you are unable to see the classroom teacher face to face, you can email them directly, emails are below.
Regards,
The Exploration Learning Community Team
Renee Clapton: Exploration One: renee.clapton@slweirviews.catholic.edu.au
Kyle Baboth: Exploration Two: kyle.baboth@slweirviews.catholic.edu.au
Grace Barrowcliffe: Exploration Three: grace.barrowcliffe@slweirviews.catholic.edu.au
Kayla Scott: Exploration Four: kayla.scott@slweirviews.catholic.edu.au
