|
 |
|
Class Teacher – Mrs Jessica Buchanan
Dear Families,
Welcome Back! I hope you had a safe and relaxing Easter Holiday break. All of the children in Bowden made such exciting educational gains last term. We now look forward to a busy Term 2, filled with enriching learning experiences. Below is an outline of the term ahead.
Class Information Excursion – We will be going on an excursion to see The Gruffalo’s Child on the 6th May at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. Payment for the excursion was due at the end of last term, and the tickets have been purchased!
Public Speaking Competition – The whole school will be participating in a public speaking competition during week 5 (17th – 21st May). Children will need to prepare a short, 1 minute speech on a specific topic at home. Some students from each class will be selected to represent their class in the finals. A detailed note will be sent home shortly with topics for your child to choose from.
Homework- Homework will continue to be handed out each Monday. Please ensure that you fill out the ‘Reading Log’ in your child’s plastic pouch. This is so we don’t double up on home readers. Home reading is a very important component of learning how to read, and your child should be reading for at least 15 minutes each night. Children will continue to receive literacy and numeracy-based activities to complete each week. Year 1 children will also have 1-2 pages from the Maths Tracks Homework book to complete.
Sight Words– Kindergarten children are sent home sight words to play games with at home. The idea is that children can continue to learn words taught in class at home, at their own pace, with no feelings of pressure. Once a week (or when they feel ready), they read through these words, and if appropriate, and given a new set of sight words. The purpose of this approach is to encourage learning in an enjoyable way, as well as consolidating these newly learned sight words.
Library- Our library day will continue to be Monday. Ms Imseih will be teaching the students about literature and research skills. Students should bring their green library bag each Monday.
Sport and PE- Our PE lesson will be with Mrs Sprem every Friday. Children should wear their full sports uniform on Fridays.
Peer Support- The Peer Support program aims to develop skills in resilience, assertiveness, decision making, problem solving and leadership. Peer support will commence in Thursday of week 4.
LITERACY GROUPS- will be four days a week, except Fridays. If you are interested in helping out please fill out and return the attached form. This would involve you reading and other activities with a small group of children. All help is greatly appreciated.
Names- Please ensure that all items belonging to your child are labeled clearly with their name. This includes lunch boxes and drink bottles, hats, jumpers, purses and school bags. As many school bags look similar, attaching a familiar colourful tag or sticker to the outside of the bag is a good idea.
Toys– Children should not bring expensive toys or games to school. Anything they do bring must be labeled with your child’s name and is your child’s responsibility.
Visitor– Miss Gray is a student teacher visiting from UTS. She will be working and learning with Bowden for the next two weeks and we extend a warm welcome to her!
Key Learning Areas English – The Jolly Phonics program has proved to be an enjoyable and efficient way of learning to read and spell sounds. This program teaches the letter sounds in an enjoyable, multi-sensory way and enables the children to use them to read and write words. Kindergarten will be introduced to single sounds this term. Year 1 students will focus on the revision of sounds and the introduction of new sounds. This will lead into Jolly Grammar in Term 2.
Talking and listening- the talking and listening program aims to develop good listening and communication skills as well as encourage all students to participate in discussions. The children have enjoyed the topics for news each, and I have been impressed with their level of preparation and delivery! Notes will be sent that outline your child’s news day and topics for the rest of Term 2.
Maths - students will be developing their understanding of mathematics in the areas of number, space, measurement, data, patterns and algebra. The maths program we are using is Maths Tracks. This aids in teaching the mathematics syllabus and will be used in conjunction with a variety of practical, hands on activities to aid students’ understanding. We will be focussing on counting, ordering and representing whole numbers. We will also exploring 2D shapes, days of the week and patterns during this term.
COGS/Connected Outcomes Groups -this term we will explore how living things grow and change over time.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask. If you wish to contact me, please ring the school office to organise a mutually convenient time.
Thank you
Mrs Jessica Buchanan |
|
