Prep Orientation 2012

1. Prep Orientation 2012

2. Our underlying philosophies… • Mistakes are a positive thing. • We learn by doing. • Unhappy children don’t learn. • Nobody enjoys stress. • Noone has a better job than us.

3. What our roles at the school are • Rachel- PRM homeroom teacher, Prep Jewish Studies and Campus Organiser ( timetables, calendars , payroll ,organisation and hiring of Sub teachers). • Bianca- PBL homeroom teacher, Prep and Grade One Sport and PRM Philosophy.

4. Program • Curriculum • Schedule • Classroom expectations • The perfect partnership • Questions

5. Structure of lessons. • - We maximize team teaching. Many Literacy, Numeracy and Integrated units are taught as a whole year group. This enables consistency and more teacher attention during group work. • -Differentiated curriculum: students work in small groups according to their learning needs, styles and abilities. Each group rotates so that they spend at least one rotation working closely with the teacher. • The first few weeks of school is about learning how to learn . After testing is done and students are ready a differentiated program will begin with students divided into groups catered to their learning ability and/or style • -Learning by ‘doing’: hands-on approach, esp. in numeracy, esp. semester one.

6. Curriculum- Literacy Reading Semester One Phonics, Phonemic awareness , rhyming , syllables and letters comprehension , enjoyment of reading and high frequency words . We will inform you of the ‘letter of the week’ via newsletter every forthnight. Semester Two Phonics , Phonemic awareness ,letters, blends, consonant diagraphs, comprehension , enjoyment of reading and high frequency words .

7. Curriculum – Literacy Points to be noted by parents for reading : • We introduce a new sound week, you will be informed in the fortnightly newsletter of the letter and ways you can revise this sound with your child. This week we have started the letter ‘S’. Next week children will learn the letter ‘ M’. • We will begin to practice high frequency words in week three. You will receive a pack detailing the program and suggestions to help you practice with your child. • Readers will start approximately week five – information on this will be sent to you then.

8. Curriculum – Literacy Writing Writing is divided into three focuses : Handwriting - students learn Victorian Cursive. During the year student will focus on formation , starting points of letters and writing on lines. We will send home an example of the correct formation of letters so you can direct your child’s learning Spelling - we use a phonic approach that focuses on encouraging children to listen for sounds and blends. In Prep students will be taught to ‘build words’, but not to spell sight words. Text types – we teach students different text types though out the year including recounts, procedural texts, reviews, narrative etc. There is a big focus on enjoyment of writing. We always focus on topics that the students find relevant and that they see has a purpose.

9. Speaking and listening The ‘speaking and listening’ curriculum is integrated. Philosophy focuses specifically on discussion, questioning and speaking skills. It is timetabled but also forms the basis of classroom question and answer techniques. Secret box- Replaces traditional ‘show and tell’ style program. One child takes the mystery box home each day. Tentitively beginning week three. No toys are acceptable at school at any other time.

10. Numeracy • Semester one and two: number, shape, measurement and space (eg. Left, right, mapping, locational langauge). Each unit is designed to build on the concept before it. • Each concept is introduced, practiced and consolidated. • There is little ‘pen to paper’. Children work with concrete materials, as research suggests this is a more meaningful and engaging method.

11. Integrated Curriculum • Term one topic: ‘All about me’ and ‘School has started.’ Designed to help us get to know one another and help the children adjust to school life. • Topics planned around the year level’s interests and learning styles.

12. Jewish Studies Points to be noted by parents: • Children are encouraged to bring Tzedakah every Friday. Please ensure it is stored in a safe place in their bag , not in their pockets. • Two children will be chosen each week to be Shabbat monitor. Their role is to help lead the Shabbat and bring in flowers or something sweet to share with the class. You will be notified via a letter in the green folder.

13. Assessment Every child is assessed in term one to determine their prior knowledge of key numeracy and literacy concepts. These assessments form the basis of their working groups. Information will be send home from the school detailing when and how this will begin.

14. Portfolios • Children are assessed ‘qualitatively’ so portfolios are an opportunity for us to collate and celebrate their learning and individuality. • Includes: • Photos, drawings, artwork, writing samples etc. • Designed to show progress over time.

15. Schedule • Drop-off: Children will line up at their designated area ( at the top of the stairs) when the bell goes. If they have not already hung it on their hook, they may line up with their bag. • No students or parents are permitted inside the classrooms before the bell rings. • Parents can not accompany children after the bell rings.

16. Schedule • Pick-up: Students will collect their bags and be walked to the front playground for collection at 3.30pm. • Parents and guardians are not permitted to wait for their children outside the classrooms. • Tuesday afternoons , 3:30-3:45 is “Open classroom” time. Please use this time to come down to the classroom to have a look at what your child has been doing in the classroom . Your child is encouraged to show you around their classroom. This time is for parent – child dialogue about their achievements. This begins in week four of term one.

17. Schedule • School starts at 8:45 am, there is a teacher on duty from 8:15 am • For the month of February parents have the option of picking up their children at 2pm or at 3:30pm. This allows students time to adjust to the transition from Kinder to Prep • If you are picking your child up at 2pm – please wait at the pick up spot at the top of the stairs

18. Schedule • Uniform: Children need to wear their sports uniform every day during Term 1 only. From Term 2 Prep will wear the new full school uniform. Long hair must be tied up. No jewelry or nail polish is to be worn. Hair accessories must be blue. Boys must have a kippah at school at all times. Please consult the school’s uniform policy for further details. • Library: Students bring their library book and bag on Tuesday • PMP: PMP will begin (tentatively) in week 5. • Year 2 buddies start next Friday

19. Schedule • Lunch: Students are supervised for twenty minutes inside during lunch for eating. Only fruit and vegetables can be taken outside during recess and lunch. Students are encouraged to have a water bottle with them. We have a no meat and no nut policy at the school. There is no sharing food at school • Play: Children will only be allowed to play in the front playground during recess and lunch from weeks 1 – 3. This allows

20. Classroom expectations • Students and teacher have devised and signed their own code of conduct. • Rewards: Research has shown that behaviour rewards need to be immediate, consistent and frequent. Children can earn star stickers for doing the right thing. Ten stars earns them a lucky dip. Another ‘non materialistic items will be introduced later in the term as students settle. There is also a big focus on teamwork and responsibility. Students will be grouped in ‘table teams’ and can earn points and rewards for their team. • Consequences: Failure to co-operate or follow the class rules will result in a consequence. Two warnings are issued from the teacher who will write their name on the board. After three warnings the students are asked remain behind at recess to work at a solution for the behaviour. Parents will be informed if the behaviour continues.

21. Classroom expectations • Independence and responsibility are big part of the prep program. Students are responsible for: • Packing their own bags, collecting notices, looking after their own belongings, changing their readers. • Kippah: boys are required to wear the King David School Kippah during morning T’fillah and before lunch. These must remain in the classroom and will be collected in a central tub and distributed as required. • And within the classroom many opportunities exist for children to take on leadership roles.

22. Sunsmart • Hats: children are required to wear a school hat during all outside play or sports. If they do not have a hat they will be required to play on the front veranda. • Sunscreen: it is recommended that children wear sunscreen. There is sunscreen available at the front office. Children are able to access this themselves as required.

23. Social learning A huge part of the prep curriculum is socialising. We use the following to guide their social learning: Circle time Social Skills program ( Socially Speaking) Philosophy Guided mediation (restorative justice)

24. Partnership. • Communication: Fortnightly parent newsletter (emailed) with curriculum updates and signposting special events. • All notices will be placed in your child’s reader should be returned in their reader when necessary. Students readers will be checked for notices once a day . Spare notices are available at the office. • Feedback or concerns: Please make an appointment with reception or email us any questions. We value your opinion but are not available during class time without an appointment. • Please sign up for an orientation interview ( 2 and 3 of term 1), to tell us about your child . Sign up sheets are outside both Prep classrooms.

25. Partnership • We endeavor to create a mutually respectful learning environment between student, teacher and parent. Working together this year is imperative to your child’s success. • Please assist us by doing the following: -Avoid interrupting classes. Early pick-ups should be avoided but can be arranged ahead of time. -Supporting behaviour management. Research suggests that when parents help to promote or discourage certain behaviours problems can be eradicated much more quickly.

26. Partnership Classroom involvement : • We appreciate and value parental involvement • We will need volunteers to assist on excursions • If you have any special skills that you would like share with the class- please advise us and we will schedule a time when it is relevant to the curriculum • Birthdays- you are welcome to attend your child’s birthday party at school. Some parents choose to bring in a small treat to share with the class. This is an option , not necessary. Please arrange this with your homeroom teacher ahead of time. • There will be many opportunities during the year for you to become involved – these will be posted in the fortnightly newsletter.

27. Questions. • If you think of one later , please email us.

28. Email addresses • Rachel. Machlin@kds.vic.edu.au • Bianca.Linklater@kds.vic.edu.au