Week 5

We’re at the halfway mark already, how quickly the time has flown by! It was fantastic to see everyone looking so beautiful and handsome on Monday for their first school photos.

We will be starting our Inquiry Unit ‘Responding with Wonderment and Awe’ at the end of this week which will take us through to the end of term. During this unit the students will be able to observe and explore many science activities to learn more about how things might work.
Some things they may explore are floating and sinking, yabbies, cars and ramps, juggling with scarves, musical instruments and shaving cream. It is essential that they have their art smock (labelled clearly with their name) so they may participate in all of the activities.

PMP
PMP (Perceptual Motor Program) provides activities designed to improve children’s perceptual awareness through motor skills. It enables children to become more efficient users of their bodies and it enhances their learning readiness. Activities include body awareness, eye/hand, eye/foot co-ordination and balance and ball skills.
We will be running activities from this program on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings until the end of term. A huge thank you to all of the parents who have volunteered their time to help us run this. It is only with your help that it can work.

Home Reading
Each child now has their Home Reading bag. They are a bright gold yellow and have reading record books inside (the Yellow Book). Please keep a daily record of your child’s reading in the Yellow Book. There are instructions on how to fill it in on the first few pages of the book. Please make sure you write in the date and title of the book every day.

Butterflies
We can’t believe the changes in the caterpillars over the weekend! Last week they were very hungry caterpillars and we could see them moving around and hear them munching on all the leaves. Over the weekend they have been busy preparing themselves for a phase of transformation called the chrysalis or pupa stage. This is where they are transforming from caterpillar to butterfly. They are stuck to the side of their container and not moving much or eating any more.
I wonder what will happen to them next. Do you think you know?

Notices
We’re still waiting for some notices to be returned
Please return notices to the classroom teacher as soon as possible for:
· Parent Helper Term 1 form
· Permission form for child’s image to appear in the newsletter, website or class blog
· Religious Education permission form – if this form is not returned it is assumed that your child is participating in the program.

Hope you have a fantastic week!

It's Week 3 and Home Reading commences. Prep F will be taking home bright yellow bags on Wednesday with their home reading book and READIT reading diary inside. Please read this book with your child each night. Give them as much support as necessary. Sometimes you may need to read the book to them first and then they can have a go. Sometimes you can read it together and sometimes they will be able to independently read the book to you. Just remember, make this time with your child a happy time and provide as much support as needed. Please write a brief comment each night in the reading dairy. As the term progresses so will the level of difficulty of the book that your child brings home.

We are now bringing the children outside to meet parents and I will wait with them until they are collected. On rainy days you are still very welcome to seek shelter inside as you collect the children just before the bell at 3:30.

The children's lunches look absolutely yummy and they really enjoy the fruit and snacks that you provide. We do have a policy about eating lollies at school. Very simply, if the item is for sale in the lolly aisle of the supermarket it should not be brought to school. Thank you very much for your cooperation in this matter. If your child is ordering an icypole from the canteen you should write the order on a lunch bag and the icypole will then be delivered to the classroom in an insulated bag.
Will catch up with you all next week
Carmel FitzGerald

Welcome to Week 2. The weather has either been hot or rainy, but we have all managed to survive. Prep F have settled in well and are quickly learning the routines. Today they have had their first specialist lessons. They should all come home tonight with lots to share about Art and PE.

Mr James Penson will be taking the chlidren for PE and Mrs Sylvia Ioannidis will be taking them for Art lessons. These lessons will be on Monday afternoon, so your child will need an art smock which will be kept in the Art Room. On Tuesday morning they will have their Italian lesson with Signora Di Sera. Thursday afternoon is Library time, so library books and bags will need to be back on Thursday. Remember books can be kept for a week.

Just a reminder about Wednesdays. They are all half days in February. Children need to be collected at 12:30. Prep parent teacher meetings commence this Wednesday and I am looking forward to meeting you in a more relaxed setting and finding out more about your child. So far we have had only brief conversations as you drop off or collect your child. Meeting times are scheduled at 15 minute intervals. Please sign up for a meeting time if you haven't already done so. Let me know if you can't make it on Wednesday afternoon and I will arrange another time.

Another reminder (Sorry, I know there have been SO many pieces of paper so far) - could any notices about photo permission or offers of assistance with PMP please be returned ASAP. From next week all notices will go home in your child's Yellow Home Reading bag.

Now, about these Home Reading bags . These will contain a book for your child to read independently or with some help from you. The books are very easy at this stage to get the children used to the routine of reading every night and changing their book daily. The Yellow reading bag will also contain the READ IT Home Reading diary for you to write a comment in each night. THE HOME READING PROGRAM COMMENCES NEXT WEEK.

What are we "growing" in Prep? They are only very tiny at the moment and are on leaves from Miss Box's lemon tree. Ask your child. The answer begins with a b.

Welcome to Prep F

In 2010 I am looking forward to teaching preps. The prep year is such a very special year. Children come to school with so many questions and with so much enthusiasm. In Prep F I will be providing a lot of diverse learning experiences and I will keep parents informed through this blog, conversations, meetings and through lots of displays, both inside and outside the room. From time to time there will also be information about prep F in the newsletter. Parents are always welcome to visit our classroom. With input from the children and support from parents I hope to create a flexible learning environment. As the year progresses my blogging communication will get better - pictures, colour, videos will begin to appear. The journey starts now...............

Carmel FitzGerald Prep F 2010