Kindergarten Parent Information Session for 2013

1. Kindergarten Parent Information Session for 2013 Expectations for the first year of school.

2. Timetable Information • Library Day – Monday (library bag) • Sport Day – Thursday (sports uniform) • Art Lessons – pencil case with textas, glue, pencils. • Computer Lessons – • Scripture - Thursday • Assembly – Friday (odd weeks)

3. School Times • 8:30 – Teacher on duty • 8:55 am - School Begins • 11:00 – 11:20 – Recess • 1:30- 2:15 – Lunch • 3:00 – School ends • Please note: If your child is late or needs to be picked up early you must go to the school office for a late pass or an early leavers pass. • If you pick your child up late you must come to the school office to collect them and sign the late book.

4. A Day in Kindergarten • 9-00 – 10:00 – Literacy Groups • 10:00 – 11:00 – Big Book Reading & Writing/Jolly Phonics • 11:00 – 11:20 – Recess • 11:20 – 12:20 – Mathematics • 12:20 – 1:20 – Sport, Art, Computer, Assembly, etc • 1:30 – 2:15 – Lunch • 2:15 – 3:00 HSIE, Science, Social Skills, PDHPE Community Languages

5. Literacy Groups What is L3? Rotating Groups Literacy groups are taught in short, sharp explicit lessons of 10 minutes in both reading and writing. Small groups of 3-4 students work with the teacher on reading/writing tasks at their level. • While the teacher works with the small groups the rest of the class rotates around carefully selected literacy activities that target important reading/ writing skills and strategies. • Phonemic awareness, sight words, listening/reading skills, letter formation and recognition etc.

6. Big Book Writing Program Beginning reading skills: Beginning writing skills: • Concepts about print • 1:1 correspondence • Sound/letter recognition • Sight word recognition • Using pictures to support reading • Letter formation • Sight word knowledge • Spelling strategies • Finger spacing • Simple sentences • Basic punctuation

7. Jolly Phonics The Program: Expectations: • A fun an interactive phonics program that teaches all 42 sounds and diagraphs. • Multi-Sensory (actions, songs, videos and books) • Students learn 3 new sounds a week and are expected to practise the reading and writing of the sounds at home and school.

8. End of year Literacy expectations Reading Writing • Reading at or above level 10. • Understanding of what they read (comprehension) • Develop skills and strategies for reading unknown texts. • Reads known sight words. • Letter/sound knowledge • Phonemic Awareness • Independently writes a simple text with correct punctuation. • Uses known spelling strategies when writing. • Sight word vocabulary. • Correct letter formation. • Knowledge of text types (recounts, information reports, procedures etc) • Letter/sound relationships

9. Mathematics at BWPS • Three 1 hour Number lessons each week (addition, subtraction, counting on, number identification etc) • Two 1 Hour strand lessons each week (shapes, length, measurement, patterns etc) • Combination of hands on, written, group and individual activities.

10. End of year expectations Number Expectations Strand Expectations • Count to 30. • Represent numbers to 20 (pictures, objects, numerals etc). • Give number before and after to 30. • Model addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using objects. • Understands and correctly uses the term ‘half’. • Recognise, describe and continue patterns that increase and decrease. • Skip counting and counting on. • Compare and arrange objects by identifying length, area, volume, capacity and mass. • Name the days of the week and seasons. • Order events. • Tell the time on the hour (o’clock) • Use data and objects to create graphs and interpret data to answer questions. • Sort, describe and draw 2D shapes. • Recognise 3D objects. • Give and follow positional directions.

11. Homework • Given out Monday – handed in Friday. • Parents are expected to complete the checklist on the homework each night to support their child’s learning. • Homework activities reflect the content taught in class each week. • Reading Eggs and Mathletics passwords handed out approx week 6. Expected to access these programs from home as well as school.

12. Home Reading • Home Reading is an important program that supports your child’s reading. • 10 – 15 minutes each night. • Essential to practise the skills and strategies taught and used in class. • Make sure you fill in your child’s yellow reading log each night.

13. Reading Log

14. Reading Demonstration Level 1

15. Reading Demonstration Level 10

16. Assessment/Reporting • Term 1: Best Start assessment, Diagnostic Math test, writing samples, reading levels and best start tracking. • Term 2: Reading levels, Diagnostic Maths test, sight words, writing sample and Best Start tracking. (Reports to parents) • Term 3:Reading levels, sight words, writing sample, Best Start tracking. • Term 4:Reading levels, Diagnostic Maths test, sight words, writing sample and Best Start tracking. (Reports to parents)

17. BEST START • Provides information that supports teachers in meeting students’ individual learning needs. • Provides parents and caregivers with feedback on what their child can do, and how they can best support their child’s learning. • Assists the monitoring of student learning throughout the school years.

18. Best Start Assesses Why? • Student’s school entry skills and understandings in literacy and numeracy • Critical aspects in each area, as determined by research. • Best Start is inclusive. All children will have the opportunity to participate. • The Assessment will provide critical information for teaching and learning programs that meet the individual needs of students.

19. What skills does Best Start Assess? Literacy Numeracy Reading text Writing Speaking Comprehension Concepts about print Phonics Phonemic Awareness • Counting (numeral recognition and forward number word sequences) • Counting as a problem solving process • Pattern recognition

20. Communication • We believe open and honest communication between teachers and parents is important for successful student learning. • We will be communicating with you through notes, telephone calls and parent meetings throughout the year. • Please feel free to speak with us regarding any questions or concerns. • To make an appointment time contact the school office on 9790 6158.

21. Questions?