Prep Pipeline Term 3 - Mount Evelyn Christian School

Mount Evelyn Christian School Tel (03) 9738 6000135 York Road Fax (03) 9738 6001Mount Evelyn VIC 3796 office@mecs.vic.edu.auABN 19 775 686 269 www.mecs.vic.edu.auPrep Pipeline30 July 2013Dear Parents,Welcome back to school, for Term 3! It was so lovely to see the children so happy and excited,and full of stories about their holiday break. They all seem to have grown so much over 3weeks. We trust that you have had a refreshing break with opportunity to relax on occasionsand to enjoy time with your family and friends.Maths and LanguageThe children’s Maths and Language work will be very focused in the next nine weeks. Welook forward to the children continuing to develop a love of reading and books, increasingtheir confidence and ability as readers and writers, and working towards learning the first100 High-Frequency words.Core StudiesHere is some information about the focus of study this term.Week 1: WinterThis week we will think mostly about the season of Winter. We explore aspects of winter,such as the cold temperatures; the need for warm clothes; our desire to enjoy hot foods anddrinks; participating in winter sports, such as footy, soccer and basketball, or being spectatorsat such events. We thank our Heavenly Father for all of these things to enjoy, as well as cosy,warm fires and homes, beanies, scarves and hot chocolate!Weeks 2–9: Marvellous MaterialsWithin this unit of study our very young children will be reminded that, as taught in Term 1,God is the creator of all things, and he crowned people as the glory of all creation. We willalso recap Term 2 teaching that God placed people in families and communities to help andstrenghten each other. We all have the free will to choose how we live on this earth, and as aresult of the fall, we are continually challenged to remain connected to God and for Hispurpose for us all. As creative people we have used scientific and technological practices toimprove our lives, using our God-given creative abilities together with the natural resourcesaround us. We also have responsibilites towards being good stewards of these naturalmaterials and resources.This term we will be focused on finding out about the world around us. Throughout the termwe will discover, explore and experiment with the properties of everyday items and thematerials they are made of. The focus questions we will be asking are:• Is it living or non-living?• Is it human made or is it natural?”• What is it made of?To allow further discussions at home we have outlined the focus questions we will exploreeach week. We have some particular highlights and activities, such as a visit to Chesterfieldfarm in Week 5. (You will be advised more about this closer to the time).This term’s work includes some fantastic activities and is a very hands-on unit of work.Overleaf is a table detailing some of the special activities the children will be doing duringthis unit. Any items that need to be brought from home have been highlighted. You mightlike to start collecting the items now.

Weekly Topic Highlights and ActivitiesWeek 1What happens around us inWinter?‘Snow’ paintings and winter scene drawingsScience experiment; freezing water, then melting itto see how long it takes. Making steam in thefrypan.Making frost on the windows.Week 2What is it made of? Is it livingor non living? Is it human madeor is it natural?Introduction to materialssuch as plastic, metal, wood,wool, rubber, glass.Classifying and sorting everyday items. This termwe are focusing on non-living materials.Children to bring along: cut out magazine picturesof everyday things that are made of materials suchas metal, plastic, wood, glass.Week 3Is sand human made or natural?What is sand like? What thingsis sand used for?Exploratory play with sand, wet and dry. Fillingglass bottles with different coloured sand to make adecorative art piece. We have these bottles atschool.Week 4What things are made of glass?What is glass like?Words will be introduced suchas opaque, translucent andtransparent.Children to bring along a large glass jar to paintand make into a vase.Week 5 Where does wool come from? Excursion to Chesterfield FarmWednesday 21 August.Week 6What things are made of wool?How is wool changed to makeit usable?We are hoping someone will come to visit to spinwool or demonstrate felting for the children. Doesanyone have a friend or relative who would be ableto do this?Week 7Where does wood come from?What things are made fromwood?Children to bring along :a ‘show and tell’ an item from home that is madeof wood.Children should be prepared to talk about what theitem is used for. Children make hammeringcreations with wood.Week 8Where does paper come from?What things are made frompaper?Begin a collage farm scene using tissue papertechnique.Week 9How can we use materialsresponsibly in God’s goodcreation?Recycling.Collage farm scenes using all different materials andtechniques learnt about this term.

Excursion to the FarmOn Wednesday 21 August we will be travelling to Chesterfield farm for the day. We will have aspecial focus of investigating where wool comes from and hopefully we will watch a sheepbeing shorn, milk a cow together with other fantastic farm activities. We have spaces for fourparent helpers only, so please let your teacher know as soon as possible if you would like toattend. Other parents are welcome to meet us at the farm but unfortunately will need to payfor themselves upon entry.Junk MaterialsCould you please collect the following junk materials for use in our classroom? Weparticularly need:• Corks• Balls of wool• Tissue paper• Bottle tops• Snack yoghurt containersMusic and SportMusic and Sport are on Mondays and Thursdays. Please remember that runners and looseclothing are necessary for optimum participation for your child. Pants are preferable todresses or skirts. Thank you all the parents who regularly send their children appropriatelydressed on those days!LibraryThursday is Library day. The children can borrow two books in Term 3. Please ensure thatthe children have their books and bags with them on this day.Letter Sounds.Please continue to help the children to learn and revise all the letter sounds. It is throughassociating sounds with their written form that children learn to read and write. Children doneed to go through some of the sounds on the key ring everyday! Choose a few for revisionand also include the new sound for the week.We will introduce the following ‘multiple sounds’ this term, as well as doing plenty ofrevision of known single sounds. We will continue to add each sound as it is introduced toyour child’s key ring. Look for the sounds in text, listen for them in words when talking aboutsomething, on signs, in newspapers, and anywhere you find print.The children DO NOT need to bring along show and tell items related to the sound this term.1 Revision of Capital letters2 er ir3 ur ear4 Wor5 th th6 sh ee7 ay ai8 oy oi9 Revise vowels and multiple letter sounds

Thank you parents!Thank you for all the support that you give to us, and to ourPrep classes!Thank you for coming in to help change the children’s books,hearing their words, helping with small groups, or artactivities, laminating, making play dough, dropping in to sayhello, looking at your children’s artwork or their readingtheir last story, asking clarifying questions, etc. We are veryappreciative of your care!Spare ClothingThe classrooms would very much appreciate donations of any old tracksuit pants for thechildren to use in case of any accidents.Clothes Hangers NeededThe Preps have started work on mobiles and need coat hangers to finish their projects. Ifanyone has spare wire or plastic coat hangers at home your donation to the classroom wouldbe most appreciated.Parent Help RosterDue to helpers not being needed in PMP this term and some parents changing work hourswe need to confirm arrangements for classroom helpers.If you are able to assist with helping in the classroom please place your name next to“Helpers needed” in selected sections of the attached form. (A printed copy of this form willbe sent home with the newsletter on Thursday). Please return this form to class at yourearliest convenience. If you are happy to continue your current times for helping we are verythankful, and there is no need to return the form.Yours in Christ JesusJan Ormrod and Rebekah ClarkPrep Teachers13141pr

PARENT HELP ROSTER TERM 3 PREP OIf volunteering to assist please record your name in the applicable section below and return to class.If you are a current volunteer that needs to change existing arrangements please indicate the changes below and return to class asap.8.50am -9.00am 9.00am to 11.00am 11.30am – 12.50pm 1.50pm - 3.00pm From 2.30 pmMondayChanging BoomerangBooksChristine BattamsEmergency:Melissa TownInvestigations andclassroom tasksHelper(s) needed:NumeracyHelper(s)needed:TuesdayChanging BoomerangBooksEva McCartneyEmergency:Hayley SiegersmaLiteracy Groups/ otherclassroom tasksEva McCartneyPeta SchneiderNumeracyHelper(s)needed:Core Studies/ArtFortnightly:Bronwyn New Gabbi WillmottWeekly :Melissa Town (H/F Words)Wednesday(from Term 2)Changing BoomerangBooksMelissa TownLiteracy Groups / otherclassroom tasksMelissa TownNumeracyHelper(s)needed:Core Studies/ArtChristine BattamsLisa PeteThursdayChanging BoomerangBooksLisa PeteLiteracy Groups/ otherclassroom tasksHelper(s) needed:Newsletter and notices intoBoomerang bagsLisa PeteFridayChanging BoomerangBooksStephanie Van Den BroakLiteracy Groups/ otherclassroom tasksHelper(s) needed:Thank you so much for your help, it is very much appreciated.

Parent Help Roster Term 3 Prep CIf volunteering to assist please record your name in the applicable section below and return to class.If you are a current volunteer that needs to change existing arrangements please indicate the changes below and return to class asap.Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridayBoomerangBooks9:00amKaren GrantMichelle AllanJess WilliamsMichelle AllanHelper(s) needed: Helper(s) needed: Jess WilliamsLiteracygroups9.00am -11.00amHelper(s) needed:Numeracy11.30am-12.45pmCS/Art1.50pm -3.15pmKaren GrantNewsletterFrom 2:30pmNikki ThompsonKaren GrantElze De Gier