Early Stage 1

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There are 6 key learning areas that form the basis of the Kindergarten Curriculum.  They are English, Mathematics, Human Society and Its Environment, Science and Technology, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Creative and Performing Arts.

English

English comprises of Reading, Writing and Talking and Listening, with Handwriting and Spelling as substrands of Writing.

Reading: The children learn all the single sounds and begin to blend them to make words. They use picture clues and can predict text.  We aim to develop their sight word vocabulary and decoding skills, as well as to expose them to a variety of different types of texts and books.

Writing: The children begin by dictating a story and illustrating it and they then attempt to write their own story or recounts.

Spelling: When writing, the children are encouraged to listen for the known sounds in the word and to write them.  We also study word families.

Handwriting: The children are encouraged to use the correct pencil grip and letter formation to write all upper and lower case letters of the alphabet.

Talking and Listening: In Kindergarten the children are encouraged to listen attentively to instructions and to follow simple directions. They need to express themselves clearly and appropriately.  We play games and have news and topic talks to develop these skills.  Beginning Term 2 the children are given a topic each week for discussion including details of who, what, where and when.

Mathematics

Mathematics is divided into 5 strands- Number, Patterns and Algebra, Data, Space and Geometry and Measurement. The students learn through a variety of hands on activities and games and record their results. Some concepts they will cover are:

Number: to count, read and write numbers 1-30, begin basic addition and subtraction, group and sort objects, and recognise and describe halves.

Patterns and Algebra: Create, represent and continue simple patterns.

Data: Make a joint graph and discuss and interpret the results.

Measurement: Name the days of the week, tell the time on the hour, name the seasons, tell if something takes a "long time or short time" to complete, compare and order the length of objects, compare the capacity of containers and explore and compare the mass of given objects.

Space and Geometry: Name simple 2D shapes and describe 3D shapes using everyday language.

Human Society and Its Environment

This year the students will study the units of work called: School Days, This is me! and Meeting Our Needs. During Term 3 the children go on an excursion to Fairfield City Farm.

Science and Technology

The following units of work are covered in Kindergarten: Our School Environment, Sensational Senses, Living and Non-Living Things and Here Comes the Sun.  The students have a lesson in the computer room each week and utilize the computers in the classroom to develop their knowledge and computer skills.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

The Kindergarten classes combine for sport each week and learn the fundamental movement skills and to play games.  We encourage good sportsmanship, healthy fitness habits, safety awareness as well as to be sun safe.  Peer Support is held in Term 2, Drug Education in Term 3 and Child Protection in Term 4.

Creative and Performing Arts

This Key Learning Area covers Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Arts and Craft.  All of Kindergarten joins together for singing and performing arts activities each week.  The children also participate in assembly items and performances.  Visual Arts and Craft help develop their fine motor skills and are integrated in all Key Learning Areas.