Scotch College

In Term Two the Prep boys are learning about the world around them in another new unit, ‘We are Scientists’. They will discover what a scientist is and what do they do. Through growing their own plants, they will discover what living things need and how to take care of them. After participating in a number of experiments they will become familiar with a range of materials and how they can observe their properties. By careful observation and discussion they will learn how daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect them. Further experiments will show how the size and shape of objects can determine the way that they move. The boys will learn about the five senses and use them to explore and observe the world around them. A major highlight will be the sensory walk, where the boys will walk barefooted through a range of materials.

In Mathematics we will continue to focus heavily on Number with the boys becoming familiar with the number names and words to twenty. They will also be introduced and taught additional elements of Measurement and Geometry as well as Statistics and Probability. Throughout the remainder of the year, the boys will be encouraged to use mathematical terms and to think, using clear, logical methods. Hands on and manipulative based learning will continue to form the core of our Prep Mathematics program.

Sight words will be tested as each boy indicates he has mastered his current list. Reading at home should continue to be an important part of an everyday routine. In the classroom, boys will continue to read various texts and picture storybooks in a variety of contexts and they will become more sophisticated as the year progresses. Thinking tools and routines, along with questions that encourage in-depth responses, will provide scaffolding and guide the boys towards deeper thinking.

This term the boys will be introduced to the Habits of Mind. Posters highlighting each habit will be displayed in the classroom for teachers and boys to refer to and act as a framework on which to share, discuss and build upon their thinking. The Prep Team will also use the habits as a basis for setting educational goals for the boys to improve their performance across various curriculum areas.