NSW K-2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses

As mentioned in previous newsletters, all schools in NSW are implementing the reformed NSW English and Mathematics K-2 syllabuses. These syllabuses highlight foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Please find below suggestions about what you can do as a parent or carer to support your child in Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 in the area of English.

Helping your Early Stage 1 child at home with English

Reading fluency

Reading fluency focuses on developing a reading style that is smooth and expressive. Frequently used words are recognised straightaway.

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

*   using a steady speed and expressive voice when reading with your child

*   re-reading favourite books with your child to encourage confidence and instant recognition of familiar words

*   reading a variety of everyday materials with your child such as street signs, shop names, food labels or shopping lists.

Reading comprehension

Reading comprehension focuses on understanding the meaning of words and sentences that are read, while recalling information about characters, events and ideas.

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

*   talking about the front cover, title and illustrations before reading begins

*   asking questions about a story while you or your child are reading. For example, Why do you think that happened? or What might happen next?

*   drawing pictures together about the main events in a story in order

*   discussing the meaning of new words found in books and around your everyday life.

Helping your Stage 1 child at home with English

Creating written texts

Creating written texts focuses on creating texts that use knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation while using paragraphs to structure sentences and ideas.

You can help your Year 1 or Year 2 child at home by:

*   encouraging them to write about recent experiences. Some opportunities for writing could come from events such as birthday parties, school excursions or family holidays

*   helping them to edit their own writing if they have concerns about spelling and word choices

*   displaying their writing around the house to give them a sense of pride about their work

*   helping them post their letters, labelled pictures or texts to family and friends.

Spelling

Spelling focuses on using a range of strategies to spell high-frequency words as well as less familiar words for different writing purposes.

You can help your Year 1 or Year 2 child at home by:

*   showing how to use a dictionary to discover the correct spelling of words

*   talking about how prefixes, such as un-, re-, and dis-, change the meaning of base words. For example, happy/unhappy, play/replay and agree/disagree

*   investigating the origin of interesting words as you read and write together. For example, words such as triangle come from Greek and Latin origins with tri meaning three. Other tri words include tricycle (3 wheels) and tripod (3 legs)

*   discussing the use of contractions in texts you are reading together and how they can be used when writing. Examples include he’s (he is), they’ve (they have), she’d (she did) and I’m (I am).

POLICE VISIT 

Senior Constable Louise visited Mary Immaculate on Monday, 27 March and spoke to the children over two sessions. She spoke to Year 1 to Year 3 students about the need to care for property, wearing appropriate school uniform, keeping hands off other people and using our words to let people know about how we are feeling. She reinforced the message about speaking to an adult if you see someone doing the wrong thing or if you are worried about handling a situation by yourself. She also reviewed the school rules - Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and what they look like in action.

During her talk with Year 4 to 6, she spoke again about the school rules. She emphasised the need for boundaries and that touching others is not okay. She spoke to the students about the need to be respectful both in person (including the use of disrespectful gestures) and particularly when online. She also reminded the students that the police can become involved at any time if there are concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour.

It would be a great opportunity  to discuss these topics when talking with your children.

Mrs Lillian Del Giudice

Assistant Principal