Celebrating Japanese Children's Day

Last Thursday (the 5^th of May), the Preps celebrated Japanese Children’s Day. This is a day when families celebrate their child’s health and happiness.

The fifth day of the fifth month was traditionally called Tango no Sekku and was a festival for boys. Girls have their own festival, called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), held on the third day of the third month.

On Children's Day, families with boys fly huge carp-shaped streamers (koinobori) outside the house and display dolls of famous warriors and other heroes inside. The carp was chosen because it symbolizes strength and success; according to a Chinese legend, a carp swam upstream to become a dragon.

Below are pictures of the Preps celebrating with their carp kites.

S is for SUSHI!

On Friday, during language experience, the Preps made sushi!

After tasting the sushi, the students brainstormed words for their writing.

 Some of these included: Japanese, oishii (good), mazui (bad), rice, seaweed and delicious.

Me & My Family

Dear parents & grandparents,

This term the Preps are exploring the topic of “Me and My Family.” As part of this investigation, on Friday, the students will be writing about the differences between toys/objects from the past and those from the present. 

We are asking if parents or grandparents could find a toy/book from their childhood and either take a picture or bring it into the classroom by this Friday (13th of May). We will begin collecting objects from tomorrow. 

 Also, if you could have a chat to your child about any memories you have of using or playing with that particular toy/book. 

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this task,

The Prep Team

W is for Watermelon

This week during language experience, the Preps ate watermelon. They focused on what they could taste, smell and see. For example, some students said that the watermelon looked "juicy" and smelt "sweet". Students sounded out these words and then used them to make a sentence.

P is for pancakes!

On Friday, the Preps made pancakes. Language experience activities, such as making pancakes, are used to motivate leaners and make visible links between spoken and written language. The Preps brainstormed words about what they saw, smelt and tasted (identifying sounds they could hear in those words, for example pancakes starts with p) and used these in their writing.

Parent Helpers

Thank you to all of the parents who attended the parent helper information session last term. 

We have placed a calendar just inside the Prep room, so please feel free to place your name next to dates that you are available, we are able to have a maximum of 2 parents each session.

Just a reminder that all helpers need to have a current working with children check and must have signed our privacy policy

Thank you,

The Prep Team