Angwin

Dear Families

 

The first week of term has been a busy one for the Anwinettes. And, although we have begun to discuss our new unit “Conversations in Colour” and continue on with our investigations around spices and Autumnal change from the Autumn program, the children have a new and dedicated focus! Flight! Our classroom has been taken over by a travel agency and aeroplane. This space has been so busy that at times it seems that every child in the classroom is somehow involved in the dramatic play, whether it be preparing tickets and answering phones or using the loud speaker to announce flights. Children have been busy preparing ipads, headphones and binoculars for their passengers. Passengers have been treated to guidebooks on their destinations as well as a lot of food for the flight! It would seem some of our children have had rich experiences on aeroplanes that have stimulated their creativity as well as their vocabulary. If you have any photos of your child aboard an aeroplane please feel free to e-mail it to Mel Bishop so that we may print it and add it to our dramatic play corner.

We have also begun to discuss Anzac Day. This can be a tricky and complex subject to discuss with young children and we have focussed on how important it is to help each other out in times of need and then to remember those who have been good helpers in the past. We read the book My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day  by Catriona Hoy and used some photos to simulate discussion and develop an understanding about what the children already know about the subject.  

“He’s a soldier” said Auggie

“I saw lots of soldiers on the telly and they were dead” said Aiden

“They got shot in the war” said Angus

“What is a war?” wondered the teacher

“There was a naughty man that wanted to take over the world and he kept doing it and they had a war” said Auggie

“They get lots of soldiers over here and lots of soldiers over there, like on Star Wars, goodies and baddies” said Aiden

“It’s armies” said Scarlett

We looked at some pictures from world war one and two. It didn’t look like the soldiers were having very much fun. The children thought it looked cold and muddy. We saw soldiers taking other soldiers to the hospital.

“We have a special day for remembering soldiers that got hurt and died as well as the soldiers who helped each other” said the teacher

“Anzac Day” said Angus

“Who is the good guys and who is the bad guys?” asked Angus

“Hmmm, that can be a very tricky question Angus” said the teacher

“I saw in Home and Away they remembered the army man that got shot” said Angelina

“I think that guy’s deaded” said Cameron

“You’re never reborned, that means you never get another heart” explained Harvey

“Yes Harvey, once people are dead they are never alive again. That’s why we try to remember them. Sometimes on Anzac Day we go to a ceremony and leave poppies to show that we remember” said the teacher

Look for our beautiful poppies and rosemary in our classroom next week.

We have also begun to make tracks in sand , inspired by Angus, Ashlyn and Caitlyn’s snail trails at the prep sandpit. Feel free to have a try yourself and see how it feels to make different trails and tracks.

Next week Mrs Rocca leaves us for four weeks to complete her teaching practicum. We wish her all the best and look forward to seeing Miss Emma Gray in her place.

Kind regards

Mel, Alex and Coney