Life in the Prep Classroom

In Prep at Willmott Park we implement a Developmental Curriculum which integrates best practice teaching and learning strategies that link directly to Literacy and Numeracy. Prep students are engaged in a range of rich learning experiences, based upon investigations and project work which integrate other curriculum areas such as Science, Humanities and The Arts. At Willmott Park Primary School we take into consideration the developmental stage of each child in all areas of the curriculum. Students are engaged in ways that respect and suit their individual stage of development and areas of interest.

Farm Excursion

During Term 3, the Prep Unit visited Bundoora Park Animal Farm. The children loved feeding the animals and experienced many aspects of farm life, including milking a cow, feeding the chickens, riding a pony and making scones!

We went to Bundoora Farm. We had our lunch there.

We made scones and we rode on a pony. We had a great time.

Danielle

I milked the cow.

Suleka

We made scones. I rolled the dough. 

I saw the goat. I fed the goat. It tickled me.

I am mixing the bowl. I am making scones.

Following the excursion the children’s interest in farms and farming grew and much of their investigation work focused on making farm animals, paddocks, fences, barns, farmers and scarecrows. The four prep grades worked together to create a wonderful mural along the prep corridor. What  a fantastic effort!

PMP

The Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) is a specialised physical education program for children in their first year of primary school. Its primary aim is to develop children’s minds and bodies so that they are better able to deal with the challenges which face them at school. This is achieved through a range of physical activities. These activities include exercises which improve their sense of balance, develop fine motor skills and practise using their eye muscles. Basic language of direction is also taught through PMP, using physical exercise to consolidate children’s understanding.

Physical exercise combined with language learning can help increase a child’s confidence. If a prep child is comfortable in their body, can hold a pencil comfortably and is not clumsy, they are in a strong position to succeed at school.