The Launceston Preparatory School - Newsletter 21st November
The Joy of Shared Reading: Bringing Stories to Life in Our Classrooms
At The Launceston Preparatory School, we believe that the magic of reading goes beyond just words on a page. It is an adventure, a gateway to other worlds, and a powerful tool for learning. One of the cherished traditions in our English classrooms has been the shared reading of a novel. For many years, this practice has enriched our students' learning experiences, and we continue to celebrate its many benefits.
Shared reading is a collaborative and interactive approach to reading that involves teachers and students reading a text together. This method offers numerous benefits:
- It builds community: Shared reading fosters a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. When students read together, they share the experience of the story, creating a collective memory that strengthens their bonds with each other.
- It improves comprehension: Discussing the text as a group helps students understand the story better. They can ask questions, clarify doubts, and gain different perspectives from their peers. This deepens their comprehension and critical thinking skills.
- It enhances vocabulary: Reading a variety of texts exposes students to new words and phrases. Through shared reading, teachers can highlight and explain challenging vocabulary, making it easier for students to incorporate these words into their own language.
- It develops listening skills: Listening to others read aloud improves students' listening and concentration skills. It also models fluent and expressive reading, helping students become better readers themselves.
Each year, our teachers of English choose a novel that they will read to the class. This shared novel is carefully selected to be age-appropriate, captivating, and links closely with the theme of the term. We do this because:
- It creates a common experience: Reading a novel allows all students to participate in discussions, activities, and projects related to the story. It ensures that every child, regardless of their reading level, is included in the learning experience.
- It encourages critical thinking (we always use our novels as the basis for our Philosophy sessions): A shared novel provides ample opportunities for critical thinking and analysis. Students can explore characters' motivations, plot twists, and the author's message, fostering a deeper understanding of literature.
- It promotes empathy and understanding: Through the characters and their journeys, students can explore diverse perspectives and experiences. This encourages empathy and helps them understand and appreciate different cultures and viewpoints.
- It inspires a love for reading: A well-chosen novel can ignite a passion for reading in young minds. By immersing themselves in a compelling story, students can discover the joy of getting lost in a good book.
We encourage everyone to spend time reading with someone else. Here are a few ways you can help make this happen:
- Read Together: Set aside time to read with your child. Discuss the story, ask questions, and share your own thoughts and experiences related to the book.
- Create a Reading Space: Designate a cosy space for reading at home where your child can read comfortably. Fill it with a variety of books that interest them.
- Talk About Books: Engage in conversations about the books your child is reading. Show interest in their reading journey and celebrate their progress.
- Visit the Library: Regular visits to the library can expose your child to a wide range of books and foster a lifelong love for reading.
From the conversations we have with the children at school, we know they love and look forward to each term’s novel. Many of them are able to tell us all the novels they have had each term in English and love discussing the ones that have particularly stood out.
This gave us the idea to use our shared novels as the theme for our Production this year. Each home group has chosen a novel that has resonated with them and their skit will be based on that novel.
We are so looking forward to our school families attending the Production as they will be able to share in the excitement and joy we all get from our shared reading at school!
Happy reading!
Mrs Harriet Thyne
Leavers' Camp Gallery - Carnacoo
Day 1
Introducing Alice Batten
This week, our staff member in the spotlight is the wonderful Alice Batten, our Early Learning teacher. A proud Flinders Island local from childhood, Alice has been an integral part of The Launceston Preparatory School community for over sixteen years. We are truly fortunate to have her, and in this week's video, we highlight her passion and love for our school community.
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Kinder Confidence
As our Kindergarten year nears an end, we are so proud of the confidence children are showing. This term, each child has the opportunity to bring something special from home to talk about. They learn the foundational skills of public speaking, including how to give an introduction and be an attentive audience member. We are continually impressed by how well each child introduces themselves, speaks clearly, and independently shares and answers questions.
Our hearts are full of pride for what our students have achieved during 2024!
Ms Rebecca Howard
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Visit from the Kinders
On Tuesday, the Kindergarten students came to visit Miss England and Mrs Cooks classrooms for a play with their Prep friends.
We are all very excited about our Jump Up, transition morning next Tuesday the 26th from 9-10.30 a.m.
Mrs. Cook and I will send a letter home with the Kinder students next Tuesday, and we will update parents about a catch-up session very soon.
Miss Nicole England
Philosophy
Camp Clayton 2024
Last week, the 4/5 students had an unforgettable experience at Camp Clayton, accompanied by Mrs. Thyne, Mrs. Freeland, and Mr. Payne. The three-day camp, running from Wednesday to Friday, was packed with exciting outdoor and sports-based activities, fostering both fun and personal growth.
Our adventure began with a stop at the Deloraine Train Park, where students enjoyed playing, celebrated Flynn’s birthday with a delicious cake, and took a quick break before continuing to camp. Upon arrival at Camp Clayton, the students enthusiastically set up their rooms, a task made more enjoyable by the ensuite facilities, which streamlined showering and toileting.
The camp activities were a highlight for everyone. Students tested their skills in archery, conquered the giant swing, climbed the rock wall, and played frisbee golf and GAGA Ball. Time at the beach added to the excitement, as students swam, created intricate sand sculptures, and collaborated on building a dam at the point where the river meets the sea. Even downtime was full of fun, with card games, a movie night, and bouncing on trampolines.
We were incredibly proud of how the students embraced the camp experience. They demonstrated politeness, supported one another, and showed a willingness to try new things. When challenges arose, they displayed great respect, resilience, and resourcefulness, adapting admirably to the situations.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the families for their understanding and support, particularly with the adjustments made to ensure the safety and well being of everyone involved. It was a valuable learning moment for the students to witness adults working collaboratively to address unexpected changes, showcasing the importance of teamwork and problem-solving.
These events are always planned with risk assessments in place, but their success relies on the cooperation of all stakeholders. Thank you to everyone for helping make this camp an enriching and enjoyable experience for our students.
The 4/5 Camp Clayton Team
Holiday fun!
Lady Gowrie offer holiday fun at three separate sites in their Vacation Care Program. Information for Youngtown this week.