Curriculum Focus @ Kunyung! :)

Good Day Kunyung Families 

Having worked in quite a few schools over a number of years, I have seen many similarities and differences in workplaces.  A similarity in all the schools I have noticed is parent interest and comment on a school’s curriculum. I think that parents, in general, really want to make sure that what their children are learning is the best it can be (Which is awesome!) and I love the fact that parents feel they can share their thinking with the school. (On that note, a HUGE THANK YOU for taking the time to see our school in action for our Student Led Tours- we were so proud of our students and their ability to articulate their learning to you all!) J

We really appreciate the feedback we get from parents and, always consider what has been communicated to us. Does it mean we can, or will be able to, implement every suggestion that we get? No………that would not be possible BUT in the crazy, busy place that a school is……time is always given to consider suggestions and look for possible ways to address ideas! Some solutions are quick and easy and others take time to develop plans for implementation, some are considered and not acted on at all. Please know that we have many hours of discussions and planning per week to ensure we have a well-balanced, rigorous and dynamic curriculum that will allow all of our students to develop and grow!

We recognise that we can always improve on our curriculum and there are many factors that influence this growth and development. Some include:

1. STAFF: We are our own worst enemies as we push ourselves to be the best teachers we can be- always reflecting!
2. STUDENTS: Another push to improve comes from our students! As they accept more and more ownership of their learning, they raise their expectations of what we need to provide for them!
3. PARENTS: Many parents communicate with us the areas they would like to see lifted or focussed on and their thoughts, feelings and questions about what we are teaching.

A couple of areas of focus being developed, as a result of student, teacher and parental feedback, include our School’s Spelling Program and Sustainability @ Kunyung Initiative.

Spelling @ Kunyung

All classes have outlined their current spelling practices in Level Teams and have decided to make spelling (as part of writing) an enhanced focus for 2015 and beyond. As well as maintaining current evidence based practice, we have discussed ways to further develop our spelling program. We want improved spelling results that can be evidenced in student writing not just improved results in isolated spelling tests.

We have decided that all students- particularly Years 1-4 will be using the online program Spellodrome for homework, as a way to support our classroom focus. We would really appreciate parental support at home to help us really lift our students spelling and the quality of their writing as a result. Each class teacher will be outlining their expectation for weekly spelling homework and information will also be available on the Kunyung Level Team Blogs.

Sustainability @ Kunyung

In the coming weeks the KEAST/I See I Care Team will be launching our Sustainability @ Kunyung Program. Dave Walker is our KEAST Teacher and he is going to be supported by Jenny Mann from Bunnings, Lucy (Noah’s mum JM) and Alison (April’s mum JI) to launch our program. We will be looking at ways to authentically link to our Units of Inquiry and make our changes sustainable:

Term 3 Units of Inquiry with a possible Sustainability Link:

PREPS

CENTRAL IDEA

Living things share resources in order to survive and grow

JUNIORS

CENTRAL IDEA

Earth’s resources including water are used in a variety of ways

MIDDLES

CENTRAL IDEA

Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity

Our new program may involve activities like (These tasks will be determined by the students so are only a guide at this stage):

1. The election/choice of 2 ‘eco monitors’ from each class.
2. A composting process in each class
3. Development of kitchen gardens
4. Active use of worms farms and composting bins
5. Work on reducing the ‘litter’ in the yard/Nude Food
6. Designing signs to promote respecting our facilities ie. Toilets

Our Units of Inquiry look something like this for the rest of Term 2…………………..the Preps and Middles are looking into ‘How we express ourselves’, the Juniors and Seniors are looking into ‘How we organise ourselves’ The Seniors have a focus on Entrepreneurship.

PREPS ‘How we express ourselves’	Juniors ‘How we organise ourselves’	Middles ‘How we express ourselves’	Seniors ‘How we organise ourselves’
CENTRAL IDEA People use symbols to be expressive and to communicate.	CENTRAL IDEA Systems are created to meet the needs of a community	CENTRAL IDEA Communication facilitates personal and global connections	CENTRAL IDEA Trading depends on the ability to produce goods and supply services that can be exchanged
AN INQUIRY INTO Different types of symbols Why people use symbols How different groups use symbols to express ideas	AN INQUIRY INTO The needs of a community Different kinds of transport work Transport connections  to the needs of the community	AN INQUIRY INTO Forms of communication   Barriers to communication Local and global Connections made with communication	AN INQUIRY INTO How trade connects people by providing for their needs and wants   Fair trade
CONCEPT: Function RELATED CONCEPT: Communication	CONCEPT: Connection RELATED CONCEPT: Systems	CONCEPT: Connections  RELATED CONCEPT: Communication	CONCEPT: FUNCTION, RELATED CONCEPT: Trading

Parents are invited to attend a short Parent Forum on Tuesday 9^th June @ 5.30 (In Kunyung’s Conference Room). The purpose of the forum is to provide input into our 2015 IB PYP Evaluation process.

Kim Jackson (Assistant Principal)