English
At the heart of all learning and an essential focus of Kindergarten is developing a student’s ability to read. Great attention is given to learning to read and write. Mudgee Public School uses Jolly Phonics in Kindergarten which integrates the teaching of listening, speaking, writing, reading and comprehension. The multi-sensory method has proven to be highly successful in learning decoding and encoding skills so that students go on to be competent and confident readers.
Jolly Phonics provides the opportunity to extend capable learners and supports those needing extra help to develop early literacy.
Teachers understand the value of ‘real reading’ and a literature based focus is an important component of the daily literacy sessions. The school has been steadily developing their resource base of high quality books for classroom and home use.
The use of Interactive Whiteboards in all Kindergarten classrooms complements
the development of literacy in a challenging and motivating manner.
Mathematics
Developing a strong foundation in mathematics is a key focus of Kindergarten teachers. The school participates in “Best Start” whereby an individual’s strengths and weaknesses are assessed at school entry. This informs the teaching of mathematics in Early Stage 1.
As well as following the individual strands of the NSW Maths syllabus, Kindergarten children at Mudgee Public School are involved in a range of maths activities.
In the area of number a daily program of ‘Count Me in Too’ is in progress. Activities can be whole group, small group or individually based.
The program is supported by a text book which complements the explicit and systematic teaching of mathematics.
Connected Outcomes Groups
COGs is a system of programming that allows teachers to link the learning outcomes between the different Key Learning Areas.
Teachers with the assistance of the Department of Education have developed units of work that are well structured lesson sequences that combine Learning Outcomes from Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), Science, Creative and Practical Arts and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.
Kindergarten Focus Areas
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 |
| Our Place | Healthy Choices, Me | Our Needs, Moving | Changes |
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
The school actively promotes physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. It aims to develop skills in movement, co-ordination and physical activity.
Children are taught fundamental movement skills, dance, modified games and a large variety of other sporting skills.
In Kindergarten, students participate in fitness lessons within their classes. K-2 classes participate in sport sessions promoting a wide range of modified games with an emphasis on full participation, skills development and enjoyment. These modified games include; cricket, touch football, athletics, softball and ball games.
For the last two years students from Mudgee High School’s child studies course have assisted Kindergarten with Sport, developing students’ fitness and skills in weekly sessions, supervised by Kindergarten and High School teachers. This has been a popular and worthwhile innovation.
Creative and Practical Arts
Art is a visual language through which aspects of our world can be understood. Our program comprises the processes of making and appreciating artworks and images so students are encouraged to perceive, respond, manipulate, organise and appreciate.
Artwork completed by students in Kindergarten is on constant exhibition so very young students are able to see the development of skills with greater immediacy. Their work is displayed in classrooms, and general areas of the School. Students’ work is exhibited in community art exhibitions and competitions and the Mudgee Show.
Music is an enjoyable part of the Early Stage One curriculum. Rhymes, simple and more complex songs enhance learning and teach children about beat, rhythm and melody. Singing to piano accompaniment is a feature of our weekly singing sessions and assemblies.
In the area of the Dramatic Arts each class is involved in an annual themed performance involving, singing, dance and drama.