The Boxes

Each box caters to the individual child, as per information provided by you. 

You will find 10-12 activities included, depending on your child’s age and scope of each task. Immediately, your child can take ownership of their work, filling in their name for Home School. Each box contains two week’s work.

Box I | The Independent Learner

For Grade 1 / Grade 2+ level: The child is an early reader, able to follow age-appropriate instructions and work independently for a period of time. Concentrates, problem solves and sees a job through to completion. Able to shape numerals and letters. Attempts simple addition with double digit numbers or more. Capable of constructing and writing simple sentences.

This box can be extended to whichever stage your child is at. In literacy, it can involve journal writing, reading comprehension, vocabulary building etc. In numeracy, there is work towards a sound understanding of the decimal system, firstly consolidating the teen numbers, then exercises and repetition of the four operations using four-digit numbers. If, and when your child is ready, fractions and geometry can be included. Culturally, there is an opportunity to study Australia and the world, flora and fauna. 

Example activity: literacy, numeracy and creative skills

Using very simple tools specified, found in your garden or the local park, your child will create a cardboard cafe. The task will involve drawing and naming the cafe, and writing up a menu with prices. Your child will practice addition through real-life mathematics using scenarios such as: 

1. Ella visits the cafe with her mum and they order …. (write the order, price and total price). 

2. Ella asks her mum if they could have her little sister’s 1st birthday at the cafe, they agree on three friends … (write the order, price and total price).

Ideally, once completed, your child will explain and present the activity to you. 

Box II | The Curious Learner

For Prep level: The child is starting to hear the first sound in a word, and maybe even read three letter words such as pot/ rug/ dog, demonstrating a keen interest in writing both letters and numerals. Instructions will be given in how to shape letters and numerals, using the correct entry and exit points. Activities develop an understanding of quantity to numeral, and practice handwriting of familiar words, commencing with own name and family names. Movement and gross motor skills are an integral part of the activities, as are many practical and more controlled fine motor skills.

This box ensures school readiness and more, leaving no gaps in literacy and numeracy, from learning to hold a pencil to forming and placing letters correctly on dotted thirds, and shaping numerals from at least 0-20. Organisational skills are practiced following simple 3- step instructions, staying with a job until completion. This box importantly also pays attention to life skills such as self-direction, self-reliance and a sense of responsibility. The value of contributing to home life cannot be underestimated, and activities are suggested towards building independence and confidence that will lead to further explore and understand community and social life.

Example activity: gross motor and fine motor skills, creative skills + understanding of nature

Find ten little sticks in your garden or the local park. Sort these sticks from the biggest to the smallest. Now use the sticks to build a nest; place the biggest sticks on the outside, and the smallest sticks on the inside of the nest. Fill the nest with autumn leaves, and find 6 small, round rocks that can be used a pretend eggs. Draw a mother bird to sit on the eggs. Cut out letters from the worksheet provided, and place them correctly by each object: ’s’ by the sticks / ’n’ for nest / ‘l’ by the leaves / ‘e’ by the eggs and ‘m’ for mother. Open ended play using the nest.

Box III | The Guided Learner

For preschool level: The child still needs your support when learning new activities, but once familiar with a task is happy to practice independently. The child shows great excitement in balancing and building body control, strength and coordination every day. Starting to demonstrate an interest in waiting to observe how a task is done, then practicing again and again with more attention to detail. Always moving, always wanting to learn in order to be independent of adult hands.

This box is for you and your child to learn a skill or a task together, then for your child to practice and become independent. A structure to your child’s day is suggested, including practical skills (helping in the home and garden), social and emotional skills (caring for family and friends) and physical opportunities to build confidence, body strength and resilience (gross motor and fine motor skills). This is a stage of learning, where your child needs to explore, manipulate and feel the world in order to understand. Language is encouraged in all ways as is educating and refining the senses, observing nature and contributing to practical tasks at home.

Example activity: gross motor skills, mathematics, hand-eye coordination + environmental understanding

Using re-cycled cereal boxes, containers and packaging, cut out and glue on the worksheet numbers 1-10 provided, one number on each package. Stand these individually like skittles on a floor, and try for your child to aim for one number at a time, calling out the number that falls over. A beanbag is supplied for the activity. 

For a new student, the procedure is as follows:

• Please make contact using the questionnaire (see below)

  • Upon receipt of the questionnaire we will arrange for an Information Booklet and Home School Box Form to be forwarded to you

  • If your child is in Grade 1 or above, the most recent school report is beneficial in the creation of your child’s Home School Box

• If you would prefer to speak directly with the teacher about the specific needs of your child, please feel free to make contact.

We understand that many parents are concerned that their child may fall behind during this time of distance learning from primary school. Every endeavour is made to maintain a high interest in learning, and especially to encourage self-directed learning, with any gaps and special needs attended to immediately.

We are conscious that many parents may be working from home, and especially for the older child, the Home School Box is self explanatory and independently based in its layout, calling for the least amount of parent assistance.

All questionnaires are kept private and confidential.