Helen Maynard – Director of Studies K-6

Deepening Thinking – A Parent Guide

Part 2 

Here is the continuation of tips for deepening thinking with your child/ren.  Be creative and adapt ideas according to your child’s interests and passions.

CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is the ongoing search for valid and reliable knowledge to guide beliefs, decisions, and actions.

Tip for Parents: 

• Promote children’s curiosity – model interest in the world around you. Stimulate your child with open-ended questions. Use the Library!
• With older children, help them evaluate ads on television, asking them if they think a claim on an advertisement is true and how they would find out.
• Ask questions that lack a single correct answer, and ask them casually, rather than quizzing your child.
• If your child is interested in social issues, then engage him or her in thoughtful discussions about them.
• Parents can demonstrate critical thinking by pondering aloud the most efficient way to do household chores, considering the most economical purchase to make at the grocery store, monitoring your progress toward your personal goals, or approaching social issues in your community. Describing how you think and solve problems is the best way for you to instill similar thinking patterns in your children.

TAKING ON CHALLENGES

Life is full of stresses and challenges. Children who are willing to take on challenges (instead of avoiding them) do better in school and in life.

Tip for Parents: 

• Instead of praising children’s personalities (“you are so smart” or “athletic”), praise their efforts or strategies (“you worked hard to find the right piece of the puzzle”). 
• Provide situations where children are put outside their comfort zone – outdoor pursuits, cultural activities etc.

SELF-DIRECTED, ENGAGED LEARNING

It is through learning that we can realise our potential.  As the world changes, so can we, for as long as we live – as long as we learn.

Tip for Parents:

• Help your child make plans – be it social or related to a school assignment.

Ask your child to evaluate those plans – how did they work out and what might they change next time? This helps children take responsibility for what they do and what they are learning.

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary

Music Camp and Concert

This week’s music camp was a wonderful success with many Emanuel students involved in playing and singing from a huge repertoire. This is an amazing opportunity for the students to focus on their music and immerse themselves in rehearsals and performances. Thank you to all the teachers and staff involved in the planning and running of both the camp and concert.  We appreciate the effort that goes into organising these opportunities.

Sport and Recreation Camp

This year’s camp for Years 3, 4 and 5 will be held at the Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre from 6-8 September.  More information will be available on the parent portal early next term. I remind parents that all three grades will be attending the camp for two nights and three days.

Upcoming Dates

• 12 June: Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday, school closed
• 14 June: Y5 & 6 Maths Olympiad 2
• 15 June: Y4-6 Before School sport training
• 15 June: CIS Cross Country, Eastern Creek Raceway
• 16 June: Y6 Light Incursion
• 16 June: Y2 Our Big Kitchen excursion
• 16 June: Emanuel Cup Debating Competition Round 2
• 16 June: JNSW Interschool Chess Competition
• 19 June: Y7 2018 Showcase, 7:00-8:30pm Lehrer Family Multi Purpose Hall
• 20 June: Year 5 Science Day
• 21 June: Netball Cup, Heffron Park
• 21 June: Chess Competition, Bellevue Hill Public School
• 22 June: Y4-6 Before School sport training
• 22 June: Y4 Pathways Ceremony, 8:30-10:10am Lehrer Family Multi Purpose Hall
• 23 June: JNSW Interschool Chess Competition
• 26 June: Y6 Interrelate Evening, 6:00-8:15pm the Millie Phillips Theatre
• 27 June: Project Heritage Briefing for Historians 12-1pm, Primary Library
• 30 June: Last Day Term 2
• 18 July: First Day Term 3, Primary lice check

Term 2 K-2 Assembly Item

• 16 June (Week 8): 2T Class Item
• 30 June (Week 10): K-2 Music Assembly