CURRICULUM EVENING

Junior and Senior Infants 2013/2014

AGENDA

Welcome School Times

Absences Curriculum allocated times

Main Curricular areas Learn Together Programme

Homework Lunch

Communication Farewell

WELCOME!Myself and the other staff of Wexford Educate

Together would like to wish a very warm welcome to all parents for the new school

year of 2013/2014. In particular we extend a very warm welcome

to all first time parents in the school. We’re sure you, along with your children will feel

right at home here.

SCHOOL DAY

The school day in Wexford Educate Together runs as follows:

8:40am – School door opens 8:50am – School starts 9:00am – Any child that arrives after 9 will be

marked late and how many minutes late recorded

9:30 – Any child that arrives after 9:30 is marked absent

10:40-11:00 – Small Break 12:20 – 1:00 – Lunch 1:30 - Hometime

ABSENCES All children should be in school everyday

unless they are ill. Appointments to outside agencies should be

made for outside school times where possible.

If appointments are for during school day the sign out book in the office must be used. The school cannot give permission for parents to take their children out of school

for holidays. After returning to school a note of

explanation must be handed to the teacher detailing the reason for absence. A phone call will not suffice as a written record is

needed.

CURRICULUM ALLOCATED TIMES Language English (4 hours)

Gaeilge (2.30 hours)

Mathematics (3.25 hours)

SESE Science

History (2.25 hours)

Geography SPHE (30 mins)

PE (1 hour)

Arts Education Art

Music (2.5 hours)

Drama

Learn Together Programme (2.30 hours)

MAIN CURRICULUM AREAS

English Phonics – Junior Infants - Jolly Phonics is the literacy programme that has been used in the infant classes.

This is a kinaesthetic programme which engages all

of the child’s senses to aid recollection and absorption.

- Starting off the children simply learn the letter sounds.

-As the children learn the new letter sounds they will also learn how to form the letters correctly. Please encourage the children start the letters in the correct place.

- The use of capital letters is not encouraged unless at the beginning of the child’s name.

- Tricky words – These are words that cannot be sounded out, thus the name ‘tricky words’. Junior Infants do the first 30 words. Examples include: the, go, live, etc.

Phonics – Senior Infants- Senior Infants also complete the Jolly Phonics

programme. They revise all the letter groups in the first term. In the second term they are introduced to diagraphs, blends and word families, etc.

- They children in Senior Infants are also introduced to capital letters and how to form them correctly.

- Senior infants will still do dictation however the words will be longer and therefore more difficult. They will also be introduced to dictating sentences.

- - Senior Infants do tricky words from 30 – 60.

Reading - The Oxford Reading Tree Scheme is available to

all children. They will be moved up a level as soon as one is completed.

- The emphasis is not only to be placed on being able to read the words but also on

comprehension, punctuation and expression. - Children are put on a level that is appropriate

for them. - The reader that each child gets home should be

read every night. It will have the pages for each night written on the homework sheet.

- These books are changed once a week by the teacher.

- Library books will also be available for children to bring home for enjoyment.

Writing-Please ensure that the children are encouraged to write as much as possible at home. Birthday cards, letters, lists, name on homework, etc.

-Also encourage them to use correct pencil grip and letter formation. Capitals should not be used in the middle of words/names or starting in the wrong place. Good posture in their chair is also very important.

-A writing bag will be introduced to the childrensoon and this will be sent home with one child each night to foster a positive outlook towards writing.

Maths-The strands covered in the maths curriculum

are:• Number• Algebra• Shape and Space• Measures• Data- This school puts a huge emphasis on

concrete work in maths, mental arithmetic and problem solving. One way to encourage the development of these skills is to allow the children access to mathematic ICT programmes and asking them to solve little problems at home.

- There is a list of good websites for maths games on the school website.

Gaeilge1.Mé Féin - Myself

2.Sa Bhaile -At home

3. An scoil - In school

4. Bia - Food

5.An Teilifís - The television

6. Siopadóireacht - Shopping

7. Caitheamh Aimsire - Hobbies

8. Éadaí - Clothes

9. An aimsir - The weather

10. Ócáidí Speisialta - Special Occasions

- In Junior and Senior Infants the children learn through spoken and heard Irish only. Many strategies are used but mainly puppets, games, songs and poems as it is all about fun for the younger children!

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

Visual Arts - this can be a very messy subject, particularly with Junior Infants! If each parent could send in an art shirt with their child, clearly labelled with their name it would prevent stains on clothes!

P.E – Junior Infants P.E day for the coming school year will be Tuesday (after the first term). Please ensure that your child wears a tracksuit on this day and appropriate footwear (no crocs, flip-flops or wellies!).

Games in school - During the year we will be asking for volunteers to aid with literacy and numeracy games in the classroom.

LEARN TOGETHER PROGRAMME

Learn Together is the programme followed by Educate Together Schools for religious education. The four strands of the earn Together Programme are:

Moral and Spiritual Equality and Justice Belief Systems Ethics and the Environment

If any parent would be interested in helping with

the R.E. Calendar or can offer input in any way,

please contact Susan in the office or myself as I

am the R.E co-ordinator.

HOMEWORK

In Junior Infants the emphasis for homework is simply to ensure that children have grasped all the basics for reading and writing that they have covered in school. The homework will usually be as follows:

Nursery Rhyme/Poem English/Maths worksheets Readers (after Halloween) Tricky Word Wallet Sound book Writing Bag – this will occasionally go home

but is not for homework, it is more for fun!

In Senior Infants the emphasis again is to reinforce what was taught in school. Senior Infant homework will consist of the following:

English worksheet/Handwriting Maths worksheet Tricky word wallet Reader (Level 2) Homework should take no longer than 20

minutes.

Some Homework Tips: - Have a consistent time for homework everyday. Straight

after school is usually the best time.

- Complete the homework in a quiet, well equipped space.

- Aid the child if help is needed.

- Check homework is completely fully.

- Encourage the child to take pride in their homework and colouring.

- Ensure your child’s name is clearly on their sheet and that you have signed the homework sheet.

Things you should know: - If homework is not completed a note should be sent in

the folder to explain the reason.

- Due to feedback at the whole school meeting a homework sheet detailing what is to be done each night will be sent home with the Junior classes that do not have a journal. In this way the parents will know exactly what to do and can sign on same sheet.

LUNCH

The children have two breaks everyday. Small Break – 10 minutes for eating and 10 minutes play

time. Big break – 10/15 minutes eating and half an hour

playtime. This means that the children have 20/25 minutes for

eating in total each day. If the children are not finished their sandwich/fruit, etc., the teacher always encourages them to bring it out to yard with them and finish it there.

The teacher cannot leave the room to get drinks/spoons for children so please ensure your child has everything that they need for their lunch with them.

Treat day is on Fridays. On this day children are allowed to bring in one small treat alongside their normal healthy lunch.

COMMUNICATION

We feel that keeping an open line of communication between the teacher and

parent/s is very important. Communication can be made with the teacher in the following

ways: School bag/Homework folder post

Parent/Teacher meetings which happen in November

Incidental meetings – these need to be made by prior arrangement through Susan in the office and a reason for the meeting must be given to ensure the teacher can fully prepare

Phone call to the school

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR NEED TO TALK?

Remember that I am always available to answer any queries of questions you may have

regarding your child. Please do so in the following ways:

1. Informal meeting2. Note in Journal

3. Phone call4. Arrange a meeting via secretary

5. P/T meetings 11 – 15th November.

THANK YOU!

Thank you all so much for your attendance tonight an for your

attention during the PowerPoint.

Does anyone have a question or comment?

FAREWELL!

That concludes the information being given out this evening. I look forward to seeing you

all around the school and getting to know you all! I hope we will have a great year

together!