CURRICULUM EVENING

Junior Infants 2012/2013

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 2012/2013. In particular we extend a very warm welcome

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

right at home here.

SCHOOL DAYThe 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.

Parents are not given permission 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.

MAIN CURRICULUM AREASEnglish

Phonics - As any of the existing parents in the school

will know, 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. We only introduce the letter names after e.g. t is ‘t’ not tee.

-As the children learn the new letter sounds they will also learn how to form the letters correctly. Please encourage the children to hold their pencils with the correct pencil grip and start the letters in the correct place. All letters start at the top except for e and d.

-Sounding out CVC words is also encouraged e.g. C-a-t, d-o-g, etc.

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

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.

- These books will be sent home hopefully after Halloween when the children have learned their first few groups of letter sounds and also some tricky words.

- The reader that each child gets home should be read every night. It will have the pages for each night written on the front.

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

-Also encourage them to use correct pencil grip and

letter formation, no capitals 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 year the school will be placing 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.

Gaeilge1.Mé Féin - Myself2.Sa Bhaile -At home3. An scoil - In school4. Bia - Food5.An Teilifís - The television6. Siopadóireacht - Shopping7. Caitheamh Aimsire - Hobbies8. Éadaí - Clothes9. An aimsir - The weather10. Ócáidí Speisialta - Special Occasions- In Junior Infants the children learn through spoken and heard Irish only. Many strategies are used but mainly

puppets and games 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 Monday. Please ensure that your child wears a tracksuit on this day and appropriate footwear (no crocs or flip-flops!).

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

LEARN TOGETHER PROGRAMMEOur learn together calendar for the first term is

as follows: September – Class charter / Friendship October – France November – Thanksgiving December – Light and DarkIf any parent would be interested in helping

withthe R.E. Calendar or can offer input in any way, please contact Susan in the office or myself as

Iam the R.E co-ordinator.

HOMEWORK In Junior Infants the emphasis for homework

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

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!

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

you get home. Straight after school is usually the best time.

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

- Aid the child if help is needed and if not check that they have completed the homework correctly.

- Encourage the child to take pride in their homework and colouring and not to rush it.

- Ensure your child’s name is clearly on their sheet and that you have signed it somewhere, top or bottom.

Things you should know: - If homework is not completed at home it is the policy

of the school that the child will fully complete it during their Golden Time on a Friday.

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

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

playtime. This means that the children have 20 minutes

for eating in total each day. If the children are given a nutritious breakfast then they should only need something small such as a piece of fruit or a yoghurt for little break. Big break should consist of a sandwich and a snack. The children do not have time to eat a huge lunch so please give them convenient and easy food to eat!

COMMUNICATIONIn Wexford Educate Together we feel that keeping

an open line of communication between the teacher and parent/s is very important for your child’s well being. 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

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!