Junior Infant Class Meeting Notes 2018

Behaviour

Based on the school code of behaviour - respect, tolerance and consideration
Introducing the rules gradually.
Working on sitting in our chair and raising our hand to speak.
Rules based on respect, tolerance and consideration for ourselves and each other.
Create a positive class atmosphere - we are a team we work together
Please speak to me if there is any issue
Class based rewards and individual behaviour plans where necessary.
Never speak about another child
May be unaware of actions being taken
Bullying is NOT tolerated in any way in the school
Work with children and families to help the victim and the child doing the bullying
Children need to learn how to behave

Punctuality

School begins at 8.30am
Very important your child is in on time
Socialising settling in playing with friends

Absence

Phone or e-mail the office or tell the class teacher

Core Curriculum

Specific to our school.
Every morning

Themes

My body, my senses, my feelings,My family, My school, My home, Pets
Disabilty Awareness -Blindness and Asthma –
Children around the world – differences and similarities
Birth and birthday customs
Christmas – Visit to Rathmines church
St. Brigid and Spring Festivals

Healthy eating policy

Please ensure your child has a healthy lunch. Parents must ensure this. NO NUTS
Children are not to have treats in the lunch box except on special days such as Halloween/ Christmas. No treats for birthdays.

Playtime
10.30-10.40 am- Children play in the yard outside 12.20-12.45- Roof terrace

All staff wear high vis vests and children have been told to speak to anybody in a high vis vest
Yard – 1 teacher and 1 SNA. Roof terrace – 1 teacher and 1 SNA
Children are expected to include all children in their games
No rough play allowed. Chasing games, imaginary games, capture the flag, skipping
Incidents recorded by teacher on duty

SEN

All children accepted and celebrated in our school. See school policy. Special needs is a very broad category some children may need help throughout their time in school or your child may need help for a period of time due to a family bereavement or an illness. Being fair is not giving everybody the same thing but giving everybody what they need. This is what we strive to do balancing the needs of the group with the needs of the individual.

Curriculum

Aistear is being used in JI. It is a play based learning methodology to enhance the children’s learning.

English

Oral Language

Primary focus in JI

Very important that children develop good oral language skills as everything else stems from this.
Children talking to the whole class – Show and tell
Children talking individually to adults
Children talking to each other
Rhymes/ songs

Reading

Telling stories and reading books to them to instil a love of reading and stories
Letterland – for the alphabet
Dolch words – very common words that are learned by sight
Oxford reading tree- children will read at home

Writing

Encourage and celebrate emergent writing
Writing centre in the classroom
Teacher is scribe for the children
Children will work on fine motor skills – play doh, beads, peg boards, cutting activities
Prewriting and writing activities
Please encourage correct pencil grip.

Gaeilge

All based on oral language in Junior Infants. Songs rhymes games. Please use Irish at home if you have any. Positive attitude towards Irish

Maths

Mainly taught through games and using concrete materials
Matching a very important part of Maths in JI
Analysis of number up to 5 in JI

SESE

Link to themes in CC and SPHE
School, Myself, My senses, my body – growing and changing. The Squirrel, the oak tree, the barn owl, nocturnal animals, the seasons, materials, Day and night, Timelines, Weather.

Visual Art

Process is very important
Paint, Drawing, Clay, Construction, Study of famous artists

Music

Ceol programme
Music used throughout the day to teach routines, have fun

Movement encouraged throughout the day
Movement break every morning outside or in the classroom
Mr Fairbrother takes half the class to the hall for formal PE lesson

SPHE

Themes linked to SESE and CC except for RS component

Copies

Copies and books are kept in classroom. Feel free to look at your child’s work in the morning.

Parental Support

Always welcome to come and talk to us.
Welcome help and support

Trips and Tours

Rathmines Catholic Church, Rathmines Library, The Ark, Glenroe Farm.

Assessment

Belfield Infant Assessment Profile