Junior Infants Class Meeting Notes

Maria Dillon- Class Teacher

Therese Coogan- SET

• Trust and respect is everything!
• September is all about settling in!
• Some children take longer than others to settle and that’s ok!
• School day begins at 8.30.
• Children will be marked late after 8.40.
• Your child will need a note (email) if they have been absent or late for school.
• Alternatively contact the office.
• New sign in and out book!

Settling In time- 8.30-8.45

• It’s an opportunity for children to mix socially and settle into the day(organize belongings, lunchbox, water bottle, towel bag and coat)
• It gives me the opportunity to observe the children and have a little chat with each child.
• Group and Whole class marble system in place.
• Zero tolerance for violence towards other children!- 2 mins off yard time
• The Code of Behaviour and the Anti-Bullying policy- available on the website.
• Focus on Anti - Bullying in term 2. (SPHE)
• Zones of Regulation / Restorative practice

• Play based curriculum

Aistear:

• Enjoyable and challenging learning experiences through play
• Completed through stations which change each day.
•  Thematic approach (*Unoccupied play, Solitary play, Onlooker play, Parallel play, Associative play, Social play.)

Homework:

• To be present to supervise child’s work.
• To help the child to complete tasks on occasions.
• To hear learning work (phonics, tricky words and reading)
• To check that all homework has been completed.

Lunches:

• Healthy lunches are school policy.
• Children need to take any unfinished food home.
• There is a NO NUTS policy in the school.
• Whole school rule: No birthday treats!

Phonics:

• Big Focus in JI: Programme used: Jolly Phonics
• Sound, action and song for each letter.
• Lots of repetition needed to embed the sound.

Beginning to Write:

• Focus on pencil grip for the first while.
• No rubbers needed when we are writing- it’s part of the learning process.
• Focusing on the formation of the letters/ sounds we are learning.
• The curriculum offers a central place to oral language – speaking and listening.

Oral Language:

• Oral language is the foundation of literacy development and its importance can’t be overstated.
• Oral language activities explored in class: ‘Barrier Games’, ‘word recall’, ‘Don’t Mention It’ ‘Pictionary’, ‘word jumble race’, ‘2 truths and 1 lie’ ‘Vo-bak-ulary’, variety of poetry etc.

Maths:

• Concrete materials used when introducing a topic and then moving towards the abstract side of maths.
• Huge emphasis on ‘real-life’ maths and problem solving.

Mindfulness:

• Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

Core Curriculum:

• A unique aspect of the curriculum of Multi-Denominational schools.
• Strands include: Myself and Others, Moral Development, The Environment, Development Education, & Faith and Festivals
• Topics Include: Awareness, Self Expression, Working with Others, My School, Disability Awareness Blindness/Asthma, I am special, Birthdays/Birth Customs, Family Celebrations.

Assessment:

• Assessment completed for the teacher to know where the students are at.
• Two forms of assessment: Assessment for Learning and Assessment of Learning.

Class Trips:

• You will be informed of any trips we are going on  a few days before the trip.
• I will inform you through email of any upcoming trips.

Home Collection/ After School

• Please make sure to tell me if your child is not attending after school on a certain day.
• Please also make sure your child knows if they are/are not attending after school on a given day.
• *If someone different is picking up your child please let me and your child know.

Communication:

• 15 minutes in the morning for a quick word.
• After school in yard.
• Email – mariad@rmds.ie
• Through Office
• P/T Meetings middle of November
• Please do not hesitate to inform me of any concerns, questions or issues you may have.