Class Meeting
Rang a Sé 2014 – 2015

Purpose of the meeting
To give an overview of class routines and plans including the different areas of the curriculum.
To explain how the two of us will work with Rang 6
An opportunity for you to ask any general questions
General Comment
We’re back just over 2 weeks now and the children seem to have settled in very well. They arrive full of excitement and anticipation as they begin their final year in primary. They love the idea of being in 6th Class and they really appear to like having 2 teachers
This is an important year for them as they begin to make the transition between primary and secondary school. The programme is a varied one. We want the children to get as much as possible out of it, that they develop academically but also socially and emotionally etc.
We hope to create an environment in the class where the children are content and know they are expected to work hard and leave with a sense of fulfillment and pride in their achievements.
With regard to our Shared Teaching we are both equally responsible for the class.

Punctuality
The school begins at 8.30 and the children are meant to be in the classroom. This is a very important time for the kids to socialise and get ready for the day. They hand up their written homework and we have an opportunity to correct the work and talk to them about it . So far everyone is arriving on time and this helps to set the day off on a good note. Keep up the good work.
Please send in a note if your child is absent from school – it forms an important part of your child’s attendance record. Alternatively you can email or give the office a ring if that suits.

Homework

Homework is given every night, and should take not more than 50 to 60 minutes to complete, this includes learning homework! It is put on the board after big break. At the moment we’re reminding children what resources they will need and encourage them to put them into their bags straight away and spot check journals. We have introduced a “locker “ type system in the class in preparation for next year whereby children have to go to their baskets and get what they need before and after each subject.

Children have 2 homework copies for written work. When one is handed up for correction, the other one should be used. They use a separate Maths copy for homework and one for school. We discourage them from tearing out pages or handing up work on pages.  Copies hold a record of their written work. We’re trying to get the children to have a sense of pride in their work and to do it to the best of their ability. They need a note in the journal if the work isn’t done or if they can’t meet a deadline . Homework will generally consist of:

● English and Irish spelling work (See Homework Journal, Friday section)
● A Maths exercise
● A written Irish and/or English exercise…. (core curriculum or SPHE)
● SESE + History / Geography / Science or some other area of the curriculum…learning homework
● Read some pages from the novel or read for pleasure on a regular basis.

Projects will have deadlines and it will be important for children to focus on time management and commitment to their group.

If homework is taking much longer than the time suggested or causing undue anxiety… write a note or come in and we can have a chat about it. No need for you to sign the Homework Journal or their written homework (unless we have made a particular arrangement with you) as we’re encouraging the children to take personal responsibility for their work but you might check in from time to time. We will ask you to sign tests from time to time so that you can see how your child is performing. If a pattern is developing where a child isn’t handing up homework and doesn’t have a note to explain, we will ask you to sign for a few weeks. They will have to do the work the next night if the excuse is really their own fault eg forgetting resources or asked to repeat it, if putting in a very poor effort.

Handwriting and Presentation

The children should all be doing joined writing both with homework and schoolwork.
We are placing a huge emphasis on careful handwriting for the month of September. We will use a blue or black pen for writing and a pencil for Maths work.

Code of Behaviour and Anti Bullying Policies 

We have drawn up a set of rules as a class, which work in conjunction with the school code of discipline.
We use positive reinforcement where possible, but we have also discussed negative consequences such as loss of playtime, notes home etc..
We will use the homework diary to send any notes home.

We encourage the children will be kind to each other in class, in the playground and outside school. Technology as you are aware is a big part of how children communicate and these same positive behaviours should be modelled online also. We do our very best to make sure all the children in the class are happy and feel safe and secure in school, let us know if you have any concerns in this area as the sooner we know, the sooner we can work on any problems together.

Special Education Needs and R.M.D.S 

All children are treated equally but each child is measured against his/herself. Some children in the class have special needs but they may not always be obvious to parents and children. Children may perceive someone is getting away with things but we are being fair based on each individuals needs.
It is important to make an effort to include everyone and your help encouraging this would be greatly appreciated.

Playtime / Healthy Lunch Policy
As you know we have a healthy lunch policy in school and it is important that everyone sticks to it. Children are expected to put leftover lunch in their boxes and bring it home.
On Tuesday and Thursday they play in Linear Park the other days they are in the yard. These can be difficult times for children and things happen which we are not always aware of. If you hear anything please let us know.

Assessment

Standarised tests take place in Maths and English in early May. The Sten scores will be on the end of year report and as you know we will be forwarding a copy of that report to the Post Primary school your child will be attending when we have confirmation of that. From time to time we will be using “Test Yourself” sheets in Maths and in other subject areas to assess learning to support my planning and teaching. The children will be asked to write what they expect their score to be. Children might be asked to use a checklist as in Creative Writing for example to judge their own performance. (Explain) They might be asked to use traffic light system to figure out how well they have grasped a concept.

Subject Areas

The curriculum for Rang 6 is broad and varied. We want to emphasise the importance of the different intelligences and focus on the importance of the arts as well as the other subjects in the curriculum.

For Maths, the class will be divided into 2 mixed ability groups and one of us will be taking a third of the class during our timetabled Maths lessons changing every 6 weeks approx. We will be collaborating closely and working on the same topics with the children. This works very well as it gives the children experience of being in a smaller class group. We will differentiate the work by providing extra material for Early Finishers and those who have difficulties keeping up with the Maths curriculum.

In English , we aim to cover three novels in class. We will work on vocabulary extension, debates, grammar, creative writing, comprehension spelling. I will be encouraging reading for pleasure at home and in school and ask all children to have a book on their desks for silent reading in class. Last year Ms. Neylan gave each child a list of “Good Reads” compiled by themselves and the previous Rang 6. We will get this rang 6 to update the list and circulate it to everybody in the class.

The Gaeilge curriculum focuses on a communicative approach and the textbook we are using, “Sin É”, is very child friendly and engaging. There are exercises to encourage listening and speaking, grammar written work. For spelling we select and type words and phrases to study that we’re working on during the week. They put them into their journals in the Friday section. They will get some written work for homework based on the theme being worked on not necessarily always writing sentences every night for the target spellings. We’re encouraging the children to use whatever Gaeilge they have. If you can encourage your child to watch something from TG4, that would really help as well.

We will be focusing on several world faiths in Core Curriculum, including Christianity, Humanism and Buddhism and welcome visitors in to talk to the children. The other areas are development education with an emphasis on a third world country. We also have a Festive charity at Christmas time. Moral Education is part of the C curriculum and this overlaps with SPHE. Care of the environment is another strand… links up with our green school policy and SESE. The Mindfulness programme will continue again this year and we aim to do it at least once a day after each break. This helps students to calm the mind down and help them focus.

Our PE classes take place in Mountpleasant L.T.C. on Thursday mornings, but also in the GP room or yard during the week so it’s important for the children to wear appropriate footwear and loose comfortable clothes. Strands include Athletics, Dance, Games, Outdoor and Adventure Activities. We will have Sport for all Day at the end of the year.

In SPHE, the themes are Myself, Myself and others and Myself and the wider world. We use the Walk Tall programme and RSE is being covered in the third term and of course work on Anti Bullying. The Walk Tall programme is a well established one, with the broad aim of hoping to prevent substance abuse or at least delay the experimentation of it. Topics include building self esteem, making choices, making decisions. The children may bring work home based on this programme We will be working on RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education) in the third term. This will build on the work the children covered last year in 5th class. We also have our Buddy System with Junior Infants which we’ll organise very shortly.

SESE includes History Geography and Science. We will use “Earthlink” as a basic text for but will also draw on other resources eg block loans from library and relevant websites and DVD material. Project work will be done in these areas eg World War 2 project. We will be encouraging the children to do research and to work cooperatively in groups. We hope to instill metacognitive skills in the children, an awareness of HOW they learn. We encourage the children not to rely totally on the internet for information but to consider books, newspaper clippings or information families and friends may have. In Science Living Things, Energy and Force, Materials, and Environmental Awareness and Care are the strands covered.  The work always involves working scientifically, investigating and exploring their physical and natural surroundings.

In Drama, we explore and make drama. This is a subject in its own right but it also helps the child’s competence and confidence in language both Gaeilge and in English. We will have our performance before Christmas with a Core Curriculum theme and we plan to do something that will have elements of musical and dramatic performance towards the end of the year.
In Ceol, we will be learning songs in Gaeilge and in English and using a variety of resources to promote listening and responding to music. I will be encouraging those who play different instruments to bring them in and perform or accompany the class. Rang 6 will need a recorder for the year.
The Visual Art programme covers the areas of drawing, paint and colour, print, clay construction and fabric and fibre. The children’s work will be on display for all to appreciate and enjoy.

General Information

Individual parent/teacher will take place in November.
If there is a need to meet during the year, we are available for informal meetings at 8.30am most mornings. If you need a more formal meeting then please feel free to come and arrange a suitable time with us, or feel free to email us at paul@rmds.ie or marguerite@rmds.ie

We will be going on at least one school trip per term. Our main tour will be held towards the end of May and it will be a 2 night trip to Delphi Adventure Centre .
We would hope that every child will be able to attend all the school trips and if we or you have any concerns we will talk directly to you.

To conclude, we were really looking forward to working with the class and yourselves. Teamwork and partnership is the key to giving your children the best service possible. We hope it is a positive and rewarding year for all.

Many Thanks Paul Fairbrother /Marguerite Ryan