Class meeting notes - summary 

Homework should take around 45 minutes.  After this time period, you can sign off on it explaining time is up in the journal.  However, these 45 minutes should be a focussed 45 with adequate concentration.  If you have any concerns, please discuss this with me.  At any stage, if undue anxiety is given to homework, please let me know.  Please sign the journal daily and monitor the reading record at back of the journal.

• Please remind children that oral “learning” homework is as important and as deserving of time as written work.
• Reading in English and as Gaeilge as well as tables will be set regularly as well.  Your support in the monitoring of this aspect of your child’s learning is much appreciated.
• Homework copies should be ruled and include a date and title in red pen.  Maths copies should also be ruled in the centre.
• Encourage them to read back over their work before it is put into schoolbags.
• P.E takes place each Thursday at 11 am.   White soled runners are needed. Ten minute daily sessions also occur.
• Art will be covered on a Tuesday.
• Maths; There is a step up from the fourth class curriculum to the fifth.  Encourage your child to estimate as a way of cutting down on miscalculations.  Classes are smaller for Maths as Ms. Curran takes a third out to her room.  Over the year, every child will have the opportunity to work in the small group.
• Behaviour; A firm but fair policy is applied in everyone’s interest.  Children benefit from reminders of this throughout the year; “Fairness isn’t giving everyone the same, it’s giving everyone what they need”.  Class system of Class Dojo is used.
• Stay safe is revisited for the final time in the second term. RSE and drugs education will be covered in term three- More details nearer the time.
• Projects will have deadlines.  A note is needed if child is unable to meet deadline.
• There will be at least one school outing per term e.g. mosque, St. Patrick’s cathedral, Baltinglass etc.  If you are available to help on tours, please let me know.  Thanks for the indication on the class attendance sheet this morning. Your time is appreciated.
• Punctuality is important.  Time in classroom from 8.30 to 8,50 is spent handing up homework, revising learning homework and chatting. Healthy lunches are required daily.
• Gaeilge web dictionary recommendation from this morning’s meeting: www.potafocal.com. I would recommend a Folens or Fallons Irish/English dictionary, one for in school and one for at home.
• Thank you for taking the time out to come to the meeting.  I look forward to the coming year.

Regards,

Colette Desmond & Therese Curran

Mathematics:

As computation becomes more complex in the Senior Classes, it is essential that pupils have a good grasp of multiplication and division tables.  Various strategies can be used to make table’s easier e.g:

* 7 X 9 Use the X 10 tables

7 X 10 = 70, - 7 so 7 X 9 = 63

* 3 X 8 Use X 4 tables

3 X 4 = 12, double this, 3 X 8 = 24

* 8 X 6 Use X 3 tables

8 X 3 = 24, double this, 8 X 6 = 48

OR use X 5 tables, 8 X 5 = 40 + 8, 8 X 6 = 48

* X 5 tables, all answers end in either 5 or 0

OR use X 10 tables, 4 X 5, 4 X 10 = 40, half 40 = 20

* 4 X 9 use X 2 tables, 2 X 9 = 18, double this, 4 X 9 = 36

Division should be seen as the inverse of multiplication: 8 X 4 = 32 so 32: 4 = 8

Rounding of numbers to the nearest 10 is also important.  Long division is new on the fifth class curriculum and can be a challenge for some kids.

Homework will be used for revision purposes

Irish Language Expressions:

Dia Duit / Dia’s Muire Duit? – Hello / How are you?

Cad is ainm duit? / Is mise Maire – What is your name? / My name is Mary

An bhfuil ocras ort? / Ta ocras orm – Are you hungry? / I am hungry

An bhfuil tart ort? / Ta tart orm – Are you thirsty? / I am thirsty

An bhfuil tuirse ort? / Nil tuirse orm – Are you tired? / I am not tired

Deoch uisce le do thoil? / Seo duit e – Could I have a drink of water please? / here you are

Deoch bainne le do thoil? / Seo duit e – Could I have a drink of milk please? / Here you are

An maith leat bainne? / Is maith liom bainne – Do you like milk? /  I like milk

An maith leat caca? / Ni maith liom caca – Do you like cake? / I do not like cake

An maith leat ubh? / Is maith liom ubh – Do you like eggs? / I like eggs

Cad e seo? / Is cota é – What is this? / It is a coat

Ce leis é? / Is liomsa é – Who owns this? / I own it

An leatsa é? / Ni liomsa é – Is it yours? / It is not mine