First Class Meeting 17th September 2014 

Therese Coogan: Class Teacher

Joyce Cole:  Special Needs Assistant.

Mary Clare Pigott:  Resource teacher

Introduction

Fáilte go dtí  Rang an hAon, and thank you for taking the time to attend the class meeting. I have gotten to know your children quite well over the past three weeks, and am delighted to have the opportunity to work with them for the coming year.This meeting provides an opportunity for the class team  to outline the programme for first class this year, and for you to ask me questions as a group. If you wish to talk to me about a specific issue concerning your child, please wait until the general discussion is finished and I can speak to you individually.

First Class Curriculum

The Irish Primary School Curriculum was revised in 1999. It is  referred to as a Spiral Curriculum, meaning that ideas and concepts which are learned in one class will be revisited and learned at a deeper level in the subsequent school years. For example a class may learn about the names for the parts of the body in infants, and then in first class the functions of these parts of the body are discussed and learned. This spiral or constructivist approach is very evident in Maths and English as children will “build” on the concepts and vocabulary they have learnt in  the infant classes.  Another term which you may be familiar with is the integrated curriculum. This refers to the transfer of knowledge and concepts between curriculum subject areas. For example, I use a lot of ceol and drámaíocht when teaching Gaeilge. This allows children who may be talented in these areas to access the information in a more enjoyable and efficient way.

Your Children as Individuals

It is important to me that your children’s own strengths and talents are facilitated and fostered during my time with them.This is achieved through using a range of resources and teaching methods especially pair and group work, and providing the children with opportunities to present their work and interests to the class at regular intervalsFostering independence at this stage of development is also a main focus of First Class. Children are expected to take down their homework, organise their books and copies and keep their work area clean and tidy. Hopefully you will see some evidence of this in the home also(Clean your teeth! / Where are your football boots?/ What homework do you have?). Discussion of the use of timetables, work rotas and their homework journals will assist your child in these areas.

English

Reading

This is a very important element in English this year. Children begin reading at different ages, and progress in their reading at different levels throughout their time at school. As a team we will invest a lot of time in developing your children’s reading skills through providing a range of decoding skills for your children. For example Ms. Pigott uses the Kinaesthetic method of sounding out words when working with children. In class I aim to build on the children’s sight vocabulary, Phonics, and high frequency or Dolch list words, and also provide ample opportunity for the children to access the class library in an informal way during discretionary and D.E.A.R. Time.

You are familiar with “The Oxford Reading Tree” readers and how they work at this stage. I plan to change these readers twice a week- On Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reading folders are returned to me on Friday and remain in school over the weekend. I will listen to reading on Thurday mainly and throughout the week when time allows.

lease remember that reading should be enjoyable. There is no emphasis to be placed on the stage of the reader your child is on. If your child finishes their reader in one night there are opportunities for deeper understanding and enrichment on the following night. Suggestions can be found on the inside cover of the reader.

I will also be asking parents to help with reading once a week in the mornings in school

Phonics and Spelling

• There are many approaches to teaching spelling.
• The programme for first class involves:

1. The Revision of all letter sounds.

2. Use of Rhymes and Songs.

3. Initial Letter Blends- Ch, Sh, Th, Bl,Cl,Sl,sc, etc.

4. Middle/end letter blends- ay, ee, igh, ow, oo,ar,ir,oy  etc.

5. Vowel blends- ea, oi, ou, etc.

6. Spelling Workbook.

At home, the home children should be encouraged to sound out words by letter

e.g. A n d

• Using this method children will blend letters to “Sound out” more complicated words.
• It is also important for children to “build on” the words they know e.g. If they can read and spell  A, then they have access to : an, and, at etc.
• “Sight vocabulary is also key- Some children are more visual and do not decode words through sound , but through sight. As already stated I place a huge emphasis on building up the children’s “Sight” vocabulary in class.
• Children will learn spelling using the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check method.

Writing

• There is a huge focus on the standard of your child’s handwriting in first class. Pencil grip and posture have been a huge focus in infants, and are still a priority.
• Handwriting copies will be used for letter formation in this term, and will move on to sentence development and grammar in subsequent terms.
• In First Class there is a large increase in the amount of written work required. This can often be very challenging for children at this age. It is often hard for children to take down large amounts of writing from the board as they become tired and restless. Please discuss this with your child and emphasize the ole adage- “ Practice Makes Perfect”.
•  When your child attempts to write creatively, it is important that spelling, and grammar are not the focus. The concept of recording ideas structurally i.e. That there is a beginning, middle and end, is much more important for your children to grasp at this stage, and that writing is an enjoyable form of self expression- They can edit it later!
• If you find your child’s spelling hard to dicipher, then ask them to read it to you, or even better to perform it for you. These exercises serve to encourage your children to write more and more.

Gaeilge

• The main focus in Gaeilge this year is Labhairt or speaking. It is therefore important that they use whatever Gaeilge they have outside of school.
•  Each week in I will send home an Irish phrase as part of their homework. This phrase should be used by children and parents when the opportunity arises. A great opportunity would be when the child has a “playdate”.
•  Irish songs and rhymes are used a lot at this stage. Ask your child to tell you these rhymes and sing the Irish songs they have learned.
• Gaeilge is taught through 10 main themes or téamaí which relate to their everyday lives. They are:

o Mé Féin ( Myself)                      Éadaí ( Clothes)

o Bia ( Food)                                    An Aimsir ( The Weather)

o Sa Bhaile ( At Home)                Caitheamh Aimsire ( Pastimes)

o Ar Scoil ( At School)                Ócáidí Speisialta( Special Occasions)

o AnTeilifís ( Television)             Siopadóireacht ( Shopping)

I will also have “ciorcail cómhrá” with the children once a week to assess what they have learned, and to present an opportunity to use their new Irish vocab.

Mathematics

• The most important new maths concept in First Class is place value.
• The children should be encouraged to use concrete materials at home to reinforce this concept. Lolli-pop sticks and elastic bands are ideal. Children should count out 10 lollipop sticks ( 10 units) and put an elastic band around them to show that this is now 1 group of 10. This can then be done with different number combinations up to 20.

o All other strands and concepts are developed further in Rang a hAon.

o Maths Strands                             Maths Strand Units

o Number                        Counting/ Operations(+ and -)/ Place Value

o Shape and Space          2-D Shapes/ 3-D Shapes/ SpatialAwareness

o Measures                     Time/ Money/Length/Weight/Capacity

o Data                             Representing and interpreting Data

o Algebra                        Extending and Using Pattern

• Maths Discussion, and fun problem solving activities and games are very effective in reinforcing any concepts learnt in school.
• Playing Cards is my favourite!
• Discussion when shopping about money, about telling the time and about maths in the everyday world is very useful in  deepening the children’s understanding.

The Core Curriculum and S.P.H.E.

• The Core Curriculum programme is unique to Educate Together schools.
•  It is heavily integrated with the S.P.H.E. and S.E.S.E. Curriculums.
•  It provides your child with an opportunity to express ideas about, and learn about how others experience the world.
• It promotes individuality and diversity, and a deeper understanding of their role in society.

o The Core Curriculum is organised under the following headings

o Myself               My School               Keeping Safe

o My Family          My Community         Celebrations

o My Home           The Environment     Moral Development

• S.P.H.E. Means Social Personal and Health Education. The integration with the Core Curriculum is obvious. We will be using the Walk Tall, RSE and BE SAFE!  Programmes as a basis for these lessons.
• With the development of the new anti-bullying policy, there will be a huge focus in this area throughout the school this year.
• Your children enjoy these discussion-based lessons and are beginning to understand the importance of respecting the views and opinions of others.

P.E.and Arts Education

• Please ensure that they are suitably dressed in comfortable clothes and trainers on Thursdays. There is also a 10 minute “bizzy break” daily.
•  Visual Arts will take place on Wednesdays, and again suitable clothing is required.
• The main focus in music at the moment is Listening and Responding and Song-singing. The children are also learning the Solfa hand signals which represent the notes do,re,mi,fa,so,la,ti,.
• Last week I introduced the children to the ocarina.
• Drama classes are going very well. This class are very open and willing to engage with the drama lessons. They have great imaginations and I look forward to progressing with these lessons throughout the year!

 S.E.S.E

• Social Environmental and Science Education is broken down into 3 subject areas: History , Geography and Science.
• At this stage of development I find that children learn best through doing in this area.
• Therefore S.E.S.E. will be very much a practical, hands-on experience with a basis in discovery learning.
• The application of discovery-based learning is most obvious in the area of  science. Children will experiment, observe, record and discuss during these classes.
• Practical history and geography is also possible. Through interviewing parents, grandparents and other members of the community, children can gain a wealth of knowledge about the history of their families, buildings in their area and their school.
•  Also through mapping their classroom, playground and kitchen at home, essential graphicacy skills are fostered in Geography.
• Prepare yourselves for some practical homework! 

Homework

• Children will record all homework in their homework journals.
• It is essential that these journals are present everyday and that they are signed by parents or guardians every evening.
• Please reinforce the importance of taking down homework correctly at home.
• Homework should not take longer than 30 minutes every night .
• At the moment the main focus of the homework is English reading and Maths and a little research now and then.
• After Halloween children will begin to learn spelling from their My Spelling Workbook . They will use the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check method. There are also C.D. Activities which the children may enjoy at home, and which will of course reinforce their spelling.
• I will also included an optional extra challenge in the homework. It is completely the child’s decision if they wish to do this.
• There should be no issues with the homework, but if there are please do not hesitate to contact me.

Behaviour

• The R.M.D.S. Code of Behaviour is available from the school office and on the website.
• The Code of Behaviour in RMDS is based on an ethos of respect.
• There is a huge emphasis placed on being mannerly and considerate of one another in the classroom. Therefore children must listen to one another, raise their hand if they want to speak and not disturb others when they are working.
•  We have established a code of conduct within the class which was agreed upon by all, but on occasion the children can forget.
• In these instances I am always fair, but on occasion repeated disruption of the class or a lack of positive behaviour may result in a loss of privileges. For example “ Golden Time” on a Friday could be reduced.
•  The Homework diary may also be used to send a note home if the behaviour is serious and ongoing.
• Individual records of all serious or continuous behavioural issued are kept by the school.

Assessment

• Assessment of your children is an ongoing process.
• The main forms of assessment I undertake in the classroom are:

- Observation of your children’s social skills e.g. How they work in a group/ With a partner/ Involve themselves in discussions.

- Observation of their ability to be self-directed.

- Individual conferencing with your child about subject areas.

-  Correction of homework/ Workbooks/ Written Tasks.

- Questioning.

- Set tasks -Active Learning

- Weekly spelling tests.

- Through consultation with previous teachers, support teachers and your good selves, the children are continuously assessed and monitored at their individual level.

- The DES has stipulated that standardised tests in English and Maths  are mandatory for Rang a hAon.

- These tests provide teachers and parents with crucial information about how the children’s literacy and numeracy levels compare with those of children nationally.

- These tests will be taken by the children in May,

And Finally...........

o Formal Lessons begin at 8.50 every morning, but the period between 8.30 and 8.50 is a very important settling in period for your child. Please be punctual!

o If you need to talk to me this first 20 minutes is the ideal time.

o The Parent/ Teacher meetings will take place after the Halloween break.

o Check school bags for school notes daily.

o Thank you for using the reading log and signing it each night. This is a great way for me to keep records and it also increases the children’s confidence when they see great reading written down.

o Thank you for your attention, and here’s to a good year!

Le Meas,  Therese Coogan