Junior 1 Meeting Scholastic Year 2016-2017

Thematic Approach

What does it mean? Our new pedagogy is a Thematic Approach one: Using manipulatives to enhance learning, the classroom culture will be a more positive and motivating one.

Subject teaching through a thematic approach All subjects rise out of the theme rather than the subject making the theme. The emphasis is on the hands on aspect rather than the amount of writing (workbooks). These are used for recording purposes only.  The booklets are also multi-levelled to reach out to each learner individually according to their needs and capabilities.

Daily Schedule The learners will, each day, have half an hour of groundwork, eliciting prior knowledge and highlighting any concepts that would be covered during that day; 2 hours of rotation stations to work on the concepts in a fun and interactive way.  This will engage each learner fully to enhance more learning.

Homework First term : Written Homework will be given once a week only. Second term: Once a week increasing to two towards the end. Third term: twice a week in preparation for Junior 2.  Interactive homework using online games will be made available on the blogs every week to be used as and when needed.

Reading Will start with borrowing a book from our classroom library (to be read to). Later on we will have a library card and children will borrow books from school (graded reader technique). The children will read these to you with some help. Very important to instil the love for books through example and to read a little bit everyday. 5 to 10 minutes everyday.

                                                                               Using exit tickets in  Assessment Assessment is continuous and feedback will be regularly given.

Booklets from School Items which will be bought from school: Numbers, letters, word laminates, Maltese flashcards, Number lines and number grids, Reference book handouts, Literacy 1, Numeracy, Literacy 2 and Science booklets. These will be charged separately and the payment will be per term.

Reference Book Used for ideas, ‘tricks’ and methodologies. Should be in children’s bag everyday. Do use this to help children with their work at home.

Practical Matters Punctuality – we start at 7.50. First term H.W. – pages will be marked on the first page of the booklet. No money is allowed for canteen. Organised school bags – check everyday. No toys allowed. Very Important to label ALL items which are sent to school Pencil case will remain in class so another will be needed for home.

Blogs and E-mail Blog addresses: Junior 1A – www.stcathjunior1a2016.wordpress.com Junior 1B – www.stcathjunior1b2016.wordpress.com E-mail addresses: Junior 1A – stefania.spiteri@school.stcatherines.eu Junior 1B – cynthia.cassar@school.stcatherines.eu Weekly curriculum forecasts and frequent updates are to be posted on the blog. It is very important to register to the blog in order to receive frequent updates in your emails.

Orientation Days Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th are orientation days, children only. Getting familiar with our classroom – areas, teachers, rules, Junior 1 books and fun stuff to use in class. Guided to the bathroom and then eventually they will go on their own. Party: Monday 26th – please send some yummy stuff to share amongst all children. Nothing with nuts or Nutella.

Conclusion This way we are catering for all learners regardless of their learning ways.  The learner has space to grow, increase his/her knowledge and develop in a steady way.  

Thank you Thank you for your attention…See you all on the 26th. May we face the year positively by working together, so as to make each and every day a meaningful one for the children.