Primary 1 Parents’ Meeting September 2015

Welcome Settling In Break/Lunch and Playground Personal Belongings/Name Labels

Important Facts about Learning Parents are the first and most important educators to a child Children learn best when they experiment, practise and discover things through a secure, active and fun environment Learning never stops Learning is social Intelligence grows Children are naturally curious

How do we motivate young children to learn? Take an interest in their learning Be gentle demanders Mind your language Show your pride Stress effort not just ability Encourage determination and patience Be a smart role model

A Curriculum for Excellence A time of change in Scottish Education Introduction of a national curriculum – Curriculum for Excellence Designed to support all children and young people from 3-18 to develop as Successful learners Confident Individuals Responsible Citizens Effective Contributors

Purpose of A Curriculum for Excellence Interdisciplinary approach to learning Strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy and health and well being Recognises that children progress at different rates and stages of their development Experiences and outcomes in learning are described as “I can” and “I have” and these statements reflect the four capacities. The achievement framework is organised within levels. Early, First,Second and Third into junior secondary and beyond

Literacy Strong emphasis on literacy across the curriculum Most important area in the early years in order to to access the wider curriculum Good listening and talking skills are crucial to literacy development. Active learning approach Balance of sight vocabulary and phonics Oxford Reading Tree Resource Jolly Phonics (You Tube)

How can you help?  Revise sounds from sounds book Look for letters outside in the environment Read favourite stories in their own words Encourage prediction – front cover, title,what will happen, what if ….. Talk about punctuation, - full stops, question marks, sentences Make difficult words fun with a catchy action Suggest rhyming words Use finger to point to individual words as child reads Begin to use known sounds Discuss characters, story contexts, favourite part, why, was it easy/hard

Common Difficulties Word Lists -key words from stories. Copy words onto flash cards. Make double set and play games e.g snap/pairs,lotto. Encourage child to use known sounds Suggest a rhyming word. Leave word out and read on - what would make sense. Does it look like another word? Make a fun action to match word.

Numeracy Strong emphasis on active learning Practise essential numeracy skills in different contexts e.g real life Number Talks Offers a wealth of opportunities to think creatively and solve problems Ensures independent living

How can you help Shopping Trips - discuss sizes, look for numbers e.g prices, weights, receipts, giving change Look at calendars -days, months, special months days in months Number rhymes, songs, games, books Board Games, playing cards, snooker, darts Newspapers Time Shape

Health and WellBeing Personal and social development Physical education and activity Taking responsibility for own health and fitness Take informed choices regarding nutrition to encourage a healthy lifestyle Personal safety Planning choices in school and beyond

And Finally ……. Parent Helpers/Harvest Home/School Partnership