Year Parent Information Evening - Thursday 24 th September 2015 A warm welcome from Miss Rand and Mrs Jones

What will our child be learning in Year ? Our Creative Curriculum Topics: Term 1: Why am I special? Term 2: Animal Kingdom. Term 3: Africa. Term 4/5: Plants and minibeasts. Term 6: Zoom to the moon.

Timetable for the week

RE All classes follow a scheme called; “Learning and Growing as the people of God” Throughout this the children all learn about religion; knowledge and understanding of and learn from religion; reflecting on meaning Units include; Families and Celebrations, Children may occasionally have some RE homework to bring home.

Homework All homework should be completed in homework journal MUST DO HOMEWORK: Reading. It is important to read with children as often as possible. It is recommended you hear children read at least 4-5 times a week for 10 minutes each time (little and often is best). Once is not enough – read a book at least twice to ensure children practise words and begin to read for understanding. If not understood or find words tricky even on second reading then read again. Please leave in book bags everyday. Maths. Maths homework is set every week on Friday (beginning in a few weeks). Based on what we have been learning in school. Spellings. Will be send home on a Friday (beginning this week). Spelling test will be completed on a Thursday. Reading words. New – phonic test practise – ready for May/June. High frequency words – assessed in school each week. COULD DO HOMEWORK: Topic Homework linked to Topic/Science will be sent home once every half term – project/activity. Children will occasionally come home with a small activity to complete such as finding out/ researching something further.

How can I help at home? Support pack. Class Dojo app – following it and looking at what we have been doing in class and speaking to children about it. - Learning spellings. - Enjoying books/reading to your child/listening to your child read or discuss his/her book. - Read books and research around the main topic. - Access to the internet for research & educational sites. - Encouraging your child to present homework to a high standard. - Finding a good space & time to encourage good habits.

READING AT HOME Please sign reading record book when you hear your child read. Listening to audio books together & discussing the story. Link to our topic. Reading to your child/family – enjoy reading. Visiting your local library. Independent readers: discuss book, ask them questions about what they are reading.

Phonics test Children need to know all sounds from sets Children will need to sound out the word and blend the sounds together to read the word. There are real words and pseudo (alien) words to read. Children will be assessment on this knowledge each term. Official test will be in May/June. Words will be sent home each week to practise reading with different sounds.

Assessment We will refer to your child’s current level of attainment using phrases such as: working at age related expectations working towards age related expectations working beyond age related expectations

The New Curriculum needs a new form of assessment The research for the review of the National Curriculum showed that it should focus on ‘fewer things in greater depth’, in secure learning which persists, rather than relentless, “over-rapid progression” Depth and sustainability is what assessment should focus on (Living in a Levels-Free World, by Tim Oates published by DfE)

The New Curriculum The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. (National Curriculum for Mathematics page 3) A significant change

Higher attaining Does a mastery curriculum really meet their needs? However research indicates that these pupils benefit more from enrichment and deepening of content rather than acceleration into new content. Acceleration is likely to promote superficial understanding, rather than the true depth and rigour of knowledge that is a foundation for higher mathematics. This argument was advanced by the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education on page 1 of its report: Raising the bar: developing able young mathematicians, December 2012

Developing and assessing reasoning

Fewer things Greater depth Class working together Longer time on topics Together these reflect the features of A mastery curriculum for mathematics

Depth and going deeper = = = = Making Connections supports depth and sustainable learning and paves the way for later learning

Depth and going deeper What’s the same and What’s Different? Captain Conjecture says…..do you agree? Explain your reasoning What do you notice?

Safe Internet Search Engines Here are some Safe Internet Search engines the children can use at home: These are Safe Image Searches:

PPA (Planning, Preparation & Assessment) Allows teachers time to plan and assess children’s work. This year PPA will always be on a Thursday afternoon. At this time Mrs Jones will be teaching Year 1.

Behaviour – Rewards Award Assembly: Star of the week! (dojo points and Daisy and Dilan too). Class Dojos. House Points. Incredible work wall and certificates. Marbles in the jar – treat. 3 books read in a week will earn children extra dojo points (each book read at least twice and diary signed by parents/carers).

Sanctions Class Charters. Clear expectations and classroom rules. Positive reinforcement is always used first. Always given a warning. Loss of Fun club time. Miss part of playtime. New day, new start!

Class Management Bags 1 drawstring PE bag to stay on peg in school. 1 small school bag or book bag. Coats Please ensure your child has a tag on the back of their coat so that it will stay on their peg & that it is labelled with their name. Clothes: Please ensure all items of clothing are labelled with child’s name. It is advisable that pupils bring a sports top, drink bottle into school but water only for the classroom. Children are able to refill water bottles in the classroom. Milk can be paid for at the office (breaktime).

Communications Weekly Newsletter (available on school website). Annual calendar updated regularly. Website. Class dojo is now set up in year one and will be a great way to communicate directly with me. Come and speak to me at home time.

Any questions?

Feedback. Pink for things you liked and positive feedback. Purple for improvements and other things to include.