1. Thorverton C of E Primary School Welcome to Class 1

2. Children can come in and do their jobs from 8:40. We try to encourage the children to be independent but a helping hand at the start is always useful! We would be thankful though if adults could make sure they leave the classroom when the bell goes at 8:55. Any queries/problems, please see me before or after school. Children may cry initially, but this soon stops! They will enter the classroom, put personal things away and find an activity to do. Parents are encouraged to listen to them read or engage in an activity with them. Daily Organisation

3. Staff

4. When children start school in September their learning will be tailed to the stages of development, based on their interests and will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) The EYFS Learning and Development requirements are divided up into 2 areas: Prime and Specific

6. Literacy Covers communication through reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Provide opportunities to imagine and recreate experiences through activities (exploring language as they do so) To make connections between school, home and the wider community. To have access to, and share a wide range of rhymes, stories, poems, songs and non-fiction books

7. Reading Emphasis on learning through range of strategies with strong emphasis on phonics. Use Letters and Sounds as basis. Learn to recognise series of High Frequency Words, many of which cannot be sounded out phonically. Also look at context and other clues to assist in understanding text.

8. We follow the Letters and Sounds programme. Sounds rather than letter names. 4-5 per week. Sheets for each letter brought home to reinforce learning. Includes letter formation and sound.

9. Reading Begin by looking at books without text, telling own stories from pictures. Main reading scheme is Oxford Reading Tree Children work through scheme at own pace. Books supplemented by others at same level as required.

10. Reading at home Children bring home scheme books each week, from quite an early point in the term. Please share these with your child, reading to them and encouraging them to read to you as they gain confidence. Repetition is the key! Will also bring home words to learn, these are the HF words mentioned earlier.

11. What you can do to help Ensure children read scheme books and learn HF words when brought home. Look at phonics sheets and practise sounds for each. Read bedtime stories! Look at and talk about printed language in their environment, on food packets, road signs, labels and leaflets.

12. Writing Children begin with “wiggles and squiggles”. They begin to ascribe meaning to these marks. Increasingly use phonic knowledge and letter formation in their writing Write simple “CVC” words as knowledge increases.

13. What you can do to help Encourage children to draw, paint etc Show children your writing, shopping lists, things to do, birthday cards. Make scrap books, write postcards, party invitations. Develop fine motor skills by cutting, sewing, dot-to-dots etc.

14. Mathematical Development Covers counting, sorting, matching, patterns and connections Children work with numbers, shape, space and measures. Children learn through stories, songs, games and imaginative play.

15. What you can do to help Point out numbers around you, on houses, cars, television channels, cookers and microwaves, Say number names in order as you climb the stairs, count teddies on a bed, plates on the table. Compare quantities, who has the most sweets, which shopping bag is heavier?.

16. In the Class Children will work in groups based on ability rather than age. Will have opportunity through day for teacher and child led activities, Ensure indoor and outdoor activities

17. Topic work Topic work in the afternoons. Enables children to make sense of world around them. Develop skills in exploration, investigation, problem solving, prediction, discussion and decision making. Creative development covers art, music, dance, role and imaginative play.

18. Topic work Topics also linked to work in literacy and numeracy. Will include aspects of “Science”, “ History” “Geography” “Art” etc in topics. A 2 year cycle so will cover different topics at a different level in Year 1

19. Our Topics Autumn Term All about Me Our Families, family trees, growing up, milestones in our lives, Our bodies, parts of the body what are they, what do they do, growing and changing, exercise to keep healthy, medicines and drugs, Our senses, sounds, taste, touch, sight. Food, food and drink as a necessity, what do we need to stay healthy, what we like and dislike. Toys, our favourite toys, toys from the past,

20. Practical Details Please ensure all uniform is labelled with child’s name, especially PE equipment Children need to have a coat in school Packed lunches in named lunch box No chocolate, sweets, fizzy drinks Children need a snack for morning playtime We provide fruit for afternoon break time Children have “accidents”. If these are regular, can you provide a set of spare clothes. We would appreciate it if your child could be toilet trained before joining us in September.

21. Practical Details We finish at 3.30. Children will be brought out to you, by the tree. If, for some reason, someone different is picking your child up, please let me know. Children will be very tired initially, school is hard work when you are 4.

22. Practical Details Term starts on Monday September 9 th 2013 As this is a full week, this is our suggested integration as the children will be very tired. Monday 9 th – Morning only Tuesday 10 th – Morning only Wednesday 11 th – Morning and lunch Thursday 12 th – Morning and lunch Friday – Full day If you would like your child to attend full time from the Monday this is also possible, we can be flexible in the first week to meet the needs of the child.

23. Helping in School We encourage helping in class (we normally say after the first term to allow them to settle in). CRB checks needed- contact office for forms.

24. PTFA As soon as your child starts school, you automatically become a member of our Parents, Teachers and Friends Association. This provides opportunity to meet other parents socially and give practical help to the staff and children at the school.

25. Medical Matters Any sickness, diarrhoea, must be followed by 48 hours absence. Head lice are common! Please check regularly and treat as recommended. Any absence requires a note or telephone call explaining why. Any medicines can only be administered by prior arrangement with the teacher and office staff.

26. Parking We would always encourage walking to school wherever this is possible but if Car travel is completely necessary then we would ask you to “Park and Stride” by parking in the public car park by the Post Office. Parking outside of the school gates is dangerous to all children’s Health and safety and affects Emergency vehicle access. We would ask you to consider this. Thank you.

27. Welcome Packs Included should be:

28. In General We operate an open door policy and are always pleased to see any parent requiring information or advice. My email is: tdudley@thorverton-ce-primary.devon.sch.uk Any Questions?