1. Infant Induction Meeting Helping your child adapt to school life.

2. Subjects  English (4 areas: Reading Writing Phonics Oral Language  Irish  Maths  SESE (History, Geography, Science)  Art  Music  Drama  P.E.  S.P.H.E. (Social, Personal & Health Education)  R.E.

3. Gaeilge  Emphasis on oral language  Try and use a cúpla focail at home  Topics- ar scoil, bia, aimsir…  Cluichí, ról imirt  Rannta agus amhráiní  No formal reading until second class - new curriculum

4. Mathematics  Matching  Sorting- by shape/size/colour  Grouping  Comparing  Counting items to 10  Write no’s 1 - 5  Addition to 5  Shape- 2d, 3d shape, spatial awareness  Pattern  Ordinal Number  Money  Time- sequencing events  Measurement- length, weight, capacity

5. Jolly Phonics  Children encounter letters in a novel and interesting way.  Learn the sounds the letters make.  Song and story to accompany each letter.  Sound copy for each child.  Blending sounds together to make words.

6. Beginning Reading  Big Books will be used  Word Pockets- familiar words will be sent home in these and should be looked at every night.  Create simple sentences  Phonological Awareness  Shared Reading-foster a love of reading

7. Starting to Write  Fine Motor Control- cutting, threading, play dough, colouring, tracing, buttoning, using zips...  Patterns  Colouring  Drawing  Painting  Formal Instruction begins in November  Groups of letters e.g c, o, a, d, g  Air tracing  3 P’s-posture, pencil grip, paper position.

8.  Developing the child’s vocabulary skills  http://www.ncca.biz/Aistear/ Oral Language

9. S.E.S.E/S.P.H.E  S.E.S.E - Social Environmental and Scientific Education  Topic per fortnight  Integrated with other subjects  S.P.H.E - Social Personal and Health Education  Topic per fortnight  Incidental - Healthy Lunch Policy  Stay Safe

10. Music  One or two songs per week  Listening and responding to music...various genres  Some music theory - high, low, beat, rhythm e.t.c  Making music with percussion instruments- shakers, tambourines  Assembly

11. Visual Arts  6 strands  Drawing  Paint and Colour  Print  Clay  Construction  Fabric and Fibre  Seasonal Topics

12. Drama  Exploring and making drama- role play, mime  Co-operating and communicating- in pairs/groups

13. Physical Education  Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: (weather permitting outside. Halla )  Athletics- running, jumping, throwing  Dance- creative, simple dances  Gymnastics- balancing, jumping, travel in different directions, levels, pathways  Games- ball handling, kicking, carrying and striking. Mini games. Playground games.  Outdoor and Adventure activities- outdoor challenges

14. Religion  Alive - O  List of topics...stories, drama  Prayers - say these at home with your child.

15. Homework  Sound Copy, word pocket and Reading  Should take only 10 - 15 minutes  Time should be spent looking at your child’s folder  Listen to songs and rhymes

16. Assessment  Continuous informal assessment  Parent -teacher meeting in November  Standardised reading tests in Senior Infants

17. Other bits and pieces  Incredible Years: Behaviour Management  Building Positive Relationships...Using Praise.  Rules  Individual Rewards: Stickers, Happy Grams/Super Star/High Five  Group Rewards: Stars and prize from the prize box  Molly and Wally  Elvis...good listener  Please label all clothes  Please ensure your child can manage coat, shoes, lunch, bag  Healthy eating policy-treat day Friday  Written explanation for absences  Full day to 1:40pm starting 15 th September  Thank You.