1. Welcome to ‘Meet the Teacher’ Evening Elm, Birch and Chestnut Classes 17th September 2015

2. Curriculum Each term we will be focusing on a new topic: Autumn- Fire, Fire! Spring- Let’s Play Summer- We Care Please see the school website for the curriculum newsletter each term. We are hoping to organise a visit from the fire brigade for our trip this term.

3. Reading Each child will be heard read at least once a week in school. They will also be heard read in guided reading sessions. Each class will have a reading box so that the children will start to become responsible for changing their own books. It is expected that children will read every night at home. Please sign your child’s reading diary so that we know they are ready for a new book. It is important to support your child by asking them a range of questions and encouraging them to discuss the text with you. A range of texts could be read in addition to the reading scheme books, such as books from home, comics, children’s newspapers, letters and signs, etc. Reading sessions before school will be available in each class from next week. Elm Class- Tuesdays, Birch Class- Thursdays, Chestnut Class- Fridays

4. Bug Club Bug Club is an online resource to support reading at home and at school. Each child has an individual login which will be inside their reading record. Please support your children to refer to the text to find the answers for the ‘bug point questions’.

5. Letters and Sounds Letters and sounds is the government programme for teaching phonics and high frequency words. The children have 5 letters and sounds sessions a week and are grouped across Key Stage One. These groups are flexible and you will be informed if your child moves groups. Spellings will be linked to Letters and Sounds will be given out on a Friday. Please ensure children have their Letters and Sounds cards every Friday. If you have any queries about Letters and Sounds or Spellings please see your class teacher.

6. Maths Counting in 2s, 10s and 5s will be taught first. The children need to count forwards and backwards and know the facts to 12 lots of the number, e.g. 2s to 24, 5s to 60. Times tables – 2, 10, 5 3, 4, 6 all others to 12 x 12 Expectation – for each times table the children can answer random questions within 3 seconds. Times tables and counting on will be tested once a half term on random days so please practise regularly. Pre-teach Sessions will be available from next week every Thursday after school with Miss Spears.

7. Targets Each term your child will be involved in setting their own targets for reading, writing and maths. These will be sent home in reading diaries. Please support your child by reinforcing their targets at home.

8. Homework Homework includes a range of activities, including reading, spellings, times tables. Mathletics homework will be set every Friday. Literacy and Handwriting homework will be set on alternate Fridays. These activities will be linked to the work the children have being doing in class. Literacy homework should be hole punched and placed into folders. Please take the time to support your child with their homework and note down any difficulties. Homework folders should be returned to school by Wednesday each week.

9. Year 2 Tests and Phonics Screening Check Year 2 children will be tacking part in statutory tests in the Summer term. All Year 1 children and some Year 2 children will be taking the Phonics Screening Check in the Summer term.

10. ICT and eSafety We will be using the school website, class dojo, twitter and parent mail to communicate information and photographs with you so please check these regularly. Espresso home logins are also available inside reading records. @IC_IvyChimneys @IC_Birch @IC_Chestnut @IC_Elm

11. Just some other reminders…

12. PE days: Birch class – Monday and Friday Elm class – Tuesday and Wednesday Chestnut class – Tuesday and Friday No earrings should be worn on PE days and long hair must be tied back.

13. The School Day Begins at 8.55am and ends at 3.15pm. Please be punctual! Please ensure the children are in school every day- there will be rewards for 100% attendance. Holidays are no longer permitted during term time. If they are exceptional circumstances please arrange to see Mr Furness.

14. Parent volunteers Please let us know if you are available to volunteer to support reading or any other activities by speaking to the class teacher. CRB checks will need to be carried out prior to your involvement.

15. Thank you so much for coming this evening!