1. DESS Curriculum Information Evening 2015-16 Welcome to Year 1!

2. The Team: Miss Bull and Miss Cork – 1 Red Mrs Joseph and Mrs Hall – 1 Blue Miss Curran and Miss Dempsey – 1 Green Miss Wood and Mrs Fitzpatrick – 1 Yellow Miss Mc Sheaffrey and Mrs Brannock – 1 Orange Mrs Gallagher – Learning Support Teacher Miss Powell (Year 2 red) – Phase Leader And YOU!

3. Teaching and Learning in Arabic New premises – Come and see! Information on the website Website is being built - bare with us Advance notice: How to help my child with Arabic – Coffee Morning on 8 th of October 2015 @ 8:00 am in French room (specialist corridor, block 5/6)

4. Islamic Education Team Mr. Yousef Bakkar Mrs. Sanam Yaqub Mrs. Zein Al Ray We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, 1 st October 2015, at 8:00-9:00 am in the Islamic Room.

5. 5 DESS Plus! Wow! and Enrichment Key themes and concepts Real life context taking into account where we are Discreet teaching (PSHE) Specialist Lessons (Music, P.E, Dance Arabic) Learning Skills Curriculum

6. What will the lessons look like? “Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I’ll remember, involve me and I’ll understand” - Benjamin Franklin Move away from traditional chalk and talk style to: Active Engaging Challenging

7. Learning Skills 5 Rs Readiness Reflectiveness Remembering Resilience Resourcefulness Listening skills Speaking skills Presentation skills Group Work Research skills Dare to be Different

8. Home Learning Moved away from ‘Traditional style’ homework. Supports creativity and children’s preferred learning styles. 2-3 tasks per half term, in Home Learning Books. Spelling as a separate task, in a separate book. 10 words per week.

9. Spelling Every Sunday a new list will be added to a dedicated spelling log book. Will link directly to the sounds and spelling patterns being taught in RWI (Differentiated by Bug Club). Children are to practise these words at home regularly – engaging ideas will be provided – e.g. Rainbow writing, writing in shaving foam or magic sand. Words will also be practised in class and assessment will be on-going from day-to-day (no formal weekly test) and may be with a teacher, LSA, or buddy. The children will need to spell the words correctly 4 times either at home or at school (the teacher or LSA will check on the fourth time)

10. Year 1 Procedures Information about when specialist equipment is needed can be found in the new home-school communication book. Labelling kit Reading books – routines and expectations Clubs Assessments: On-going throughout the year Reading, writing (including spelling) and Numeracy

11. How you can help? Punctuality and lateness Attendance Ready to learn! Healthy snacks Label everything! Increased independence Increased self awareness

12. How can you help at home? Sign the diary daily Assist with Home Learning Regularly practise counting in 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s to 100, forwards and backwards, number bonds Reading regularly (comprehension as well as mechanics!)

13. Ask your child questions: What have you learnt? What did you find difficult / easy today? How do you know? What would help you get better? When could you do this? Is there anyone or anything that could help you? What are your targets? How will you ensure you meet these targets?

14. Communication DESS Communicator Weekly diary *New* website! http://dessdubai.com/dessdubai.com Coffee Mornings Parents’ evening Reports

15. We Want YOU! We are always grateful for extra pairs of hands! If you are interested in being a parent volunteer, then please sign one of the forms at the end of the presentation.

16. Any questions?