Hello and welcome to Primary 1/2 with Mrs Powell.
We have been working hard the past few weeks to ensure pupils feel
safe and happy on their first step in their Maidens journey. Our aim is to get to know the children, help them settle into the school environment and support them to know our rules and routines.
Reading for Pleasure
We are continuing to work hard at promoting a ‘Reading for Pleasure’ culture in our school. We enjoy reading a wide variety of books together, the children have access to a wide variety of books in our ‘cave space’ in class. This space also doubles up as our quiet space where children can go if things get a bit too much for them or they just need a bit of breathing space.
Learning at Home
Our Homework this term will focus on formation of letters and numbers (encoding) and reading the sounds and words in the little tubs that have been sent home in their homework bags. Homework will be sent out on a Wednesday and should be returned on Monday Morning. It would be helpful if the children could bring their book bags with them each morning as this is where we will put any letters for them to bring home.
Literacy
Phonics –our Phonics program started week one. We learn our first letter sound on a Monday, consolidate this sound on a Tuesday, learn our second letter sound on a Thursday and consolidate this sound on a Friday. We teach the sounds through songs, rhymes and active games. We are sure you will find yourself singing some Jolly Phonics classics in the shower soon enough! Primary 2 have been revising sounds and will begin their new sounds after the holidays.
Reading – In Primary One/ Two we love sharing books and reading. Reading is an integral part of life and key to living. All pupils will read books appropriate to their level on a weekly basis. Pupils will complete further comprehension tasks from their reading, within the classroom. Writing – Our Writing day is on a Wednesday with Miss Eaglesham. During this session, the children will be supported to write and develop writing in various genres across the curriculum.
Numeracy and Maths
During term one we will be covering number recognition, formation
and counting, ordering numbers 1-20 (P1), 1-50 (P2) subitising, and
addition among other tasks. Maths is active and uses lots of
concrete materials to encourage pupils to relax and enjoy the
learning environment. We will be utilising both the classroom and outdoor spaces to support and extend learning. We will also be planning for daily mental maths, improving accuracy and speed. We use many different approaches to deliver mental maths lessons.
You can encourage your child through number recognition and
counting in the environment around you.
PE:
Please remember to have PE kit, including gym shoes in school for
lessons, we have changed our PE days to Monday and Friday. Gym kit (shorts and t-shirt) and shoes can be left in class throughout the year, taken home for the occasional wash. Please name all clothing and shoes, if you have already sent it in, we are happy to name it for you.
Outdoor Learning:
lease make sure your child has a suitable waterproof jacket with a hood, for outdoor learning. Due to the Scottish weather we cannot guarantee to be out in sunshine all year round. If you wish your child to wear wellies on the outdoor days, please send a pair in, named in a bag and we will keep them in school.
Due to other events that can sometimes occur in timetabling, we may need to move PE or Outdoor Learning in a week, so it is important to have clothing, in school, suitable to the learning.
We hope to have a Den Building/loose parts session each Wednesday.
Health and Wellbeing:
As a school, we adopt a whole school approach to nurture, this will
focus on settling pupils into rules and routines and providing
necessary supports for pupils as they start school. We will also cover
different topics such as friendship and emotions, among other areas
as the year progresses.
“All children need is a little help, a little hope and people who truly believe in them”
Magic Johnson
