Class Teacher: Eilís Casey

Class Information

Gallery

English

In Junior and Senior Infants our focus is on providing a strong foundation for the children in all areas. The children will interact with their teachers and peers to develop strong communication skills. Nursery rhymes, songs and poems help in the development of oral language skills. Early reading and writing development is supported through the use of the Jolly Phonics Programme. As the emerging literary skills strengthen we use PM+ graded readers to develop early reading skills. Fine motor activities are used to develop hand strength and pencil grip for example plasticine, pattern work and cutting activities. The cursive style handwriting is taught from Junior Infant level. We implement the Building Bridges Programme to help develop and encourage practice in comprehension strategies such as predicting, making connections and visualising.

Gaeilge

Múintear an Ghaeilge gach aon lá. Leantar an scéim Bua na Cainte chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh. Imríonn na páistí cluichí teanga go rialto agus canann said amhrán Gaeilge go minic. Foghlaimíonn na paistí agus baineann said úsáid as frásaí cabhracha tríd an lae scoile.

Irish is taught every day. The scheme Bua na Cainte is followed to teach Irish. Children play language games and sing many songs in Irish. Children learn and use many helpful phrases throughout the day.

Maths

The infant maths curriculum helps develop higher order thinking skills through a variety hands on activities related to sorting, matching and pattern building. The interactive programme used is Ready Set Go Maths. In addition numbers ranging from zero to ten are introduced using activities to practise counting, forming number bonds and writing numerals. Topics such as shape, capacity, weight, time, money, length are explored through hands on practical exploration.

Aistear

Aistear is the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. It introduces structured play to meet curriculum objectives from all areas of the Primary Curriculum. Children in infant classes in our school have at structured play at various intervals throughout the school year. Imaginative play is at the heart of the Aistear time where children and teachers interact together using props and costumes to create an environment such as a home, a toy shop, a space station, the hairdresser or a restaurant. In addition, children participate in a variety of other structured play in the following categories: games with rules (i.e. board games, Memory, hopscotch), small world (i.e. trains, dolls, cars), creative (i.e. painting, junk art, playdough) and construction (i.e. jigsaws, lego, blocks).

History, Geography and Science

These subjects are explored using a thematic approach. Some of the themes explored include food, homes, space, clothes and toys. The focus is on the child’s experience and developing links between these experiences and the world around them. Language development is linked to every theme. Our location has limitless outdoor space, in which to explore these subjects. In addition, visits to local natural habitats help teach key concepts.

Visual Arts, Music and Drama

The creative arts are integrated throughout the curriculum and often tied to the themes the classes are currently exploring. The emphasis is on the process rather than the product in all cases. A variety of media are used to develop visual art techniques. Singing is an essential part of the music curriculum. We also use instruments of all kinds to explore rhythm and compose. In addition, listening to a variety of music is a regular activity. Drama, closely linked with oral language and literacy development, is intertwined throughout the day. It is a regular feature of Aistear time each day through imaginative play.

Physical Education

Children develop gross motor skills through a variety of activities including dance, swimming, outdoor adventures, athletics and games, gymnastics.

Social, Personal and Health Education

Lessons in this area work to establish healthy habits regarding eating, exercise and hygiene. In addition, children learn about themselves and each other, exploring their interests, families and relationships with their classmates and friends. These themes are integrated throughout the day as well as addressed in discrete lessons.