Monday 6 February 2012

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Lower 3, 4 and 5

Lower 3

EARLY STAGES CURRICULUM

After the first few weeks of Lower 3 there will be a meeting to discuss the Lower 3 curriculum in greater detail. This will provide the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about the work your child is doing or going to do in Lower 3. The following is a brief outline of the curricular areas your child will experience at this stage.

Language

We follow the 5-14 Language guidelines. Language includes Talking, Listening, Reading and Writing.

Reading

The core reading scheme is New Ginn 360 which includes core readers, pocket books, reading skills exercises and a related comprehension booklet. The pupils are encouraged to borrow books for personal reading from our well-stocked library.

Phonics and spelling

The Jolly Phonics/Grammar scheme provides your child with a fun way of learning phonics/grammar. We also use the Nelson Spelling Scheme to reinforce spelling rules.

Writing

Correct pencil grip and formation of letters will continue to be taught, with the introduction of cursive writing at this stage. The North Lanarkshire Writing Programme is used as a strategic approach to the teaching of Creative and Functional Writing.

Listening and thinking

These essential skills are required in all areas of the curriculum and are developed in a variety of ways: playing games, discussion, group work, story time, educational programmes and computer work.

Mathematics

Your child will follow the programme of study outlined in the 5-14 Guidelines supported by the New and Old Heinemann Mathematics Scheme and other supporting materials. Numeracy and mathematical skills will be taught in a variety of stimulating ways and will include Problem Solving and practical activities with extension books and materials for more able pupils. Your child will experience stimulating oral work and games to enhance learning.

French

French is introduced for the first time in Lower 3. Games and simple worksheets are used to build a basic vocabulary, aiming to build confidence and enthusiasm for the language.

Environmental studies

Projects studied are part of a balanced Lower School programme based on the 5-14 Environmental Studies Curriculum. In Lower 3 the topics covered are:-

Information technology

Your child will be encouraged to use the computer as a tool for learning in a variety of curricular areas.

Expressive arts

In addition to their experience with the class teacher your child will receive specialist input in Art, Music and Physical Education on a weekly basis. Swimming will be taught in Term 1. Drama is covered in the classroom.

RME & PSE

Lower 3 take part in a whole school Religious and Moral Education programme covering the required areas stated in the 5-14 Guidelines. Personal and Social Developmental Skills are approached and taught daily through the various activities and projects. The Lower 3 year is a transition year from Infants to Juniors and the pupils now become members of the Lower School Choir and take part in whole school assemblies. They are also afforded the responsibility of being Form Captain and Vice Captain for the first time.

Homework policy

Homework will involve Reading most nights and other homework activities will be related to Language, Maths, Handwriting, Project Work and related research, French and preparing talks. Pupils at this stage would be expected to spend 15-20 minutes on homework each evening.

Lower 4

Parent Contact

Parents are invited to attend a short meeting with the teacher after the first few weeks of Term 1. The purpose of this meeting is to meet the teacher, be informed about the curriculum and expectations for the year and for any questions or queries to be answered. Individual parent interviews are scheduled for the October. Mini reports are issued in December and February with comments, effort grades and attainment Levels giving a brief indication of how classwork is progressing.

At the end of Term 2 parents again have the opportunity to meet the teacher with an individual parents appointment. In Term 3 a more detailed report is issued at the end of Term. Parents and teachers use the Homework diary for informal contact and praise. Parents are kept informed of any issues that arise in class. Teachers are happy to meet with parents outwith these scheduled times and parents should write or phone if it is necessary to make an appointment to discuss any issues.

Reading

The main scheme used is New Ginn 360 which includes core readers, pocket books, reading skills exercises and related comprehension booklet. The pupils will read Novels with the teacher and be encouraged to choose a variety of authors and styles for their own personal reading. The class visit the library once a week to choose a book to share at home. Children have weekly reading homework and regular comprehension exercises to complete.

Handwriting

Children will reinforce the work done in Lower 3 on joined writing. The main Lower School scheme is Nelson, which gives a good mix of Language exercises and practise pages for size, spacing, speed and accuracy of letters and words. All work should be produced to a high standard of presentation.

Spelling

The New Nelson Spelling scheme is used with the majority of children to reinforce spelling rules. The children have weekly spelling tests and are given regular spelling homework. Spelling workshop runs at a lunchtime for one term for differing abilities of children.

Mathematics

The 5-14 Guidelines provide the outline of our programme of study for Mathematics. The Heinemann Mathematics Scheme and other materials provide a differentiated approach with numeracy and arithmetic skills. Problem Solving is taught and used regularly along with weekly mental arithmetic tests. Practical activities such as games, number beads, number fans and using equipment can be used to extend and reinforce concepts to meet the needs of pupils.

The children will experience a mixture of oral work and written work. In Lower 4 children are expected to learn tables 5, 6, 7, 8,9 and 10. Mathematical homework is set weekly whether in the guise of learning tables, Problem Solving, Mental Arithmetic or even some project related mathematical concepts such as compass work.

Information Technology

Children use the computer regularly in groups or as an individual. Researching for project work to create and present a poster in a group, designing and creating a new front cover for a book or simply preparing a story for display on the wall. All these activities encourage the use of the keyboard and familiarisation of simple programmes.

Expressive Arts

R.M.E. and P.S.E.

Lower 4 attend weekly Lower School Assemblies and on three mornings a week the Whole School Assemblies. Personal and Social Development skills are introduced with project related themes or maybe as a discussion when the appropriate time arises in class.

The class will study some key figures from a variety of religions and begin to get a flavour of different cultures and other world religions. Christian festivals will be recognised too. A Christmas and Easter Service is held in a church.

Homework Policy

Homework will involve Reading most nights and other activities given on a regularly include Mathematics, Project work, Handwriting, Reading Comprehension, Language work, Researching and Preparing a Talk and Spelling.

Homework is varied and should be a reinforcement of what has been taught in school. Pupils are expected to spent 15-20 minutes on written work each school night and an additional 10 minutes practising recorder.

Lower 5

Parent Contact

During the first week of Lower 5 parents are invited to attend a short meeting with the class teacher. The purpose of the meeting is to meet the teacher, share the curriculum and expectations for the year and to have any queries or questions answered.

In Lower 5 there are individual parent interviews in October and March. Mini written reports are issued in December and February, with a more detialed report issued in June.

It is also important to note that parents are invited to discuss any concerns about their child’s progress as and when the need arises.

Reading

The core Scheme is New Ginn 360 which includes core readers, pocket books, reading skill exercises and related comprehension activities. The pupils will read with the teacher and at home. The class visit the library once a week to choose a book to read at home and they will be encouraged to read a variety of Genre.

Handwriting

The school scheme is Nelson and the children will be continuing to join in a cursive style through a topic based approach. They will be encouraged to produce work to a very high standard across all areas of the curriculum.

Spelling

The New Nelson Spelling Scheme is used throughout the school. The children will be taught various spelling roles and be encouraged to use them in context. The children have weekly spelling tests and are given spelling homework.

Mathematics

Following the 5-14 Guidelines children in Lower 5 will continue to progress according to the stage of their development.

They will be involved in weekly Problem Solving sessions using the Apex scheme. The children will also progress through oral and written Mental Arithmetic Exercises.

The core mathematics scheme is Heinemann and the majority of pupils will be progressing through Heinemann 5 at this stage.

ICT

In Lower 5 the children begin weekly ICT lessons with our specialist teacher in the computer lab. These lessons are closely linked to our topic work.

Expressive Arts

R.M.E. and P.S.E.

Lower 5 attend weekly Lower School Assemblies and on three mornings a week the Whole School Assemblies. Personal and Social Development skills are introduced with project related themes or maybe as a discussion when the appropriate time arises in class. The class will study some key figures from a variety of religions and begin to get a flavour of different cultures and other world religions. Christian festivals will be recognised too. A Christmas and Easter Service is held in a church.

Homework Policy

Homework will involve Reading most nights and other activities given on a regularly include Mathematics, Project work, Handwriting, Reading Comprehension, Language work, Researching and Preparing a Talk and Spelling. Homework is varied and should be a reinforcement of what has been taught in school. Pupils are expected to spend 15-20 minutes on written work each school night and an additional 10 minutes practising recorder.

PE

Pupils receive specialist swimming lessons in Term One and a tuition period of Physical exercise. The swimming timetable culminates with a Swimming Gala, a fun event enjoyed by all! In Terms Two and Three the children receive two forty minute periods of specialist P.E. tuition each week. A Sports Day is held at our Milltimber pitches at the end of Term 3