Author: Teacher

Primary One Newsletter

A new year and a new term for P1.

Homework
Reading
The children will continue to be given reading daily. Each fortnight a reading target will continue to be glued into their reading records. It would be exceptionally helpful if you could sign your child’s reading record to enable us to know that the reading has been heard. Please add any comments you have about the task or your child’s reading.
Please can you ensure that you return your child’s reading book and reading record every day.
Sounds
Children will now be given weekly sound activities in a purple booklet. Some of these activities will reinforce the sound work and word building activities we have done in class this term and some of it will focus on alternative ways of making these sounds as well as using all the sounds. Each week a page will be dated to complete in the purple booklet.
We will continue to send home 2-4 common words a week. Please practise these frequently, as instant recognition of these words is key to being a successful reader.
Word boxes will also be sent home weekly. These can be used to make words using individual letters in zippy bags or to read as they are.
Handwriting Homework
The children now have a blue handwriting homework book. Each week a page of this will be dated to be completed. This work supports the Penpal Handwriting Programme which we use in class. Please encourage your child to sit correctly, use the correct pencil grip, a sharp pencil and to take their time. More information on this can be found in the handwriting guidelines that were issued with the P1 induction pack or can be obtained from the class teacher.
Maths and Numeracy Homework
Your child will be issued with a weekly practical task to be carried out to support the learning in class. These practical tasks will have a learning intention to outline what children are learning and also a success criteria which gives guidance on how to know if your child can carry out the task.
Suggested homework schedule
Monday– complete sound book and talk about words that contain that sound. Read common words.
Tuesday– Complete page dated in handwriting booklet and look over blue book of sounds.
Wednesday– Complete maths practical task and practise the sounds again, pay particular attention to the sounds made up of 2 sounds such as sh, th, oi etc. as these need a lot of reinforcement.
Thursday-Look over new word boxes and make words then practise the common words again as new words will have been issued and taught in class.
The Curriculum
GLOW
GLOW is an child friendly website that is accessible by all pupils in Midlothian.
Your child will shortly be given a GLOW username and password, this will be glued into their reading records. On the homepage we will add games and video clips that will support all areas of learning. More information on this will be given in an after school meeting so please look out for a date for this coming soon.
Environmental Studies
We will be starting this term with projects on ‘Scotland’ and ‘Introducing Energy.
During studies on Scotland children will be learning about Scottish foods and the Scot’s language and also about places they have visited within Scotland. In our energy topic we will be learning about what gives us energy and what we use energy for as well as introducing heat, light and sound energy and looking at appliances in our house that give off these energy types. We will also look breifly at electrical safety. If any parents or grandparents have any expertise in these areas please feel free to say to us and come in and support the learning in the class.
Gym Rubbers
Please can you ensure that your child has labelled gym rubbers to be kept in school for PE. Correct footwear for PE is essential from a health and safety point of view.
Again, thank you for your support.
Mrs Dunn and Mrs Stevens