Primary 1
Primary 1 Newsletter August – October 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Primary 1. We have had an excellent beginning to the term with all the children settling in well to the new routines. They are all happy and engaged in class and have made a great start on their P1 learning.
This newsletter will outline the weekly timetable, general class information, and give you and brief overview of the plan of learning for this term.
Timetables
Monday and Wednesday: P.E -The class have two hours of P.E. a week , one hour focusses on health and wellbeing, and the second hour focusses on skills. In addition the school follows the ‘Daily Mile’ programme to encourage outside activity every day.
Monday: Gaelic – -The class has a Gaelic lesson once a week with our Gaelic specialist Mrs McPhee
Thursday: Music The class has a music lesson once a week with our specialist, Mrs Dailly. In addition, children will be singing every day in class, as part of a programme of learning which links singing to literacy skills.
General Information
Picking up /dropping off - Please let me know if someone other than mum or dad is going to be picking up your child. It is best to call the office rather than through seesaw, as I don’t always have time to check Seesaw before home time. You can also catch me in the morning. If it is a regular arrangement, you will just have to let me know the days/routine once. Thankyou
Homework folders and diaries
AT THE MOMENT THESE ARE SUBJECT TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, SO ALL HOMEWORK/COMMUNICATION IS ON SEESAW
School Uniform
Please ensure your child’s school uniform including shoes, has their name clearly marked to avoid too many lost jumpers ( or trousers, jackets and shoes)
As the weather turns Autumnal please ensure your child brings waterproof clothing and shoes/boots to school so they can enjoy playing outside. When it starts to get wetter, the children will need inside and outside shoes, so it is a good habit to get into from the start.
Ideally children should have this type of pump for inside class.
These can also be worn for inside gym.
Social Media - We have very successfully been using the Seesaw app to record children’s learning in School. If you would like to be able to share your child’s learning via Social Media please remember to return data protection and permission slips.
The school also has a Twitter account, on which we share news and events.
Learning in Primary 1
Phonics -Jolly Phonics is the programme we follow in Primary 1. Each week the children will learn 4 new sounds. New sounds will be detailed on Seesaw each day/ week. Children will make the best progress if they are encouraged to practice and recognize these sounds at home, daily.
Reading -Reading will start with Phonics books and the Oxford Reading Tree Programme, when your child is ready. Most children will start in the second term of P1.
Numeracy - We will be focussing on topic maths- Pattern, Measurement, the language of maths, shape. and time. Daily revision of numbers will take place through songs, play and counting activities.
Topic - Scottish Animals. – A topic that covers social studies, science, art and literacy outcomes. We will be visiting the Highland Safari towards the end of September- details to come later.
Outdoor Learning – This year Lower Primary is committed to developing the field to enable more outdoor learning to take place. I aim to do some outdoor learning each week, and children need to be prepared for the outside each day- i.e., a jacket every day, and outdoor shoes. As the weather changes, we will still be incorporating outdoor learning.
Contact - If you have any questions or queries you can send me a direct message via seesaw.
Also, I am available before school from 8.45am and I can meet you for an informal chat outside. If you need a more formal meeting, we can arrange an online meeting for after school, via seesaw. (or an outside meeting)
If you want to catch me at the end of the day, please wait till all the children have been picked up and then I will be happy to chat.
You can also email me directly at bcoconnor@pkc.gov.uk. However be aware that I often do not get to my emails until lunchtime so if it is urgent, catch me in the morning.
Kind Regards
Bernadette O’Connor