Hello!
Well, I can hardly believe it! This is the last week of Junior Infants for this academic year! In normal times we would have been getting our summer holidays on this coming Friday, the 26th June, so we have set a little bit of work until Wednesday just to finish off a few bits...And then you're free for the summer!
Although it is a relief to be at the end of this strange third term it is a strange and sad way to end the year. I was in our classroom this past week to tidy and sort a few things and it felt so quiet and lonely. I couldn't help but miss the girls and think of the fun and excitement we would have been having, celebrating the end of a fun year together and looking forward to the summer break! However, the situation couldn't be helped and I look forward to seeing the girls in September and saying hello whenever we meet in the corridors or on the yard. My greatest hope is that you all have a lovely summer where you can rest and spend time with loved ones and I hope we can return in the new school year safely and with something as close to normal as possible. I feel privileged to have been the Junior Infant teacher of these very special group of girls and I thank you parents for all your support over the last year.
Very best wishes and have a great summer,
Ms McQuaid
Monday 22nd June
English:
Oral language:
You can continue to discuss and ask questions about the stories you read aloud and any readers you manage to cover. See reading sections below.
Topics they could discuss as the year comes to an end:
Reading:
As before for readers:
home.oxfordowl.co.uk/books/free-ebooks/
Reading Egg https://app.readingeggsjunior.com/
Jolly Phonics readers
https://www.jollylearning.co.uk/jolly-phonics-e-readers-now-available/
https://connect.collins.co.uk/school/teacherlogin.aspx
Sight words:
Sight word of the day: some, like
Spot the word in their reader/ books. Put it in a sentence.
Use the songs/games mentioned in earlier posts.
Word Families:
To help with sounding out and blending short words you could concentrate on different word families. I will add two a week for you to focus on, one on Mondays and one on Wednesdays. Use the sounds of each letter to read the words. The girls could try and think of other words that belong to the word family for that day. This is also a good rhyming activity, an important skill for learning to read.
Word Family 9 -et
-get, set, met, pet, wet, bet, jet
Sharing a story together:
What the Ladybird heard on Holiday by Julia Donaldson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwslOsSeutI
You may have already learned about what the ladybird heard…Well, now you can follow her adventures on holidays!
As you read you can help your daughter engage with the story using similar activities to the Starlight posters and big books:
Make predictions- They can make clever guesses about what they think might happen in the story based on clues from the title and illustrations on the cover. They may also be able to remember and explain to you what job an author and illustrator do!
Make Connections- They can also be encouraged to make connections between the story and their own lives and experiences by asking simple questions like:
As always, they can try to spot any familiar Sight Words or CVC words as they read/listen to the story.
You can also try to see how many rhyming words you can spot.
Writing:
You can continue writing your name with as many joined letters as you can.
You could also write some of the -et words and draw pictures to illustrate them if you liked.
Today’s letter to revise is y
What sound does it make? What starts with this sound?
Use this rhyme to help practice writing:
Slant up. Straight down around and up. Straight down to the ground. Curve back around. Slant up
http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/letter/index.html?dataFile=GWTF_B_LF_y.json&referrer=http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/index.html#!/book-sections/1/section-groups/1/group/0/
Maths:
Don’t forget the Super Hero Zero song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RfIKqkvHTY
And counting to 20 if you would like to give it a go! https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TDOqyEoqS8oyYPTiTs4vzStRKMlXMDIAAH1dCJE&q=count+to+20&oq=count+to+20&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j46j0l5j46.4180j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Warm up: Continue counting forwards and backwards within ten. Have fun with it!!
We are continuing our topic of money. Set up your little shop at home and encourage your child to buy items with 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins.
Complete Planet Maths page 127.
https://www.folensonline.ie/home/library/programmes/planet-mathsji/ebook/
A Planet Maths money game:
https://content.folensonline.ie/programmes/PlanetMaths/PMJI/resources/activities/pm_ji_122/index.html
Tuesday 23rd June
English:
Oral language:
Discussion of readers or stories read aloud.
Reading:
Core Reader- See above
Sight words:
Revise those covered so far.
Word of the Day his, her
Repeat previous activities
Continue with word family -et
Writing:
Today’s letter to revise is z
What sound does it make? What starts with this sound?
Use this rhyme to help practice writing:
Slant up. Curve around and in. Curve around and down to the ground. Curve back around. Slant up.
http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/letter/index.html?dataFile=GWTF_B_LF_z.json&referrer=http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/index.html#!/book-sections/1/section-groups/1/group/2/
Maths:
Warm up:
The last page of our Planet Math book!
Planet Maths page 128
https://www.folensonline.ie/home/library/programmes/planet-mathsji/ebook/
A Planet Maths money game.
https://content.folensonline.ie/programmes/PlanetMaths/PMJI/resources/activities/pm_ji_125/index.html
Music:
You may have sung along with Boom Chicka Boom.
Now you can sing and move to a Summer version!
Boom Chicka Boom Summer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfZ-438DrIs
Wednesday 24th June
English:
Oral language:
Discussion of readers or stories read loud.
Reading:
Core Reader- see above
Sight words:
Revise those covered so far.
Word of the Day: where what
Repeat previous activities
Word Family 10 -ot
- not, rot, hot, dot, lot, jot, cot
Can they read these words? What other words can you think of that end in the -ot sounds?
Sharing a story together:
A nice story about day trips… we may be lucky to have a few this summer!!!
Harry and the Dinosaurs go to the Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DaHra2UmXc
Writing:
Why not revise all the 26 letters a-z?
Can you write some of the -ot words and draw a picture?
Maths:
No more new Maths for Junior Infants!!
We suggest that you keep up the mental math exercises that we have suggested in the blog over the course of the lock down. Also topmarks.co.uk is a particularly good website for accessing maths games over the summer.
Extra ideas:
Art:
Some nice artist inspired ideas for kids:
https://thepinterestedparent.com/2017/09/30-artist-inspired-art-projects-kids/
Teddy Bear’s Picnic:
If the weather’s nice, why not treat your favourite teddy or doll to a picnic lunch outdoors?
Ice cream sundae:
Have some fun and use different types of fruit and sweets to create your own ice cream sundae ( Ms McQuaid loves Smarties on hers!)
The Day the Crayons Quit:
A lovely story to encourage care for our things and creative colouring!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489micE6eHU
Peep and the Big Wide World Summer themed programmes:
Quack and the amazing sandy magic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdAvKJnAsXc
House of Sand and Frog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgtr7kmWhuE
Well, I can hardly believe it! This is the last week of Junior Infants for this academic year! In normal times we would have been getting our summer holidays on this coming Friday, the 26th June, so we have set a little bit of work until Wednesday just to finish off a few bits...And then you're free for the summer!
Although it is a relief to be at the end of this strange third term it is a strange and sad way to end the year. I was in our classroom this past week to tidy and sort a few things and it felt so quiet and lonely. I couldn't help but miss the girls and think of the fun and excitement we would have been having, celebrating the end of a fun year together and looking forward to the summer break! However, the situation couldn't be helped and I look forward to seeing the girls in September and saying hello whenever we meet in the corridors or on the yard. My greatest hope is that you all have a lovely summer where you can rest and spend time with loved ones and I hope we can return in the new school year safely and with something as close to normal as possible. I feel privileged to have been the Junior Infant teacher of these very special group of girls and I thank you parents for all your support over the last year.
Very best wishes and have a great summer,
Ms McQuaid
Monday 22nd June
English:
Oral language:
You can continue to discuss and ask questions about the stories you read aloud and any readers you manage to cover. See reading sections below.
Topics they could discuss as the year comes to an end:
- Favourite memories of their time in Junior Infants
- What did they like/dislike about not being able to be in their classroom?
- What are they looking forward to/hopes for the summer holidays?
- What are they looking forward to when they move to Senior Infants?
Reading:
As before for readers:
home.oxfordowl.co.uk/books/free-ebooks/
Reading Egg https://app.readingeggsjunior.com/
Jolly Phonics readers
https://www.jollylearning.co.uk/jolly-phonics-e-readers-now-available/
https://connect.collins.co.uk/school/teacherlogin.aspx
Sight words:
Sight word of the day: some, like
Spot the word in their reader/ books. Put it in a sentence.
Use the songs/games mentioned in earlier posts.
Word Families:
To help with sounding out and blending short words you could concentrate on different word families. I will add two a week for you to focus on, one on Mondays and one on Wednesdays. Use the sounds of each letter to read the words. The girls could try and think of other words that belong to the word family for that day. This is also a good rhyming activity, an important skill for learning to read.
Word Family 9 -et
-get, set, met, pet, wet, bet, jet
Sharing a story together:
What the Ladybird heard on Holiday by Julia Donaldson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwslOsSeutI
You may have already learned about what the ladybird heard…Well, now you can follow her adventures on holidays!
As you read you can help your daughter engage with the story using similar activities to the Starlight posters and big books:
Make predictions- They can make clever guesses about what they think might happen in the story based on clues from the title and illustrations on the cover. They may also be able to remember and explain to you what job an author and illustrator do!
Make Connections- They can also be encouraged to make connections between the story and their own lives and experiences by asking simple questions like:
- Have you ever been to a zoo?
- How is this story similar to /different from What the ladybird Heard?
As always, they can try to spot any familiar Sight Words or CVC words as they read/listen to the story.
You can also try to see how many rhyming words you can spot.
Writing:
You can continue writing your name with as many joined letters as you can.
You could also write some of the -et words and draw pictures to illustrate them if you liked.
Today’s letter to revise is y
What sound does it make? What starts with this sound?
Use this rhyme to help practice writing:
Slant up. Straight down around and up. Straight down to the ground. Curve back around. Slant up
http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/letter/index.html?dataFile=GWTF_B_LF_y.json&referrer=http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/index.html#!/book-sections/1/section-groups/1/group/0/
Maths:
Don’t forget the Super Hero Zero song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RfIKqkvHTY
And counting to 20 if you would like to give it a go! https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TDOqyEoqS8oyYPTiTs4vzStRKMlXMDIAAH1dCJE&q=count+to+20&oq=count+to+20&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j46j0l5j46.4180j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Warm up: Continue counting forwards and backwards within ten. Have fun with it!!
- Guess my coin- Put coins into a feely bag…child picks a coin out with their eyes closed and guesses the coin by touch.
We are continuing our topic of money. Set up your little shop at home and encourage your child to buy items with 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins.
Complete Planet Maths page 127.
https://www.folensonline.ie/home/library/programmes/planet-mathsji/ebook/
A Planet Maths money game:
https://content.folensonline.ie/programmes/PlanetMaths/PMJI/resources/activities/pm_ji_122/index.html
Tuesday 23rd June
English:
Oral language:
Discussion of readers or stories read aloud.
Reading:
Core Reader- See above
Sight words:
Revise those covered so far.
Word of the Day his, her
Repeat previous activities
Continue with word family -et
Writing:
Today’s letter to revise is z
What sound does it make? What starts with this sound?
Use this rhyme to help practice writing:
Slant up. Curve around and in. Curve around and down to the ground. Curve back around. Slant up.
http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/letter/index.html?dataFile=GWTF_B_LF_z.json&referrer=http://data.cjfallon.ie/resources/gwtf-handwriting/index.html#!/book-sections/1/section-groups/1/group/2/
Maths:
Warm up:
- Coin rubbings
- Money sort- put all the 1c/2c/5c coins in the correct sets/families
The last page of our Planet Math book!
Planet Maths page 128
https://www.folensonline.ie/home/library/programmes/planet-mathsji/ebook/
A Planet Maths money game.
https://content.folensonline.ie/programmes/PlanetMaths/PMJI/resources/activities/pm_ji_125/index.html
Music:
You may have sung along with Boom Chicka Boom.
Now you can sing and move to a Summer version!
Boom Chicka Boom Summer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfZ-438DrIs
Wednesday 24th June
English:
Oral language:
Discussion of readers or stories read loud.
Reading:
Core Reader- see above
Sight words:
Revise those covered so far.
Word of the Day: where what
Repeat previous activities
Word Family 10 -ot
- not, rot, hot, dot, lot, jot, cot
Can they read these words? What other words can you think of that end in the -ot sounds?
Sharing a story together:
A nice story about day trips… we may be lucky to have a few this summer!!!
Harry and the Dinosaurs go to the Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DaHra2UmXc
Writing:
Why not revise all the 26 letters a-z?
Can you write some of the -ot words and draw a picture?
Maths:
No more new Maths for Junior Infants!!
We suggest that you keep up the mental math exercises that we have suggested in the blog over the course of the lock down. Also topmarks.co.uk is a particularly good website for accessing maths games over the summer.
Extra ideas:
Art:
Some nice artist inspired ideas for kids:
https://thepinterestedparent.com/2017/09/30-artist-inspired-art-projects-kids/
Teddy Bear’s Picnic:
If the weather’s nice, why not treat your favourite teddy or doll to a picnic lunch outdoors?
Ice cream sundae:
Have some fun and use different types of fruit and sweets to create your own ice cream sundae ( Ms McQuaid loves Smarties on hers!)
The Day the Crayons Quit:
A lovely story to encourage care for our things and creative colouring!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489micE6eHU
Peep and the Big Wide World Summer themed programmes:
Quack and the amazing sandy magic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdAvKJnAsXc
House of Sand and Frog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgtr7kmWhuE