Welcome to
Suzanne's Junior Infant class. The following are some ideas of some funs ways that you can support your child’s Literacy and Numeracy development
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Ballywaltrim and Bray library are running a free reading programme calling ‘Summer Stars’ which your child might enjoy participating in during the holidays. The libraries have a wonderful selection of picture books and books for Emergent readers, which would help your child with the development of their reading skills.
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Here are some useful Literacy Websites for practicing reading skills:
Watch some episodes of 'Alphablocks':
Numeracy:
Try to practice maths in real life situations with your child.
- Count the steps with your child as they walk up/ down the stairs.
- Ask them to count how many forks and knives are needed when helping to set the table.
- Help them to count how many items are on the shopping list.
- Ask them to help sort the shopping into piles for the fridge, cupboard and bathroom.
- Encourage your child to match socks and to match pyjama tops and bottoms etc.
- Ask them to count how many T-shirts are on the line.
- Can they work out how many clothes pegs will be needed to hang up three towels?
- Ask your child if the white towel is longer/ shorter/ bigger/ smaller than the blue towel?
- Compare items according to length, width, height, weight, quantity, thickness or size.
- Ask your child what number comes before/ after a certain number between 1 - 10.
- Estimate how many biscuits are in the packet, then count them and check.
- Practice counting, weighing and measuring when baking with your child.
Here are some fun Maths games to play:
Watch some episodes of 'Numberblocks' and 'Numberjacks':
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Our first Art Day in B.S.P.!
Teddy Bears Picnic with
our 5th class buddies!
It was a beautiful sunny day for our Teddy Bear’s Picnic with the buddies.
The children filled in a Teddy Bear Interview sheet, danced together, shared treats, played ‘Simon says’ and drew chalk pictures of their teddies on the ground together.
Active Week
Junior Infants had great fun during their first Active Week in B.S.P. and really enjoyed their first 'Sport For All Day' on Wednesday and 'Sports Day' on Friday. It was a very busy and energetic week!
Activities included Parachute games, Rocket throwing and Scoops activity, running games, playing with their own Sports equipment, Obstacle course and Sprint, Throwing and Sack races.
Junior Infants had great fun during their first Active Week in B.S.P. and really enjoyed their first 'Sport For All Day' on Wednesday and 'Sports Day' on Friday. It was a very busy and energetic week!
Activities included Parachute games, Rocket throwing and Scoops activity, running games, playing with their own Sports equipment, Obstacle course and Sprint, Throwing and Sack races.
Fun at the farm!
We really enjoyed our visit to Airfield Farm.
We saw lots of different kinds of animals - two donkeys called Carol and Connall, some rams, four pigs, lots of chickens and three roosters. We even got to see the cows being milked.
We also got to go and see the new World of Soil Exhibition!
We really enjoyed our visit to Airfield Farm.
We saw lots of different kinds of animals - two donkeys called Carol and Connall, some rams, four pigs, lots of chickens and three roosters. We even got to see the cows being milked.
We also got to go and see the new World of Soil Exhibition!
We planted sunflower seeds!
We had a visit from storyteller Niall de Burca today. The children really enjoyed the stories and there was lots of fun and laughter!
Many thanks to the West Midlands Childrens Theatre for their wonderful performance of 'Sigurd and the Dragon' in school today!
Our family projects.
Intercultural Fortnight:
The children participated in a variety of activities as part of our Intercultural Fortnight Celebrations.
The children participated in a variety of activities as part of our Intercultural Fortnight Celebrations.
- Silvestry, Annie and Susan taught Junior Infants and 5th class buddies how to play African games.
- We would like to say a big thank you to Christine for coming in to talk to the children about Uruguay.
- The class also enjoyed Lesley’s visit when she taught the children about Italy.
- Thank you to June for visiting the class and teaching them about Switzerland also.
- We met with the 5th class buddies and got to read Dual-Language books together.
- In class the children learned about Sweden. They learned that the Dala horse is a symbol of Sweden. The children decorated their own paper Dala horses by drawing designs on them using oil pastels. They enjoyed looking at the different countries on a map of Europe and identifying the flags. They also learned how to count from 1 – 10 in Swedish.
- The highlight of the fortnight was when Junior Infants got to take part in the International Fair last Thursday. They got to see all the wonderful projects that had been completed by the senior classes and they tasted some foods from different countries!
- The children also participated in a special Whole School Assembly last Friday marking the end of the Intercultural Fortnight.
Fire Station
Our new Aistear theme is 'The Fire Station'.
Táimid ag tnúth le Seachtain na Gaeilge. Béimid ag foghlaim amhráin agus rannta nua as gaeilge agus beidh ceilí againn le Rang a 5 sa chlós. Beidh ceolchoirm mór sa halla fresin.
We are really looking forward to ‘Irish Language Week’.
We will learn some new songs and rhymes in Irish and have a whole school ceilí dance in the yard. We will also take part in a 'Ceolchoirm' (concert) on Thursday.
We are really looking forward to ‘Irish Language Week’.
We will learn some new songs and rhymes in Irish and have a whole school ceilí dance in the yard. We will also take part in a 'Ceolchoirm' (concert) on Thursday.
Seamróga
Ceilí dancing with our 5th class buddies
During ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ you might like to log on to Home Cúla4 | TG4 | Súil Eile (cula4.com) and the girls and boys could watch some of their favourite cartoons ‘as gaeilge’ (in Irish), such as PJ Masks, Clifford, Blocuimhreacha etc.
Alternatively, you could download the Cúla 4 App and play some games (Spraoi) and watch some cartoons (Féach):
Irish for kids:
https://youtu.be/LvBSZb6y5FA
World Book Day
We met with the 5th class buddies
to celebrate World Book Day today.
We made origami bookmarkers
and read our favourite books.
The children love playing this fun CVC phonics game
on our interactive whiteboard!
Click on the link below and have fun playing it at home together.
www.topmarks.co.uk/phonics/balloon-phonics-cvc-game
Signs of Spring
We went on a nature walk with our 5th class buddies and looked for 'Signs of Spring' and completed a Spring Checklist.
Handa's Surprise
We drew chalk pictures of the fruit in Handa's basket.
Silvestry’s Visit
Silvestry visited our class today.
We asked him lots of questions about Africa and what it was like growing up there.
Silvestry told us he comes from Uganda, which is known as the heart of Africa.
It is very hot in Africa and is often over 25 degrees.
Silvestry used to grow lemons, passionfruit, bananas, oranges and pineapples in his garden.
Silvestry has been on safari lots of times.
His favourite animal is the giraffe.
Silvestry has seen over 1000 snakes!!
There was once a boa constrictor in his garden and he had to
rescue his goat from being eaten by it!
When Silvestry was small he used to run to school in his bare feet.
He loved playing football.
The children really enjoyed Silvestry's visit and had great fun dancing
and playing the African drums with him!
Silvestry visited our class today.
We asked him lots of questions about Africa and what it was like growing up there.
Silvestry told us he comes from Uganda, which is known as the heart of Africa.
It is very hot in Africa and is often over 25 degrees.
Silvestry used to grow lemons, passionfruit, bananas, oranges and pineapples in his garden.
Silvestry has been on safari lots of times.
His favourite animal is the giraffe.
Silvestry has seen over 1000 snakes!!
There was once a boa constrictor in his garden and he had to
rescue his goat from being eaten by it!
When Silvestry was small he used to run to school in his bare feet.
He loved playing football.
The children really enjoyed Silvestry's visit and had great fun dancing
and playing the African drums with him!
The boys and girls really enjoyed taking part in their
first Chinese New Year parade.
Thankfully they weren't too scared of the dragon!
It is a tradition in the school that 6th class are the dragon,
so they can look forward to their turn in a few years time!
Click on the link below for more information.
Chinese New Year (topmarks.co.uk)
Our drawings of Root Vegetables using oil pastels.
This month’s Aistear theme is
The Market in Africa.
We have set up a role-play market in the classroom using class tables as stalls selling African clothes and jewellery and fruit and vegetables. Last week we made pasta necklaces for the jewellery stall.
Vegetable Tasting
We read the Charlie and Lola story called
'I will not ever never eat a tomato'
and tasted some delicious Orange Twiglets from Jupiter (carrots), Green drops from Greenland (peas), Cloud fluff from the Pointiest Peaks of Mount Fuji (potato) and some Moonsquirters (tomatoes).
The children were great at tasting the vegetables.
Some even had seconds!!
We read the Charlie and Lola story called
'I will not ever never eat a tomato'
and tasted some delicious Orange Twiglets from Jupiter (carrots), Green drops from Greenland (peas), Cloud fluff from the Pointiest Peaks of Mount Fuji (potato) and some Moonsquirters (tomatoes).
The children were great at tasting the vegetables.
Some even had seconds!!
We also really enjoyed this story called 'Daisy, eat your peas!'
Aistear theme of Santa's Workshop.
The children enjoyed dressing up as Santa and his elves and reindeers. They made toys and wrapped presents and then put
the sacks of toys into Santa's sleigh, which the children made
using large construction. The girls and boys also enjoyed playing with the 'snow'.
Thank you for coming to see the Junior Infant Christmas Performance. The children really enjoyed singing songs,
saying their poem and 'festive greetings' in eleven
different languages spoken by families in the class.
Christmas Art
Click on the link to play
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Baby Sadie
As part of our project based on the theme of 'Myself' and 'Me as a baby' baby Sadie and her mom visited our class today.
We asked Zoe (Sadie’s mom) lots of questions about her and she showed us some of Sadie’s baby things (her bottle, blanket, toys etc.) We sang ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ for her and gave Zoe a special book of wishes for Sadie.
As part of our project based on the theme of 'Myself' and 'Me as a baby' baby Sadie and her mom visited our class today.
We asked Zoe (Sadie’s mom) lots of questions about her and she showed us some of Sadie’s baby things (her bottle, blanket, toys etc.) We sang ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ for her and gave Zoe a special book of wishes for Sadie.
Thanksgiving
As part of our B.S.S.E. subject the children have been learning about Thanksgiving which will take place on Thurs. 23rd November. We enjoyed reading "The Thankful Book" by Todd Parr and we also made Thanksgiving turkeys with our buddies.
Me as a baby.
We had fun trying to guess who the baby in each photo is.
Aren't we cute?!
We had fun trying to guess who the baby in each photo is.
Aren't we cute?!
Science Week We had fun doing lots of experiments during
Science Week. We did a Balloon rocket activity,
a Dancing raisin experiment and a Skittles rainbow activity.
Science Week. We did a Balloon rocket activity,
a Dancing raisin experiment and a Skittles rainbow activity.
Jolly Phonics
Junior Infants are following the Jolly Phonics literacy scheme.
It is a multi-sensory and child centred approach to teaching literacy.
The children will learn 2 new letter sounds each week.
Every Monday and Tuesday the children will learn a new sound in class.
Please encourage your child to practice saying their letter sounds
and doing the appropriate actions on a daily basis.
Junior Infants are following the Jolly Phonics literacy scheme.
It is a multi-sensory and child centred approach to teaching literacy.
The children will learn 2 new letter sounds each week.
Every Monday and Tuesday the children will learn a new sound in class.
Please encourage your child to practice saying their letter sounds
and doing the appropriate actions on a daily basis.
Road Safety
This week we have been learning about Road Safety. The 5th class buddies used chalk to draw footpaths, roads and zebra crossings in the school yard to help the children learn how to cross the road safely. The children enjoyed cutting out and creating a network of roads which they used to learn more about road safety.
We also had fun dancing along to the Safe Cross Code song.
This week we have been learning about Road Safety. The 5th class buddies used chalk to draw footpaths, roads and zebra crossings in the school yard to help the children learn how to cross the road safely. The children enjoyed cutting out and creating a network of roads which they used to learn more about road safety.
We also had fun dancing along to the Safe Cross Code song.
Diwali
As part of our B.S.S.E. subject the children have been learning about Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light. Diwali comes from the Hindu word Deepavali which means “row of lights.”
The Festival of Diwali begins on Sunday November 12th and will continue for 5 days. We are learning about some of the
customs and traditions associated with the festival.
Today we coloured in Rangoli patterns and made Diwali cards. We also made Diyas out of clay.
As part of our B.S.S.E. subject the children have been learning about Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light. Diwali comes from the Hindu word Deepavali which means “row of lights.”
The Festival of Diwali begins on Sunday November 12th and will continue for 5 days. We are learning about some of the
customs and traditions associated with the festival.
Today we coloured in Rangoli patterns and made Diwali cards. We also made Diyas out of clay.
Look at our fantastic Halloween costumes!
Halloween:
Sing along to some of our favourite Halloween songs!
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Click on the link below to complete the
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Our funny Pumpkins
STEAM Robotics Workshop
Junior and Senior Infants participated in a workshop in the P.E. hall last Monday. The children were very impressed when the robotic dog walked around the hall and even did a little dance for them!
We are looking forward to doing lots of fun
maths activities every day this week.
We hope you enjoy doing the
Maths Week Counting Challenge at home together!
maths activities every day this week.
We hope you enjoy doing the
Maths Week Counting Challenge at home together!
Our first visit to Ballywaltrim Library.
We enjoyed walking to the library together.
The librarian gave us a tour of the library
and kindly read a story to us.
We are really looking forward to taking
out our own books next week.
Shared reading.
We read some picture books with our 5th class buddies.
Leaf rubbings
Click on the link below
to read a copy of the revised LEARN TOGETHER ETHICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM. Educate Together’s revised Learn Together Ethical Education curriculum is launched - Educate Together |
Stick Man
We really enjoyed reading the picture book 'Stick Man'.
We collected sticks with our 5th class buddies and made our own Stick Men. Then we thought of new adventures that Stick Man could go on and drew pictures of him on his adventure.
Rosh Hashanah
We have been learning about the Jewish New Year festival of Rosh Hashanah.
During the festival people go to the synagogue to pray and
the shofar (a trumpet made of a ram’s horn) is sounded.
Apples and honey are eaten for a sweet New Year!!!
We have been learning about the Jewish New Year festival of Rosh Hashanah.
During the festival people go to the synagogue to pray and
the shofar (a trumpet made of a ram’s horn) is sounded.
Apples and honey are eaten for a sweet New Year!!!
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We tasted apples dipped in honey.
Yard time!
The girls and boys really enjoy playing in the yard
and are delighted to have two yard times now.
The girls and boys really enjoy playing in the yard
and are delighted to have two yard times now.
Playball
We had lots of fun during our first
Playball session with Carl on Thursday!
Sing along to some of our
favourite Nursery Rhymes.
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Activity Time
We have lots of fun playing with
our friends during activity time.
The girls and boys have been learning about how to stay healthy.
They are very good at doing The Vampire Cough!
We have been learning how
to be soaper-heroes!
to be soaper-heroes!