First Level Curriculum Booklet

Bonnyrigg Primary School

First Level Curriculum Booklet

Primary 2/3

Miss Timmins

About our Class:

This year P2/3 are in Room 15 which is in the lower atrium. There are 25 pupils in our class: 14 boys and 11 girls.

Members of our Class:

Shahzaib David Kieran Sophie Rose

Alistair Keisha Sam John Joss

Cameron Jack Daisy Bailie Oliver

Isla William Aidan Olivia Ellise

Summer Filip Maisie Orla Ryan

Specialist Teachers

Mr Dewar for PE on a Monday.

Mr Attinasi for PE on a Wednesday.

Other Adult Helpers

Our Learning Assistants this session are Mrs. Crow and Mrs. Black and Mrs Cairns. They are timetabled to work throughout the week with different classes in our atrium.

The assistants that help in the playground are Mrs Scotland, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Anderson.

Curriculum for Excellence establishes clear values, purposes and principles for education from 3 – 18 in Scotland. It sets out to enable children and young people to develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

The key methods by which we will develop these capacities are through;

v active learning

v interdisciplinary learning

v outdoor learning

v co-operative learning

We will be using a range of Assessment is for Learning techniques including

v sharing learning intentions and success criteria

v high quality interactions and feedback

v learner involvement in reflection, setting learning goals and next steps

v self and peer assessment

The curriculum is now divided into the following levels:

Level / Stage
Early / Pre – school and P1 or later for some
First / To end of P4 but earlier or later for some
Second / To end of P7 but earlier or later for some
Third and Fourth / S1 –S3 but earlier for some
The fourth level broadly equates to SCQF Level 4
Senior Phase / S4 – S6 and college or other means of study

This booklet is designed to inform you of the curriculum your child will study at First Level of Curriculum for Excellence.

Health and Wellbeing

Learning in Health and Wellbeing enables children and young people to balance physical, mental, emotional and social health.

For example:

v experience challenge and enjoyment

v experience aspects of healthy living and activity

v establish a pattern of health and wellbeing

v make informed decisions in order to improve their mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.

P2/3 – Gym kit is required on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gym kit should consist of gym rubbers and a change of t-shirt and shorts. Although gym days are set, the children will participate in a wide range of physical activity and should have access to a gym kit in school at all times. This can be taken home for washing on a Friday and brought back on a Monday. Some sessions will take place outside so jogging bottoms might also be required.

Literacy

Literacy lies at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence. Reading, writing, talking and listening skills are essential skills for successful learning, for life and for work. We are fully committed to ensuring our children develop these skills to the very best of their ability.

Throughout the year your child will develop skills in:

v Listening – in a group, for information and for instructions as well as developing skills in listening to others and responding appropriately.

v Talking – your child will be encouraged to develop fluency, confidence and clarity when talking in a variety of situations. Opportunities to do so will be on an informal everyday basis such as news, ‘show and tell’, as well as sharing experiences and feelings, responding to texts and personal talks.

v Reading – your child will read most days, whether in their reading group or during opportunities for reading for enjoyment, such as using the classroom or visiting the school library. Your child will be taught a variety of reading skills such as finding information, predicting and summarising. Throughout the year your child will read a variety of texts, authors and genres.

v Writing – different purposes and audiences will be taught and explored throughout the year and will be incorporated in to other curriculum areas. Skills will be developed in personal, imaginative and functional writing. A high standard of presentation of written work is expected of your child.

Mathematics

Mathematics includes specific aspects of numeracy which will be developed both in mathematics and through activities in other areas of the curriculum.

To face the challenges of the 21st century, each young person needs to have confidence in using mathematical skills, and Scotland needs both specialist mathematicians and a highly numerate population.

Learning through mathematics enables children and young people to:

v develop essential numeracy skills, including arithmetical skills, which allow them to participate fully in society

v develop a secure understanding of the concepts, principles and processes of mathematics and apply these in different contexts, including the world of work

v have an understanding of the application of mathematics, its impact on our society past and present, and its potential for the future

v establish firm foundations for further specialist learning, including for those who will be the mathematicians of the future.

Children will experience Numeracy on a daily basis. Mathematical skills will be consolidated and revisited through many other areas of the curriculum to encourage children to apply the skills which they are taught.

Expressive Arts

The Expressive Arts encompass the areas of art and design, dance, drama and music which link with the wider curriculum. By engaging in the Expressive Arts children will be able to:

v be creative and express themselves in different ways

v experience enjoyment and contribute to the enjoyment of others through creating, presenting or performing

v develop important skills which can be applied across the curriculum

v learn to appreciate the creativity and skill of others

The Expressive Arts provide opportunities for children to be creative, artistic and imaginative, to experience inspiration and enjoyment, participation and the excitement of presenting or performing to an audience. They contribute greatly to children’s mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.

Throughout the year the children will have opportunities to participate in a wide range of Expressive Arts such as exposure to different styles of music, role play activities, art and design and the opportunity to create and experiment within these areas of the Expressive Arts.

RME

Scotland is a nation whose people have a wide range of major beliefs and therefore we will study a range of different religions from around the world. By learning about different beliefs the children are engaged in a search for a meaning, value and purpose in life.

For example:

v recognise religion as an important expression of human experience

v learn about the values and beliefs of Christianity and world religions

v develop respect for others and an understanding of beliefs and practices which are different from their own

Children will have the opportunity to look at the values and practices of different world religions, comparing these to their own values and beliefs.

This year the school will be focusing on: Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

Technologies

Curriculum for Excellence Technologies outcomes cover a vast amount including computing, food, textiles, craft, design and engineering. Learning Technologies allows children to be informed, skilled, thoughtful and enterprising citizens.

For example:

v have an understanding of the role and impact of technologies

v take responsibility for ethical actions throughout their day to day lives

v be capable of making reasoned choices

ICT will be integrated into your child’s learning and the children will have the opportunity to consolidate skills and develop new skills on a regular basis.

Sciences

Through studying the sciences, children and young people develop an interest in, and understanding of the living, material and physical world. In science children will:

v develop a curiosity and understanding of their environment and their place in the living, material and physical world.

v demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the big ideas and concepts of the sciences.

v develop skills for learning, life and work.

v recognise the role of creativity and inventiveness in the development of the sciences.

v develop an understanding of the Earth’s resources and the need for responsible use of them.

v develop skills of scientific inquiry and investigation using practical techniques.

Social Studies

Through Social Studies, children and young people develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances; they also develop their understanding of the environment and how it has been shaped. In Social Studies children will:

v develop their understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of their local and national heritage within the world.

v broaden their understanding of the world by learning about human activities and achievements in the past and present.

v develop their understanding of their own values, beliefs and cultures and those of others.

v engage in activities which encourage enterprising attitudes.

Learning Across the Curriculum

In line with Curriculum for Excellence, we will be allowing the children to have some say in the topics that they study over the year. Over the year there will be at least one science based topic, one topic with a historical focus and one with a geographical focus. Each term once classes haveagreed their topic we will share it with you through the school newsletter, on Twitter or on Facebook.

Home Learning

This session we have changed the way we issue home learning. Spelling, Numeracy and Reading will now be issued weekly. There will be occasions (term 2 and 4) where additional activities are issued, related to class work eg. personal talks, research tasks. At home it is helpful if children have access to a pencil, sharpener, rubber and ruler.

Please ensure that your child brings their red bag to school every day.

Reading

Your child will have a reading book set by the class teacher. This may be over a few days, or longer, depending on the book. There will be an opportunity each week to borrow a book of their choice from the library. Please encourage your child to read a wide variety of literature. Encouraging and exposing your child to a variety of text will help support the development of reading skills as well as their passion for reading.

Positive Behaviour

We use a positive behaviour scheme in school to motivate pupils to behave well. We use the following whole school strategies.

School Golden Rules

v We will show respect.

v We will care for each other.

v We will always tell the truth.

v We will stay safe.

Class Dojo

As a school we use a points system called Class Dojo.Pupils are rewarded with a Dojo point for positive actions in learning and behaviour. The children will set themselves class targets e.g. 1000 points by the end term 1. There will also be rewards on an individual basis. Rewards for Dojo points are negotiated as a class.

Golden Time

Each pupil works towards receiving thirty minutes of Golden Time each week.

Good to be Green

Each pupil has a green, yellow and red card in their classroom. If a pupil misbehaves they will receive a verbal warning. If behaviour does not improve they will change their card to yellow. The next stage is to receive a red card which will lead to a pupil missing five minutes Golden Time. If misbehaviour continues after this stage, pupils will be asked to spend some time completing their work in another class, following consultation with Head or Depute Head Teacher. There are situations that may merit an automatic yellow or red card and class teachers make this clear to children.

Gold Award Treat

At the end of each term, pupils will receive a special one hour treat taking part in a range of activities. This is organised differently throughout the school year.

Smile Points

Each term we have a monthly social skills focus. Pupils can earn smiles for their class by demonstrating this skill and also for showing good manners, lining up nicely, moving quietly throughout the school or if an adult notices a class working particularly well. Classes who achieve the most smiles receive an extra five minutes break during the following week and Bonnywriggle visits their class for the week.

Bonnyrigg Stars

Each Friday a child is nominated to have a special tea with Mrs Allison or Mrs Findlay/Miss Stark on a Monday. This is a reward based on following our school and class rules.

Money

We ask that all money brought to school comes in a named, sealed envelope with a note of what it is for as all money is sent to the school office. Teachers do not handle money any more.

Other Info

Please ensure that all school uniform and gym clothing is clearly named.

Useful Websites

We have included a list of useful websites that may be used to support your child’s learning: