1. Parents information evening

2. The timetable As well as these things computing is used across the curriculum to support learning and the class will have a designated library slot once a week.

3.  As of 2014, the government has expected schools to be teaching from a new “Mastery” curriculum.  This means children are expected to show that they have mastered skills and can show a deep level of understanding in objectives. Children will not be expected to move on until they have mastered these objectives but this means that they should have excellent foundations for new learning to take place based on their understanding.  Children will no longer be assessed in levels.  For further information there is a guide that you are free to take about the new curriculum. The New Curriculum (very briefly)

4. What will you children be learning about this term?

5.  Mrs Squires and Mrs Jelley both TA’s work in the class, Mrs Squires 5 mornings a week, and Mrs Jelley 2 mornings a week. Both are highly experienced and will lead class based intervention during assembly and guided reading times.  Miss Pilkington on Wednesday afternoon  Miss Shorland on Friday for music  For those children who have a My Plan, Sheryl Hopkins will be leading the additional sessions of intervention planned for the children in the afternoons. Staff

6. Reading with your child.

7.  Your child should read for at least 10 minutes at home every night.  This does not have to be with an adult, or their school reading book, as long as they are reading and you sign their learning diary to say you saw them read.  Through experience we have found that this really improves their fluency, accuracy and comprehension. Reading at home expectations.

8.  Choose and read a wide variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction.  Fiction books from a range of genres and authors, including classics.  Genres Fantasy, e.g. Harry Potter, Adventure, e.g. The Secret Seven, Humour, e.g. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Realistic (True to life) e.g. The Suitcase Kid, Science- fiction e.g. The Iron Man, Horror/Thriller, e.g. The Goosebumps Series, Classics, e.g. The Secret Garden. What should they read?

9.  The children in year 5/6 are all good sight readers, to develop themselves as readers they now need to be able to discuss characters motivations, plot lines, the authors intent, language choices and be able to summarise pieces of text. This will help your child enjoy reading more as their understanding of the text is greater.  They need to be able to infer and deduce from the text, by finding clues which help them to read between the lines.  At school they have the opportunity to discuss their reading with an adult as part of the book track reading reward system. Talk to them about what they have read!

10.  The types of questions that the children will have to answer in the SAT’s tests really focus on the skill of inference.  This is also crucial when your child goes to secondary school, as they will expect them to have developed a deeper understanding of texts, and the ability to discuss them. Why is using inference important?

11.  Here are some ideas/questions that will help when you are talking to your child/children about reading.  REMEMBER : you are your child’s greatest role model. Let them see you read, discuss with them the books that you liked to read as a child and why. How can you help?

12.  Home learning will be set on Fridays and expected in by the following Thursday.  This will usually include a piece of English work, an IXL task to reinforce what the children have been learning about in class and an ongoing piece of topic based home learning.  If your child loses theirs I do keep spares and they will be posted on the class page of the school website.  Passwords for IXL and Espresso are available should your child lose or forget those, please ask. Home learning

13.  Parents are invited into school every Friday morning between 8.45 and 9.15 to share their children’s learning in their books and read with them. Should you wish to discuss their learning with me Parents evenings are on Monday 9 th and Wednesday 11 th of November, but if there is anything in the meantime please come and see me. If it is an issue that requires lengthier discussion I will be happy to put more time aside after school to see you.  Also every achievement assembly at the end of the month is for parents so next week we’ll see you there! 2.45-3.15  Please look at the Newsletter every Thursday and the “NEW” school website. Sharing learning and achievement

14.  As part of the children’s preparation for secondary school, I have asked them all to think of something that they are good at, or are interested in that they could use an aspect of to teach the class something new.  In secondary school, they are asked to present and do talks in front of groups as part of the literacy curriculum.  They will be able to work individually, in pairs or groups of up to 4 to plan and resource (I will help here) their lesson which will be 30 minutes long.  They could teach aspects of a different language, dance moves, how to do something etc. But they must plan carefully what they are going to do. Time to teach

15.  There are a number of good quality websites that allow the children good quality and fun learning experiences.  IXL  Topmarks  KS2 bitesize from the BBC, great for the core subjects of maths, literacy and science as it has many games, quizzes and activities.  Nrich for tricky maths investigations  Woodland Junior school (this is a Kent based junior school with an excellent website that has links to many areas of the curriculum.  The virtual learning environment on the children’s part of the school website. What else can you do to help your child?

16.  Talk to your child about what they are doing at school, what they have done that day.  There is nothing better for their self- esteem than you being a proud parent who wants to share in all that they do, then they will be even more proud of what they do too! Most importantly

17. Any questions?