SEN
Hi guys, it’s Miss Delaney. Hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying the gorgeous weather. I’m disappointed I don’t get to come back to school and see you all for now but my baby Daire is very happy I don’t have to leave him just yet. I would love to hear from you all, how you’ve been getting on and what you’ve been doing since school closed. My email address is [email protected] if you would like to write to me or if there is anything at all I can help you with.
29th April 2020
Hi everyone,
Hope you’re all safe and well.
I’m sending you a couple of ideas I thought might interest you. Please don’t feel any pressure to engage with any of these- they are just suggestions if you find you need ideas.
WEBSITE:
There is a great website which provides simple educational and fun ideas for home schooling.
If you go to NCSE.ie and click on online resources you’ll get a list of ideas to suit your child’s age and individual needs.
It sets a new theme every week- this week it’s gardening and next week it’s baking. There are a huge range of activities to suit each child.
The Our story app which it suggests is very simple to use and it creates a record of all the activities you have done.
EBOOKS:
I have set up a Class log in for Oxford Owl EBooks.
They have a big range of eBooks available. The reading ages are quite high so try a few until you find a level where your child can read most of the words but not all.
Go to oxfordowl.co.uk then click ‘my class login’ button at the top of the page.
The username is mswatson and the password is biff
The readers I use in school are Oxford Reading Tree so your children may be more familiar with the characters in that range.
If any of you would like to contact me for any additional advice my email is [email protected]
Best wishes,
Ms. Watson
Hi everyone,
Hope you’re all safe and well.
I’m sending you a couple of ideas I thought might interest you. Please don’t feel any pressure to engage with any of these- they are just suggestions if you find you need ideas.
WEBSITE:
There is a great website which provides simple educational and fun ideas for home schooling.
If you go to NCSE.ie and click on online resources you’ll get a list of ideas to suit your child’s age and individual needs.
It sets a new theme every week- this week it’s gardening and next week it’s baking. There are a huge range of activities to suit each child.
The Our story app which it suggests is very simple to use and it creates a record of all the activities you have done.
EBOOKS:
I have set up a Class log in for Oxford Owl EBooks.
They have a big range of eBooks available. The reading ages are quite high so try a few until you find a level where your child can read most of the words but not all.
Go to oxfordowl.co.uk then click ‘my class login’ button at the top of the page.
The username is mswatson and the password is biff
The readers I use in school are Oxford Reading Tree so your children may be more familiar with the characters in that range.
If any of you would like to contact me for any additional advice my email is [email protected]
Best wishes,
Ms. Watson
31st March 2020
The following are educational ideas which will hopefully also be fun for your child. I’ve suggested many new things for them to create- I would love to see examples of their creativity so if you can please send me pictures of them to my email.
Assessments:
If your child has had a psychological or O.T. assessment there should be lots of recommendations for them at the back of the report which will be tailored to your child’s needs
Free Writing-
Many pupils will be familiar with the concept of “free writing” and may have a special notebook or journal in which they write freely about any topic of choice. Children can decide what they wish to write about and there are a variety of different styles that they can practice:
Diary writing (personal accounts)eg. 3 highlights of my day- in words and pictures
Write a story book- characters and what they got up to- illustrations and text(hand written or typed) – when were back in school we can all read each other’s books
Recount writing (a report of an event)
Instructional writing (e.g. rules of a game the children can even come up with a new idea and create their own game!)
Poetry (Limericks, acrostic poems etc.)
https://storybird.com/member-family-plan (offer a free 7-day trial)
https://www.mystorybook.com/
Nature walks-
This is one for parents and children. It is so important to remember to get active and get outdoors to open spaces for fresh air and exercise. It incorporates science, geography, oral language etc.
Photograph or draw plants, animals or birds you see and get to know their names- I’ve seen primroses, violets, nettles, a pheasant and a robin on my walks.
Your children could turn them into a fantastic nature book of your area.
Lists-
If parents are venturing out to shop and stock up on groceries, children can help by writing the list of what is needed.
Depending on the age of the child, elements of mathematics could be incorporated here estimating prices and weights etc. Children could also work out which option is better value (e.g. two individual boxes containing 80 teabags or one box with 160 etc.)
Look at the receipt- get children to guess the price of milk, bread etc.
Stories-
Listening to stories is an exceptional way for children to improve their language, comprehension skills etc. Read to them as much as you can and encourage them to listen to audio books- always have a chat about what they think is going to happen in the story and discuss your opinions on the events during and at the end of the story.
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Cooking and baking (weight and time)-
Learning to cook and bake are very important life skills which incorporate maths, reading etc.
Your child could compile a cook book of the best recipes they’ve made.
How many / how much of an ingredient is needed?
If a recipe is to serve 2 but the meal is for four people, we must double the amount.
If the dish takes 45 minutes to cook, what time will it be ready at?
Make an analogue clock.
Convert time on an analogue clock to digital time.
If your child feels anxious-
https://copingskillsforkids.com/deep-breathing-exercises-for-kids
Household chores:
Get you children involved in cleaning out cupboards, washing windows etc.
Keep them talking- encourage them to speak in full sentences. Discuss what needed to be done and why. Discuss the feeling of satisfaction of a job well done. Take before and after pictures.
Encourage pride in their ability to be helpful in the house and praise them for their efforts.
Time (schedules)
Children can look at a tv guide from a newspaper and work out duration of programmes.
Creative arts
Most homes will have a “bits-and-bobs” box or a bosca somewhere with nets, buttons, lids, wrapping paper etc. Now is a good time to use those recyclables and create a piece of artwork. Children should be encouraged to be original, be creative – and don’t forget to take a picture!
Outdoors / physical activity
There are endless opportunities for physical activity. Even if children are playing on their own or in very small groups, there are many fun ways of keeping active:
Hopscotch
Skipping
Hula-hoops
Obstacle courses
Treasure hunts
Local GAA clubs and county teams have been posting videos on their social media outlets with some of their star players demonstrating drills that children can follow.
Back to basics – other enjoyable, but educational activities
Board games
Card games
Lego
Jenga
Jigsaws
Flying a kite
Memory games (e.g. stop the clock with one letter of the alphabet and come up with words beginning with a specific letter under certain headings such as boy name; girl name; country / city; food; item of clothing; activity; kitchen utensil etc.)
Recreate “Countdown” television programme with word puzzles and maths problems.
Painting
Online resource bank for primary school level
Scoilnet.ie
A very useful online forum with a wide array of resources (emphasis on free tools). Resources are organised into theme pages and the website is easy to navigate.
Twinkl.ie
Created by teachers, ideal for home education, it has lots of appealing games, stories, worksheets etc. It is offering a free month’s subscription (enter offer code: IRLTWINKLHELPS).
Cúla4.com
A collection of resources as Gaeilge – cláir, físeáin, cluichí, tomhais agus srl.
Ask about Ireland
A treasure trove of resources with an Irish interest, focusing on our national culture.
Padlet.ie
A collection of tools, apps, ideas and sites to support Irish Primary pupils working at home, compiled by Ciara Reilly primary-school teacher and lecturer in education with Marino Institute.
MúinteoirLOI
Another resource created by primary school teacher Tom O’Connor which is ideal for anyone who has a house full of League of Ireland fans this morning. Free themed lessons focused on Irish soccer clubs.
Go Noodle
Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
Scratch
Learn to programme interactive games, stories and animations.
Khan Academy
Non-profit site with provides free video tutorials in maths and reading.
IXL.com
Subscription-based learning experience that provides curriculum-aligned maths and English content from junior infants up to sixth year.
National Geographic Kids
Learn about science, geography and history.
Nasa Kids’ Club
Child-friendly resource where kids can learn about science and space.
I am an Artist
A visual arts initiative comprising 30 short TV programmes (each 6 minutes in length), an interactive website with slideshows, lessons, weblinks and interactive games, providing a stimulating collection of curriculum-mapped resources.
Ms Watson.
The following are educational ideas which will hopefully also be fun for your child. I’ve suggested many new things for them to create- I would love to see examples of their creativity so if you can please send me pictures of them to my email.
Assessments:
If your child has had a psychological or O.T. assessment there should be lots of recommendations for them at the back of the report which will be tailored to your child’s needs
Free Writing-
Many pupils will be familiar with the concept of “free writing” and may have a special notebook or journal in which they write freely about any topic of choice. Children can decide what they wish to write about and there are a variety of different styles that they can practice:
Diary writing (personal accounts)eg. 3 highlights of my day- in words and pictures
Write a story book- characters and what they got up to- illustrations and text(hand written or typed) – when were back in school we can all read each other’s books
Recount writing (a report of an event)
Instructional writing (e.g. rules of a game the children can even come up with a new idea and create their own game!)
Poetry (Limericks, acrostic poems etc.)
https://storybird.com/member-family-plan (offer a free 7-day trial)
https://www.mystorybook.com/
Nature walks-
This is one for parents and children. It is so important to remember to get active and get outdoors to open spaces for fresh air and exercise. It incorporates science, geography, oral language etc.
Photograph or draw plants, animals or birds you see and get to know their names- I’ve seen primroses, violets, nettles, a pheasant and a robin on my walks.
Your children could turn them into a fantastic nature book of your area.
Lists-
If parents are venturing out to shop and stock up on groceries, children can help by writing the list of what is needed.
Depending on the age of the child, elements of mathematics could be incorporated here estimating prices and weights etc. Children could also work out which option is better value (e.g. two individual boxes containing 80 teabags or one box with 160 etc.)
Look at the receipt- get children to guess the price of milk, bread etc.
Stories-
Listening to stories is an exceptional way for children to improve their language, comprehension skills etc. Read to them as much as you can and encourage them to listen to audio books- always have a chat about what they think is going to happen in the story and discuss your opinions on the events during and at the end of the story.
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Cooking and baking (weight and time)-
Learning to cook and bake are very important life skills which incorporate maths, reading etc.
Your child could compile a cook book of the best recipes they’ve made.
How many / how much of an ingredient is needed?
If a recipe is to serve 2 but the meal is for four people, we must double the amount.
If the dish takes 45 minutes to cook, what time will it be ready at?
Make an analogue clock.
Convert time on an analogue clock to digital time.
If your child feels anxious-
https://copingskillsforkids.com/deep-breathing-exercises-for-kids
Household chores:
Get you children involved in cleaning out cupboards, washing windows etc.
Keep them talking- encourage them to speak in full sentences. Discuss what needed to be done and why. Discuss the feeling of satisfaction of a job well done. Take before and after pictures.
Encourage pride in their ability to be helpful in the house and praise them for their efforts.
Time (schedules)
Children can look at a tv guide from a newspaper and work out duration of programmes.
Creative arts
Most homes will have a “bits-and-bobs” box or a bosca somewhere with nets, buttons, lids, wrapping paper etc. Now is a good time to use those recyclables and create a piece of artwork. Children should be encouraged to be original, be creative – and don’t forget to take a picture!
Outdoors / physical activity
There are endless opportunities for physical activity. Even if children are playing on their own or in very small groups, there are many fun ways of keeping active:
Hopscotch
Skipping
Hula-hoops
Obstacle courses
Treasure hunts
Local GAA clubs and county teams have been posting videos on their social media outlets with some of their star players demonstrating drills that children can follow.
Back to basics – other enjoyable, but educational activities
Board games
Card games
Lego
Jenga
Jigsaws
Flying a kite
Memory games (e.g. stop the clock with one letter of the alphabet and come up with words beginning with a specific letter under certain headings such as boy name; girl name; country / city; food; item of clothing; activity; kitchen utensil etc.)
Recreate “Countdown” television programme with word puzzles and maths problems.
Painting
Online resource bank for primary school level
Scoilnet.ie
A very useful online forum with a wide array of resources (emphasis on free tools). Resources are organised into theme pages and the website is easy to navigate.
Twinkl.ie
Created by teachers, ideal for home education, it has lots of appealing games, stories, worksheets etc. It is offering a free month’s subscription (enter offer code: IRLTWINKLHELPS).
Cúla4.com
A collection of resources as Gaeilge – cláir, físeáin, cluichí, tomhais agus srl.
Ask about Ireland
A treasure trove of resources with an Irish interest, focusing on our national culture.
Padlet.ie
A collection of tools, apps, ideas and sites to support Irish Primary pupils working at home, compiled by Ciara Reilly primary-school teacher and lecturer in education with Marino Institute.
MúinteoirLOI
Another resource created by primary school teacher Tom O’Connor which is ideal for anyone who has a house full of League of Ireland fans this morning. Free themed lessons focused on Irish soccer clubs.
Go Noodle
Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
Scratch
Learn to programme interactive games, stories and animations.
Khan Academy
Non-profit site with provides free video tutorials in maths and reading.
IXL.com
Subscription-based learning experience that provides curriculum-aligned maths and English content from junior infants up to sixth year.
National Geographic Kids
Learn about science, geography and history.
Nasa Kids’ Club
Child-friendly resource where kids can learn about science and space.
I am an Artist
A visual arts initiative comprising 30 short TV programmes (each 6 minutes in length), an interactive website with slideshows, lessons, weblinks and interactive games, providing a stimulating collection of curriculum-mapped resources.
Ms Watson.