New Ross Educate Together
National School
THE CURRICULUM
As a national school, we follow the Primary School Curriculum that is used in all national schools throughout the country. The Primary School Curriculum was developed by the NCCA and launched in 1999. It is presented in six areas and comprises of 11 subjects.
-
Language - English & Gaeilge
-
Mathematics
-
S.E.S.E.- Social Environmental and Scientific Sciences; History Geography and Science
-
The Arts- Music, Drama and Visual Arts
-
P.E. - Physical Education
-
S.P.H.E.- Social Personal and Health Education
Click on the following link for information on all subjects at the different class levels.
English
Much of the focus of the infant curriculum is on developing good oral language skills. This focus pervades the entire day as children interact with their teachers and peers to develop strong communication skills. A very important part of this development is Aistear time, which is explained in more detail below. Early reading and writing development are supported through the use of the Jolly Phonics programme. From an early stage, letters sounds are explored in context and used to both form and decode words. As emerging literacy skills strengthen, we use graded books to develop early reading skills. Children will begin to write simple, short texts. A range of fine-motor activities are used to develop hand strength and pencil grip. Children are exposed to a wide range of books, and they begin to practice comprehension strategies such as predicting, connecting to previous experiences and visualising as the teachers read a variety of texts aloud to the children.
Throughout their time in school, your child will be supported in making progress in oral language, reading and writing at a level and pace suited to them. The new Language Curriculum supports children with different learning strengths and needs.
An Ghaeilge (Irish)
Múintear an Ghaeilge gach aon lá agus tá an teanga lárnach sa scoil seo. Ní gaelscoil í ach cuirtear an-bhéim ar an teanga. Leantear an scéim Céim ar Chéim chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh. Foghlaimíonn na páistí agus baineann siad úsáid as frasaí cabhracha tríd an lae scoile. Labhraíonn na páístí agus na múinteoirí an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth-theanga chumarsáideach i rith an lae.
Irish is taught each day and the language is central in the school. Though it is not an Irish-medium school, a lot of emphasis is placed on the language. The scheme Céim ar Chéim is followed to teach Irish. Children learn and use many helpful phrases throughout the day. Children and teachers speak Irish naturally during the school day outside of the formal Irish lessons.
Maths
The infant maths curriculum helps develop higher-order thinking skills through a variety of hands-on activities related to sorting, matching and pattern-building. In addition, numbers are introduced, using activities to practise counting, forming number bonds and writing numerals. Shape is explored, and concepts such as capacity, weight and money are introduced through hands-on practical exploration using Ready Set Go Maths.
History, Geography and Science
These subjects are explored using a thematic approach. The focus is on the child’s experience and developing links between these experiences and the world around them. Language development is linked to every theme. Though our current temporary location has limited outdoor space, we are working on developing this as a vehicle for delivering these subjects. In addition, regular visits to local natural habitats help teach key concepts.
Visual Arts, Music and Drama
The creative arts are integrated throughout the curriculum and often tied to the themes the classes are currently exploring. The emphasis is on the process rather than the product in all cases. A variety of media are used to develop visual art techniques. Singing is an essential part of the music curriculum. We also use instruments of all kinds to explore rhythm and compose. In addition, listening to a variety of music is a regular activity. Drama, closely linked with oral language and literacy development, is intertwined throughout the day. It is a regular feature of Aistear time each day through imaginative play.
Physical Education
Children develop gross motor skills through a variety of activities including dance, basketball and hurling skills, playground games and gymnastics.
Social, Personal and Health Education
Lessons in this area work to establish healthy habits regarding eating, exercise and hygiene. In addition, children learn about themselves and each other, exploring their interests, families and relationships with their classmates and friends. Lessons are integrated throughout the day as well as through discrete lessons.
Learn Together
As we are an Educate Together school, the time normally devoted to religious instruction in national schools is used to teach the Learn Together Curriculum. Further information about this important aspect of our ethos can be found here.
