Citywest & Saggart

Community National School

First Class Room 9: What is in that Box?

First class have just started learning all about themselves when they were younger and the types of things that they used to like when they were just toddlers! Over the next few days they will be collecting, discussing and comparing toys that they used to play with when they were much, MUCH younger. Mr Kinsella teased us today. He showed us a box containing the toy that he used to play with when he was two years old. Can you believe he still has it! He asked us to predict what we thought it was and to then draw a picture! He won’t be telling us what is in that box until...

First Class Room 7: Junior Achievement with Sandeep

Over the last few weeks, First Class have been working with Sandeep from Microsoft. He has been teaching the Junior Achievement Programme to us. Junior Achievement primary school programmes show young students the vast array of opportunities there are for them to use their talents, imagination and creativity when they grow up. Sandeep has been helping them to reach their best potential! Sandeep chose the hands-on activity-based “Our Families” programme to deliver to the children: ‘Our Families (6–7 Years) Our Families discusses the role of families in the local economy. This programme ran for 40 minutes weekly for five weeks. A healthy society means working together. And it all starts with the people with whom we live. JA volunteers use a combination of pictures, stickers, and flashcards to engage students in activities about needs, wants, jobs, tools, skills, and interdependence’ Below is a picture of us with Sandeep, along with our Certificates of Excellence and wristbands! Thank you Sandeep for making learning...

First Class Room 7: Predicting

South Dublin Libraries are currently running their Mid-Summer Madness Festival. As part of the festival, invitations have been sent out to schools regarding workshops. First class will attend the “If I Were a Bee” workshop led by author and illustrator Dolores Keaveney this Thursday June 18th 2015 at 11:30am. Today we have been discussing and recording our predictions about the book “If I Were a Bee” and what is might be all about. We will be bringing these predictions to discuss with Dolores...

First Class: Golden Boot Winners!

Congratulations to first class who were awarded the Golden Boot trophy today! The trophy was awarded to the class in which the most children made their way to school actively this week. Many children walked, scooted, and cycled. It was wonderful to see everyone make such an effort to get active. Next week, another class could be presented with the trophy, so keep...

First Class Room 7: Junior Achievement Program

A huge thank you to Sandeep from Microsoft Ireland who gave the children their very first lesson as part of the Junior Achievement Program. The children received their very own booklet along with a set of stickers for it. For information on this exciting, innovative and child-friendly program please click here....

First Class Room 7: Prewriting Information for New Parents

Develop hand skills and hand muscles Change how activities are done to encourage finger use. For example, when playing with Lego® have your child rest his forearms on the table so that he uses his fingers to put the pieces together. Lace buttons with strings (Mr. Price/Dealz). Put pennies into a piggy bank. Play with finger puppets (IKEA). Use small tongs/tweezers to pick up cotton balls. Pegs on the side of a shoe box (clothes pegs – opportunities for maths counting and colour). Cut paper with a safe scissors. Jigsaws and plasticene. Develop eye-hand coordination Roll, throw and catch large and small sized balls. Draw in a colouring book using thick crayons – encourage drawing inside the lines and scribble. Pour, ladle and spoon soapy water into different sized containers at the kitchen sink. Wooden blocks – set a timer. Who can build the tallest tower in one minute. This is a great way to develop hand to eye coordination. Digging and scooping are also activities that require little hands to hold, grasp and utilize their eyes in...