Network Primaryschool

Reception Curriculum at Network

The curriculum in Network Primary is based on the British National Curriculum. We use resources from the United Kingdom designed for the British Curriculum. Our philosophy is based on child-centred learning, where children are encouraged to discover for themselves and make connections between things.

The children learn in a number of ways:

• through songs, games and teaching activities
• through play
• from first-hand experience

Some lesson time is for the whole class, but many activities operate with small groups, in pairs or individually, where the children have the chance to explore and develop at their own pace.

The children have Literacy and Mathematics lessons each day. Regular Theme, Music, PE, Art and Computer sessions are also scheduled. Snack and lunch times are also important as the children enjoy free-play time and develop their social skills.

Communication, Language and Literacy

Literacy

Literacy teaching objectives are based on the British National Literacy Strategy.

Reading skills

We introduce phonics by teaching the sounds letters make (m, s, ch, sh, ck), then put these sounds together to make words. This skill can be used to decode many words in the English language. We also teach high frequency words that the children learn by sight. We develop reading for meaning with questions about the books and pictures.

Writing Writing is developed from emergent writing to forming letters. Emergent writing is critical for children’s imagination. The flow of writing shows how they are progressing in their skills in using phonics and high frequency words to convey meaning.

Speaking and Listening. Spoken language is also vital and so we devote a lot of time to speaking and listening in Literacy time.

We use the Oxford Reading Tree as our reading scheme. The series is based on the everyday life of a family in the United Kingdom. As the series progresses, the family have exciting adventures which are fun, informative and interesting to read about. The first books have no words and the children are encouraged to tell their own stories, predict and sequence events.

They become familiar with the characters and soon progress to reading simple sentences.

A special parent-information session about early Literacy will be offered in term 1.

Library

During Library time the children have a story read to them and they are able to choose books to take home. The children also use the library to research topics covered in class.

Thematic topics

‘Theme’ time covers the Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Creative Development National Curriculum learning objectives. Throughout the year our theme topics will include Growing, Colours, Houses and Homes, Materials, Festivals and Ourselves. Theme topics are cross–curricular and can involve geography, history, science, art, social and emotional development. Links are also made with Literacy and Mathematics.

I.C.T

Right from the beginning of the school year, children will be using computers. They learn firstly to control the mouse and then progress to opening programs, saving documents and using the Paint program to draw. They begin to learn to type and use the internet to search about topics.

Mathematics Our Mathematics program is based on the British National Numeracy Strategy. We focus on understanding and mental work before written work. We begin with number recognition, and progress to simple operations (+, -). We also teach the correct use of mathematical vocabulary, like more, less, before, after, 2 more than etc. We cover concepts like shape, position, measurement and days of the week. The children work in small groups with lots of games and songs to help consolidate what they have learned.

Myanmar Studies
The children learn some basic Myanmar language as well as about the Myanmar culture. They learn traditional dances which they perform at the whole-school Water Festival celebration.

Physical Education PE is important for the development of the children’s gross motor skills. Gymnastics, ball skills, team games, swimming, climbing, kicking, rolling, jumping and throwing are some of the skills we develop. Music The children enjoy music lessons twice a week. The emphasis is on enjoying music and movement, whilst learning about beat and rhythm. The children participate in the annual Christmas concert.

Religious Education
As part of the British Curriculum we teach about four major religions; Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. In the Reception class we focus specifically on the festivals celebrated and promote tolerance and understanding of others’ beliefs.