June 15th - 30th: click here for a message and activity ideas.
Learning at Home page here
(free access to online books and Twinkl there, plus further Special Ed resources)
(free access to online books and Twinkl there, plus further Special Ed resources)
Welcome to Ms Mary Carolan's
English as an Additional Language Page
There are lots of ideas and activities on this page to help you to improve your English.
The activities are suitable for children in Junior Infants to Second Class.
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Second Class Monday 15th June 2020
Our theme this week is "School in the Past".
Have a look at the photo of a school classroom, from when your grandparents were young.
Think about how your school and classroom are different to that of your grandparents.
Then work through the activities.
classroom_in_past.png
classroom_from_the_past.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 8th June 2020
As we are enjoying our Sports for All activities, this week we are looking at a visit to a Stadium!
Have a look at the image of a stadium that is attached here. Then look at the activities. You can even take a virtual tour of a huge American Football stadium in Florida!
stadium.png
at_the_stadium.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Tuesday 2nd June 2020
This week we are looking at "A Day in the Countryside".
Have a look at the image attached and then work through the activities that accompany it.
in_the_country.png
in_the_country.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 25th May 2020
Our theme this week is "A Visit to the Dentist".
Have a look at this picture of the Dentist works in his dental surgery.
Then have a go at the activities.
dentist.png
going_to_the_dentist.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Kitchen Safety".
Have a look at last week's video "Kitchen Objects".
Then work through these activities:
kitchen_safety.png
kitchen_safety.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 11th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Cooking".
Have a look at this video "Kitchen Objects".
kitchen_and_dining.mp4
Then work through these activities. Look at the picture first. Then answer the questions on the attached sheet.
cooking.png
cooking.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Our theme this week is "School in the Past".
Have a look at the photo of a school classroom, from when your grandparents were young.
Think about how your school and classroom are different to that of your grandparents.
Then work through the activities.
classroom_in_past.png
classroom_from_the_past.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 8th June 2020
As we are enjoying our Sports for All activities, this week we are looking at a visit to a Stadium!
Have a look at the image of a stadium that is attached here. Then look at the activities. You can even take a virtual tour of a huge American Football stadium in Florida!
stadium.png
at_the_stadium.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Tuesday 2nd June 2020
This week we are looking at "A Day in the Countryside".
Have a look at the image attached and then work through the activities that accompany it.
in_the_country.png
in_the_country.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 25th May 2020
Our theme this week is "A Visit to the Dentist".
Have a look at this picture of the Dentist works in his dental surgery.
Then have a go at the activities.
dentist.png
going_to_the_dentist.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Kitchen Safety".
Have a look at last week's video "Kitchen Objects".
Then work through these activities:
kitchen_safety.png
kitchen_safety.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Second Class Monday 11th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Cooking".
Have a look at this video "Kitchen Objects".
kitchen_and_dining.mp4
Then work through these activities. Look at the picture first. Then answer the questions on the attached sheet.
cooking.png
cooking.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
First Class: Monday 18th May 2020.
Our theme this week is "At the Beach".
Please have a look at this short video and name all the things you can see in it.
seaside.mp4
Now take a close look at this picture and then complete the activities:
at_the_beach.png
at_the_beach.docx
Have a go at this rhyming word activity, based on the theme "At the beach".
rhyming_word_vocab_builder_activity_sheet.pdf
nautical_writing_sheet.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
First Class: Tuesday 5th May 2020.
This week's theme is Weather.
Please have a look at this short video and see if you can identify all the different types of weather: weather.mp4
Now take a close look at this picture and then complete the activities:
rain_picture.png
Now complete these activities:
weather.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Tuesday 2nd June 2020
Our theme this week is "Farm Animals".
Have a look at this video and see how many animals (and their babies!) you can name. farm_animals_vocab_video.mp4
Next, have a look at these pictures of animals. farm_animal_flashcards.pdf How many of the animals do you know?
Now try and read all the animal names here: farm_animal_word_flash_cards.pdf
If you would like to try this crossword puzzle, just write the answers down, take a photo and email it to me at [email protected]:
crossword_farm_animals.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 25th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Sunny Days".
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful sunny weather.
Please have a look at this short video clip and see if you can spot all the sunny days in it:
Have a look at this picture and complete the activities
sunny_days.png
sunny_days.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Transport"
Please have a look at the short video and see if you can identify the different types of transport. Have a look at the picture flash cards and name the different types of transport.
Then see if you can read the words on the flashcards and match them to the pictures.
transport-vocab-pack.zip
Now take a look at this picture
transport.png
and try the following activities:
transport.docx
Here are some poems and songs based on the theme of "Transport".
You can practise them with your child if you wish.
transport_poems2.jpg
transport_poems_1_.jpg
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Tuesday 5th May 2020
This week our theme is Parts of the Body.
Have a look at this video and see if you know all the body parts:
body_parts.mp4
Now look at these flashcards and see if you can say the name of the different parts of the body and if you can read the words:
body_part_flashcard_.pdf
body_parts_flashcard_words.pdf
Have a look at this picture "My Body":
body_parts.png
Talk about the picture with your child and then complete the following activities:
my_body.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 27th April
Our theme this week is Colours.
Have a look at the video below. Name all the colours.
colours.mp4
Now look at the flashcards with the colours flashcard_colours_pictures.pdf and the words flashcard_colours_words.pdf.
Can you match them all correctly?
If you like, you can do this fun activity. Print off the page and colour it. Don't forget to stay inside the lines! colour_activity_sheet.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Senior Infants: Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Food".
Watch this video and try to name the different foods and the mealtimes.
meals_and_food.mp4
Now take a look at the food flashcards food_flashcard_picture.pdf and name all the different types of food you can see.
Take a look at the names of different types of food on these flashcards food_flashcard_words.pdf
Try and match the food pictures to the food words.
Challenge yourself by looking at this picture food.png and doing these activities: food.docx
Here are some extra fun activities for you to try:
design_meals_activity.pdf
match_food_and_word_activity.pdf
Remember you can send me your work at: [email protected]!
Senior Infants: Tuesday 5th May
Our theme this week is Zoo Animals.
Watch this video clip and see how many animals you can name.
at_the_zoo.mp4
Now, look at these pictures of zoo animals and see how many of them you know.
zoo_animals_picture_flashcards.pdf
Can you read the names of the zoo animals here?
zoo_words_picture_flashcards.pdf
Look at this picture of zoo animals....
zoo_animals.png
and then do the fun activities on the attached sheet with your child:
zoo.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Senior Infants: Monday 27th April
Our theme this week is Farm Animals.
Have a look at this video and see how many animals (and their babies!) you can name. farm_animals_vocab_video.mp4
Next, have a look at these pictures of animals. farm_animal_flashcards.pdf How many of the animals do you know?
Now try and read all the animal names here: farm_animal_word_flash_cards.pdf
If you would like to try this crossword puzzle, just write the answers down, take a photo and email it to me at [email protected]:
crossword_farm_animals.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Our theme this week is "Farm Animals".
Have a look at this video and see how many animals (and their babies!) you can name. farm_animals_vocab_video.mp4
Next, have a look at these pictures of animals. farm_animal_flashcards.pdf How many of the animals do you know?
Now try and read all the animal names here: farm_animal_word_flash_cards.pdf
If you would like to try this crossword puzzle, just write the answers down, take a photo and email it to me at [email protected]:
crossword_farm_animals.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 25th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Sunny Days".
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful sunny weather.
Please have a look at this short video clip and see if you can spot all the sunny days in it:
Have a look at this picture and complete the activities
sunny_days.png
sunny_days.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Transport"
Please have a look at the short video and see if you can identify the different types of transport. Have a look at the picture flash cards and name the different types of transport.
Then see if you can read the words on the flashcards and match them to the pictures.
transport-vocab-pack.zip
Now take a look at this picture
transport.png
and try the following activities:
transport.docx
Here are some poems and songs based on the theme of "Transport".
You can practise them with your child if you wish.
transport_poems2.jpg
transport_poems_1_.jpg
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Tuesday 5th May 2020
This week our theme is Parts of the Body.
Have a look at this video and see if you know all the body parts:
body_parts.mp4
Now look at these flashcards and see if you can say the name of the different parts of the body and if you can read the words:
body_part_flashcard_.pdf
body_parts_flashcard_words.pdf
Have a look at this picture "My Body":
body_parts.png
Talk about the picture with your child and then complete the following activities:
my_body.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Junior Infants: Monday 27th April
Our theme this week is Colours.
Have a look at the video below. Name all the colours.
colours.mp4
Now look at the flashcards with the colours flashcard_colours_pictures.pdf and the words flashcard_colours_words.pdf.
Can you match them all correctly?
If you like, you can do this fun activity. Print off the page and colour it. Don't forget to stay inside the lines! colour_activity_sheet.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Senior Infants: Monday 18th May 2020
Our theme this week is "Food".
Watch this video and try to name the different foods and the mealtimes.
meals_and_food.mp4
Now take a look at the food flashcards food_flashcard_picture.pdf and name all the different types of food you can see.
Take a look at the names of different types of food on these flashcards food_flashcard_words.pdf
Try and match the food pictures to the food words.
Challenge yourself by looking at this picture food.png and doing these activities: food.docx
Here are some extra fun activities for you to try:
design_meals_activity.pdf
match_food_and_word_activity.pdf
Remember you can send me your work at: [email protected]!
Senior Infants: Tuesday 5th May
Our theme this week is Zoo Animals.
Watch this video clip and see how many animals you can name.
at_the_zoo.mp4
Now, look at these pictures of zoo animals and see how many of them you know.
zoo_animals_picture_flashcards.pdf
Can you read the names of the zoo animals here?
zoo_words_picture_flashcards.pdf
Look at this picture of zoo animals....
zoo_animals.png
and then do the fun activities on the attached sheet with your child:
zoo.docx
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
Senior Infants: Monday 27th April
Our theme this week is Farm Animals.
Have a look at this video and see how many animals (and their babies!) you can name. farm_animals_vocab_video.mp4
Next, have a look at these pictures of animals. farm_animal_flashcards.pdf How many of the animals do you know?
Now try and read all the animal names here: farm_animal_word_flash_cards.pdf
If you would like to try this crossword puzzle, just write the answers down, take a photo and email it to me at [email protected]:
crossword_farm_animals.pdf
Remember, you can send any questions and/or your work to me at [email protected]
English Language Learners
In Ireland the Department of Education refers to pupils who are learning English for the first time as English as an Additional Language (E.A.L.) learners.
How are E.A.L. learners supported in Clonburris National School?
English as an Additional Language learners are supported in these ways in Clonburris N.S.:
1. Class teachers strongly emphasise oral language and vocabulary development in all lessons
2. Learning Support Team
The Learning Support team provide support for children whose first language is not English. Support is provided in-class to individual children, or groups of children, in Junior and Senior infants. Support may also be provided through withdrawal of small groups of children to the Support Room, where necessary.
The support teacher complements the work being done in class through teaching and reinforcing language around a variety of cross-curricular themes in conjunction with the class teacher.
Support teachers also reinforce basic language acquisition under the following topics:
The Silent Period
Children who find themselves learning English for the first time, will often take some time to adjust. The typical stages are:
1) Continuing to speak in their own language
2) Not talking at all
Younger children tend to remain silent longer than older children but there is no standard time frame for it. A silent period is common in language learning and does not necessarily mean there is a learning problem. It is important to remember that although the child may not talk they are still learning and when children emerge from the silent period they demonstrate the learning that has taken place.
Tips For Parents
Here are some tips to assist you to help your child in their learning of the English language:
1. Speak to your child in your native/mother tongue.
Your child will learn English much more effectively if they continue to develop their first language at the same time. Every year in June we have an Intercultural Festival and we would really appreciate your help! So if you would like to come in and read a story in your home language, or teach us a few words that would be great!
2. Ask your child about what they are learning and doing in school.
In doing this you will learn the words that are important in your child’s school life. Every month we will introduce a new theme, so if you could also talk to your child about this theme, animals for example, it would greatly enhance their learning.
3. Read Regularly
Reading is an invaluable skill that only improves with practice. Parents can help by providing access to books and reading aloud to their children. While it’s important to practice reading in English, not every book must be in English. Reading in their native language can help children preserve their culture while also improving their overall reading fluency. Students who read well in another language are more likely to experience success in English literacy.
4. Model Learning
One of the greatest ways for parents to help their children learn English is by attempting to learn English themselves. When parents are able to use English at home, more opportunities will arise for children to practice speaking and listening. Parents and children practising their new skills together can be a great motivator. Even parents who are fluent in English can demonstrate the importance of learning by focusing on an area of improvement, such as studying a difficult novel to learn complex vocabulary or improving their own writing skills.
5. Be patient.
Understand that learning a language is a complex, life-long process.
Learning in a new language also takes lots of energy so please ensure that your child gets plenty of rest.
In Ireland the Department of Education refers to pupils who are learning English for the first time as English as an Additional Language (E.A.L.) learners.
How are E.A.L. learners supported in Clonburris National School?
English as an Additional Language learners are supported in these ways in Clonburris N.S.:
1. Class teachers strongly emphasise oral language and vocabulary development in all lessons
2. Learning Support Team
The Learning Support team provide support for children whose first language is not English. Support is provided in-class to individual children, or groups of children, in Junior and Senior infants. Support may also be provided through withdrawal of small groups of children to the Support Room, where necessary.
The support teacher complements the work being done in class through teaching and reinforcing language around a variety of cross-curricular themes in conjunction with the class teacher.
Support teachers also reinforce basic language acquisition under the following topics:
- Myself
- Our School
- Food and Clothes
- Colours, shapes and opposites
- People who help us
- Weather
- Transport and travel
- Seasons, holidays and festivals
- The local and wider community
- Time
- People and places in other areas
- Animals and plants
- Caring for my locality
The Silent Period
Children who find themselves learning English for the first time, will often take some time to adjust. The typical stages are:
1) Continuing to speak in their own language
2) Not talking at all
Younger children tend to remain silent longer than older children but there is no standard time frame for it. A silent period is common in language learning and does not necessarily mean there is a learning problem. It is important to remember that although the child may not talk they are still learning and when children emerge from the silent period they demonstrate the learning that has taken place.
Tips For Parents
Here are some tips to assist you to help your child in their learning of the English language:
1. Speak to your child in your native/mother tongue.
Your child will learn English much more effectively if they continue to develop their first language at the same time. Every year in June we have an Intercultural Festival and we would really appreciate your help! So if you would like to come in and read a story in your home language, or teach us a few words that would be great!
2. Ask your child about what they are learning and doing in school.
In doing this you will learn the words that are important in your child’s school life. Every month we will introduce a new theme, so if you could also talk to your child about this theme, animals for example, it would greatly enhance their learning.
3. Read Regularly
Reading is an invaluable skill that only improves with practice. Parents can help by providing access to books and reading aloud to their children. While it’s important to practice reading in English, not every book must be in English. Reading in their native language can help children preserve their culture while also improving their overall reading fluency. Students who read well in another language are more likely to experience success in English literacy.
4. Model Learning
One of the greatest ways for parents to help their children learn English is by attempting to learn English themselves. When parents are able to use English at home, more opportunities will arise for children to practice speaking and listening. Parents and children practising their new skills together can be a great motivator. Even parents who are fluent in English can demonstrate the importance of learning by focusing on an area of improvement, such as studying a difficult novel to learn complex vocabulary or improving their own writing skills.
5. Be patient.
Understand that learning a language is a complex, life-long process.
Learning in a new language also takes lots of energy so please ensure that your child gets plenty of rest.
Useful Websites:
Information for Parents on the Irish Education System:
Inclusion Ireland:
http://www.inclusionireland.ie/content/covid-19-resources
Inclusion Ireland:
http://www.inclusionireland.ie/content/covid-19-resources
Reading and Vocabulary:
twinkl Resouces: https://www.twinkl.ie/resources/english-as-an-additional-language-eal
English 4 Kids: http://www.english-4kids.com/links.html
Reading Games: https://pbskids.org/games/reading/
Word World: http://www.wordworld.com/
Oxford Owl Reading: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/
The Reading Realm: https://thereadingrealm.co.uk/category/resources/
Distance Learning: https://sites.google.com/view/distance-learning-specialed/home/online-resources
Starfall: https://www.starfall.com/h/
NCSE: https://ncse.ie/online-resources-for-parents
Wide Open School: https://wideopenschool.org/programs/family/PreK-5/
twinkl Resouces: https://www.twinkl.ie/resources/english-as-an-additional-language-eal
English 4 Kids: http://www.english-4kids.com/links.html
Reading Games: https://pbskids.org/games/reading/
Word World: http://www.wordworld.com/
Oxford Owl Reading: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/
The Reading Realm: https://thereadingrealm.co.uk/category/resources/
Distance Learning: https://sites.google.com/view/distance-learning-specialed/home/online-resources
Starfall: https://www.starfall.com/h/
NCSE: https://ncse.ie/online-resources-for-parents
Wide Open School: https://wideopenschool.org/programs/family/PreK-5/
Language Development Resources
twinkl Speech & Lang: https://www.twinkl.ie/resources/specialeducationalneeds-sen-speech-language-therapy/sen-communication/sen-speech-and-language
Speech & Lang Resources: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/
twinkl Speech & Lang: https://www.twinkl.ie/resources/specialeducationalneeds-sen-speech-language-therapy/sen-communication/sen-speech-and-language
Speech & Lang Resources: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/
