Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is a daily
progress monitoring software assessment which we introduced to Annagh N.S. in September 2012. First the students choose a book and read a fiction or non fiction book, textbook, or magazine. Teachers monitor reading including guided, paired, literature based, and textbook reading. The students then take a quiz. Finally the teacher receives information that is intended to assist, motivate reading, monitor progress, and target instruction. We are very excited about the introduction of Accelerated Reader and the children are really benefiting from this challenging programme too.
Library
The Miltown Malbay Library is a wonderful resource for the school. Different activities are run throughout the school year which the children take part in such as reading sessions, story telling, puppet shows, organised visits and book festival
Book Fair
Each year our school hosts a Book Fair during the month of October to highlight the importance of books in the lives of our pupils. It is always a great literacy event for our pupils and parents and also earns lots of free books for our school.
Building Bridges of Understanding
Building Bridges of Understanding is a whole school approach to the teaching of reading comprehension which we introduced at Annagh N.S in September 2013. Its primary focus is the teaching of comprehension, with the ultimate aim of enabling children to become self-regulated strategic readers. Eight key comprehension strategies are identified. Each strategy is explicitly modelled through a think aloud process using high quality fiction and non-fiction picture books. It is hoped that this will be an invaluable support for all children in word identification, vocabulary and comprehension in a mutually supportive setting.
Explorers Programme in the Classroom
Under the Explorers Education Programme we have had numerous presenters and exhibitions over the years, from a Seashore Safari with Ms. Carmel Madigan to an Explorers Aquarium where a selection of seashore species were set up for four weeks in our school. Classes were given the opportunity to learn about their local seashore and common species using the aquarium. They also had to prepare and present a record and proof of their lessons and activities to the Explorer Education Officer. The children were very enthusiastic about the aquarium and thoroughly enjoyed its visit to our school.
JuniorAchievement Programme
Junior Achievement Ireland encourages young people to remain in education and teaches them the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. The programmes at primary level teach children how they can impact on the world around them as workers, and consumers. Pupils learn in an interactive way. Our thanks to Mr. Johnnie Daly for delivering this programme to our pupils for the past three years.
Healthy Eating Initiatives
A free healthy school lunch is delivered fresh to the school every day, in individually labelled bags and in temperature controlled boxes by ‘Fresh Today’. Lunches will be delivered in time for small break so your child can decide to divide their lunch between big and small breaks.
School Outings & Tours
Every opportunity is taken to enhance the curriculum by visits outside the classroom i.e. Science Week events, field trips, water safety information days at the beach, Children’s Book Festivals at the local library, concerts (Ennis Cathedral) and visits to local areas of interest.
Visitors
We are very fortunate that Santa finds a break from his very busy schedule during December to visit our school each year and bring presents to all the children in our school. To celebrate receiving our Gaelbhratach, we had a Flag Raising Ceremony on the 22nd of June 2016. Our guest sports personality on the day was Gary Brennan, a fabulous ambassador in promoting the Irish language and Gaelic football in Co. Clare. Our guest musician on the day was a former pupil, Sean O’Malley, from Miltown Malbay.
Aistear – The Education Journey
Aistear is a new early childhood curriculum framework for children up to six years, in Ireland, which was introduced at Annagh N.S. in September 2014. It provides children with enjoyable and challenging learning experiences so that all children can grow and develop as competent and confident learners.
The principles and themes used in Aster build very positive and the class teacher. through play and interactions framework. The children are programme and are greatly partnerships between parents Learning and developing is central to the Aster really excited about this new benefiting from its use.