Sound Posts Farewell

It was the last Sound Post Session of the year today. 

Sound Posts is run by Year 5 and 6, and we had to say goodbye and a BIG thank you to our departing Year 6's.

 One young man in particular has been fantastic over the past few years, with his dedication and enthusiasm as well as his technical knowledge! Mr C would like to say THANK YOU and good luck in your new schools to all of Year 6. 

Inclusion

Inclusion means being able to join in with everything that happens in school.....

Whether reading the prayer to the whole school in assembly (in Braille) ....

Or climbing on top of a climbing frame with your friend and playing "rescues". Our job is to make sure that this not only can happen, but that it does happen! 

Happy Birthday!

We always celebrate birthdays at school. Mr Hayman ensures every child receives a Birthday card from the school, and they are quizzed in Friday morning's Celebration Assembly about what presents they have received and party plans. For the pupils of the Oasis there is the extra bonus of sharing a little bit of Birthday magic at our VIP Club on a Friday afternoon! 

All of our VI pupils live out of catchment and most come by taxi, so making the most of these social times is really important, developing friendships and encouraging engagement. 

We also get cake! 

VIP Story Time

For many of our partially sighted pupils having the opportunity to read to others is a welcome chance to practice and use reading skills learnt in class. It also provides a brilliant role model for our younger pupils. 

But you have to do it properly and show the pictures! 

In-Reach

Dates for next academic years In-Reach sessions are now on the 'In-Reach' page so you can note them in your diary!

The only way to understand is to do!

'What's a wheelbarrow?' Is the question. 

This is probably the best answer....

Sometimes the simplistic answer is the best.

It is through hands-on, real learning that children learn the best. And this pupil is now in no doubt what a 'wheel barrow' is. For a Reg. blind pupil, doing is the equivalent to seeing, so at Kings Copse that is what we do. It also makes learning fun!!! 

End of Year Disco

It was the last In-Reach of the academic year on Friday. We celebrated a successful year with a disco. Mr Cownie employed the services of two of Kings Copse's Year 6 pupils who have been running our Sound Post club to put on a show. What a job they did! There were many comments regarding our DJ, all very complementary. 

 

We have had a wide variety of activities at In- Reach this year ranging from Sports led by VI pupils from Toynbee School to volcanoes and tent building.

Thanks to all the parents, pupils and support staff who have attended. We have had a number of new attendees, it is great that we are growing. A new list of dates and activities will be posted soon....

What's going on in the Sensory Garden?

A Someone is working next to our new sensory garden. I wonder what they are doing? 

A little bit more.....

 

Ah, children.....

The children are working with a sculpter to make a wicker figure. 

This is a whole school project, which of course includes our VI pupils.

Pasta n Peas

Our sensory exploration continues, this time with macaroni and dried peas. First was exploration of dried macaroni and peas. Then we added water which changed the texture and feel of both. Then there was lots of talk with adults and friends. 

Mud, mud, glorious mud!!!

Last week it was Newspaper...this week its Mud!!!

Our Reception class has a wonderful resource....a Mud Kitchen. Today, dressed in an all weather suit for protection, one of our Reg. blind pupils explored the Mud Kitchen with her friends.

 

There was lots of hands on engagement....

 

and investigating the texture and feel of mud.

 

There was also a lot of talk between friends either about the mud and the imaginative play that was sparked by the experience. 

 

One of our important roles within the VI department is to foster and encourage this social interaction. At times this means carefully pulling back from the child to let them engage naturally with their peers and friends. The through careful observation we can see how social ties are being built and where they may need support and development.

 

 After adding a little water to the mixture, the chef then placed the mud pie into the oven at Gas mark 8 for ten minutes!!

 

Keeping it Real

An important feature of working with the visually impaired is keeping it real. This is especially the case with number work and maths where we are teaching an important life skill. So when we shop we use real money.

 

 

 Have you ever looked at the coins in your pocket carefully? All copper coins have a smooth edge. Silver either have ridges (5p & 10p) or have seven sides. The pound and two pound coins are ridged and are also substantially thicker. So in other words when you fumble in your pocket you should be able to work out which coins are in there by touch alone!

So when we go Teddy shopping, it is important for us to use real money so that our pupils not only practise key number skills but also key life skills in recognising and selecting coins.

Then our pupils get used to making real coin amounts with real coins!

Pupdate

Our Puppies are all growing up quickly!

Fergie

Fergie has moved in with her puppy dog walker Carol and is now living in Devon.  Fergie has settled in to life with Carol very quickly.
Fergie's basic obedience skills are coming on very well & she is very keen to show off how she has learnt the commands 'sit, stay and wait'.  Fergie has been gaining lots of transport experiences.  She goes on the local bus around town about twice a week.  She has also been on trains as well as in cars.  This is all so that she will be able to guide her future owner on public transport.  Fergie is also a frequent visitor to their local primary school & is loving the attention from all the children!
 Flint

Flint has moved in with his puppy walker, Julie.  He has also been learning his basic obedience skills, 'sit, stay and wait' and has been doing very well.  He is working hard on the skill of 'wait' which he has been finding a bit tricky!  Flint has been enjoying experiencing going on trains too.  He wasn't very keen the first time but he is getting a lot better at it now.  With lots to learn, Flint has had some 'reward' time.  Julie has taken Flint out on some day trips, including, going to the beach at Weston-Super-Mare.  Flint enjoyed digging himself a hole in the sand to lie in!  Apparently whilst he loved playing in the sand, he wasn't too keen on the sea!
Harley

Finally, the lovely Harley.  He has moved in with his puppy walkers, Kate and Stephen.  Kate has said that Harley has been learning his basic obedience skills and that they are excellent!  He has worked very hard.  Harley has been experiencing what a busy high street is like, using lifts and going on buses and trains.  He has also been fundraising for guide dogs at a show in Birmingham and was the star of the stand!  Experiencing different and busy environments is very important as he will need to be confident enough to guide his future owner when they are out and about.
Harley has been making new friends too, having a new best friend, called Isabelle.  She is another black labrador and apparently they are inseperable.

It is so lovely to hear how our puppies are getting on.  I look forward to updating you with more news very soon.