Teaching Resources
The Year Programme
43 themed weeks across the four school terms. Today falls in Week 25 — Small Creatures - Insects and Bugs. Every week gives you the ring time, the words, one activity per learning area, a story, a song, an outdoor game, what to watch for, and a message to send parents.
SELECTED WEEK
Community Helpers - Keeping Us Safe
4 May – 8 May 2026
Week 16
Police and firefighters become helpers, not threats - and children learn what to do in an emergency.
Well-being
Stop-drop-roll practice on the mats until it is automatic; teach 'shout, get out, never hide' if there is a fire at home.
Identity & Belonging
My important information: every child practises saying their full name, their caregiver's name and their village or section.
Communication
Toy-phone emergency role-play: 'Help! There is a fire at...' - give your name and place slowly and clearly.
Exploring Mathematics
Fire-drill counting: line up and count off down the line; number the 'fire engine' chairs 1-10 and match children to seat numbers.
Creativity
Cardboard firefighter hats; finger-paint big flame pictures with red, yellow and orange.
Physical & the World
Firefighter drill: crawl low under the 'smoke' rope, carry the 'hose' (pipe or pool noodle), and splash-motion at the paper flames.
⏰ Morning ring
- Who do we call in danger? The police help lost and hurt people
- What do firefighters do?
- If you are lost, look for a police officer or a shopkeeper
- Fire safety at home: matches, candles and paraffin are for grown-ups only
📖 Story
'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' (Aesop) - why we only call for help when it is real. Children cry 'Wolf!' at the right moments and feel why nobody comes the third time.
🎵 Song
Original to the traditional tune of 'London Bridge': 'Fire engine's coming fast, coming fast, coming fast...' - first line: 'Fire engine's coming fast'.
🏃 Outdoor
Whole-class fire-drill game: walk fast (never run) to the assembly tree, line up, count everyone - time it and try to beat the time later in the week.
💬 Words this week
police fire firefighter emergency danger safe stop help
iphoyisa (isiZulu - police officer)
umlilo (isiZulu - fire)
ndzilo (Xitsonga - fire)
ingozi (isiZulu - danger)
👁 Watch and record
Safety-critical check: does every child know their full name and caregiver's name? Record who still cannot say them and drill daily.
🎓 Grade R stretch
Learn a caregiver's phone number as a rhythm chant; sequence the fire-drill steps in pictures and number them.
📱 Message home to parents
Theme: Safety Helpers. Practise with your child: their full name, your name, and your village or street. A lost child who can say these three things gets home much quicker.
The whole year
14 January - 27 March 2026 (11 weeks, 53 school days; unified national calendar - no separate inland/coastal clusters in 2026)
Myself and My World: settling in, separation security, my body, senses, family and home. Colours red/blue/yellow/green, shapes circle/square/triangle, numbers 1-5.
8 April - 26 June 2026 (12 weeks, 54 school days; public holidays: Freedom Day Mon 27 Apr, Workers' Day Fri 1 May, special holiday Mon 15 Jun, Youth Day Tue 16 Jun)
My Community and the Working World: the people, places, helpers and transport around us, farm life, and winter. Numbers to 10, shape consolidation, positional language.
21 July - 23 September 2026 (10 weeks, 46 school days; National Women's Day observed Mon 10 Aug; Heritage Day 24 Sep falls in the holiday)
The Natural World and Our Heritage: wild animals, small creatures, water, plants, spring, birds, and Heritage Month. Numbers to 10 and beyond, patterns, measurement.
6 October - 9 December 2026 (10 weeks, 47 school days; learners close 9 Dec, educators 11 Dec)
The Wider World, Big Dreams and Celebration: life cycles, storms, sky, sea, money, aspirations, summer safety and the year-end concert. School readiness consolidation for Grade R.
