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
All About Me
19 Jan – 23 Jan 2026
Week 2
Name, age and self-concept - the foundation of identity and the confidence to speak in a group.
Well-being
Start an 'I can do it' chart - each child demonstrates one thing they do alone (put on shoes, pack away a toy) and gets a tick.
Identity & Belonging
Mirror self-portraits: look carefully in a small mirror, then draw yourself with crayons; teacher labels name and age.
Communication
Pair interviews: ask a friend 'What is your name? How old are you?' then report the answers back to the ring.
Exploring Mathematics
Birthday cakes from clay or playdough - press in the right number of stick 'candles' for your age (3, 4, 5 or 6) and count them.
Creativity
Decorate a paper crown with your name and patterns; wear it for an 'I am special' parade around the yard.
Physical & the World
Jump the syllables of your name (Than-di = two jumps); clap names in rhythm around the circle.
⏰ Morning ring
- My name and surname - say it proudly
- How old am I? Show it on your fingers
- One thing I like and one thing I can do
- Everybody is special in a different way
📖 Story
Original: 'Little Elephant Learns His Name' - a baby elephant answers to every animal's name and gets lost; only when he remembers his own name does his mother find him. Children call his name with the animals.
🎵 Song
'If You're Happy and You Know It' (traditional) - first line: 'If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands'.
🏃 Outdoor
Name-ball circle: roll the ball across the circle and call the receiver's name before you roll.
💬 Words this week
name boy girl age birthday special me like
igama (isiZulu - name)
vito (Xitsonga - name)
mina (isiZulu - me)
umfana (isiZulu - boy)
intombazane (isiZulu - girl)
👁 Watch and record
Can each child say their full name and age? Note who avoids the mirror or drawing - possible fine-motor or confidence flags.
🎓 Grade R stretch
Write first name unaided from memory; make a 'My Number' page - age numeral traced, decorated and counted out in bottle tops.
📱 Message home to parents
Our theme is All About Me. Please practise your child's full name, surname and age at home this week until they can say all three proudly.
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.
