Explore with Me available from Junior Infants to Second Class is a new SESE programme by EDCO. EDCO asked me to review this new programme and after having first and second class for two years without any set SESE programme, I was interested to see what this involved. I usually just gather SESE resources myself, but this programme is possibly one I would change my ways for! The teacher resource books are so so detailed and will make planning so easy, saving lots of time. Now that I have a little baby , I just can’t give making my own resources the amount of time I used to. I like how these books cover geography, history and science, so you are only buying one book. The books also come with a lovely Explorers copy where the children put all their SESE work. If I have the junior classes again I would definitely use this programme, I only wish it went up to the senior classes.

JUNIOR INFANTS & SENIOR INFANTS
Explore with Me for Junior Infants and Senior Infants has the
following components:

• Pupils’ Book
• My Little Book of Posters (for use at home)
• Teacher’s Resource Book
• Poster Flip Chart (10 posters per level)
• Digital Resources

FIRST CLASS & SECOND CLASS
Explore with Me for First Class and Second Class has the
following components:

• Pupils’ Book – Fascinating Facts appear regularly throughout, providing interesting and unusual facts which will appeal to children
• Exploration Copy – designed for extension activities
• Teacher’s Resource Book
• Six stand-alone Posters
• Digital Resources

• Explore with Me covers all strands of the SESE programme from Junior Infants to Second Class
• History, Geography and Science are given equal attention in the programme, ensuring a balanced approach to the teaching of SESE
• The programme is organised into ten themes at each class level; one theme is covered per month
• A spiral approach is used whereby themes are revisited to allow for extensive engagement with each topic
• Key SESE skills are targeted; the development of geographical, historical and scientific skills is a key feature of the programme
• Opportunities are provided for integration between the SESE subjects and other curricular areas
• Designing, making, investigating and experimenting are key features of science lessons; the programme ensures that hands-on, practical activities are undertaken
  regularly
• The programme is clearly laid out; each subject is colour-coded in the Pupils’ Book and the Teacher’s Resource Book
• Colourful design, clear layout and a child-friendly font make the programme accessible to children of all abilities
• Each of Little Explorer characters is associated with a particular subject to enable children to differentiate between subjects; Sparky is the Little Explorer for Science,
  Erin represents Geography and Fionn is linked to History