Science

Material properties

Discovering what things are made of

This collection of resources helps children to understand the difference between materials and what they can be used for.

Dinx67 has shared a materials workbook for individual use. Pupils can use the activities in the workbook to help identify materials through a sorting exercise, as well as explore how they change when heated up.

A PowerPoint presentation from must be crazy! is a great starting point for key stage 1 pupils learning about natural and man-made materials. The resource uses colourful examples to aid in the understanding of what things are made of.

Pupils can put their knowledge of materials to the test in a fun activity shared by Josey111. Using the story of the Three Little Pigs, pupils can evaluate the materials used in the story before making their own house for a toy pig. The structures are tested by the teacher, who uses a hairdryer to be the big bad wolf trying to blow the houses down.

For older pupils, mrlyons78 has shared a resource on dissolving and separating materials to be used with the interactive whiteboard.

tes.co.ukmaterialproperties

Maths

Money matters

A range of tools for teaching priceless skills

Learning about money is an integral part of maths, and one that children will take with them through later life. This selection of resources includes a range of activities that can help to provide primary pupils with a solid understanding of how to use money.

Bevevans22 has shared a money workbook designed for pupils with special educational needs, which is also suitable for key stage 1 pupils. The individual workbooks are a great activity in helping children to understand how many pennies are needed to make larger amounts.

For key stage 2 pupils, GinaG has shared a party planning worksheet which puts budgeting, multiplying and dividing skills into practice.

There is a range of interactive resources available to be used on the computer or whiteboard. The interactive piggy bank from TESiboard is suitable for key stage 1 pupils. The game allows children to save money in the piggy bank, then check how much they have collected when the piggy bank is smashed (see left). tes.co.ukmoney-collection

English

Drama, plays and scripts

An impressive cast of adapted Shakespeare and modern fairy tales

Incorporating drama into learning is a great way of helping pupils to become more immersed in a topic and brings the whole class together to learn in a fun and interactive way. A variety of resources have been uploaded and shared on TES Resources to help teachers and pupils bring drama into the classroom.

Badben has managed to make Shakespeare fun and understandable through an adapted version of Hamlet. His version, titled “Hammy Hamlet”, is a play suitable for key stage 2 pupils, which includes some Shakespearean language, as well as fun songs for the class to enjoy. Simplified versions of other Shakespeare plays available include The Tempest (SleighBelle), Romeo and Juliet (sueRussell) and Macbeth (carriecat10).

For a more modern twist on a traditional tale, sidriver’s “Girl in da Hoodie” is a humorous take on Little Red Riding Hood, while philpatjj has shared a High School Musical spoof script, suitable for key stage 2 assemblies or concerts.

For inspiration on how to incorporate drama into maths lessons, TeachersTV shared a video that investigates innovative ways you can do this.

tes.co.ukdramascripts

News

Do touch this

Spacekraft has launched the Musical Touch Wall, designed for exploring cause and effect. The LED Musical Touch Wall is a wall panel which lights up with an ever-changing spectrum of coloured light. www.spacekraft.co.uk

Easi on the ears

Educational supplier TTS has launched Easi-Ears, a new listening experience for the classroom. Create recordings or download audio content, then transfer it on to the wireless headphones so that children can listen individually or as a group. Designed for primary and nursery schools, the headphones are rechargeable and TTS claims they are robust. www.tts-group.co.ukeasi-ears

All the best

In The TES on 2 September look out for a supplement on communication sponsored by the Communication Champion, the Hello campaign and BT. It will showcase best practice from schools that have helped pupils with speaking and listening skills.