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Primary

9th September 2011, 1:00am

News

Even more flash

A new programme for computer-generated flash cards takes into account individual children’s speed and accuracy. It decreases the flash time for words and phrases as pupils begin to take in more visual information at a glance. Pupils are then motivated to reach their time target.

Visit http:bit.lyp0sUCo

Stationary skills

As thousands of young children step into school for the first time, many Reception class teachers will be looking for ways to help them learn the essential skills of sitting still and listening. A poster with a clip-art photo and two simple phrases can be introduced at the beginning of the lesson and returned to throughout the session. http:tinyurl.com45xkhfm

Numerical nous

Activities and ideas to develop mathematical thinking and understanding in Year 3 are available at www.ccjmaths.co.uk . You can download a short-term planning grid that helps give an overview of pupils’ progress.

ENGLISH

INSTRUCTIONAL TEXTS

TICK OFF SEQUENCING ACTIVITIES AND `BOSSY VERBS’

In this collection, pupils first learn instructions in list formats, such as personal reminders and simple planning notes, then move on to writing their own for everyday activities.

Instructional writing uses the second person, imperative mood (or “bossy verbs”) and often employs time connectives such as “first”, “next” and “finally”. The correct order of instructions is vital, so sequencing activities are widely used.

Missnugent has created a cross-curricular lesson plan, suitable for key stage 1, that links instructional writing with history, science and design and technology across two weeks. Tallonr has shared a PowerPoint where pupils create a set of instructions on how to make a sandwich. Sparkles28 has shared a sorting activity for “monster soup”. Pupils are given cut- outs of the ingredients they will need to fill in the gaps of the recipe. A similar activity has been created by Alice K, but in a PowerPoint presentation.

For key stage 2 pupils, Getrichquick has supplied lesson plans and worksheets. One activity asks pupils to identify the “bossy verbs” in sentences; another gets children to create instructions on how to clean teeth.