Language structure

English

Primary

How a new form of the classic game Hangman can benefit pupils

Two groups of primary school children test out Developing Tray, a sophisticated hangman game that encourages thinking skills. Children playing the game must read and analyse text, using their phonic, spelling, grammatical and contextual knowledge to guess key words. Working individually or in pairs, pupils have the option of immediate feedback and greater control of their learning. According to its inventor Bob Moy, the software draws children into all aspects of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Teacher Heidi Knight claims that it also enables children to use their imagination and word knowledge.

KS1/2 English - Experiments with Language

Using drama to improve literacy

At Lauriston Primary School in East London, Aidan O'Kelley injects life into the literacy hour for his Year 5 pupils through a colourful "grammar dance" - a performance which celebrates their work on word classes. Using the basic elements of travel, turn and jump, the children show how adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs can enhance their imaginative story writing. This exciting lesson proves that grammar can be both fun and rigorous. Shared writing, pair work and kinaesthetics result in a spectacular display of the children's grasp of grammar and the creative writing which this is encouraging. Be prepared for posing tigers echoing slowly in the classroom and dangerous rhinos charging rapidly in the hall! Watching creative teaching is always exciting, because it sparks more creative ideas. By putting grammatical knowledge into a motivating context, Aidan O'Kelley has made it memorable for his class - children learn best when they're having fun. That's the challenge in all language teaching - how can you turn a dreary-sounding teaching objective into something the children will remember forever?

KS2 Literacy - Grammar Dance

A look at the Foundation Phase being piloted at a Welsh school

Cadle Primary School in Swansea is a pilot school for the new Foundation Phase. This programme looks at how the school is encouraging language and literacy in its reception classes. Teachers Wendy Taylor and Lynette Erasmus are undertaking lots of activities to encourage speaking and listening. Under the phase, children only begin writing when they are developmentally ready to do so. Welsh Minister for Education Jane Davidson explains the aims of the Foundation Phase and why she feels it's important for Wales to have a new early years curriculum. Wendy and Lynette also discuss how support staff are now more involved with the children's learning.

Language and Literacy Development

Using ICT to teach verbs effectively

Two teachers become the pupils when ICT consultant Judith Pemberton Bennetts teaches a masterclass on to how to better teach "powerful verbs" using ICT. Ruth Smith, a Year 3 and 4 teacher from Wraxall, and Melody Gibson, a Year 4 teacher from Bristol, engage in spirited debate with Judith. She gives them plenty of useful examples of new techniques they can take into their classrooms. Judith uses an interactive whiteboard to demonstrate, and shares other techniques to make her lessons "sing". This programme discusses: Using interactive whiteboards to teach language skills How best to use ICT resources to help the flow of the lesson

Primary ICT - ICT and Literacy Issues

Using ICT to teach "powerful verbs"

ICT Consultant Judith Pemberton Bennetts casts a critical eye over two "powerful verbs" lessons. Ruth Smith, a Year 3 and 4 teacher in Wraxall, is using an overhead projector, a PowerPoint presentation and the nine computers in her IT suite. Meanwhile Melody Gibson is a Year 4 teacher in Bristol, is teaching the same subject using her new interactive whiteboard. Judith dicusses how best to use each kind of technology and gives suggestions on how her lessons could be improved. This programme discusses: Using technology to teach about verbs How ICT resources can be used in other subjects

Primary ICT - Literacy - Working with Words

Practice rhythm and have fun with horrible food

The idea is to create eight rhymes about disgusting food, that the students chant in four different groups and at the end they make a sound as if they were being sick!

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Primary English

> Language structure

KS1/2 English - Experiments with Language

KS2 Literacy - Grammar Dance

Language and Literacy Development

Primary ICT - ICT and Literacy Issues

Primary ICT - Literacy - Working with Words

School Food Rap