Splash Phonics...
Working to 'Letters and Sounds' guidelines, Splash Phonics was particularly useful for recapping learned sounds (playing against the ticking clock) and for practising new sounds using pictures as clues for new words. I did find that the children responded well to other activities, such as those allowing them to explore the classroom to find different words or using songs to learn new sounds. For this reason I would not over-rely on Splash Phonics for each session, but it certainly would be a useful tool for a high percentage of phonics sessions.
Working to 'Letters and Sounds' guidelines, Splash Phonics was particularly useful for recapping learned sounds (playing against the ticking clock) and for practising new sounds using pictures as clues for new words. I did find that the children responded well to other activities, such as those allowing them to explore the classroom to find different words or using songs to learn new sounds. For this reason I would not over-rely on Splash Phonics for each session, but it certainly would be a useful tool for a high percentage of phonics sessions.
...and a bit more phonics.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/855580.jpg)
Also,the alphabet song (click image to hear) was a great way to settle the class and recap letter names. There's other bits and bobs to be explored on the British Council Site too, so check it out.
Investigations...
Finding Out About Science and Virtual Experiments frequently played key roles in KS1 science lessons.
I found the former to be extremely useful as a teaching aid, using the videos and exercises on a number of occassions. For the topic 'Ourselves' many of children couldn't get their heads around humans being animals, so videos such as the one with the chimpanzees provided a quick and clear way to highlight key learning intentions.
Virtual Experiments was, for me, not such a good resource. It did have some intersting ideas on which to base my lessons (guessing the sound), but I found that i'd rather adapt these into my own teachings as opposed to listening to some of the poorly-represented sound clips on here (the 'boing boing' of a bouncing ball being particularly unrealistic).
I'm not too sure of the effectiveness of either of these resources for KS2. but I'd imagine that many of their sections could aid most lessons. What I feel is important to note is that these resources were not used instead of hands-on learning, but rather to help provide an additional aid for; teaching, addressing misconceptions and displaying a different learning style.
I found the former to be extremely useful as a teaching aid, using the videos and exercises on a number of occassions. For the topic 'Ourselves' many of children couldn't get their heads around humans being animals, so videos such as the one with the chimpanzees provided a quick and clear way to highlight key learning intentions.
Virtual Experiments was, for me, not such a good resource. It did have some intersting ideas on which to base my lessons (guessing the sound), but I found that i'd rather adapt these into my own teachings as opposed to listening to some of the poorly-represented sound clips on here (the 'boing boing' of a bouncing ball being particularly unrealistic).
I'm not too sure of the effectiveness of either of these resources for KS2. but I'd imagine that many of their sections could aid most lessons. What I feel is important to note is that these resources were not used instead of hands-on learning, but rather to help provide an additional aid for; teaching, addressing misconceptions and displaying a different learning style.
101 Mental Oral Starters
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/3181505.jpg?198)
I used this resources mainly because it had a good countdown timer with music which was very handy for tidy-up sessions! I did initially use the spinner during Maths lessons but I eventually found that I preferred customizing my own spinners using Notebook on Smartboard.
I'm aware that it probably sounds like I'm not too impressed, but I feel that there are many uses to be had here and I'll be looking to utilize it further in the future.
I'm aware that it probably sounds like I'm not too impressed, but I feel that there are many uses to be had here and I'll be looking to utilize it further in the future.
Favourite Websites during GPP
www.topmarks.co.uk - Most regularly used for Maths plenaries, activities such as 'funky mum' allowed me to target questions at different abilities, meaning it was inclusive, differentiated and engaging.
www.friv.co.uk - Originally a good 'free choice' activity, I noticed that (aside from the monster trucks) a number of the 'games' on here are actually quite educationally engaging. I should have noted down the titles (and where abouts on that hectic front page you can find them), but those incorporating bridge-building, problem-solving ('blox' I think) and addtions were very useful ways to sneak Maths, Science and silence into the closing stages of an ICT lesson.
More to follow.
Other GPP things...
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/3852829.jpg)
Here's a large cardboard boat constructed to the exact specifications of Max's vessel in 'Where The Wild Things Are'...
Display
After using the boat during some drama work based on the book, it became part of my 'working wall' display that chronicled my class' literacy journey through poetry, descriptive writing and retelling stories.
My AT was a bit of a modrock magician so credit for the giant bowl of cornflakes and spoon (see below) must go to her.
Reflection: I would be quite keen to use modrock in future sessions as it is something that all ages can get stuck in to. KS1 would require the shape to be 'scaffolded' for them, but I'd imagine upper KS2 could really get creative making their own shapes.
Display
After using the boat during some drama work based on the book, it became part of my 'working wall' display that chronicled my class' literacy journey through poetry, descriptive writing and retelling stories.
My AT was a bit of a modrock magician so credit for the giant bowl of cornflakes and spoon (see below) must go to her.
Reflection: I would be quite keen to use modrock in future sessions as it is something that all ages can get stuck in to. KS1 would require the shape to be 'scaffolded' for them, but I'd imagine upper KS2 could really get creative making their own shapes.