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Using GPC Characters for Engaging Phonics Teaching and Learning

Why use GPC Characters? Associating the characters with GPCs lends itself to story telling and putting these characters in meaningful contexts, which the pupils can relate to. These characters underpin the whole of the scheme and are referenced in the flashcards, decodable books, lesson plans, interventions, teaching books and formation rhymes. The characters are used …

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The best ways to run and prepare your class for the Phonics Screening Check

Phonics Shed / By Carys Webb

About the Phonics Screening Check What is it? A statutory phonic knowledge screening for Year 1 pupils was introduced in 2011/12 in England. It is conducted orally and 1:1 with teacher, usually lasts 5-10 minutes (although there is no set time limit). The test should be done with a teacher that the child knows to …

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How to Plan and Run Impactful Phonics Interventions

Phonics Shed / By Carys Webb

What are the essentials of an evidence-based intervention? Prior Knowledge By activating prior knowledge, teachers help students become ready to assimilate new information. This cueing helps the learner associate new information with previously learned knowledge. Wendling, B.J. and Mather, N. (2008) ‘Donald Hebb who was influential in the area of neuropsychology famously said that “Cells …

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An Introduction to Phonics Shed

Phonics Shed / By Carys Webb

Phonics Shed is designed to run from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 2; but can extend into Key Stage 2 for those children who need further support in phonics. It connects with the existing Spelling Shed scheme to ensure all curriculum objectives are met, while preparing the children for their Phonics Screening assessment …

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The Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach in mathematics

Maths Shed / By Alexander Athienitis

What is the CPA approach and where did it come from? The concrete, pictorial, abstract approach to mathematics has been a key feature of teaching and learning in Singapore since the 1980s. The approach is inspired by the work of Jerome Bruner, an American psychologist, who developed the process in the late 1960s. It has …

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What is meant by mastery in mathematics and how to use MathShed to incorporate it into your classroom

Maths Shed / By Alexander Athienitis

What is mastery in mathematics? The term ‘mastery’ means pupils acquiring a profound, secure, lasting and adaptable knowledge and skillset in mathematics. You will sometimes also hear the phrase “teaching for mastery” which refers to schoolwide policies and classroom practices that come together to allow children the best opportunities to achieve mastery in mathematics. For …

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Emily Weston’s February Reading Roundup

Literacy Shed / By wpv2pUX22V4S

Like A Charm – Elle McNicoll If you have read either of Elle’s previous two books, you will know that she wraps emotional stories in adventure and mystery. Like A Charm has these elements, but with added magic! Ramya has learnt she can see through the glamour of Edinburgh, meaning she can see all the …

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Ultimate Year 2 SATs preparation plan from MathShed

Maths Shed / By Alexander Athienitis

Based on our Year 2 SATs preparation training session, we wanted to put together an action plan in a blog format that you can return to in preparing your pupils for KS1 SATs success, as well as providing a video recording of a session and our training slides to share with colleagues. The blog post …

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Coordinates Head-to-Head Game

Maths Shed / By Alexander Athienitis

We recently saw a Coordinates Head-to-Head Game shared by a teacher on social media and thought it was a good idea worth sharing and building upon! In the blog we will show you: The post that inspired Coordinates Head-to-Head The rules of the game The three game versions Free PowerPoint and PDF downloads to play …

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Emily Weston’s Top 5 Children’s Books about Love for Valentine’s Day

Literacy Shed / By wpv2pUX22V4S

As we are in the month of romance – whether you have a valentine or a palentine – this is the time of year when we all start thinking about love. With that in mind, I have for you 5 brilliant books which have a key theme of love – be that platonic, romantic or …

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