What is a Function Machine? A ‘function machine’ is a shoebox with two slots (like a post box) which adults/learners can ‘post’ a double-sided card (e.g. a credit-card size) into the top slot and this will pop out of the lower slot reversed…to younger learners this can seem like ‘magic’ ! What’s it for? Once this is made it can be used in loads of ways as different sets of double-sided cards are built up to use with it. Examples include - number bond sums doubles facts times tables practising phonics sounds (grapheme on one side, image with that initial sound on the reverse) reading noun words (picture on reverse reveals answer) The list of possible uses is endless and up to you which direction to take this in… This is a great resource to invest in making as it’s a little bit different but can be used to demonstrate learning in an interactive way and for those learners who like to ‘do’ this can really engage and keep them interested - learning without realising - perfect! I have included a description as best as I can along with photos for every step (and from different angles) to try and make exactly what to do as clear as possible. It’s actually not that tricky once you grasp the aim but when it’s made (and it works!) it’s so cool - kids really like it! What’s included? a list of exactly what is needed x5 portrait orientation pdf instruction sheets (with photos) explaining exactly what to do - step by step Who’s it for? This resource has been designed for early years children, pupils in years one as well as students needing additional learning support. Special request ANY issues with any of this please don’t hesitate to let me know. This was pretty tricky to explain clearly and succinctly and if my instructions are unclear I’d really like to know so I can improve them for others. If at any point you hit frustration in making this I really want to help so please do let me know. I apologise now if these instructions are not easy to follow and simple but really hope they are and help you! Feedback of this resource would be great! Thank you! New online service coming soon with FREE downloads (including this resource) available! Register your interest and be first in line for significant early bird discounts at https://alphabetlearning.online

What’s included? This download includes two pages (x2 A4 sheets, portrait orientation) featuring one ‘household words’ (nouns) word search (page 1). The answers (on page 2) clearly show where all words are hidden, displayed in the same layout (as page 1) for easy comparison and quick reference. Who’s it for? This word search has been designed for pupils the early years, in years one and two, as well as students needing additional learning support. This simple, clear resource has been carefully designed to encourage young learners with reading ‘high frequency’ key words. Knowing these common ‘household words’ - both reading them on-sight and learning the correct spellings will benefit both reading and writing. This word search makes the spellings clear, there are x24 words to find - a lot ! Resource layout The word search letters are arranged in a x10 by x10 square grid and featuring easy to read size 25 ‘Sassoon Infant Std’ font. The household words have been organised into four groups of six, clearly showing all hidden question words below the word search. As said, there are x24 words to find in total. These words are hidden horizontally (forwards and backwards), vertically (up as well as down) and diagonally (forwards and backwards). Words to find are; ball, bath, clothes, boat, river, water, car, chair, table, grass, plant, tree, box, hat, home, key, money, bed, book, door, school, shoes and window. Recommendations I recommend that learners use a ‘highlighter’ style pen when finding the hidden words as highlighters enable all letters to remain visible once each word has been identified. Some letters have been used more than once (for different words) so all letters need to remain visible (if words are instead ‘crossed out’ this makes the letters harder to read and identify). This word search may be printed and laminated to be reused. Useful for… I find word searches like this good way to motivate pupils to read words and while engaging in the activity learners are encouraged to focus on the spellings as they really think about the order of which letter follows which within each ‘household’ word especially as they try to track words which are hidden backwards or diagonally within the word search! This word search can make a good use of time as a follow on activity for early finishers. Word searches can be an engaging homework task, useful in supporting reading, spelling and writing. I hope this resource will be useful to range of educators including parents, support workers, additional and special needs assistants, tutors and teachers. Online learning This resource is also ideal to upload and use in on-line classrooms, such as Sherpa. Important message… ANY issues with any of this please don’t hesitate to let me know - I am happy to make changes AND I am happy to create a new resource if you have an idea just let me know - I’d love to hear from you! Feedback would be wonderful! Thank you!

What’s included? This download includes two pages (x2 A4 sheets, portrait orientation) featuring one word search for ‘common colour words’ (page 1). The answers (on page 2) clearly show where all words are hidden, displayed in the same layout (as page 1) for easy comparison and quick reference. Who’s it for? This word search has been designed for pupils in years one and two and maybe the early years, as well as students needing additional learning support. This simple, clear resource has been carefully designed to encourage young learners with reading key words. Knowing these common colour names both reading them on-sight and learning the correct spellings will benefit both reading and writing. This word search makes the spellings clear, there are x16 words to find and as a fun extension this word search includes x15 of the colours to find within the word search (with the exception of the ‘colour version’ of the word ‘rainbow’ which is not hidden). Resource layout The word search letters are arranged in a x10 by x10 square grid and featuring easy to read size 25 ‘Sassoon Infant Std’ font. The common colour words have been organised into four groups of four, clearly showing all hidden colour words below the word search. As said, there are x16 words to find in total. These words are hidden horizontally (forwards and backwards), vertically (up as well as down) and diagonally (forwards AND backwards). Words to find are; red, orange, yellow, cream, green, turquoise, blue, pink, purple, brown, grey, black, white, silver, gold and rainbow. Recommendations I recommend that learners use a ‘highlighter’ style pen when finding the hidden words as highlighters enable all letters to remain visible once each word has been identified. Some letters have been used more than once (for different words) so all letters need to remain visible (if words are instead ‘crossed out’ this makes the letters harder to read and identify). This word search may be printed and laminated to be reused. Online learning This resource is also ideal to upload and use in on-line classrooms, such as Sherpa

What’s included? This download includes x3 sheets, all portrait orientation, pdf format. What’s it for? This activity set has been designed to give learners an opportunity to look more closely at a set of the first 100/200 high frequency words and practise seeing these words on sight while matching these words with images. This set focuses on x15 ‘colour names’ - all words included have a matching image. This is a simple, predictable activity to promote independence and consolidate learning. This activity is ideal for individuals/groups to be getting on with independently or those needing some individual 1:1 support. Who’s it for? This resource has been designed for pupils in Year 1 who are learning/need some practise/reinforcement of these sounds/words. This resource is also suitable for older learners with additional learning needs. How to use it? An adult can pre-cut along dotted lines provided for the set of x15 words (including to separate words and images). These pieces can then be shuffled and placed face-up for learners to read and match. Resource Details… These words are all from the list of Y1 ‘common words’ to read and spell. Some are also from the from the first 100/200 high frequency word list. It is possible to ‘sound out’ ‘most’ of these words, however some are ‘tricky’. Words to sound out can be identified by a ‘white tick’. Tricky words (not to be sounded out) can be identified by a white ‘cross’. In the ‘word box’ at the top-right there is a coloured ‘triangle’. The colour indicates which phonics phase each word fits in with. Pink triangles indicate that the words are from ‘phase 2’, purple triangles indicate that the words are from 'phase 3’ and turquoise triangles indicate that the words are from 'phase 5’. The ‘key’ at the top of each sheet also makes this colour-coded system clear. Red letters indicate the tricky/irregular letters/sounds. It is possible to sound out and ‘work out’ some words which contain some red letters if the focus is placed on the black letters in those words which should be sounds learners know (according to which phonics-phase they are competent in). Where letters are underlined - this indicates that the letters together/separate have one sound. ‘Tricky words’ are underlined as one word instead. Each page is numbered e.g. ‘1 of 3’ - find page numbers on the lower right side of each sheet. The dark grey box outline colour indicates that these words are all part of the ‘colour names’ set. Sets for 'nouns’ and ‘number names to 20’ are already available and other common/high frequency word sets are coming soon… Special request ANY issues with any of this please don’t hesitate to let me know - I am happy to make changes. Feedback would be wonderful! Thank you!