These 4 mini-SATs cover key areas such as fractions, decimals, numbers, and percentages at increasing levels of difficulty. In essence these four mini-SATs are skill builders. Pupils start with level 1 and move progressively to level 4. All answers provided. Pupils start at level 1 (Maths Explorers) progress to level 2 (Maths Adventurers) then progress to level 3 (Maths Conquerors) and finally finish at level 4 (Maths Masters). Here’s how they align with building maths skills from level 1 to level 4 in preparation for SATs: Progression Each mini-SAT progresses logically from basic to more complex tasks. For example, in Mini-SAT 1, basic fraction and decimal concepts are introduced (e.g., rounding and simple calculations), whereas Mini-SAT 4 includes more advanced tasks such as calculating fractions of larger numbers and solving percentage problems. Skills Practice The tasks cover essential arithmetic and reasoning skills, including working with fractions, performing decimal operations, rounding, and percentage calculations. Each set builds on the previous one, giving pupils the opportunity to reinforce their understanding as they advance. Variety of Questions The question types vary, which helps prepare pupils for the different styles of questions they might encounter on actual SATs. This includes written calculations, multiple-choice questions, and more open-ended problems that require explanation or justification. Level Appropriateness The levels are aimed at upper KS2 pupils. Level 1 introduces simpler concepts, while Level 4 moves into more complex and abstract ideas, such as multiple step calculations and working with percentages in various real-life scenarios. Overall, the mini-SATs provide targeted practice that builds progressively on key maths skills. They also offer a clear progression that can help pupils gain confidence and competence as they prepare for their SATs.

These 4 mini-SATs cover key areas such as fractions, decimals, numbers, and percentages at increasing levels of difficulty. In essence these four mini-SATs are skill builders. Pupils start with level 1 and move progressively to level 4. All answers provided. Pupils start at level 1 (Maths Explorers) progress to level 2 (Maths Adventurers) then progress to level 3 (Maths Conquerors) and finally finish at level 4 (Maths Masters). Here’s how they align with building maths skills from level 1 to level 4 in preparation for SATs: Progression Each mini-SAT progresses logically from basic to more complex tasks. For example, in Mini-SAT 1, basic fraction and decimal concepts are introduced (e.g., rounding and simple calculations), whereas Mini-SAT 4 includes more advanced tasks such as calculating fractions of larger numbers and solving percentage problems. Skills Practice The tasks cover essential arithmetic and reasoning skills, including working with fractions, performing decimal operations, rounding, and percentage calculations. Each set builds on the previous one, giving pupils the opportunity to reinforce their understanding as they advance. Variety of Questions The question types vary, which helps prepare pupils for the different styles of questions they might encounter on actual SATs. This includes written calculations, multiple-choice questions, and more open-ended problems that require explanation or justification. Level Appropriateness The levels are aimed at upper KS2 pupils. Level 1 introduces simpler concepts, while Level 4 moves into more complex and abstract ideas, such as multiple step calculations and working with percentages in various real-life scenarios. Overall, the mini-SATs provide targeted practice that builds progressively on key maths skills. They also offer a clear progression that can help pupils gain confidence and competence as they prepare for their SATs.

These 4 mini-SATs cover key areas such as fractions, decimals, numbers, and percentages at increasing levels of difficulty. In essence these four mini-SATs are skill builders. Pupils start with level 1 and move progressively to level 4. All answers provided. Pupils start at level 1 (Maths Explorers) progress to level 2 (Maths Adventurers) then progress to level 3 (Maths Conquerors) and finally finish at level 4 (Maths Masters). Here’s how they align with building maths skills from level 1 to level 4 in preparation for SATs: Progression Each mini-SAT progresses logically from basic to more complex tasks. For example, in Mini-SAT 1, basic fraction and decimal concepts are introduced (e.g., rounding and simple calculations), whereas Mini-SAT 4 includes more advanced tasks such as calculating fractions of larger numbers and solving percentage problems. Skills Practice The tasks cover essential arithmetic and reasoning skills, including working with fractions, performing decimal operations, rounding, and percentage calculations. Each set builds on the previous one, giving pupils the opportunity to reinforce their understanding as they advance. Variety of Questions The question types vary, which helps prepare pupils for the different styles of questions they might encounter on actual SATs. This includes written calculations, multiple-choice questions, and more open-ended problems that require explanation or justification. Level Appropriateness The levels are aimed at upper KS2 pupils. Level 1 introduces simpler concepts, while Level 4 moves into more complex and abstract ideas, such as multiple step calculations and working with percentages in various real-life scenarios. Overall, the mini-SATs provide targeted practice that builds progressively on key maths skills. They also offer a clear progression that can help pupils gain confidence and competence as they prepare for their SATs.

Less Marking, More Feedback: A Post-It Note Guide This practical guide is designed for busy teachers who want to reduce marking time while enhancing the quality of their feedback. Rooted in evidence, it introduces strategies to shift focus from traditional written feedback to more immediate, impactful oral feedback, allowing pupils to improve in real-time. With straightforward explanations and actionable tips, this guide is an ideal companion for creating a classroom where feedback truly drives learning. Professional development activities are also included to help you reflect on and refine your approach, making it a valuable tool for teachers aiming to optimise both their workload and learning outcomes.

A Dog’s Guide to Eleven Key Thinking and Learning Skills Price: £3 (Whole School Use) This resource, A Dog’s Guide to All Eleven Key Thinking and Learning Skills, is an engaging, one-page guide designed for busy teachers. It covers eight evidence-based thinking and learning skills, such as self-assessment, and metacognition, as well as three essential 21st-century skills: creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Each skill is supported by research, ensuring that teachers can integrate proven strategies into their classroom with ease. The resource is fun, quick to read, making it ideal for teachers who want to make a real impact on their students’ learning without investing too much time. The playful theme involving dogs is intended to make the resource appealing. It’s designed to introduce critical learning skills that students will use throughout their academic journeys and beyond. What’s Included: One-page guide for each skill: 8 key thinking and learning skills + 3 crucial 21st-century skills. Engaging and creative format (A Dog’s Guide) that makes it easy to understand. Key Skills Covered: Collaborative Learning: How to effectively group students to maximise learning outcomes. Thinking Skills: Based on Bloom’s taxonomy, helping students move from basic remembering to creative thinking. Peer Teaching: Encouraging students to teach one another for deeper understanding. Peer Assessment: Developing students’ abilities to provide and act on feedback. Self-Assessment: Supporting students in evaluating their own progress and goals. Metacognition: Helping students think about their thinking, boosting problem-solving skills. Self-Regulation: Teaching students how to manage their own learning process. Independent Learning: Encouraging self-directed learning and decision-making. Problem Solving: Building skills to tackle tasks they don’t yet know how to solve. Creative Thinking: Helping students think outside the box and develop innovative solutions. Critical Thinking: Teaching students to analyse information and make evidence-based decisions. Why Buy It? Affordable: At just £3, this resource provides high-value insights for teachers and their whole school. Evidence-Based: Each skill is supported by research, ensuring your teaching strategies are rooted in proven methods. Adaptable: The guide is designed to apply to different subjects and age groups, making it a versatile addition to your teaching toolkit. Time-Saving: The guide is simple, quick to read, and easy to apply in the classroom, perfect for busy teachers looking to make an impact. For just £3, this guide offers an accessible, research-backed way to enhance the learning environment in your school. Perfect for whole school use and applicable to all subjects, it’s a resource that teachers can use repeatedly to build essential skills in students.

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop self-assessment in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Purpose and Context: This is a 15-minute teacher guide focusing on Self-Assessment, which is one of eight key Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills. It’s designed to help teachers understand and implement self-assessment strategies in their classrooms. Benefits of Self-Assessment: Increases student motivation and engagement Improves understanding of material Develops metacognitive skills Promotes lifelong learning Reduces teacher workload by sharing feedback responsibilities Enhances students’ ability to become independent learners Key Components of Self-Assessment: Students monitor and evaluate their own thinking and learning Students identify strategies to improve their understanding and skills Involves reflective activities Helps students develop criteria for evaluating their work Implementation Strategies: Teach students to ask key questions about their learning (e.g., “Where am I now?”, “Where am I trying to go?”) Use rubrics to provide clear criteria for self-assessment Create a classroom culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities Implement self-assessment during the learning process, not just at the end Combine self-assessment with peer assessment for better results Connection to Other Skills: Self-assessment is closely linked to metacognition and self-regulation It’s a stepping stone towards developing 21st-century skills like creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving Research Support: The guide includes numerous research-based quotes and findings to support the use of self-assessment This research could be used for teacher professional development Practical Considerations: Self-assessment requires practice and guidance from teachers It should be implemented gradually, with clear instructions and opportunities for students to apply and refine their self-assessment skills By incorporating these self-assessment strategies, teachers can help their students become more self-aware, motivated, and effective learners. This guide provides a solid foundation for understanding the importance of self-assessment and offers practical ways to integrate it into classroom practice.

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop independent learning in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Here’s a summary of its key features: Definition and importance: It provides clear definitions of independent learning and independent learners, emphasising why these skills are essential for 21st-century education. Evidence-based approach: The guide is based on a review of over 200 educational research papers, giving teachers confidence in its recommendations. Key skills overview: It outlines eight key thinking and learning skills, including independent learning, and how they contribute to developing critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Characteristics of independent learners: The resource details the traits of independent learners, helping teachers identify and nurture these qualities in their students. Comparison with dependent learners: By contrasting independent and dependent learners, teachers can better understand the spectrum of learner autonomy and how to move students along this continuum. Implementation strategies: The guide offers practical suggestions for promoting independent learning in the classroom, including alternatives to extended teacher talk and ways to gradually transfer responsibility to students. Benefits of independent learning: It lists the advantages of developing independent learning skills, such as improved academic performance and increased motivation. Teacher’s role: The resource emphasises that independent learning doesn’t mean leaving students to work alone, but rather supporting them in developing self-regulation skills and taking responsibility for their learning. Scaffolding techniques: It explains how teachers can use scaffolding to gradually build students’ independent learning skills. Evidence-based quotes: The guide includes research-backed quotes that teachers can use for their own professional development or to support their teaching practices.

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop peer assessment in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Definition of Peer Assessment Involves learners evaluating and making judgments about the work of their peers Usually a formative assessment strategy (occurs during the learning process) K ey Benefits a. Improves learners’ understanding of success criteria b. Increases engagement in learning c. Develops interpersonal and critical thinking skills d. Potentially reduces teacher workload e. Provides more immediate and voluminous feedback than teacher assessment alone f. Helps learners self-evaluate their own work more effectively Implementing Peer Assessment a. Use it for works in progress, not just final products b. Provide opportunities for learners to use feedback to revise their work c. Scaffold the process, especially for younger learners (e.g., using the T-A-G method) d. Ensure feedback is task-involving and focuses on key elements of success criteria

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop peer teaching in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Introduction This guide introduces peer teaching as a key Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skill, highlighting its benefits and research support for classroom implementation. What is Peer Teaching? Defined as learners teaching other learners by design Traced back to Aristotle’s use of learner leaders Formally organised as a theory by Andrew Bell in 1795 Benefits of Peer Teaching Increases motivation, engagement, and understanding of material Develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills Creates a supportive and collaborative learning environment Improves academic achievement for both peer teachers and learners Fosters diversity and depth in knowledge and opinions Enhances social skills, teamwork, and cooperation Helps learners recognise gaps in their knowledge Builds social bonds and friendships Key Points for Teachers Peer teaching allows for explanation in language students naturally use It creates opportunities for active learning and immediate feedback Students often gain deeper understanding by teaching others It can lead to improved grades and greater confidence in learning Peer teachers may explain concepts more effectively, having just learned them It offers multiple perspectives and nuances to a student’s knowledge Implementation Tips Use peer teaching for one-on-one tutoring or small group instruction Encourage students to modify and explain concepts in their own words Create a structured environment for peer teaching activities Use it as a way to reinforce recently learned concepts Monitor interactions to ensure accuracy of information shared Potential Challenges Ensure accuracy of information being shared between peers Manage classroom dynamics to maintain a productive learning environment Balance peer teaching with other teaching methods Conclusion Peer teaching is a valuable tool that can significantly enhance the learning experience, improve academic outcomes, and develop important 21st-century skills in students. By incorporating peer teaching strategies, teachers can create a more dynamic, engaging, and effective classroom environment.

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop collaborative learning in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Definition of Collaborative Learning: An active learning method where two or more learners work together towards a common goal. Focuses on learner exploration and application of the curriculum rather than teacher presentation. Benefits of Collaborative Learning: Improved communication skills Increased motivation and engagement Enhanced problem-solving abilities Better metacognitive abilities Greater social and emotional skills Increased exposure to diverse perspectives Support for self-regulation Enhanced critical thinking skills Importance of Collaboration: Collaboration is a highly sought-after skill in education and the workplace. Explicit teaching of collaboration is necessary; simply putting students in groups is not enough. Skills Developed Through Collaborative Work: Includes listening, peer learning, peer teaching, assessment skills, metacognition, problem-solving, communication, inclusivity, and more. Research-Based Evidence: Collaboration develops self-regulation skills Enables students to extend their repertoire of learning skills Develops complex thinking Provides opportunities for students to present and defend ideas Develops soft skills crucial for effective communication 21st Century Learning Context: Collaborative skills are essential for success in complex societies and globalised economies. Goes beyond traditional academic subjects to include critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving. Practical Implementation: Establish ground rules and group norms Discuss and develop necessary skills like listening Encourage mindfulness of actions associated with effective collaboration Overall Impact: Enhances motivation, engagement, and academic achievement Develops crucial life skills beyond the classroom Builds self-esteem and leads to more robust social skills and emotional well-being This guide provides teachers with an overview of the importance of collaborative learning, its benefits, research-based evidence, and practical considerations for implementation in the classroom.

This 15-minute guide serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical toolkit for teachers looking to develop thinking skills in their classrooms. It provides a solid understanding of the concept and offers actionable strategies to implement it effectively. Introduction to Thinking Skills Thinking skills are mental activities used to process information, make connections, decisions, and create new ideas. They are essential for learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Impact on Attainment Developing pupils’ thinking skills can lead to better learning and increased attainment. Activities that make pupils’ minds work are highly effective in raising attainment. Bloom’s Taxonomy Overview Created by Benjamin Bloom in 1956, organising teacher questions into six categories based on required thinking skills. Provides a hierarchy of thinking skills, from simpler to more complex. Original Bloom’s Taxonomy (1956) Used nouns to name thinking skills: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation. Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy (2001) Anderson and Krathwohl revised the taxonomy using verbs instead of nouns. New order: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating. “Creating” replaced “Synthesis” and moved to the top level.

This is a 15-minute teacher guide on self-regulation - one of eight key Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills. This comprehensive, and evidence-based, guide to self-regulation can be used across multiple classrooms and potentially inform school-wide approaches to developing students’ self-regulation skills. Content includes: An introduction to self-regulation in the context of learning and teaching. An explanation of what self-regulation is, defining it as the degree to which students can control aspects of their thinking, motivation, and behaviours during learning. A description of the characteristics of self-regulated learners, including their ability to set goals, use strategies, and manage distractions. An outline of the key components needed for self-regulation, including both cognitive skills (like lower and higher order thinking, self-assessment, and metacognition) and non-cognitive skills (like motivation, volition, and other attitudes and behaviours). Research-based information on the importance of self-regulation in learning, supported by quotes from the research. Placing self-regulation in the context of other thinking skills, showing where it fits in relation to Bloom’s Taxonomy and other 21st century skills. An appendix briefly introduces the concept of Socially-Shared Self-Regulation.

This resource is a 15-minute teacher guide focused on metacognition, which is described as one of eight key Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills. Here’s a summary of its contents: It provides an introduction to metacognition in the context of learning and teaching. The guide explains what metacognition is, defining it as “thinking about one’s own thinking” and distinguishing it from cognition. It describes the two key components of metacognition: metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulation. The resource places metacognition in the context of other thinking skills, showing where it fits in relation to Bloom’s Taxonomy and other 21st century skills. It includes examples of metacognitive questions that students might ask before, during, and after a learning task. The guide provides several research-based quotes on the importance and benefits of metacognition in learning. It explains how metacognition relates to self-regulation and successful learning. This guide that can be used across multiple classrooms and can potentially inform school-wide approaches to developing students’ metacognitive skills since it research-based evidence and practical examples.

This guide, “Ten Strategies for Creating a Classroom Climate for Creative Thinking,” provides primary teachers with evidence-based, practical strategies to foster a creative and dynamic learning environment. Key Points of Value: Comprehensive and Practical: Includes ten actionable strategies, such as encouraging idea generation, group brainstorming, learning from mistakes, and using creative thinking frameworks. Supportive Learning Environment: Focuses on creating a classroom atmosphere that nurtures creativity through collaboration, acceptance of mistakes, and constructive feedback. Diverse and Flexible Approaches: Emphasizes activities like mind mapping, visualization, and “what if” questions to stimulate varied thinking. Explicit Skill Development: Highlights the importance of teaching students the aspects of creative thinking directly, fostering self-reflection and metacognition. Structured Process: Guides teachers through methods for generating, evaluating, and refining student ideas, ensuring productive and focused creative work. The Ten Strategies Covered Include: Encouraging ideas Brainstorming as a group Allowing for mistakes Teaching creative techniques Maintaining a relaxed approach Promoting a creative environment Supporting collaboration Implementing creative frameworks Teaching creative aspects explicitly Encouraging creative flow These strategies empower teachers to enrich their practices and cultivate a classroom culture that values creativity and innovation.

Teachers will find clear explanations, strategies, and examples that make it easier to integrate creative thinking practices into their teaching. This guide equips teachers with the tools to develop students’ problem-solving skills, adaptability, and innovative mindsets, making it a valuable resource for fostering essential 21st-century competencies. This guide is divided into two main sections, providing a well-rounded approach to understanding and applying creative thinking concepts. Key Highlights: Comprehensive Definitions: Clear explanations of creative thinking and how it differs from general creativity, helping teachers grasp its unique role in education. Evidence-Based Insights: A review of research-backed reasons why creative thinking is critical for today’s learners, enhancing your ability to justify its importance in your teaching practice. Attributes of Creative Thinkers: Detailed coverage of the key attributes that define creative thinkers, such as goal orientation, imagination, and self-regulation, offering you practical markers for student assessment. Practical Applications: Techniques and ideas to integrate creative thinking into your lessons, encouraging students to approach problems with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Support for Problem Solving: Insights on how creative thinking contributes to developing problem-solving skills, enabling students to adapt and respond effectively to new challenges. This guide is ideal for primary teachers who aim to enrich their teaching methods and promote higher-level thinking. It provides a blend of theory and actionable advice to make creative thinking a cornerstone of classroom success.

KS1 Christmas Maths (Answers) This resource features 20 engaging Christmas-themed worksheets designed to reinforce foundational numeracy skills for Years 1 and 2. Activities focus on concepts such as counting, addition, subtraction, measurement, and shape recognition. With festive illustrations and scenarios, tasks include drawing, colouring, and solving simple word problems. This resource is perfect for blending maths practice with the excitement of the holiday season, keeping young learners motivated and on task. Answers are included for easy assessment.

Upper KS2 Christmas Maths (Answers) This 15-worksheet resource is tailored to Upper KS2, focusing on more advanced maths skills in a holiday-themed context. Activities challenge students with multi-step word problems, percentages, area and perimeter calculations, and data analysis. Festive scenarios, such as planning a nativity seating arrangement or calculating gift budgets, engage students while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving. The resource is flexible enough to support differentiated learning and comes with a comprehensive answer key for efficient marking.

Lower KS2 Christmas Maths (Answers) Ideal for Lower KS2 learners, this 15-worksheet collection provides a festive twist on core maths skills. Students will practice fractions, money calculations, measurements, and data interpretation through tasks like analysing bar charts, solving word problems, and ordering prices. The Christmas context keeps lessons fun and engaging, with activities ranging from planning festive events to calculating holiday costs. With answers provided, teachers can easily integrate this resource into independent work, group tasks, or assessment opportunities.

This resource is a comprehensive Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6) literacy worksheet centred around the carol Good King Wenceslas. It combines historical context, vocabulary building, and comprehension exercises, making it suitable for cross-curricular learning. Here’s an overview: Key Features: Carol Analysis and Story Writing: Pupils read the carol and use provided definitions to understand historical and linguistic aspects. Encourages retelling the story of Good King Wenceslas in the pupils’ own words, developing narrative and comprehension skills. Quick Quiz: Ten detailed questions about the carol ensure close reading and understanding of key details. Questions are scaffolded with a mix of factual recall (e.g. “What did the king bring?”) and interpretative thinking (e.g. following the king’s footsteps). Theme Exploration: Includes reflective questions about the carol’s main theme (generosity) and its broader message (blessing others leads to blessings). Promotes critical thinking and moral reasoning. Grammar and Writing Practice: Activities on using connectives effectively in sentences. Exercises include combining and splitting sentences, aiding in sentence structure mastery. Teaching Highlights: Versatility: The resource blends literacy skills with moral and thematic discussions, fitting well in both English and PSHE lessons. Seasonal Engagement: The Christmas theme adds relevance and excitement, engaging pupils in festive learning. Historical Context: Definitions of archaic words like “league” and “sire” help pupils understand the language and cultural context of the carol. Suitable For: Teachers aiming to enhance comprehension and writing skills while integrating festive content. Use in classroom discussions, guided reading sessions, or as independent tasks. Extension activities exploring the historical figure of King Wenceslas or medieval charity practices. This resource is intended to create a rich, engaging, and meaningful lesson during the run up to Christmas.

KS1 Introducing Connectives Literacy Booster Pack This resource is a comprehensive literacy booster designed for Key Stage 1 pupils to introduce and practice the use of connectives in sentence construction. It is aimed at helping pupils progress from writing simple, short sentences to forming more complex, cohesive, and interesting sentences using connectives. Key Features and Items of Value: Learning Objectives: Pupils will identify and use simple connectives such as and, but, so, because, and if to combine short sentences effectively. Step-by-Step Exercises: The resource begins with basic exercises using and to join sentences and progresses to more varied and challenging connectives like but, so, and because, ensuring gradual learning and comprehension. Practical Sentence Rewriting Tasks: Pupils practice rewriting sentences both by joining shorter ones and breaking down longer sentences into simpler forms, which reinforces their understanding of structure and usage. Application in Own Writing: Opportunities for pupils to create sentences using specific connectives, fostering their ability to apply knowledge in their writing. Illustrative Examples: Clear, contextual examples and passages that demonstrate how different connectives can transform writing. Assessment and Reflection: Exercises where pupils can identify correct and incorrect usage, enhancing their editing and critical thinking skills. The resource ensures pupils not only learn the mechanics of using connectives but also understand their importance in making writing more engaging. By using this workbook, teachers can guide pupils through structured practice and offer varied activities that build confidence and skills in sentence construction. The exercises can be seamlessly integrated into lessons and provide a valuable reference for pupils as they develop their writing capabilities.