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.

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.

KS1 More About Connectives Literacy Booster Pack This educational resource is designed to help KS1 pupils develop their understanding and usage of connectives to create more complex and engaging sentences. The pack offers a structured approach that builds on pupils’ existing knowledge and encourages the practical application of connectives in their writing. Key Features and Items of Value: Learning Objectives: This resource focuses on revising and extending the use of conjunctions, such as and, but, so, because, when, and if, to create compound and complex sentences. Engaging Activities: Includes tasks where pupils identify connectives, practice joining short sentences, and rewrite simple passages to make them more interesting by incorporating connectives. Progressive Exercises: Starts with basic joining of sentences using and and gradually introduces other connectives, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right word for cohesion and clarity. Real-Life Application: Pupils are encouraged to write their own sentences using different connectives and to revise passages to make them more engaging. Interactive Challenges: Includes matching exercises, sentence rewriting tasks, and fill-in-the-gap activities to reinforce learning through active participation. Creative Practice: Pupils write stories or paragraphs using various connectives, enhancing their ability to integrate these skills into their writing. Teachers will find this pack valuable as it helps pupils understand not just how to use connectives, but why they are essential for creating longer, more fluid sentences that enhance readability. The activities support differentiated instruction and can be used as part of whole-class lessons, small group work, or individual practice. This pack provides ample opportunity for formative assessment and helps identify areas where pupils may need additional support.

This resource, “The Progressive Tense - Part 1: The Lesson,” is a foundational guide designed to teach pupils about the progressive tense. It provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to key concepts and lays the groundwork for collaborative and independent activities in subsequent parts of the series. Key Features: Clear Explanations: The resource introduces the progressive tense by explaining the structure of sentences, emphasising the role of subjects, main verbs, and helping verbs. It provides detailed explanations of the present, past, and future progressive tenses with clear examples. Focus on Understanding: Visual aids and examples illustrate the differences between simple and progressive tenses, helping pupils grasp when and how to use them. Explains the role of “be” helping verbs (e.g., is, are, was, were) in forming the progressive tense. Interactive Note-Taking: Pupils are encouraged to take notes with their partners during the lesson, reinforcing understanding through active engagement. These notes are used later in peer teaching activities, making the learning process collaborative and purposeful. Practical Application: Real-life examples, such as “The robots are stopping for their lunch break,” make the content relatable and engaging. Pupils learn how progressive tenses are used to describe ongoing actions and actions interrupted by others. Preparation for Peer Teaching: The lesson serves as a foundation for pupils to create presentations in Part 2, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to explain the topic effectively. Tips for Teachers: Use this lesson as an introductory activity to teach the progressive tense before moving on to more interactive and collaborative tasks in Part 2. Pair pupils to encourage discussion and collaborative note-taking, enhancing comprehension through shared ideas. Highlight the importance of notes for future activities, emphasising that their work in this lesson contributes to their success in subsequent parts. This resource is ideal for building a strong understanding of the progressive tense and fostering an interactive learning environment. It prepares pupils for deeper engagement and peer collaboration in learning grammar.

This resource, “The Progressive Tense - Part 2: Peer Teaching Activity,” is an interactive and collaborative learning tool that engages pupils in understanding and applying the progressive tense through teaching and creative projects. Key Features: Peer Teaching Framework: Pupils work in pairs to prepare and deliver a presentation on the progressive tense, deepening their understanding by explaining concepts to peers. The activity fosters collaboration and communication, with each pair presenting to another and receiving feedback. Structured Learning: Clear explanations and examples of present, past, and future progressive tenses, supported by visual and textual reminders. Builds on prior knowledge from Part 1 (the lesson), providing continuity and reinforcing key concepts. Creative Engagement: Pairs combine to form expert groups and create a short video on the progressive tense, encouraging creativity and deeper exploration of the topic. Videos are swapped with other groups for peer review, promoting critical thinking and constructive feedback. Reflection and Growth: Includes guided reflections for pupils to evaluate their learning, teamwork, and preferences for future group activities. The “Monster Reflection” framework adds a fun and personalised element, allowing pupils to express what they enjoyed and what challenged them. Tips for Teachers: Use this activity to consolidate pupils’ understanding of the progressive tense after teaching the basics. Emphasise collaboration and active participation by guiding pupils through the steps of preparing presentations and creating videos. Provide time for reflection and encourage open discussions to build confidence and improve group dynamics. This resource is ideal for fostering active learning and peer interaction while reinforcing grammar concepts in a fun, engaging way.

This resource, “The Progressive Tense - Part 2: Peer Teaching Activity,” is an interactive and collaborative learning tool that engages pupils in understanding and applying the progressive tense through teaching and creative projects. Key Features: Peer Teaching Framework: Pupils work in pairs to prepare and deliver a presentation on the progressive tense, deepening their understanding by explaining concepts to peers. The activity fosters collaboration and communication, with each pair presenting to another and receiving feedback. Structured Learning: Clear explanations and examples of present, past, and future progressive tenses, supported by visual and textual reminders. Builds on prior knowledge from Part 1 (the lesson), providing continuity and reinforcing key concepts. Creative Engagement: Pairs combine to form expert groups and create a short video on the progressive tense, encouraging creativity and deeper exploration of the topic. Videos are swapped with other groups for peer review, promoting critical thinking and constructive feedback. Reflection and Growth: Includes guided reflections for pupils to evaluate their learning, teamwork, and preferences for future group activities. The “Monster Reflection” framework adds a fun and personalised element, allowing pupils to express what they enjoyed and what challenged them. Tips for Teachers: Use this activity to consolidate pupils’ understanding of the progressive tense after teaching the basics. Emphasise collaboration and active participation by guiding pupils through the steps of preparing presentations and creating videos. Provide time for reflection and encourage open discussions to build confidence and improve group dynamics. This resource is ideal for fostering active learning and peer interaction while reinforcing grammar concepts in a fun, engaging way.

Christmas Facts This Upper KS2 Christmas Literacy Worksheet 4 engages pupils with intriguing facts about the history and traditions of Christmas. It includes: Historical and Cultural Facts: Pupils learn unique information, such as the origin of “Xmas,” the Victorian revival of Christmas, and the story behind Norway’s annual gift of a Christmas tree to Britain. Reading Comprehension: Passages offer engaging content about Christmas customs, cards, and Father Christmas, encouraging critical reading and analysis. Questions and Fact Boxes: Pupils answer questions based on the text and summarise key details in fact boxes, building comprehension and synthesis skills. Quick Quiz: A fun recap activity consolidates learning in a manageable format. This resource is ideal for integrating literacy with cultural history, enhancing reading skills while exploring the festive season.

Answers This Upper KS2 Christmas Literacy Worksheet 4 engages pupils with intriguing facts about the history and traditions of Christmas. It includes: Historical and Cultural Facts: Pupils learn unique information, such as the origin of “Xmas,” the Victorian revival of Christmas, and the story behind Norway’s annual gift of a Christmas tree to Britain. Reading Comprehension: Passages offer engaging content about Christmas customs, cards, and Father Christmas, encouraging critical reading and analysis. Questions and Fact Boxes: Pupils answer questions based on the text and summarise key details in fact boxes, building comprehension and synthesis skills. Quick Quiz: A fun recap activity consolidates learning in a manageable format. This resource is ideal for integrating literacy with cultural history, enhancing reading skills while exploring the festive season.

This resource is a Lower KS2 Christmas Literacy Worksheet titled “Why Didn’t Father Christmas Use a Spell-Checker?”. It engages pupils in spelling correction activities by presenting a humorous letter from Father Christmas, filled with deliberately misspelled words. Key Features: Theme: A festive context where pupils help elves correct Father Christmas’s spelling mistakes. Activity: Pupils identify and correct misspelled words in the letter. The letter includes words like “helppers,” “gurls,” and “slay,” which need correction to “helpers,” “girls,” and “sleigh.” Skills Developed: Spelling, proofreading, and attention to detail. Extended Task: Pupils rewrite the corrected letter for further practice. This resource combines a fun Christmas theme with literacy skill-building, making it suitable for pupils in Lower Key Stage 2.

Upper KS2 Christmas Literacy Worksheet - Reindeer Theme This literacy worksheet, designed for Years 5 and 6, blends festive cheer with cross-curricular learning. Centred around reindeer and their significance in Christmas traditions, the resource includes a mix of history, geography, and poetry analysis. Key Features: Historical Context: Learn about the ancient origins of reindeer, their uses, and their relationship with early humans. Explore the cultural importance of reindeer in Lapland, where they are essential to daily life. Poetry Analysis: Dive into an extract from Clement Moore’s classic poem ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ Activities encourage pupils to identify literary elements, analyse imagery, and understand vocabulary in context. Comprehension Questions: Thought-provoking questions guide pupils to extract key information and develop critical thinking. Includes activities on interpreting evidence and making connections with the text. Quick Quiz: A fun and interactive recap to consolidate learning. Covers key facts and ensures retention of information in a playful manner. This resource offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas while enhancing literacy skills. It’s perfect for independent work, group discussions, or even a whole-class festive lesson.

This Christmas Customs literacy worksheet (10 pages) is designed for Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) and offers engaging activities to support reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and collaborative learning. Key Features: Thematic Content: Explore various Christmas traditions, including Advent, mistletoe, the Yule log, Boxing Day, and Christmas pudding, with accessible explanations tailored for younger readers. Comprehension Questions: Includes individual and paired activities to encourage both independent work and partner collaboration, helping pupils practise reading for detail and critical thinking. Cultural Insights: Connects historical and modern customs, sparking discussions about the significance of traditions and their origins. Flexible Use: Ideal for literacy lessons, seasonal activities, or as part of cross-curricular projects linking history and literacy. This resource is perfect for teachers looking to blend seasonal cheer with meaningful learning opportunities in the classroom.

This Christmas Customs literacy worksheet (10 pages) is designed for Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) and offers engaging activities to support reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and collaborative learning. Key Features: Thematic Content: Explore various Christmas traditions, including Advent, mistletoe, the Yule log, Boxing Day, and Christmas pudding, with accessible explanations tailored for younger readers. Comprehension Questions: Includes individual and paired activities to encourage both independent work and partner collaboration, helping pupils practise reading for detail and critical thinking. Cultural Insights: Connects historical and modern customs, sparking discussions about the significance of traditions and their origins. Flexible Use: Ideal for literacy lessons, seasonal activities, or as part of cross-curricular projects linking history and literacy. This resource is perfect for teachers looking to blend seasonal cheer with meaningful learning opportunities in the classroom.