Most likely to…

Give the pupils a couple of creative scenarios with two options to choose from. Then get them to justify why. For example, “Who is the most likely to win in a fight? Macbeth or King Lear?” most likely to

Challenge mat

Challenge mat – Use this as either a planning tool or as a template to stretch children’s misconceptions in relation to a topic. Include these 4 categories of questions: standard questions, questions that confuse, questions about what it’s not – misconceptions, questions that apply a skill and explore links. Challenge Mat Challenge Mat_Eng Romeo and …

Talk like an expert

Allow students time to verbalise their learning. This ensures deeper cognitive processing and reinforces comprehension. Simple strategies can be employed such as having key terms colour coded and worth different points. When students are checking their understanding this encourages them to use key terminology and also assesses their learning. This concept can be developed further …

Structure slips

Structure slips create a prompt to guide extended writing to allow for a more flexible alternative to a writing frame or template. Simple to stick along the edge of a page and effectively demonstrates to a student the different aspects of their writing or different assessment objectives they are attempting to demonstrate. Structure slips

Hints and tips

Provide the children with hints, tips or clues to help scaffold learning. These can be differentiated and easily written on post it notes, use QR codes or simply folded paper around the room. You will be amazed how much they want to try on their own before looking at the hint!

Word story

Give the pupils an essay or question title and a blank writing frame. Give them a limit of how many words they can use for their ‘story’/answer. They think of the important key terms and order them into an essay plan.

Vocabulary stepping stones

Give pupils a question and key terminology that would be used in the answer. Using a blank writing frame as a guide, pupils sort the key words into the order they would appear in the essay or answer to help plan and formulate a response.

Rotation squares

Pupils compare essay plans in small groups. They then use the rotation square template and complete it to plan out a paragraph. Pupils can construct this together. These can also be handed around the room or used as a carousel so pupils complete different parts of the paragraph. Pupils can collaborate to construct the perfect …

Hints and tips

Provide the children with hints, tips or clues to help scaffold learning. These can be differentiated and easily written on post it notes, use QR codes or simply folded paper around the room. You will be amazed how much they want to try on their own before looking at the hint!