A simple construction, possibly more suitable for younger learners, is a windmill - a central core of between four and six words with the meanings written on the vanes. This five-vane windmill uses words related to energy.
I will be giving a pair of presentations at the ASE Conference in January, both near to Friday lunchtime in the Marquee Room, either will be useful to the majority of teachers.
The 12.30 session will introduce you to myriad new words, provide a number of word games then see how many you can remember at the end (a task that we expect of everyone of our students); the 2.30 session will show that Science is a work in progress by engaging participants in programme tha mixes word games, memory and self-directed study!
I will be giving a pair of presentations at the ASE Conference in January, both near to Friday lunchtime in the Marquee Room, either will be useful to the majority of teachers.
The 12.30 session will introduce you to myriad new words, provide a number of word games then see how many you can remember at the end (a task that we expect of everyone of our students); the 2.30 session will show that Science is a work in progress by engaging participants in programme tha mixes word games, memory and self-directed study!
Years ago, when I was at school, Science was all knowledge taught didactically from the front (not unexpected with classes of 40+ pupils!). The importance of skills was recognised in the late seventies with courses developed by Nuffield that integrated skills with knowledge, or Science in Process that concentrated on developing ways of thinking. Now the centrality of language is being recognised, not only because knowledge is transmitted using words, but also an understanding of the vocabulary allows improved internalisation and increased understanding.
All subjects show this triangle, some concentrate on language (MFL), others on skills (technical subjects), and some on knowledge (geography or history) - but only in Science does a pupil need to develop expertise in all three aspects; no wonder pupils become disenchanted with the subject.
(A fuller discussion, with diagrams, is to be found at my TES upload - Triangle of Learning )
All subjects show this triangle, some concentrate on language (MFL), others on skills (technical subjects), and some on knowledge (geography or history) - but only in Science does a pupil need to develop expertise in all three aspects; no wonder pupils become disenchanted with the subject.
(A fuller discussion, with diagrams, is to be found at my TES upload - Triangle of Learning )
A wealth of engaging and effective strategies for developing literacy and understanding of scientific terms. TES Review
Full of stimulating activities for pupils to enjoy while learning about the key words. Special Needs Information Press
Full of stimulating activities for pupils to enjoy while learning about the key words. Special Needs Information Press
Marvelous medley of modelsUsing the subject-specific words that pupils are likely to meet at years 6 and 7, these 160 pages will save you time and improve your pupils' knowledge.
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Medley of models for chemistryA dozen different types of models in over 200 pages make this an essential resource for helping students become familiar with the terms specific to chemistry.
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Circuits & symbolsDozens of games to familiarise learners with the symbols and equations used in simple circuits.
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Skeleton & muscles fileUses dozen of games to familiarise pupils with the proper names for the bones in the human skeleton.
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There are dozens more files of models and word games - click on any image for further information.
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Every subject has three facets - the knowledge (facts that have to be learned), the skills (ways of thinking, talking or manipulating that have to be practised) and the lexicon (the subject specific words that allow rapid, precise communication), how these three affect teaching in several subjects is discussed in A triangle of learning on the TES shareware site.
Fantastic news ! This is THE dictionary for Junior Schools.
This 84 page pdf gives the meanings of all the words that pupils are likely to meet at Key Stage 2. Priced at £25 for a dictionary that can be loaded onto every tablet in your school. Click here for further information |
Every Science laboratory should have at least on copy (STE 50 56)
In all my years of teaching. I have never found a more useful resource! Said at the ASE Conference in January. Single copy for £15 +p&p, reductions for multiple order - click here for more information |
Encourage them to learn the spelling - having to work at finding the word has been found to encourage the learning of spelling, and help retain meaning (why else do you think that MFL continues to use dictionaries?)
Site license (load onto every iPad in the school) £22 (Which means less than 2p per pupil) Click here to order |
(VAT and postage will be added as appropriate)
Controversial
I have analysed some data that was obtained by cognitive ability testing in year 7 and again in year 9 - click CAT INTERPRETATION to start reading the analysis.
I have analysed some data that was obtained by cognitive ability testing in year 7 and again in year 9 - click CAT INTERPRETATION to start reading the analysis.
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William's Ideas for Word Games is an 80 page pdf that is filled with dozens of ideas and examples of how word games can be used to complement your lesson; just email William@WilliamsWords.co.uk for a free copy.
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