Up and Away - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Up and Away - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Up and Away - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
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Class organisation<br />
Pairs/small groups.<br />
Theme<br />
Use <strong>for</strong> any theme.<br />
Type of activity<br />
Pair/group writing.<br />
Materials needed<br />
Dictionaries.<br />
Photocopies of worksheet.<br />
Aims<br />
Revise vocabulary.<br />
Develop word recognition skills.<br />
Rein<strong>for</strong>ce spelling.<br />
Develop speaking skills.<br />
Making word searches<br />
Variation<br />
When the pairs/groups have selected their ten<br />
words, ask them to use the dictionary to find<br />
alternative vocabulary items (e.g. ‘vacation’ <strong>for</strong><br />
‘holiday’).<br />
When the pairs/groups write the words under<br />
the grid, they should write the original ten<br />
words. The pupils trying to complete the word<br />
search are told that they will find either the<br />
listed word or an alternative word with the<br />
same meaning.<br />
This gives further practice in using the<br />
dictionary <strong>and</strong> also extends vocabulary range.<br />
Focus Time<br />
35-40 minutes.<br />
Section 5 Examples of classroom activities<br />
Suitable <strong>for</strong><br />
Pupils developing<br />
basic literacy skills.<br />
Approach<br />
1. H<strong>and</strong> out one sheet of paper to each pair/group. Pupils list<br />
all the words connected to a given topic. Encourage them<br />
to check the words in their notes (or dictionaries) <strong>for</strong> correct<br />
spelling.<br />
2. Each pair/group chooses ten words.<br />
3. They then enter the words in the grid (ensure that pupils<br />
follow left to right <strong>and</strong> top to bottom directionality) <strong>and</strong><br />
surround the words with r<strong>and</strong>om letters.<br />
4. When the grid is complete, the pairs/groups write the ten<br />
words on the lines under the grid <strong>and</strong> the title (i.e. the<br />
theme) at the top of the page.<br />
5. Photocopy <strong>and</strong> redistribute the word searches <strong>for</strong> pupils to<br />
complete. If there isn’t enough time, they can be used at the<br />
start of the next class.<br />
Observations<br />
If pupils are not familiar with the idea of a<br />
word search activity, prepare one be<strong>for</strong>e the<br />
class <strong>and</strong> ask pupils to do it. Involving the whole<br />
class in making a word search on the board will<br />
also help pupils to underst<strong>and</strong> the type of<br />
puzzle they are creating.<br />
Although the main focus is on reading <strong>and</strong><br />
writing, the communication aspect of the<br />
activity should not be overlooked. By working<br />
together in pairs or small groups pupils are<br />
involved in the process of making group<br />
decisions, agreeing, disagreeing, asking <strong>for</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
giving help <strong>and</strong> so on. These are all skills which<br />
are vital to success in the mainstream classroom.<br />
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