An Oxford University Press report, Why the Word Gap Matters: Oxford Language Report, published this week reveals that both primary and secondary schools teachers are finding that an increasing number of children have a limited vocabulary – a word gap. Without enough words a child will not only find it difficult to understand instructions at … Read more
As you would expect, subtraction is a key concept in the primary maths curriculum. Children start to learn about subtraction in their first year of primary school and it is something they continue to build upon all the way through to Year 6 (Primary 7). Here we have put together some easy activities that you … Read more
“I started lots of great stories when I was a child, but I NEVER finished them. Sometimes I even abandoned them mid-sentence. Shocking, I know.” Francesca Simon, author of the Horrid Henry series, shares her top tips for finishing a story. It’s easy to start a story, and it’s hard to finish one. But help … Read more
With Key Stage 2 SATs slowly appearing on the horizon, you might be wondering how you can best help your Year 6 child prepare. Fortunately, we have a wide range of useful resources to give you a head start in figuring out exactly what SATs involve and how you can support your child. Take a … Read more
Every writer wants to find the perfect words to tell their story. These activities will guide your child through four ways to make their language sparkle, from creating striking similes to wielding unusual words. Why not encourage your child to use their newfound vocabulary to create a stunning entry for the BBC 500 Words competition? … Read more
Every story needs a star. From famous footballers to pet hamsters to superheroes, unforgettable characters make stories come to life. These four fun activities will help any aspiring author dream up some page-turning protagonists. Make sure you remind your child to submit their finished story to this year’s BBC 500 Words short story competition! Please … Read more
As part of their SATs, your Year 6 child will soon be tested in all areas of the key stage 2 maths curriculum. In order to do this, they must sit three separate papers: one arithmetic paper and two mathematical reasoning papers. Schools will of course be making sure that your child is as ready … Read more
Great stories have page-turning plots that keep readers glued to their seats to find out what happens next. These activities will help your child turn their brilliant ideas into a fantastic story with a beginning, middle, and end, and maybe a twist or two along the way as well. Make sure your child submits their … Read more
Coming up with a great story idea can be tricky, which is why we’ve gathered together four fun activities to spark your child’s imagination and help them overcome writer’s block. Why not use these activities to inspire your child to create an exciting adventure for the BBC 500 Words short story competition? Please note: The … Read more
Children love to help with cooking and baking. It’s great fun, and a brilliant way to talk about maths together. The trick is to choose recipes that give your child as much control as possible, so they feel like they are the ones doing the cooking. And don’t worry about perfect results. Muffin and biscuit … Read more