Playing outside is an essential part of a child's development. From making mud kitchens, to getting to know nature, learning and playing outside will help little learners form key developmental skills such as physical health & self-confidence!
Name of tester: Kerri HibberdTitle: Class TeacherSchool name: Woodside AcademyAge range of children: Year 1, age 5-7
How important is programming in the primary classroom?
Due to today’s digital society it is very important that children get to grips with programming at a young age.
How did you use the product?
While most of the children were on computers working on moving a robot I used this resource with one group at a time on the carpet. At first I asked the children what they thought we were going to be doing with the resource and after sharing ideas I told them that we were going to be making a maze. I explained that we had to collect and bring back the robot but we had to use the coding cards to give instructions. The children then explored making simple mazes and we worked as a group to create the code. Next we tested to see if our code worked with one person walking on the maze tiles.Let’s Go Code!™ Activity Set
What are the benefits of the resource?
I liked that this resource was practical. This enabled the children to walk a set of instructions that had been made by the group and helped the children amend the code as they walked it themselves. For example, the children had planned a right turn when in fact they needed to turn left and they only noticed this mistake when a peer walked the code. After some discussion about why our code didn’t work the children were able to come up with the resolution themselves. Â
What did you like/dislike about the resource?
I like how practical this resource is and how it can be used in different ways like cooperative play and team play with the added benefit of adding objects like blocked path. Â
Did the children enjoy using the product?
Yes and they are looking forward to using it again independently. Â
How would you rate the long term appeal of the resource?
Coding is now very important so I think this resource will have long term use appeal. I can also see it being used with reception and year 2 children in different ways. Â
Do you currently have any similar products within your setting? Please provide details.
We have programmable robots and a matching computer programme but no resources like this. Â
How cost effective do you feel the resource is in terms of the results it delivers?
A good affordable resource for £30. Â
Is the product unique?
I haven’t seen any products like this on the market.
How important is programming in the primary classroom?
Due to today’s digital society it is very important that children get to grips with programming at a young age.
How did you use the product?
While most of the children were on computers working on moving a robot I used this resource with one group at a time on the carpet. At first I asked the children what they thought we were going to be doing with the resource and after sharing ideas I told them that we were going to be making a maze. I explained that we had to collect and bring back the robot but we had to use the coding cards to give instructions. The children then explored making simple mazes and we worked as a group to create the code. Next we tested to see if our code worked with one person walking on the maze tiles.Let’s Go Code!™ Activity Set
What are the benefits of the resource?
I liked that this resource was practical. This enabled the children to walk a set of instructions that had been made by the group and helped the children amend the code as they walked it themselves. For example, the children had planned a right turn when in fact they needed to turn left and they only noticed this mistake when a peer walked the code. After some discussion about why our code didn’t work the children were able to come up with the resolution themselves. Â
What did you like/dislike about the resource?
I like how practical this resource is and how it can be used in different ways like cooperative play and team play with the added benefit of adding objects like blocked path. Â
Did the children enjoy using the product?
Yes and they are looking forward to using it again independently. Â
How would you rate the long term appeal of the resource?
Coding is now very important so I think this resource will have long term use appeal. I can also see it being used with reception and year 2 children in different ways. Â
Do you currently have any similar products within your setting? Please provide details.
We have programmable robots and a matching computer programme but no resources like this. Â
How cost effective do you feel the resource is in terms of the results it delivers?
A good affordable resource for £30. Â
Is the product unique?
I haven’t seen any products like this on the market.
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Throughout 2016, multiple judges have put our toys and games to the test! We are delighted to have received several prestigious accolades that have recognised our toys for their quality, durability, educational benefits and fun factor. Discover what toys have scooped awards this year below.Â
Awards DescriptionThe Code & Goâ„¢ Robot Mouse Activity Set is part of Learning Resources’ STEM range and provides a basic introduction to coding and programming.  This fun set challenges players to programme Colby the Mouse to navigate through a custom built maze and find a block of cheese! Designed for children aged five and above, it supports the development of a variety of skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication skills, programming and self-correction. Judges Comments“Children wanted ‘just one more go’ with this - a sign of a great purchase.†– Toy Talk Awards“The STEM Robot Mouse Activity Set would encourage children to build hands-on coding skills in a fun and enjoyable way. It was very easy to construct and represented excellent value for money!†– ERA AwardsÂ
Awards DescriptionImagination has no limits with Plot Blocks™! By combining a multitude of different settings, characters, objects and actions, children create a truly unique story with just the roll of 6 cubes. The set includes 18 picture cubes (six each of who, what and how), six double sided setting mats and four transparent setting mats for children to create their very own story setting. Pick a setting, roll two of each cube and let the endless stories begin! Judges Comments“Children of all ages enjoyed playing with the Plot Blocks. The bright colours of the blocks are great for the young children whilst the older children enjoyed the variety of setting cards. The cubes are of a good size and the game is easily stored in the box. I think it is fantastic that the game encourages creativity.†– Primary Teacher Update Awards
 AwardDescriptionGive little ones a kick-start into beginning astronomy with this real working telescope! Built specifically for growing minds, the comfy two-eye goggle piece and nose cut-out guides keep your child’s eyes focused on exactly the right spot. The telescope is focus free: no adjustment needed! The 10x magnification provides fantastic views of the moon, while keeping the field of vision wide, which is essential for young children’s understanding of magnified views.Judges Comments“A fascinating starting point for small children to enjoy viewing the night sky†– Right Start AwardsÂ
AwardDescriptionColourful puppy friends snap together and pull apart to make a variety of rhyming words. Great for reinforcing fine motor skills, the set includes ten heads and ten tails that can be mixed and matched to make over 55 rhyming words. Start by matching colours and identifying letters, then move on to building three letter words and rhyming. Judges Comments“A simple education resource which was engaging and did its job well. The children enjoyed the idea of pups and made the activities fun particularly as they pretended to be pups and one point. Some could blend the words together fairly quickly and others needed practice but all improved after just a few play sessions. A very useful resource for children just beginning to blend words together , but familiar with letter sounds which encourages literacy, communication and language skills.†– Practical Preschool Awards
AwardDescriptionA new spin on learning for the youngest of engineers! Hands-on construction and colourful underwater pals provide a fun way to build fine motor skills. Big, chunky play pieces fit easily onto large gears, providing endless mix-and match play. This friendly set encourages creativity and allows children to explore cause and effect, Set includes board, eight large gears, seven sea creatures and a chunky handle. Judges Comments“Great toy, fun looking, nice bright colours and well made†– Bizzie Baby Awards“I really liked this product and so did mason as has never stopped playing with it, very bright colours which is attractive to younger kids.†– Bizzie Baby Awards
AwardDescriptionThis illustrated set of 21 double sided activity cards teach patterns and sequences, sorting, grouping, early arithmetic, size recognition and positional awareness. The set also includes a 1-20 number line. Â The wipe-clean cards can be used individually by the child or supported by a teacher. Activity guide included with even more activity ideas to use with the cards. The cards are designed to be used with our All About Me Family Countersâ„¢ Â (sold separately).Â
AwardDescriptionIntroduce and explore six simple machines as you make amazing discoveries, design solutions for real-world problems and conduct your own investigations. This colourful set includes a lever board, wedge, pulley with role and hook, card with four removable wheels, Archimedes screw, four barrel weights and ten double sided activity cards to build early engineering and problem solving skills.Â
AwardDescriptionTactile learning is a bag full of fun with Teaching Tac-Tiles™! Colourful, engaging pieces with rich textures (smooth, bumpy, ridged and rough) engage a child’s senses and strengthen fine motor skills. Children aged three and above learn shape identification while building vocabulary and early maths skills. Includes 20 pieces in five shapes and four textures plus 10 activity cards.#LoveLearning
Throughout 2016, multiple judges have put our toys and games to the test! We are delighted to have received several prestigious accolades that have recognised our toys for their quality, durability, educational benefits and fun factor. Discover what toys have scooped awards this year below.Â
Awards DescriptionThe Code & Goâ„¢ Robot Mouse Activity Set is part of Learning Resources’ STEM range and provides a basic introduction to coding and programming.  This fun set challenges players to programme Colby the Mouse to navigate through a custom built maze and find a block of cheese! Designed for children aged five and above, it supports the development of a variety of skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication skills, programming and self-correction. Judges Comments“Children wanted ‘just one more go’ with this - a sign of a great purchase.†– Toy Talk Awards“The STEM Robot Mouse Activity Set would encourage children to build hands-on coding skills in a fun and enjoyable way. It was very easy to construct and represented excellent value for money!†– ERA AwardsÂ
Awards DescriptionImagination has no limits with Plot Blocks™! By combining a multitude of different settings, characters, objects and actions, children create a truly unique story with just the roll of 6 cubes. The set includes 18 picture cubes (six each of who, what and how), six double sided setting mats and four transparent setting mats for children to create their very own story setting. Pick a setting, roll two of each cube and let the endless stories begin! Judges Comments“Children of all ages enjoyed playing with the Plot Blocks. The bright colours of the blocks are great for the young children whilst the older children enjoyed the variety of setting cards. The cubes are of a good size and the game is easily stored in the box. I think it is fantastic that the game encourages creativity.†– Primary Teacher Update Awards
 AwardDescriptionGive little ones a kick-start into beginning astronomy with this real working telescope! Built specifically for growing minds, the comfy two-eye goggle piece and nose cut-out guides keep your child’s eyes focused on exactly the right spot. The telescope is focus free: no adjustment needed! The 10x magnification provides fantastic views of the moon, while keeping the field of vision wide, which is essential for young children’s understanding of magnified views.Judges Comments“A fascinating starting point for small children to enjoy viewing the night sky†– Right Start AwardsÂ
AwardDescriptionColourful puppy friends snap together and pull apart to make a variety of rhyming words. Great for reinforcing fine motor skills, the set includes ten heads and ten tails that can be mixed and matched to make over 55 rhyming words. Start by matching colours and identifying letters, then move on to building three letter words and rhyming. Judges Comments“A simple education resource which was engaging and did its job well. The children enjoyed the idea of pups and made the activities fun particularly as they pretended to be pups and one point. Some could blend the words together fairly quickly and others needed practice but all improved after just a few play sessions. A very useful resource for children just beginning to blend words together , but familiar with letter sounds which encourages literacy, communication and language skills.†– Practical Preschool Awards
AwardDescriptionA new spin on learning for the youngest of engineers! Hands-on construction and colourful underwater pals provide a fun way to build fine motor skills. Big, chunky play pieces fit easily onto large gears, providing endless mix-and match play. This friendly set encourages creativity and allows children to explore cause and effect, Set includes board, eight large gears, seven sea creatures and a chunky handle. Judges Comments“Great toy, fun looking, nice bright colours and well made†– Bizzie Baby Awards“I really liked this product and so did mason as has never stopped playing with it, very bright colours which is attractive to younger kids.†– Bizzie Baby Awards
AwardDescriptionThis illustrated set of 21 double sided activity cards teach patterns and sequences, sorting, grouping, early arithmetic, size recognition and positional awareness. The set also includes a 1-20 number line. Â The wipe-clean cards can be used individually by the child or supported by a teacher. Activity guide included with even more activity ideas to use with the cards. The cards are designed to be used with our All About Me Family Countersâ„¢ Â (sold separately).Â
AwardDescriptionIntroduce and explore six simple machines as you make amazing discoveries, design solutions for real-world problems and conduct your own investigations. This colourful set includes a lever board, wedge, pulley with role and hook, card with four removable wheels, Archimedes screw, four barrel weights and ten double sided activity cards to build early engineering and problem solving skills.Â
AwardDescriptionTactile learning is a bag full of fun with Teaching Tac-Tiles™! Colourful, engaging pieces with rich textures (smooth, bumpy, ridged and rough) engage a child’s senses and strengthen fine motor skills. Children aged three and above learn shape identification while building vocabulary and early maths skills. Includes 20 pieces in five shapes and four textures plus 10 activity cards.#LoveLearning
We believe educational toys and games aren’t just for Christmas; they inspire a lifetime love of learning! Play nurtures development and is the foundation for all learning, helping children to build everything from communication and language skills to imagination and creativity. With this in mind, we’re confident that our educational toys will be played with all year round and have put together a list of ten areas of development that they support.
1) Communication and Language
Educational toys can provide children with opportunities to use their vocabulary and discover new words. Imaginative play tools such as puppets help young learners to express themselves, ask questions and practice the art of conversation.Educational board games are a great way to help children make sense of social constructs such as following rules, listening to others, asking questions, winning and losing. Family games also help children to play co-operatively and, by actively listening, they will begin to take account of other people’s ideas and feelings.
2) Physical Development
Toys that aid physical development help children to be active and develop their co-ordination, control and movement. Fine motor skills refers to small movements such as gripping object and uses the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips and tongue. Resources such as Jumbo Tweezers and Handy Scoopers™ help to strengthen these muscles and prepare children for tasks that will increase their independence, such as holding a pen or dressing themselves.Gross motor skills refers to the movement and co-ordination of larger body parts such as the arms and legs. Active play is a great way to develop gross motor skills through actions such as running, walking, jumping and crawling. Toys that encourage movement such as Pancake Pile-Up!™ and Math Marks the Spot™ help to promote physical activity alongside learning essential core skills.
3) Personal, Social and Emotional Awareness
Toys such as Mirror Boards and Puppets help children to build self confidence and form relationships. Children can use these tools to initiate conversations that help them to manage their feelings and sharpen observation skills. Through play, children become familiar with social constructs such as turn-taking, helping them to form relationships and develop respect for others.
Children discover the world through their senses. Toys that promote tactile awareness and sensory exploration help young learners to make sense of the physical world around them.  By combining sensory awareness and scientific discovery with exploration toys such as magnifiers, projectors and microscopes children can satisfy their natural curiosity in the physical world.
5) Creativity and Imagination
Play is a full time job that is fuelled by creativity and imagination. Imaginative play resources encourage children to draw on first-hand experiences in pretend play scenarios, helping them to make sense of day to day life. By the age of three, children are able to absorb themselves in make-believe and will often start to create elaborate story lines. This type of play is important as it helps young learners to build confidence, perseverance and self esteem.
Starting school is an important chapter in a child’s life and educational toys help them to develop basic early skills to prepare them for their new adventure! By playing with toys that help with pre-writing, speech language and communication, confidence, numbers and early phonics, young learners will have the head-start they need to shine at ‘big’ school.Learn more in our ‘School Readiness’ blog post.
7) Outdoor Exploration
Outdoor learning and active play are an essential part of a child’s development, building a variety of key skills including confidence, social skills and well-being whilst experiencing the wonders of the world around them. Hands-on tools such as Kidnoculars® and Jumbo Magnifiers encourage children to get up-close to nature, helping them to understand the world around them.
STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. STEM toys encourage children to solve real-world problems through enquiry-based problem-solving, hands-on experimentation, trial and error, and self-discovery. Challenges follow the Engineering Design Process (ask, imagine, plan, create, improve) and can pose challenges such as building simple machines or programming a Robot Mouse.
9) Core Skills
Learning Resources’ toys are designed in-line with the National Curriculum for England and help to support core skills across Literacy, Maths, Science and Geography. Through exciting game play and engaging activities, children will improve essential skills from the alphabet and phonics to fractions and measurement, without even realising they’re learning!
10) Learning is fun!
We think it’s important to keep children captivated while learning! Hands-on toys that are fun to play with, help to keep children present in the moment so that they can uncover their true potential. #LoveLearning#Givethegiftoflearning
Educational toys can provide children with opportunities to use their vocabulary and discover new words. Imaginative play tools such as puppets help young learners to express themselves, ask questions and practice the art of conversation.Educational board games are a great way to help children make sense of social constructs such as following rules, listening to others, asking questions, winning and losing. Family games also help children to play co-operatively and, by actively listening, they will begin to take account of other people’s ideas and feelings.
2) Physical Development
Toys that aid physical development help children to be active and develop their co-ordination, control and movement. Fine motor skills refers to small movements such as gripping object and uses the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips and tongue. Resources such as Jumbo Tweezers and Handy Scoopers™ help to strengthen these muscles and prepare children for tasks that will increase their independence, such as holding a pen or dressing themselves.Gross motor skills refers to the movement and co-ordination of larger body parts such as the arms and legs. Active play is a great way to develop gross motor skills through actions such as running, walking, jumping and crawling. Toys that encourage movement such as Pancake Pile-Up!™ and Math Marks the Spot™ help to promote physical activity alongside learning essential core skills.
3) Personal, Social and Emotional Awareness
Toys such as Mirror Boards and Puppets help children to build self confidence and form relationships. Children can use these tools to initiate conversations that help them to manage their feelings and sharpen observation skills. Through play, children become familiar with social constructs such as turn-taking, helping them to form relationships and develop respect for others.
Children discover the world through their senses. Toys that promote tactile awareness and sensory exploration help young learners to make sense of the physical world around them.  By combining sensory awareness and scientific discovery with exploration toys such as magnifiers, projectors and microscopes children can satisfy their natural curiosity in the physical world.
5) Creativity and Imagination
Play is a full time job that is fuelled by creativity and imagination. Imaginative play resources encourage children to draw on first-hand experiences in pretend play scenarios, helping them to make sense of day to day life. By the age of three, children are able to absorb themselves in make-believe and will often start to create elaborate story lines. This type of play is important as it helps young learners to build confidence, perseverance and self esteem.
Starting school is an important chapter in a child’s life and educational toys help them to develop basic early skills to prepare them for their new adventure! By playing with toys that help with pre-writing, speech language and communication, confidence, numbers and early phonics, young learners will have the head-start they need to shine at ‘big’ school.Learn more in our ‘School Readiness’ blog post.
7) Outdoor Exploration
Outdoor learning and active play are an essential part of a child’s development, building a variety of key skills including confidence, social skills and well-being whilst experiencing the wonders of the world around them. Hands-on tools such as Kidnoculars® and Jumbo Magnifiers encourage children to get up-close to nature, helping them to understand the world around them.
STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. STEM toys encourage children to solve real-world problems through enquiry-based problem-solving, hands-on experimentation, trial and error, and self-discovery. Challenges follow the Engineering Design Process (ask, imagine, plan, create, improve) and can pose challenges such as building simple machines or programming a Robot Mouse.
9) Core Skills
Learning Resources’ toys are designed in-line with the National Curriculum for England and help to support core skills across Literacy, Maths, Science and Geography. Through exciting game play and engaging activities, children will improve essential skills from the alphabet and phonics to fractions and measurement, without even realising they’re learning!
10) Learning is fun!
We think it’s important to keep children captivated while learning! Hands-on toys that are fun to play with, help to keep children present in the moment so that they can uncover their true potential. #LoveLearning#Givethegiftoflearning
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Name: Emma Vanstone of Science SparksAge of children: 9, 8 and 5 years oldEmma is a busy mum to three even busier children. She is passionate about the importance of science education and making science fun for kids. You can find Emma’s science-based activities and investigations over on Science Sparks, a website bursting with creative and engaging ideas for children of all ages.
What were your first thoughts when the product arrived?
I thought the packaging was instantly appealing and the product sturdy and well made. My children couldn’t wait to open the box and get started.
How did you use the product?
For my five year old we used Colby the Robot Mouse to introduce the concept of programming. She found the direction cards very helpful and the process of planning, coding and then correcting her routes has been brilliant for improving her logic skills.My eight year old was able to code Colby without the direction cards, which has been great for helping develop his spatial awareness and ability to visualise directional changes, as well as working through the process of coding, checking and then amending his code if necessary.
What are the educational benefits of the resource?
The Robot Mouse Activity Set is great for improving logic, reasoning, directional skills and for practising following instructions, as well as being an engaging and entertaining introduction to coding.
What did you like/dislike about the resource?
I loved that Colby was so easy to use as well as visually appealing. My five year old could follow the instruction cards without too much help and very much enjoyed trying to code Colby’s route to his cheese. The set is very easy to use with little set up required.
What is the long term appeal of the resource?
Our Robot Mouse Activity Set comes out frequently without any encouragement from me. Each time it’s played with the children find a new way to explore the set, such as building their own obstacles for Colby or creating their own layouts.
Is the product unique?
I haven’t come across a similar product available yet in the same price range.
Would you recommend this product to a friend?
I would definitely recommend the Code & Go™ Robot Mouse Activity Set, its bright colours, easy to handle design and educational benefits make it a superb addition to any child’s collection of toys and games.
Tried and Tested: Code & Go™ Robot Mouse Activity Set Name: Emma Vanstone of Science SparksAge of children: 9, 8 and 5 years oldEmma is a busy mum to three even busier children. She is passionate about the importance of science education and making science fun for kids. You can find Emma’s science-based activities and investigations over on Science Sparks, a website bursting with creative and engaging ideas for children of all ages.
What were your first thoughts when the product arrived?
I thought the packaging was instantly appealing and the product sturdy and well made. My children couldn’t wait to open the box and get started.
How did you use the product?
For my five year old we used Colby the Robot Mouse to introduce the concept of programming. She found the direction cards very helpful and the process of planning, coding and then correcting her routes has been brilliant for improving her logic skills.My eight year old was able to code Colby without the direction cards, which has been great for helping develop his spatial awareness and ability to visualise directional changes, as well as working through the process of coding, checking and then amending his code if necessary.
What are the educational benefits of the resource?
The Robot Mouse Activity Set is great for improving logic, reasoning, directional skills and for practising following instructions, as well as being an engaging and entertaining introduction to coding.
What did you like/dislike about the resource?
I loved that Colby was so easy to use as well as visually appealing. My five year old could follow the instruction cards without too much help and very much enjoyed trying to code Colby’s route to his cheese. The set is very easy to use with little set up required.
What is the long term appeal of the resource?
Our Robot Mouse Activity Set comes out frequently without any encouragement from me. Each time it’s played with the children find a new way to explore the set, such as building their own obstacles for Colby or creating their own layouts.
Is the product unique?
I haven’t come across a similar product available yet in the same price range.
Would you recommend this product to a friend?
I would definitely recommend the Code & Go™ Robot Mouse Activity Set, its bright colours, easy to handle design and educational benefits make it a superb addition to any child’s collection of toys and games.
LER 2206 Standard Pocket ChartThis month, our customers have loved our Standard Pocket Chart, a fully customisable chart ideal for use with the Read Write Inc. Framework. The chart is suitable for use in the classroom and features ten horizontal transparent pockets for holding teaching materials such as sentence and story strips.
Read Write Inc., developed by Ruth Miskin, provides a structured and systematic approach to teaching literacy. It is used by more than a quarter of the UK’s primary schools and is designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.  Each Read Write Inc. programme meets the higher expectations of the National Curriculum and uses effective assessment to accelerate every child’s progress and prepare them for the 2017 National Curriculum Tests. Comprehensive training is available for all Read Write Inc. programmes to ensure consistent practice across schools.
The Standard Pocket Chart is a recommended resource for the framework and is used to display cards during literacy lessons. Cards are used to highlight red words, green words and challenge words, helping children to learn to blend as a class. It’s an essential resource for schools using Read Write Inc. because teacher’s need to clearly display words to the whole class.
Other ways of using the Standard Pocket Chart
The Standard Pocket Chart has multiple uses to help with literacy, rhyming, classification and classroom organisation. Below are some suggestions of how you can introduce the chart into your classroom.Choral ReadingThe chart can be used to display sentence strips for the whole class to read together. Perfect for beginners, teacher’s can fill the pockets with rhymes and encourage the children to read aloud in a round.Sentence StructureThe chart can be used to teach sentence structure by labelling subjects and nouns. Discuss verbs, objects, articles and prepositions. As a follow on activity, students can make up sentences, break them down, and then put them on the chart. Thinking, writing, hearing and viewing all help reinforce concepts!SpellingThe chart is a great way to reinforce your class’s spelling words on a weekly basis. They will always be on display and your class can practice their skills at a moment’s notice! The large charts make it easy to clearly display all of the words so they are visible from the back of the classroom. The chart will remind students to study their words at home.Unfamiliar wordsKeep track of unfamiliar words in stories that you read as a class by writing down the word on a strip and placing it in your chart. Students can later look words up and write their definitions.ClassificationPlace a group word in the large top pocket such as ‘colours’ or ‘vehicles’ and then ask your students to list words that fit under these categories. Vary classification schemes by having students distinguish between categories. You could mix ‘colour’ and ‘vehicle’ words and encourage students to put them under the correct categories.Rhyme TimeExplore rhymes with younger students who are just learning to read. Ask students to find rhymes for words like ‘cat’ and ‘ride’. You can encourage them to write their rhyming words and display them on the chart. Older students can find rhymes with vowel combinations.Keep Track and Get Organised!Organise your classroom by using the chart to graph student performance, keep track of collected worksheets, show sentence and story strips or list names for jobs and tasks around the classroom. You can even use your pocket chart to store passes to the office, bathroom, and library!The chart comes with a 16-page Teaching Guide and bonus content can be downloaded on our website. Find out more on LearningResources.co.uk.#LoveLearning
What’s Hot? Standard Pocket Chart LER 2206 Standard Pocket ChartThis month, our customers have loved our Standard Pocket Chart, a fully customisable chart ideal for use with the Read Write Inc. Framework. The chart is suitable for use in the classroom and features ten horizontal transparent pockets for holding teaching materials such as sentence and story strips.
Read Write Inc., developed by Ruth Miskin, provides a structured and systematic approach to teaching literacy. It is used by more than a quarter of the UK’s primary schools and is designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.  Each Read Write Inc. programme meets the higher expectations of the National Curriculum and uses effective assessment to accelerate every child’s progress and prepare them for the 2017 National Curriculum Tests. Comprehensive training is available for all Read Write Inc. programmes to ensure consistent practice across schools.
The Standard Pocket Chart is a recommended resource for the framework and is used to display cards during literacy lessons. Cards are used to highlight red words, green words and challenge words, helping children to learn to blend as a class. It’s an essential resource for schools using Read Write Inc. because teacher’s need to clearly display words to the whole class.
Other ways of using the Standard Pocket Chart
The Standard Pocket Chart has multiple uses to help with literacy, rhyming, classification and classroom organisation. Below are some suggestions of how you can introduce the chart into your classroom.Choral ReadingThe chart can be used to display sentence strips for the whole class to read together. Perfect for beginners, teacher’s can fill the pockets with rhymes and encourage the children to read aloud in a round.Sentence StructureThe chart can be used to teach sentence structure by labelling subjects and nouns. Discuss verbs, objects, articles and prepositions. As a follow on activity, students can make up sentences, break them down, and then put them on the chart. Thinking, writing, hearing and viewing all help reinforce concepts!SpellingThe chart is a great way to reinforce your class’s spelling words on a weekly basis. They will always be on display and your class can practice their skills at a moment’s notice! The large charts make it easy to clearly display all of the words so they are visible from the back of the classroom. The chart will remind students to study their words at home.Unfamiliar wordsKeep track of unfamiliar words in stories that you read as a class by writing down the word on a strip and placing it in your chart. Students can later look words up and write their definitions.ClassificationPlace a group word in the large top pocket such as ‘colours’ or ‘vehicles’ and then ask your students to list words that fit under these categories. Vary classification schemes by having students distinguish between categories. You could mix ‘colour’ and ‘vehicle’ words and encourage students to put them under the correct categories.Rhyme TimeExplore rhymes with younger students who are just learning to read. Ask students to find rhymes for words like ‘cat’ and ‘ride’. You can encourage them to write their rhyming words and display them on the chart. Older students can find rhymes with vowel combinations.Keep Track and Get Organised!Organise your classroom by using the chart to graph student performance, keep track of collected worksheets, show sentence and story strips or list names for jobs and tasks around the classroom. You can even use your pocket chart to store passes to the office, bathroom, and library!The chart comes with a 16-page Teaching Guide and bonus content can be downloaded on our website. Find out more on LearningResources.co.uk.#LoveLearning
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