Teach Primary 18.8

www.teachwire.net | 67 for example, answering three questions in a row correctly could earn a hint token they can use later when they’re stuck on a tough question. You could also offer speed boosts for completing tasks quickly or shield tokens to protect from losing points if they get a tricky question wrong. Team battle Challenge children to compete in small teams. Each team starts with a set number of ‘lives’ (points), and every time they answer a question incorrectly, they lose a life. The last team standing wins the game. To keep it interesting, mix in different types of questions, such as quick-fire, multi-step, or creative problem-solving. You could even let teams level up with bonuses like extra time or the opportunity to steal a point from another team. Challenge tournaments Create a buzz in your classroom by setting pupils a series of timed challenges – think of it as a mini SATs Olympics. Set up stations with tasks like SATs-style reasoning, problem-solving and reading comprehension questions. Children race L et’s be honest, SATs can feel like a mountain to climb, both for children and teachers. The pressure is real, and it’s easy for Year 6 pupils to feel overwhelmed. Of course, there’s no getting around the fact that, as teachers, you’re responsible for ensuring children are fully prepared for SATs, which may require some serious effort. But it doesn’t have to be all hard work. With a bit of creativity, you can mix in some fun to lighten the mood and keep children motivated. Escape room challenges Turn your classroom into an ‘escape room’, where children must solve SATs-style questions to unlock each new challenge and progress to the next level of the game. Set up different stations, each focusing on a topic such as decimals, prepositions or coordinates. Pupils work in teams to solve problems within a time limit. Each correct answer gives them a clue or code to unlock the next level. This not only makes learning fun, but also helps children who may struggle with certain questions to feel less anxious. Working in a team gives them the support they need, so they don’t feel pressured to figure out answers alone. It boosts their confidence as they help their group move forward to unlock the next question. Leaderboards and power-ups Set up a classroom leaderboard where children earn points for answering questions correctly, completing tasks, or hitting personal bests. Keep things exciting by adding power-ups: to complete each task correctly, working in small teams. You can award medals, certificates, or fun rewards at the end of the tournament. This will bring some fun and healthy competition, all while familiarising children with the main types of SATs question styles. SATs superheroes Create a Superhero Academy, where children train to become ‘SATs Superheroes’. Develop SATs Mission Cards, with a mix of individual and group tasks. Missions could involve solving reasoning problems, or helping a peer with a reading comprehension exercise. Each completed mission earns ‘superpowers’ like badges or points. You can even allow children to customise their superhero identity by earning powers in specific subjects like Maths Master, Grammar Guru, or Spelling Sorcerer. Finish the academy with a SATs Superhero graduation, where children receive certificates and their superhero personas are revealed. Wheel of fortune Ask children to spin a wheel to determine which type of SATs question Bring on the FUN! Rachael Ede offers some practical ideas to energise your SATs prep Rachael Ede, a former Year 6 teacher, founded SATs Boot Camp to help teachers and students get ready for SATs with less stress. yearsix.co.uk they’ll face: reasoning, arithmetic, grammar, punctuation, spelling, or reading comprehension. To add a challenge, include bonus sections like double points for a correct answer or a lightning round where pupils must answer as many questions as possible in 60 seconds. The random element adds excitement and keeps children on their toes. Get moving Let’s bring life into SATs prep by getting our energetic Year 6s moving. Try revision relays outside on a dry day, where children race between stations to answer questions or solve problems. Short brain breaks, with stretching or mindfulness can also recharge children and boost concentration. Keep momentum Incorporating these ideas into your gamification strategy can keep children motivated in the lead-up to SATs week. While it’s important to remember that SATs preparation may also require more focused, serious activities, mixing in fun and creative approaches helps to balance the hard work. Finally, remember to celebrate the wins along the way. Celebrating milestones helps children feel proud of their progress and keeps them motivated. TP SA T S S P E C I A L