Teach Reading and Writing Issue 19

RE V I EWS A whole-school grammar resource, packed with plenty of pedagogical punch AT A GLANCE L I TERACY Quality-first grammar lessons furnished with a raft of resources Follows a simple five-step structure Three levels of differentiation included Terminology definitions and modelled examples Superb teaching guide £4.99/month, cancel anytime plazoom.com Plazoom – Real Grammar A sure-fire way of helping pupils to generate sentences and get in the groove with grammar Supports children apply their skills across the curriculum Grammar for fun, challenge, interest and creativity Helps to improve listening and comprehension skills Everything you need to introduce, explore and identify each objective in context VERD I CT You are looking to create cohesion in your grammar provision using effective resources underpinned by a robust teaching sequence so that children can achieve deep grammatical learning. UPGRADE I F . . . REVIEWED BY: JOHN DABELL Recent research suggests that what helps children to develop their writing skills at different points in development, is focusing on teaching approaches such as sentence-combining, strategy instruction and emphasising the processes of writing. For this you need innovative, interactive and expert literacy resources such as those by Plazoom. For grappling with grammar then look no further than their new whole-school programme, Real Grammar. This multimodal and visually appealing set of resources follows a new approach to teaching grammar to ensure deep learning through meaning, creativity and choice. Real Grammar adopts a very structured approach and is taught as part of the literacy sequence ‘teach, practise, revisit, apply, revise’, so that learning can be spaced over time. The units have been organised to cover all the grammar and punctuation objectives and each has a specially written model text showing the objective in context. The ‘teach’ section provides comprehensive teaching sequences so that pupils are able to get to grips with every concept and can apply their learning in context. There are impressive teaching scripts to follow, with key questions and prompts included for high-quality learning. The ‘practise’ examples are pitched at three different levels and so they should capture the needs of most pupils, and can be used to consolidate learning and identify any gaps or misconceptions. These sections can be adhered to as part of a classroom literacy routine, but they can also be used flexibly rather than as a fixed route through grammar terrain. A range of games and activities are included so that areas can be revisited and embedded. ‘Revise’ sections include differentiated exercises to help prepare pupils for end-of-year assessments. Embedded within these sections is an outstanding collection of teaching essentials, including detailed notes, editable PowerPoint lessons, model texts, practice worksheets, games, writing prompts, and more, all of which have suggestions for challenge and support, with opportunities to investigate and develop ideas. The high-quality resources are child-friendly without being childish, age-appropriate, and have plenty of pedagogical punch. These are genuinely outstanding materials that are expertly created for making grammar lessons easy. www.teachwire.net | 65