TR&W Issue 20

When it comes to literacy interventions, what matters the most is how well pupils are targeted, assessed, and monitored within the framework of a particular programme. Although there can never be a single universally effective programme, some interventions do manage to work effectively for a sizeable number of pupils. One such literacy intervention is the recently updated Five Minute Box, a proven system for teaching early literacy skills providing high quality phonic work to ease reading difficulties. This is really a sturdy, plastic valise of practical literacy resources packed together to help with confidence, reduce anxiety and help pupils to keep up and master early literacy. It’s an easy-to-use and practical toolkit that is designed for direct 1:1 support for ‘at risk’ children with the aim of helping them improve their knowledge, understanding and attainment. As it is intended for individual tuition, children don’t have to worry about group dynamics or the fear of failure in front of their peers. It’s especially useful for helping children with dyslexia, developmental language disorder and social and emotional needs and allows for progress to be made at different rates. What makes the Five Minute Box so good to use is that it is geared up for explicit and systematic teaching delivered in brief, but intensive, structured interventions. This means it provides clear models for positive and supportive learning using an array of examples proven to teach reading, writing, spelling, handwriting and literacy skills. Inside the case you get a newly updated 39-page resource book containing all you need to know about the box and how to get the most out of it. This includes the benefits and key points, initial assessments, teaching sessions, lesson plans, structured reading and spelling programme, and further assessments. Also in the case you will find all of the hands-on materials you need for each lesson, including magnetic alphabet letters, sounds board, keyword cards and boards, handwriting formation board, record of achievement forms, record of work sheets, whiteboard and pen. As the materials are in one place, this helps save any preparation time and maximises time for actual teaching. There’s a very handy fold-out instruction guide as well, which condenses the key information into easily digestible sections. The resource itself requires little in the way of preparation apart from familiarising yourself with the lesson plans and materials, so this is very much an ‘open the box and get started’ resource. Affordable training is also available if staff require it. Lessons are taught in small chunks, and each session covers a sounds board, keyword cards and personal information. The lesson plans included are all clearly set out in a step-by-step format using a ‘Hear it, Say it, Read it, Write it, Read it again’ approach. There are activities in phonics, keyword reading, spelling and writing and the box is intended for use in class rather than taking children out. The Five Minute Box is not a box of tricks. It’s a structured intervention toolkit of child-focused activities that allows all learners acquire secure phonic knowledge and literacy skills via short and impactful lessons that focus their attention and keep them involved. An intervention doesn’t have to take hours to be effective, and The Five Minute Box proves that early intervention in short, focused bursts can really accelerate children’s catch-up growth and be a rewarding not overwhelming experience. £115 | fiveminutebox.co.uk Ideal support for dyslexic or second-language learners Gives pupils the phonic skills and confidence they need to succeed Gives pupils multisensory support to learn new strategies and skills Provides chances to think aloud and talk about their learning and decisions Provides pupils with extensive feedback, self-esteem, motivation to learn and self-help strategies Provides valuable data and easy to monitor by SENCo ...you are looking for a highly effective early intervention and screening tool that identifies strengths and gaps in learning, engages children, supports their independent learning and gives an accurate record of progress. VERD I CT UPGRADE I F . . . A practical and comprehensive addition to your teaching arsenal AT A GLANCE ENGL I SH A structured multi-sensory phonics programme and screening tool for potential Specific Learning Difficulties Designed to be delivered by teaching assistants Covers the first stages of phonics Supplements class teaching Gives children ownership of their own learning REVIEWED BY: JOHN DABELL The Five Minute Box www.teachwire.net | 65 RE V I EWS