resources update issue 45

• QuickAssess QCA Science
• Penpals for Handwriting Year 1 CD-ROM
• 2Calculate

• Sort-Er. An electronic notesboard
• Kineasthetic, Interactive Teaching system (KIT)
• Phonics Focus

Powerful and versatile, QuickAssess is an assessment tool for teachers, supporting statutory tests at KS1, 2 and 3, with all QCA questions accessible through their database.

It includes mark schemes and notes for teachers.
QuickAssess allows questions to be added to the database, upload questions from other sources, mix them and produce mark schemes easily. This is ideal for teachers as it provides an ongoing and ever-growing resource for assessment. The instruction book is detailed and easy to understand and the software is very rewarding. Test papers can be produced for a variety of ages and tweaked to take into account attainment levels, making the test much more child friendly than a QCA test. Papers can also
be adapted for topic work.

Sort-Er is a superb resource designed to make children’s planning of writing more effective and more logical. It is based on the idea of an electronic ‘stick-on’ notepad where you can gather, sort and order the children’s ideas before they start to write. Although designed as a literacy product, it could be used right across the curriculum wherever children are required to write. It can be used for the planning of both fiction and non-fiction writing. The older or more able the children, the more complicated the categorising and
ordering can be.

The beauty of Sort-Er, is that it can be used in
a variety of ways and is simple of use.

Penpals for Handwriting year 1 is a complete handwriting scheme for ages 4 - 9, which ensures progression from early development of gross and fine motor skills to confident letter formation and accomplished joins. It links to other literacy objectives included in progression in phonics and developing early writing and the software allows for differentiation and varied ways of practice.

Using an interactive whiteboard provides a bright, colourful and very interactive interface which is simple to navigate both for teachers and children alike. The strength of the software at this level is the provision for sky writing and warm ups, for both left- and
right-handed children, which are crucial to handwriting.

KIT is school equipment comprising of both hardware and software. The hardware consists of two powerful speakers (which can be used independently as a public address system), one main ‘box’ and 30 (Playstation-type) remote controlled handsets. KIT can be used anywhere there is access to a TV or a digital projector and is controlled via an infrared remote. The software has four main uses: educational, PTFA/general fundraising, Karaoke and disco capabilities. The educational content consists mainly of maths, literacy and music topics covered in the interactive games, whilst other subjects include KS2 science, history, french and geography. All the quizzes, ‘Music Challenges’ and literacy games are designed for multiple players, whilst the single player
usage includes word search and hangman type games using National Curriculum word lists.

2Calculate is an easy to use spreadsheet program offering the same powers as a traditional spreadsheet but using language and mathematics that everyone can understand.

The product is aimed at children within the primary school age range. 2Calculate is an excellent tool for the teacher to demonstrate a range of mathematical concepts for whole class numeracy teaching on an interactive whiteboard or by small groups or individuals to develop mathematical thinking and problem solving skills.

Excellent on-screen videos and linked activities
give you many different exciting opportunities of how the program can be used with children from year 1 to year 6. Each example comes with a clear description and direct page reference to the objectives from the NNS.

This Phonics Focus CD-ROM is one of a series of four CD-ROMs that support the DfES Publication Progression in Phonics (PIPs) Reading and Spelling Strategy, The NLS framework and Searchlights for Spelling. The software consists of 11 activities with brightly coloured interfaces. The tasks are carefully thought out and progressive made accessible by choosing the term, unit and objective from easy to use
screens.

The software can be used in a variety of ways; on the whiteboard during the word level work session with the whole class, with customised activities to reinforce high frequency words with specific groups of children; for look, cover, write, check using the electronic white boards and individual wipe boards and pens; for individual assessment or practice on computers
which can be aimed at specific needs.

Consult widely before you buy
• Ask colleagues, perhaps in other schools
• Read evaluations and look at Publisher’s sites
• Check to see if the product is COL listed (go to www.curriculumonline.gov.uk) and whether it is eLC eligible
• Involve colleagues who will be expected to use the titles in the classroom
• Order demo versions and try using them together before you buy