resources update issue 54

• Exploring Science 7: Teacher's Guide & Planning CD
• Digital Worlds GIS for Seconday schools
• The Nelson Handwriting Font
• Smart Learning - ICT Pack Permanent - Year 1

• Scientifica ICT Power Pack 7
• Smart Learning - ICT Pack Permanent - Year 5
• Key Stage 3 ICT
• Sonica Spanish

This useful CD-ROM is designed to assist teachers in the preparation and delivery of KS3 science to Year 7. It provides the teacher with the ability to develop long and short term planning, directly linked to the QCA scheme of
work. Three part lessons can be stored on the network or on home PCs as a record of work done. Reliable equipment lists are available for technicians, enabling departments to plan equipment purchases.

The range of resources include: PowerPoint presentations, adaptable work sheets, lesson plans, starters, plenaries and end of topic tests. Although closely linked to the Exploring Science scheme, it could also be used by teachers developing their own bespoke courses. I particularly liked the ability to edit plans and worksheets. The layout of the planning sheets is excellent and makes it a quick and easy process.

This is a fantastic piece of software with a vast range of activities and resources for teaching KS3 science. There are quizzes, animations, video clips, concept cartoons, and progress checking and literacy activities to name a few examples! It is aimed at the Year 7 QCA scheme of work, but could be used with any year at KS3 and would also be suitable for revision before taking concepts further at KS4.

Students can either work individually as there are resources which can be printed off or students can work in groups using an interactive whiteboard which makes the product very versatile. In addition, teachers can adapt the resources to suit the needs of their students. I feel this is an invaluable tool to help make learning more interactive and
exciting.

This package comes as a CD-ROM and is a Geographic Information System resource. It contains current and historic OS maps, elevation data, aerial photographs and census data based on a 10 km sq. area of your chosen
study area.

A useful tool is the ability to vary transparencies between layers. For example, relevant elevation data could be placed underneath a corresponding OS map, altering the transparency of that layer, will give a 3D type effect. This enables the viewer to see the relief of the land ‘under’ the OS map.

With the large amount of data available, and its user friendly interface, this resource will primarily suit geography departments, but also lends itself to form the basis of some inspiring lessons across the age-range and curriculum.

Smart Learning - ICT Pack Permanent - Year 5 is specifically linked to the QCA Scheme of Work for Year 5 ICT, including teacher’s notes for each unit of the scheme of work.

There are 6 units which range from graphical modelling, analysing and evaluating data, spreadsheets, controlling devices and monitoring environmental conditions with activities to support. Unit 3 fits in particularly well with work on graphs within the NNS, giving a good all round understanding of the use and interpretation of graphs. For each unit clear information is given on screen of the tasks for the children to complete individually or in small groups.

Teachers can then access how each child has done and whether or not they achieved their objective at the end of the session from the assessment view button.

The Nelson Handwriting Font

Nelson Thornes Ltd

This program is designed to give teachers the flexibility to create their own classroom resources and support good handwriting practice across the curriculum. It enables the user to make full use of print, preclusive, cursive and cursive slanted handwriting styles whilst still being able to work in Microsoft Word.

The teacher can use features such as dotted print, grey text with start dots and tramlines for the explicit teaching of handwriting or create their own resources, and it is also easy enough to use by children to present their own work in it too. I found it invaluable for presenting work to my class in the handwriting style to which they are accustomed and for presenting a model to work towards, with all the correct joins and letter forms.

This program is designed to give teachers the flexibility to create their own classroom resources and support good handwriting practice across the curriculum. It enables the user to make full use of print, preclusive, cursive and cursive slanted handwriting styles whilst still being able to work in Microsoft Word. The teacher can use features such as dotted print, grey text with start dots and tramlines for the explicit teaching of handwriting or create their own resources, and it is also easy enough to use by children to present their own work in it too. I found it invaluable for presenting work to my class in the handwriting style to which they are accustomed and for presenting a model to work towards, with all the correct joins and letter forms.

The Smart Learning range currently covers Years 1 - 6. The program evaluated was the Year 1 CD-ROM from the series which includes a CD-ROM, pupil activity books, teacher’s books, photocopiable resource sheets and poster packs. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the other components offering full coverage of the QCA Scheme of Work for ICT.

The CD-ROM provides a wealth of computer activities, directly linked to the QCA scheme providing teachers with: detailed teacher’s notes with step by step instructions for each lesson, ready to use computer based activities, a comprehensive assessment tool and integrated tasks at the end of each unit. As children work through the activities their work will be recorded in an assessment chart, which can be viewed at any time by the class teacher or administrator.

Sonica aims to teach basic Spanish to KS2 children. It supports teachers who have little or no experience in teaching Spanish. There are clear links to the QCA Scheme of Work and include the four key learning outcomes.

The two CD-ROMs are easy to install on a stand-alone PC or in a computer suite with an interactive whiteboard. A cartoon Spanish family takes the children through 240 activities, incorporating visual, audio and kinaesthetic learning styles. The program can accommodate more than one ability group addressing specific learning objectives. The CD-ROMs are enjoyable and the idea of having a dance mat and Karaoke activities during class time is fantastic. The support material available to the teacher is extensive and offers a wealth of ideas to start the KS2 and lower
KS3 children speaking Spanish.

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