Cognition & Learning Resources
Handwriting
Pupils are encouraged to practise their handwriting at home by using the Pupil log-in for Letter-join. Children can also watch the word and letter animations and practice and explore other handwriting resources on Letter-join. If you require the log-in details to access this resource, please contact your child's class teacher.
Letter-Join Handwriting Policy
Where children are still struggling with handwriting, click on the links below for information which further outlines different strategies to support handwriting at home. These resources, created by Occupational Therapists to support handwriting at home, are progressive and outline the various stages of handwriting starting with 'Tummy Time'.
Five essential motor skills for handwriting success - GriffinOT
Handwriting hints and tips (wsh.nhs.uk)
You may also find the following link useful for children who wish to further develop their typing skills:
Dance Mat Typing for 7 - 11 year olds - BBC Bitesize
Mapping tools
‘Map-it’ and ‘Ordering’
Below you will find two documents that can be used to support your child with structuring and sequencing their ideas. These tools are great for writing activities as children can record all their thoughts on the ‘Map-it’ document without having to consider the sequence of these. Once these have been recorded, they can use the ‘Ordering’ sheet to sequence their ideas then use this to support their writing, referring to one section at a time.
Active Listening Resources
See below for a selection of resources aimed at developing children’s communication skills through Active Listening. The resources below can be used as reminders of how to show good listening and prompts to encourage them to seek further information, and or clarification, if they have not heard or understood. You will also find below a social story ‘How to be a good listener’ which explains each of the 6 steps they need to take to be an active listener.
Active Listening Fans
Active Listening Games
Active Listening Request Fans
Active Listening Table Top
How to be a good listener Social Story
Language Through Colour Resources
Language through colour uses colours to help children categorise words, securing their understanding of language.
Language through colour can be used in many different ways to help children learn. Below you will find a selection of resources to support children’s understanding and use of language following this approach. You will also find a guide for parents which provides a more detailed explanation of Language Through Colour.
A guide for Parents - Language Through Colour Resources
Language Through Colour Dice
Language Through Colour Fans
Language Through Colour Story Plan
Language Through Colour Vocabulary
Story Plan 1
Story Plan 2
Due to the benefits observed when using Language Through Colour, and in line with the Mainstream Core Standards, we have adopted this strategy as the basis of our Whole School Writing policy. Please see our Writing page for further information regarding this: Joy Lane Primary School - Writing.
Switch on words
Introduce new vocabulary through a kinaesthetic approach using the ‘Switch on words’ word mat. This is a great resource to use when learning new spelling words.