Why our workbooks will work for you!
Written by Catherine Simms
I know I’ve been mentioning the workbooks quite a lot recently, but I’ve just had the pleasure of looking through all four stages of Spanish workbooks, designed by PLN’s Irene, and all I can say is WOW!
So much thought and careful consideration has gone into these four stages of workbooks; I can see how they will be useful in so many ways to PLN members!
The benefits (some of them!)
Here is just a handful of reasons why we think you will love our workbooks:
- Activities are fully integrated into the scheme (Click2Teach and Video2Teach)
- MASSIVE time saver for students and teachers
- No more photocopying, trimming, sticking in
- Word banks to promote independent learning
- Assessment materials built in
I could go on, but I think you get the idea!
Scenarios
Have a look at these scenarios, and see that no matter the circumstances, our workbooks will work for you…
Mixed age classes
The question of mixed age classes and the accompanying challenges are so varied that it really depends on the setup and prior learning. Your starting point would be to book a consultation to tailor the scheme to your needs and setting.
What I would say as an example is that if your Year 3s and Year 4s are following Stage 1, the Stage 1 workbooks can be used and the PLUS sheets in the scheme can be used for added challenge. We have plans to roll out PLUS sheets for other stages too and some reduced challenge/added support tasks (for example, for Year 3s following Stage 2.) Watch this space for further developments!
2. Schools teaching alternate weeks or in blocks
Yes, definitely! In this scenario, the workbooks will be even more useful in terms of looking back at prior learning, and in this reduced coverage scenario, although not ideal, each workbook will span two years of learning. Students will benefit from being able to look back at the word banks and assessment clouds, plus the activities to recap previously completed topics.
3. Struggling to fit the lesson in
The primary timetable is full to bursting and that’s one of the reasons why our workbooks will work for you. The Learning Objective is there on the page; the activities are ready. When you want to assess, the activities are in the workbook ready for the children to complete. You won’t have to photocopy anything, check the glue sticks are working, and the only thing to hand out are the books themselves! If you have half an hour for your lesson, you can get going straight away without spending precious time cutting, sticking or handing out multiple sheets and resources.
4. Staff confidence needs a boost
Perfect! These workbooks will support your staff and guide them through the scheme. Watch the satisfaction on the children’s and teachers’ faces as the workbook is completed week by week, and children use the vocabulary banks and assessment clouds to become independent learners.
5. We have a lot of children with SEND
That’s not a problem. The colour-coded design, familiar format, clear instructions and layout will really benefit your children with SEND and will help them on the way to becoming independent learners, along with their peers.
Will there be workbooks for German?
We have the structure and format in place to put the workbooks into German; this will take time. In the meantime, we are updating the German Click2Teach scheme with newer resources, some of the new task sheets (as featured in the workbooks) and soon the Puzzle It Outs too. Watch this space for further updates!
The workbooks that we have made will be ready for use in September, but we have many more plans so keep your eyes peeled for new additions!