Voki

Ok, so this is a little gimmick that can turn a boring web page in to an exciting one.

Voki is simple and free to use. Once you have registered and have a Voki account, you can use the templates (and there are a lot) to create animated avatars. 

When I had finished playing around making one that looked like my cat, Saxon, I felt ready to make a proper one for my class VLE page. I had customised my avatar, the option is there to type a message for the avatar to say. It comes with the option to record and have your own voice speaking, so I chose to do just that. I then copied the source code and pasted it in to my class VLE page in a text box.

Pros- easy and simple to use- house of fun can be had.

Cons- it works using flash, so if you don't have a codec or driver for your Internet browser then you can't see it- I was unable to see it in google Crome on my VLE page, but I was able to view when I logged in through Microsoft Internet Explorer.

I can see a lot of uses with this. It could be the stimulus to a lesson setting a problem for the class, or it could be used as a message to someone as the link can be emailed easily.

Usa style pancakes

These are so easy and taste amazing. I've been making them for years and I haven't met anyone who has not cleared their plate!

For this recipe you will need:

160ml milk

3 free range eggs

115g plain flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

A pinch of salt

Makes 6 pancakes.

1. Separate the egg yokes from the whites. 

2. Mix in a bowl the yokes, flour, milk and baking powder.

3. Whisk in a separate bowl the egg whites and the salt until the whites 'form stiff peaks'.

4. Fold in the egg whites to the main mixture.

5. Fry in a non stick frying pan. I use a ladle to transfer equal portions of the mixture. This usually makes 6/7 thick American style pancakes, which is just enough for our house. If you do need to make more, just double the mixture.

6. Stack up and serve with warmed maple syrup. Yummy!

Letters and sounds folders

Phonics has become more important recently with the new Year 6 Spelling and Grammar SAT paper.

We teach phonics by separating children by ability on small focus groups following the plans based on the DfE Letters and Sounds program. In the early stages we combine Jolly Phonics for phase 2 and 3.

As we have lots of support staff whose responsibility it is to deliver the lesson I have organised folders for each member of staff new to teaching phonics this year.

Each folder is divided into sections, with the plans for the phase they are teaching in one section. I have colour coded the plans to go with the colour of the letters and sounds document. This example is for phase 5. I would like to achieve consistency in all teaching staff and have put in my daily lesson plans 4 parts- review, teach, practise and apply.

I added some mnemonic flashcards so people can cut out and laminate them as they need.

 

...and some different ones that show phonemes from phase 2  to phase 5

I have also included in separated sections; each part of the vast letters and sounds document. The chapter you see here is for phase 2.

Letters and Sounds is a big part of KS1. It works very well and I am trying to fit in practising 'alien' words in preparation for the Year 1 Phonics screening assessment.