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Collaborative Learning : Literacy Activities

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Don’t Cry Sly Fox Description: The track game has been devised to encourage pupils to explore the theme of food in relation to the Don’t Cry Sly Fox book and to reinforce the core vocabulary used. Learning Outcomes: Pupils will be able to name and recognise the various ingredients used to make the ‘chicken’, thus increasing their vocabulary. They will have had the opportunity to practice language structures as outlined in the core text informatio
The Giant Turnip ( Bingo Game) Description: The bingo game has been devised to encourage pupils to explore the theme of growing vegetables in relation to the Giant Turnip book. The matching activity reinforces the learning of core words from the story. You might like to devise other ways of playing the game or substitute the vegetables with ones that pupils might be more familiar with. You can buy the Giant Turnip book in various dual language editions from the books section of this site. Learning Outcomes: Pupils will have familiarised themselves with the key vocabulary from the story in a fun way, as well as developing an understanding of what plants need to grow. They will have had the opportunity to practice language structures as outlined in the core text information.
Feelings Synonyms ( Connect Four Game) Description: This game was developed to give pupils a richer level of vocabulary in a fun way. For the synonyms game we have concentrated on four feelings: happy, sad, angry and scared. You can adapt this game to include other feelings or translate the feelings into different languages. Learning Outcomes: Pupils will have developed a richer vocabulary for expressing feelings either aurally or in their writing. They will also have worked collaboratively with their partner.
Haiku Description: This game was designed to build confidence in producing poetry and also encourage speaking and listening skills. We have used animal haikus as the theme but you can adapt the activity to other themes or languages. Some cards have been left blank so that pupils can add their own animal haikus. Learning Outcomes: Pupils will be able to write and narrate their own haikus. They will also have worked collaboratively with their partner.
Frequent Words Description: The English language has some awkward, un-phonetic words which some children have trouble identifying and spelling, even when they are older. So this game has been devised to encourage young children to look at these words repeatedly, thus reinforcing their word recognition and spelling skills. Learning Outcomes: Children will have practised hearing and identifying high frequency words which will help with their spelling.
Silent Letters Description: There are some words in the English language that have letters that are written but not pronounced - so called ‘silent letters’. Words containing silent letters are difficult to learn to spell, even for older children. This is why we have devised this activity to reinforce the learning of these awkward words, in a fun and interactive way. Learning Outcomes: Children will have practised and improved their spelling of words which contain silent letters.
Collection Description: The Collections Game was developed to expand pupils’ vocabulary in a fun way. It will help them to identify items that are normally collected into groups such as bunches (flowers) or flocks (sheep). We have also provided spare blank cards for pupils to add more collective nouns or you could encourage them to make up their own for example, ‘What would you call a collection of computers?’ Learning Outcomes: Pupils will have expanded their vocabulary by being able to name differing collective nouns.
Macbeth Connect Four Description: Macbeth is one of the most popular Shakespeare plays that many students study. To give them a greater understanding of the play we have focused on the main characters in a fun game of Connect Four with a twist. Learning Outcomes: Students will have gained a better understanding of the main characters in the play.
Classic Tales Description: This game is designed to consolidate children’s knowledge of some well-known folk tales and increase their literacy skills. The stories we used are: Goldilocks and the Three Bears; The Three Billy Goats Gruff; Buri and the Marrow; The Elves and the Shoemaker; The Little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat Learning Outcomes: Pupils will be able to define and describe the selected folk tales and identify the key themes, characters and settings.
Simile Bingo Description: This game was developed to give students a richer level of vocabulary, in a fun way. It introduces some well known similes, and having seen how a simile is constructed students can then be encouraged to develop their own. If you make any interesting changes please send them to the address below so that we can expand our library of resources. Learning Outcomes: Students will have developed an understanding of how similes work and will be able to make up some of their own.
Sufficient Suffixes Description: Suffixes can be difficult to join onto words and spell, so we devised this game to give students a fun way to practise adding suffixes. The game also encourages the development of the students’ vocabulary by making them think of their own words and how to spell them. Learning Outcomes: The Learning Outcome will be that students will have developed their literacy skills by practising the use of suffixes.
Giant Turnip Rhyming Words Description: This game was developed to give pupils a richer level of vocabulary in a fun way. It is best to first read The Giant Turnip book before starting the game. If you wish you can hear the story in various languages with your TalkingPEN and the appropriate audio files. Visit www.mantralingua.com for details. To further develop the theme of this book you can also use the companion activity Giant Turnip Bingo. Learning Outcomes: Pupils will have developed a richer vocabulary aurally as well as in their writing. They will also have worked collaboratively with their partner.
Compound Nouns Description: This activity was developed in order to familiarise students with compound nouns but it also illustrates the historical development of language. Some of the words are no longer in use and some like treadmill have developed a new meaning. The activity can be used both for literacy and history. Learning Outcomes: Students will have learned the meaning of compound nouns as well as having broadened their vocabulary.
Vowels (Connect Four) Description: With the Olympic Games taking place in 2012 it is a good time to discover the origins of these games. There are many topics around this theme and if you develop your own please share them by sending them to the address below for expanding our library. Learning Outcomes: The Learning Outcome will be that pupils will have developed their literacy skills by practising the use of vowels and spelling.
Double or Single Consonants Description: Students learning English often find they are not sure when a word needs a double or a single consonant. This game provides a fun way to give them practice in identifying single and double consonant words. Learning Outcomes: Students will have improved their spelling by practising certain words and learning the reasons why, in general, some words have single consonants and others have double consonants.
Improving Adjectives Description: This is an activity to help build vocabulary and enhance creative writing skills. In the context of a connect four game, students are challenged to substitute commonly used adjectives with more interesting ones. Learning Outcomes: Students will have developed their literacy skills by expanding their vocabulary to include a wider variety of adjectives.