Read, understand, think!

Subject: English Language
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 11-14
Order Number: 5187

Most schools need to provide small group work to help underachieving pupils to build up their literacy skills. The photocopiable materials in this resource pack have been written for, and extensively used with, children from age 9 to 13, whose reading and understanding need an extra boost. Groups using the materials may be led by a teacher or a skilled teacher assistant.

The 12 reading texts cover a range of topics. Each text, with its accompanying task sheet, builds on the ones before it to:

• Increase vocabulary
• Develop comprehension of gist and detail
• Improve understanding of how language and texts work
• Practise literacy skills needed to answer questions in SATs
• Build confidence

The puzzles which supplement the reading texts help children practise using logic and methodical thinking in a fun way, and can be used as quick starter activities or ‘fillers’.

Many pupils who have worked through these materials have increased their reading ages by up to 3 years over a single academic year. They have thus become more able to access work across the curriculum, and have increased their confidence and motivation.