I spent some time looking at SESE Interactive, the latest piece of software from the educational software company, Learning Horizons. Learning Horizons are hoping to capitalise on the success of some of their other software, including Sounds to Words. They have brought in the expertise of practicing teachers to produce this software which aims to … Read more
How do you make grammar more fun for kids? That’s the question that’s never been successfully answered. Teachers seem resigned to “just getting through it” and hoping that it will stick. From the number of shop signs with inappropriate apostrophes scattered all over the place, it’s not working – or should that be “its not … Read more
BrainSnack comes in a very big box full of big shiny cards with problems that are supposed to challenge your brain. According to Prim-Ed, “BrainSnack will work the brain and amaze the eye with 300 graded problem-solving cards.” So, were my eyes amazed? Was my brain worked? Well, I’m not that important, so I took … Read more
As a fan of facilitating higher-order thinking skills, I always get very worried when a textbook comes out with “Problem-solving” in the title. Problem-solving is one thinking skill that is misunderstood by many people. Although all teachers know that it’s really important, many don’t actually know what it means. I’ve often heard them described as … Read more
One of the interesting things about the Expo at the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) conference was the number of stands relating to technology. At a guess, I’d say about 40-50% of the stands were ICT related. However, even more interesting was the number of stands that were dedicated to administration for schools using technology. … Read more
“Early Finishers” is a new 7-book series that does what it says on the tin and more! It’s basically made up of copymasters that primarily (though not exclusively) for pupils who finish their work early and need extra activities which they can complete independently. The books are divided into six sections: Looking at words, following … Read more
YTeach is a new online resource aimed at children from 3rd class upwards. When I say upwards, I mean upwards to the Leaving Certificate. Prim-Ed are Ireland’s distributors of this massive database of activities, which cover the Maths and Science curriculum. This review focuses on the Primary content. Prim-Ed have tailored the content to fit … Read more
Mapping and Atlas skills are 3 photocopiable resources from Prim-Ed. They are made up of 3 levels- lower, middle and upper. Lower is 1st and 2nd, middle is 3rd and 4th and Upper level is 5th and 6th Class. They focus in on specific mapping skills that are needed in the classroom and curriculum. They … Read more
This review is the last of a four part “Jenny Mosely” book month that Anseo were promoting. This book is suitable for principals in particular as it focuses right in on the whole school program for “Quality Circle Time” This book, which is very well established, gives you a clear idea of what the Quality … Read more
I got an email from Moss Green Publications asking me to have a look at some free colouring pages they are offering on their web site: http://www.mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk/free-colouring-pages/. According to their author, the purpose of these colouring pages is to help parents educate their children about where vegetables are grown, when they are planted / can … Read more