SATs Meeting for Parents

1. SATs Meeting for Parents Tuesday 5th February 2013

2. Plan for the Evening Miss Fitzpatrick: Welcome and Introduction Miss Fitzpatrick: Science Ms Dixon: Y6 leader Mr Davis: Maths Mrs Reinecke: Literacy

3. Welcome and Introduction • Please remember to switch off your mobile phones! • This PowerPoint has been uploaded to the Y6 section of the school website under Class Info.

4. Mathematics • Three test papers • Test A: non-calculator paper • Test B: calculator paper • Mental Arithmetic: recorded test

5. Mental Arithmetic Twenty minute taped test One practice question Twenty questions at 5, 10 and 15 second intervals 20 marks available Allowed to write jottings!!

6. Test A • This assesses the children’s methods and skills in both mental and written computation without a calculator. • 45 minutes • 40 marks available

7. Test B • This involves the children working with larger numbers or more steps in the process to find solutions to problems. For this reason they are allowed to use a calculator. • 45 minutes • 40 marks available

8. During the test • All children can request questions to be read to them – this aids understanding and they should be encouraged to do this.

9. How can I help my child? These are just a few ideas. • Learn tables both the multiplication and division (www.learnyourtables.co.uk) • Estimate the cost of a shopping bill/takeaway • Tell the time using both digital and analogue clocks • Calculate the length of programmes on the television • Work out lengths of bus journeys • Learn how many days in each month

10. Science • Two test papers • Each lasting 45 mins • Children must show knowledge of four areas of science and show that they can apply this knowledge.

11. Science One – Scientific Enquiry • Asking questions • Testing theories • Making conclusions • Answering questions

12. Science Two – Life Process Biology • How animals and plants exist – life cycles, habitats, adaptation etc. • Humans – keeping healthy.

13. Science 3 – Materials and their Properties Chemistry • Properties of materials e.g. hard, soft, transparent, magnetic. • How materials change when we heat them, cool them or mix them with other materials

14. Science four – Physical Processes Physics • Light • Sound • Electricity • Earth and space • Forces

15. During the test • All children can request questions to be read to them – this aids understanding and they should be encouraged to do this.

16. How can I help my child? • Show an interest in their science lessons – can they explain what they have been learning about? • Ask the children to explain any vocabulary they use. • Use the revision books together. • Work through some of the activities on the science revision guidance sheet.

17. Revision • Make sure your child has the revision books – and uses them! • Please do not buy the 2010 or 2011 test papers as we use these for teaching purposes! • Use the BBC Revisewise website for science and other subjects.

18. Literacy • Four test papers! • Reading • Short writing • Long Writing (and handwriting) • Spelling • Grammar • If only we had one for talking!

19. Reading test • The longest test at 1 hour (lots of brain food needed!) • Children have 15 minutes to read the text and 45 minutes to answer a range of questions requiring a variety of answer styles; e.g. multiple choice, short line answers and several line answers in which they may be asked to justify an opinion or explain an authors choice of language.

20. Writing Activities • Short writing activity - 20 minutes • Long Writing Activity – 45 minutes • Children will be asked to write in 2 different writing styles. They could be asked to write a piece of fiction or non-fiction. • Spelling - a gap filler style paper, around 15minutes long. Will be worth 20 marks. • Grammar- Punctuation, sentence-grammar and vocabulary will all be assessed by a series of short-answer questions in a variety of formats. Questions are in order of difficulty. 45 minutes long. Will be worth 50 marks. • Handwriting is marked within the long writing tests.

21. Grammar Activity- your turn! 1. Circle the connective in the sentence below. The girl got a reward because she completed the task. 2. Which of these sentences is correct? “Please can we get an ice-cream”? Said Jamie Please can we get an ice-cream said jamie? “Please can we get an ice-cream?” said Jamie.

22. Can you identify the main clause and subordinate clause in each of these examples? Subordinate clause Although Susan was very angry, she still managed to stay calm. Main clause The mysterious beast crept closer but it wasn’t planning to harm them.

23. How to Help in English Speaking and listening – the most important! • If they see you listening to them, they will listen back! • Encourage them to use the correct grammar! “We was, like, innit, going here like, wasn’t we” is not what we want to encourage! • Ask your child questions and don’t settle for a grunt back! If they reply with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ ask them to explain further and elaborate – give detail!

24. How to Help in English Reading • Encourage your child to read a variety of books: stories and non-fiction. • Ask them questions about what they have read; e.g. What makes you think that? How do you feel about…? Can you explain why…? I wonder why the author chose that word?

25. How to Help in English Writing • Ask them to check to see whether their sentences make sense. • Ask them what VCOP is and make sure they check their work for it! • Encourage them to spend a little time each day writing something.

26. Year 6 How can I help my child? • Ensure good attendance and punctuality – learning starts at a quarter to nine. • If your child is in school every day and ready to learn then we can help them. • Encourage your children to do their best. • Use revision books. • Use revision websites. • Ensure they are present between the 13th – 17th May 2013. • Do not plan holidays in term time.