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Listen to your workEditingVocabulary

Spelling

Don’t know what to read?

Online comprehension

Presentation

Phonics

Reading strategies

VCOP

Punctuation

Different text types

Organisation

More punctuation

Understanding what you read

Boss

•The best way to become a good reader is to read more.Read book extracts on the Lovereading sites. Order the book from the local library or look for it in the school library.

If you prefer “real-life” texts, try the online newspaper, First News. (No subscription required)

•http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ •http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ • http://www.firstnews.co.uk/

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• If you find it difficult to “sound words out”, you might have missed some of the basics at primary school.

Take a trip down memory lane and remind yourself of the stuff you missed (or have forgotten!)

http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/literacy/ www.phonicsplay.co.uk

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Understanding what you read

Can you understand what you are reading?When you are watching TV or a film or reading a book, ask yourself the following questions:•Why did the character say that?•What’s going to happen next?•Who does that person remind me of?Try out some comprehension strategies at the site below.http://reading.ecb.org

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http://reading.ecb.org contents

Reading strategies

Predict What will happen in this text?

Visualise “See” ideas in your head.

Question Ask questions about the text.5Ws and H

Connect Does the text remind you of something you have seen/heard?

Identify What is the main point of the text?Why was it written?

Infer Does the writer give any clues or hints?

Evaluate What is your opinion of the text?

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Find out about different types of text.

• https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eppcontent/glossary/app/resource/factsheet/4108.pdf

For more info, clickhttps://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eppcontent/glossary/app/resource/factsheet/4108.pdf contents

• Use the free portable MyStudyBar from Eduapps.

• Download the bar onto a memory stick and use it to help with reading,writing and planning. Dyslexia-friendly tools included.

• http://eduapps.org/ Click the My Study Bar tab at the top of the page.

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Vary your vocabulary; Choose the right word.

Connect your ideas, sentences and paragraphs.

Open (start) each sentence in a different way.

Punctuate. Use full stops, capital letters, speech marks, question marks, exclamation marks, apostrophes and commas.

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Organise your ideas.

• Plan your writingUse:• Bullet points• A table• A mind-map• A voice recording on

your phone• Post-its• A graphic organiser

• http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

• http://eduapps.org/ Install MyStudyBar and use the free mind-mapping tool under Planning.

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Presentation

• If handwriting is a problem, type wherever possible. Google “free touch typing programmes” or use the BBC site below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/flash/stage10.shtml

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Punctuation• www.echalk.co.uk Username HeathfieldCommunity Password echalk

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More punctuation

Don’t forget good old Bitesize! http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/spelling_grammar/

For the more mature…•http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/punctuation

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Spelling • If you mix up words that

sound the same, you need to work on homophones.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/en21watc-game-paris-word

• To improve the way you store spellings in your brain, take a look at the following site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic-group/spelling

• See what you think of http://www.spellzone.com/

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Vary your vocabulary

• When typing in Word or Powerpoint, use the synonym function to vary your vocabulary. Right click next to a repeated word. Click synonym. Choose an alternative word.

• Or just give yourself • time to think!

My dad was cross/angry/annoyed/irritated / livid / furious / irate / fuming / incandescent with rage

The cake was nice/tasty/delicious/scrumptious / satisfying / appetising / delectable / mouth-watering / yummy

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Be your own editor• Listen to your own work. Does it sound right?• You could ask a friend or relative to read your work back to you

OR Click Reading on MyStudyBar

• Then click Orato.

Highlight your text. Right click copy. Press speak on Orato. Check that your work sounds right.

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Another way to listen to your work in Word or Powerpoint

• File• Options• Quick access toolbar• Popular commands drop down: Choose

Commands not in the ribbon• Speak• Add• OK• The speak icon will appear in top left of screen• Highlight text and click speak icon

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You are in control!

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