Useful Websites
There is an abundance of information, resources, games, activities and tests on the internet available to use. Instead of replicating what is already there, we have compiled a list of sites that you might find useful.
General Learner ResourcesBBC Skillswise
/ BBC Skillswise is a fantastic resource with a wide range of English and maths resources to access and download. The website is simple to navigate and easy to use, resources can searched by topic and level, and worksheets and certificates are free to print out. Why not encourage your group to try one of the mini quizzes? Or play one of the interactive group games. Does your group need to practise time? Why not watch one of the one minute video clips, followed by a group game of 24 hour snap.
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National Numeracy Challenge
/ The National Numeracy challenge helps you learn maths needed for everyday life. The Challenge Online is a confidential, informal, interactive website which helps you to assess your numeracy, learn everyday maths online and gain confidence.
Move on / Excellent resource for learners wanting to develop English, Maths, ESOL and Work Skills. Young people can register on the ‘Learner Route’ and access a free initial and diagnostic assessment to find out what levels they are working at; they can also access free learning resources.
Citizen Maths / Discover how maths can be a powerful tool for solving problems that come up at work and in your life. Citizen Maths is a free online learning resource for anyone that would like to improve their maths skills. (www.citizenmaths.com)
www.s-cool.co.uk / S-cool is a site dedicated to school students. Heavily used for revision of GCSES and A-levels, but also has other materials, e.g. on analysing handwriting, applying to university, writing CVs
Quiz Busters
/ Quiz-Busters is an interactive quiz for two teams based on the popular television quiz program Blockbusters. The resource is designed to be used on an interactive whiteboard but can be used via a laptop and projector. This is a fun alternative to traditional question and answer plenary. You can create your own quiz or search for a readymade game. Very engaging and fun way to check learning.
Interactive countdown Clock / Interactive countdown clock (to the theme tune of the television show Countdown). Fantastic for timed activities and young people love it. Excellent motivational tool and can be used for a variety of activities.
Wordle
/ Free and easy to use word cloud generator.
Words clouds can be used to: improve spelling, increase vocabulary, summarise and a review. Even the most reluctant reader and writer can engage with this fun resource and create fantastic results.
Puzzle Maker / Discovery Education Free Puzzlemaker.
Create: crosswords, word searches, maths squares, cryptograms, fallen phrases etc. These activities are a perfect way of keeping young people engaged during downtime – why not make a batch to keep handy in your delivery room or store some on the mini-bus.
Numeracy Resources
BBC Bitesize / Excellent revision resource with online games and downloadable worksheets. You will need to direct your young person to the level appropriate to them. Entry level learners are best suited to KS1 & KS2, level 1 is best suited to KS3 & KS4, Level 2 learners KS4 & GCSE.
Woodlands resources / Resources designed for junior school students but very easy to use to understand basics. Young people can use the online activities or you can generate worksheets.
Hooda Math
http://www.hoodamath.com/ / Online fun and interactive maths games. Play Suduko and other maths problem solving games.
Primary Resources / Basic numeracy resources covering a wide range of topics. Downloadable worksheets, PowerPoint presentations and follow-on loop cards. Loop cards can be adapted to suit most topics, they are a brilliant hands-on activity and are definitely worth printing out and storing in your tool box - perfect for downtime.
Countdown maths game / Countdown Game - Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game. If you have access to a projector this is great game to play with a large group and even better if you make it competitive.
Literacy and Language Specific Resources
BBC Bitesize / Excellent revision resource with online games and downloadable worksheets. You will need to direct your young person to level appropriate to them. Entry level learners are best suited to KS1 & KS2, level 1 is best suited to KS3 & KS4, Level 2 learners KS4 & GCSE.
Adult Literacies Online /
Offers access to a growing bank of Scottish based learning and teaching resources, training materials and useful research and reports. (www.aloscotland.com)
Road to Grammar/ Great interactive games to play during downtime; word strips, word slam, merge and word searches.
Countdown Game / Countdown Conundrum – Play the classic TV conundrum game. Fantastic resource and the solutions are provided.
Woodlands resources / Resources designed for junior school students but very easy to use to understand basics
Primary resources / Free English resources to download and print out. There are some fantastic resources focussing on basic punctuation, how to use a dictionary and letter writing. This website is aimed at primary school children so please bear in mind that you may have to adapt the resources.
Programme Leader Specific Resources
Job skills / Free resources from Axis Education around employment. The resource packs on: job hunting, job applications and job interviews. Each pack has downloadable resources which are useful for employment focused activities.
TES Connect / TES Teaching Resources is where teachers share and download free lesson plans, classroom resources, revision guides and curriculum worksheets. Whether you are looking for SEN teaching strategies and approaches, VCOP activities, or secondary classroom activities, you can choose from 1000s of teacher resources, download them for free and adapt them to suit your classroom activities.
The Guardian Teacher Network / Very similar to TES, this is a shared teaching resource area. You will need to register, but it is completely free and provides you with access to a wide range of resources and lesson plans. It is also full of tips on classroom management, challenging behaviour and team building.
Skills Workshop / Free downloadable adult literacy and numeracy resources. All the resources on this website are downloadable, so very useful if you’re looking for specific worksheet/tasks to complete. The website is broken into clearly defined areas so is very easy to navigate.
Tarsia Puzzle Maker / Download the free Formulator Tarsia puzzle software to create your own jigsaw puzzles or dominoes. You may need to request permission from your IT department to access this, but it is really worth it. You can create kinesthetic puzzles which young people love. Great for checking learning, starter activities or plenary.
Learning Agencies/Organisations
Action on Hearing Loss / Action on Hearing Loss, the new name for RNID (The Royal National Institute for Deaf People)
Helps deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the UK.
The British Dyslexia Association / The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
Offers advice, information and help to families, professionals and dyslexic individuals.
Department of Education / Government Department of Education
Dyslexia Action / Aimto remove the barriers facing those with dyslexia and other specific learning difficultiesby providing help and support.
Learn Direct / Learn direct site which provides links to local courses in your local area.
The National Literacy Trust / The National Literacy Trust is a national charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK. Their website offers advice, resources and information about national and local initiatives.
The National Careers Service / National Careers Service website which allows you to search for jobs and courses in your local area. It also provides advice on CV building and job searching.
National Numeracy / National Numeracy is an independent charity that focuses on adults and children with low levels of numeracy.
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