SATs 2016 Information Evening SATs 2016 Information Evening Thank you for coming along, your support will be vital over the next few months.

Changes to Assessment Significant changes this year in terms of tests, structure and standards Children will no longer be given a level but will be graded as having met the national standard for year 6 children or working towards the year 6 standard.

When are they? Maths, Reading and SPAG. Week beginning 9th May Lasting for 4 days There are only 7 school weeks until tests begin. Please try to make sure children are at school everyday – every day counts! Being on time is really important too. Writing This will be teacher assessed throughout the year and a final standard submitted.

Timetable 2016 Monday 9 th May English reading test: 50 minutes Tuesday 10 th May English grammar, punctuation, short answers: 45 minutes Spelling test: 15 minutes Wednesday 11 th May Paper 1 – arithmetic test – 30 minutes Paper 2 - maths reasoning – 40 minutes Thursday 12 th May Paper 3 – maths reasoning – 40 minutes

Reading Children will have three passages to read and a set of questions to answer about each passage The passages will get progressively harder with questions to answer on each passage. Questions will require children to recall facts, make connections between pieces of information, infer answers, comment on language use and make judgement about the behaviour of characters for example. Total time – one hour

Reading – How can you help? Make sure children are reading every day. Unless your child is completely fluent, listen to them read and for all children ask a range of questions to encourage them to think ‘between the lines.’ Read other material: newspaper articles, magazine articles, articles on the internet. Ask questions both about basic content and hidden meanings. Talk about the organisation of non fiction texts: titles, subtitles, glossary for example

English, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (EGPS) This test comprises of two parts : A grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test – 45 minutes This will cover areas such as sentence structure, tenses, word classes, plurals, punctuation and how to apply them. Spelling test– approximately 15 minutes.

Examples of Spellings discover* scent mission* illusion loose* re-enter sign* abundance country* parachute gymnastics* unavoidably edible* dissolve posture* ominous sleigh* drawer delicious * possession

Spelling – How can you help? Practice daily spellings – 30 spellings week, 6 a day. Make sure children know what the words mean. Look for patterns in words eg * suffixes (able, ment) * prefixes (un, dis, pre) * endings which change words from verbs to nouns for example eg poison – poisonous * The way words link together eg equip, equipped, equipment * words inside words (eg re cog nise, ac company ) * make sure they know all the year 3 and 4 National Curriculum vocabulary

Maths 1.Arithmetic test Children will be tested on a range of computations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, long multiplication and long division, calculating with decimals, simple algebra, calculating with fractions. They will have 30 minutes to answer 36 questions! 2. Paper 2 and 3 – maths reasoning. Focus on using and applying and problem solving. Reading the questions is vital Checking reasonableness of answers Marks are sometimes given for the correct method Children must annotate questions.

Maths – How Can You Help? The single most useful way you can support your child to prepare for the maths tests is to ensure they know their tables. The ability to count in 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8, 9s, 10s, 11s, 12s up to 12 times each number will support them with fractions, decimals, percentages, multiplication, division and a range of problem solving. Children who know their tables, do much better than children who don’t by a very significant amount. Go through homework tasks with children. Make sure they know their halves and doubles up to double 40.

Life is busy…….. How do I practicably find time to support my child?

Understand what a real difference it will make. Plan a short regular slot which is homework time 4- 5 times a week minutes 5 times a week is far more beneficial than three hours on Sunday! Some will want to do more, but please discourage “SATs mania” and excessive stress. Children work hard at school and do need a break. Plan in rewards to aim towards. Make it a joint reward Homework will come home from now until after SATs on Mondays and Wednesdays and needs to be returned on the same days. Use before school sessions if homework is difficult at home.

Home learning children can do on their own: Reading Ask children to read independently and then ask them about what they have read. Spellings Children are used to learning spellings independently using the Look, Cover, Write, Check method. Arithmetic practices – children should attempt independently (30 minutes) initially.

SATs Homework Sessions From next week we will be running sessions to support children who may find it difficult to complete homework out of school. These will run: Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8.15 – 8.45 am (the days after homework is given out) Myself, Miss Southcott or other teachers will be present to support with homework where needed. This could be a quiet place to complete work with support on hand if needed. Children are welcome to bring breakfast snacks with them.

Online support Support children in completing homework which will be sent home on Mondays and Wednesdays. Encourage children to spend time on the wide range of revision websites (see sheet provided) Log in to Maths and SPAG boot camp School will be subscribing to this in next few days and all children can access the maths and EGPS (SPAG) boot camp at home.

Offer constant encouragement and praise Praise for effort, perseverance, concentration and independence.

Continue sensible patterns of sleeping and eating This will help children build resilience both physically and emotionally.

Keep it all in Proportion! It is only a test and it only reflects what a child can do on one day with a specific range of questions. The results do not map out their life choices! Continue to encourage your children that mistakes are fine and that the ability to keep going is worth more than any test score. Make sure your children understand this. Come and talk to us if you are worried that your child is showing signs of stress and we will help.

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