Welcome to the KS2 SATs Information Evening

The Purpose of the Tests The Key Stage 2 tests are designed to test children’s knowledge and understanding of the Key Stage 2 programmes of study. They provide a snapshot of a child’s attainment at the end of a Key Stage. Each child is awarded a level in English (Reading, Writing, Overall) Science and Mathematics. Each level is very broad. A child is not expected to go up a level each year.

The Levels The tests cover levels 3 to 5. Level 3 represents achievement below the nationally expected standard. Level 4 represents achievement at the nationally expected standard. Level 5 represents achievement above the nationally expected standard. Children who narrowly fail by a few marks to achieve level 3 will be awarded level 2.

How the subjects are assessed – Tests and Teacher Assessment English Speaking and Listening (Teacher Assessment only) Reading Writing (marked internally) Mathematics Using & Applying Number Shape, space & measure Handling Data Science Enquiry, Physical Processes, Living things and Materials (Teacher Assessment only)

The English tests These will consist of a reading test (comprehension), two writing tasks and a spelling test.

Shorter Writing Task 20 minutes in length Often descriptive writing required

Imagine a busy place: Where was the place? What kind of atmosphere did it have? Was it a market, a crowded street, or somewhere else? A Busy Place Your task is to write a description of this place. people were rushing around it was crowded everyone was hurrying lots of noise activity and movement everywhere Memories of the School Year Imagine that your class are making a book of memories of the year at school. A copy of the book will be given to every pupil in the class. Everyone in the class will write a page of the book about their memories. Here are some of the things that pupils may include: Your task is to write your page of the book. You can write about real or imaginary things, or a mixture. You can use the ideas above or think of your own topics.

Spelling Task The Silk Trade Silk is a fabric which consider to be a material. It is incredibly soft and to touch and is used to make expensive of clothing. The Chinese first made silk in approximately 3000 BC. When silk was first it was reserved for the use of the Emperor of China. Only his close relatives and the highest dignitaries were given to wear silk. Gradually, silk came into more general use and men and women began to wear it as well. people, luxury, delicate, articles, discovered, exclusive, permission, ordinary

Longer Writing Task 45 minutes Tends to be non-fiction Handwriting is assessed from this piece

Pip Davenport Imagine a person called Pip Davenport who became famous for inventing new kinds of funfair rides over a hundred years ago. Here is the outline of his life. You can add your own ideas using your imagination. Your task is to write a biography of Pip’s life, including information about his inventions.

 Recount  Discussion  Persuasion  Explanation  Non-chronological report  Instruction Forms: letter, diary, biography, newspaper report, leaflet.

The Reading Test The time allowed for the reading test will be 45 minutes plus 15 minutes reading time. The reading test will be marked out of 50. The test will focus on several different types of text, for example, narrative texts, information texts, opinion, letters, poetry, interview and instructions.

The Hottest Day Garnet thought this must be the hottest day that had ever been in the world. Every day for weeks she had thought the same thing, but this was really the worst of all. This morning the thermometer outside had pointed a thin red finger to one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit*. It was like being inside a drum. The sky like a bright skin was stretched tight above the valley, and the earth too was tight and hard with heat. Later, when it was dark, there would be a noise of thunder, as though a great hand beat upon the drum; there would be heavy clouds above the hills, and flashes of heat lightning, but no rain. It had been like that for a long time. After supper each night, her father came out of the house and looked up at the sky, then down at his fields of corn and oats. ‘No,’ he would say, shaking his head. ‘No rain tonight.’

6. Garnet helped to get supper ready but everyone was too hot to eat. They all went to bed. Later on that night, she was woken up by the sound of thunder and then heard the 7.Explain fully why Garnet wanted it to rain marks 8.Garnet and Citronella talked about their daydreams. What did their daydreams have in common with Garnet’s dream on the last page? mark

How to help your child with English revision 1. Use the CGP or other revision books of your choice. 2. Test your child on inference and deduction. 3. Discuss unknown vocabulary and terms. 4. Discuss the layout of different texts and why they are like that. 5.Provide a quiet working area at home where your child can revise. 6.Check your child knows the features of different text types. 7.Share items of interest (newspaper articles or texts you find interesting) with your child.

Mathematics Test A – No calculator (45 mins) Test B – With calculator (45 mins) Mental test – 20 mins

Explanation

Showing workings

How to help your child with Maths revision 1.Use CGP or other revision books of your choice. 2.Practise mental arithmetic with your child and help your child practise and learn times tables facts. 3.Encourage your child to read information sources such as charts and timetables. 4.Practise drawing and measuring angles. 5.Revise properties of 2-D and 3-D shapes. 6. Practise converting metric weights and measures e.g. 17 kg = 17,000 g, 2.05 l = 2050 ml. 7.Practise reading questions CAREFULLY with your child. 8.For fun learning use the school’s Numeracy webpage, Mathzone and the Woodlands Junior School website.

Science Tests Will not be used nationally for assessment this year. Children’s progress will be assessed by teachers based on their learning throughout the year.

Monday 14 th May Tuesday 15 th May Wednesday 16 th May Thursday 17 th May Reading 45 mins (plus 15 mins reading time) Writing (Shorter) 20 mins Spelling (10 mins) Mental Maths 20 mins Maths Test B 45 mins Writing (Longer) 45 mins Can be administered at any time before the end of June Maths Test A 45 mins 2012 Test Timetable

2012 Test Timetable Level 6 tests Monday 21 st May Tuesday 22 nd May Reading 50 mins (plus 10 mins reading time) Mathematics Test A 30 minutes Test B 30 minutes

As well as receiving a test level in Reading, Writing and Maths, each child will also receive a teacher assessment level. Unlike the tests the teacher assessment level: o covers all aspects of the subject; o considers the child’s levels of attainment over the course of the year.

Calculating the teacher assessment level in English Speaking and listening Reading Writing Level awarded is an average of three equally weighted attainment targets: Levels Speaking and Listening 4 Reading 5 Writing 4 Level awarded ( ) ÷ 3 = 4.3 Level awarded = 4

Calculating the teacher assessment level in Mathematics The level awarded is an average of four weighted attainment targets: Level x WeightingLevelWeighting Using and applying Mathematics Number and algebra Shape, space and measures Handling data Level awarded: 35 ÷ 10 = 3.5 Level awarded = 4

Calculating the teacher assessment level in Science The level awarded is an average of four weighted attainment targets: Level x Weighting LevelWeighting Scientific enquiry2 4 8 Life processes and living things Materials and their Properties1 4 4 Physical processes Level awarded: 22 ÷ 5 = 4.4 Level awarded = 4

Reporting results All Reading and Maths test papers are marked externally. Writing papers will be marked internally and moderated with local schools Test papers and results should be returned to schools in the first week of July. All being well results are then issued to parents with each child’s end of year report.

How will you be given the results? You will receive a written sheet similar to this one (except that the science section will only contain teacher assessment.

How can you help? Every child needs a good night’s sleep and healthy breakfast before coming to school and working hard. Although we want the children to take these tests seriously we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on them, which could cause them unhappiness. Please help us by keeping a positive attitude towards their SATS. Doing homework with your child helps to consolidate their learning at school and is an opportunity to give your child some confidence! If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to ask Mr Hall or Mrs Potter. We will be happy to help. During SATS please do not book holidays or make appointments.

 Activities to support your child with various areas of maths: using a calculator; understanding timetables and 24-hour clocks; understanding decimals; fractions; interpreting line graphs; number facts; using a protractor; reading scales; scaling up and down; learning about shapes; reading bar charts and tables; and, time and time tables.  Links to other websites with revision material i.e. BBC Bitesize Revision