Stimulating the intellect

What is the most effective way of enhancing children’s intellectual development without cost?

There is no doubt that children who are encouraged to use their imaginations develop intellectually at a faster rate than those who simply receive information alone.

Our imaginations allow us to hypothesize, to hold the concept of number, to solve problems without actually doing them, and to think what might be alongside what actually is.

Indeed children whose imaginations are stretched tend to achieve far more intellectually than might otherwise be expected.

For example, when children listen to a story, ​they can become enthralled not just by the words but by what their imaginations do to the story.  The imagination provides extra details to make their own personal vision of story.​

From listening to stories a lot it is but a tiny step to reading stories and so the process continues. The child’s intelligence is enhanced as the child becomes more able to engage in the world around them.

Which only leaves one question: how can we develop this skill?

The answer turns out to be quite simple and it doesn’t have to cost the school anything.

It involves a two-part activity in which children learn to tell stories to each other in small groups, and which then also encourages parents to take part in the activity at home.

We have set out the whole project in a free report explaining how the project can work, step by step, without any need to spend anything on equipment or other resources.

For a free copy of the report, “Enhancing reading, problem solving and writing through storytelling at school and at home” please email stories@snailtales.org. If you could write “Enhancing reading report” in the subject line that would be helpful.

If you would like to know more about what we do, there are details on our website or you can call us on 020 328 76245.

Literacy and the summer

When children are most likely to slip back in terms of literacy – what can be done about it?

It is something that can often be observed: children who are already struggling somewhat in terms of literacy can slip back even further during the school holidays.

Unfortunately this “slippage” can have an even greater impact on some children when it occurs during the Easter break, as the arrival of better weather in the summer term can encourage more time to be spent outdoors, leaving less time for doing any literacy support work at home.

In such cases the best solution is one that is totally geared around each individual child’s specific needs; an approach which can be utilised both at home and at school.

Being an approach based totally around the child’s current literacy level, our solution means that the gaining of literacy changes from being a struggle into something that is enjoyable.  Enjoyable both because of the nature of the materials and because the progress can be witnessed by the child every day.

In study between March and summer 2016, at-risk pupils across nearly 3,000 schools made substantial progress using our approach. During this time, the percentage of pupils working two or more years below their expected level was reduced by almost half (54% to 28%).

To achieve such success, our approach starts with a highly accurate and rapid system of placing pupils according to their current literacy ability, and which precisely notes the progress they are making day to day.

This auto-placement approach analyses individual ability levels and reveals exactly what each pupil needs to be focussing on in order to ensure progress is achieved.

Then, if the pupil can have one-to-one tuition in a way that is utterly engaging and responsive to her or his immediate literacy needs and within the school’s budget, the issue is resolved.

All of this can be done using Core5 from Lexia.  The analysis, the comparisons with other pupils, the progress, the remedial work – each and every element of a student’s learning journey is tracked and evaluated by Core5.

If you would like to read the case studies involving UK schools which are already using the system please click here. You will then also find on the right of the page the route to having access to the full program for 30 days without any payment or commitment.

If you want to know more about the program, we have all the information you’ll need available here. Alternatively, if you would like to talk first, call 0191 482 1939, or email info@lexiauk.co.uk.

Making sure it’s not Pantomonium this Christmas

A unique educational entertainment event direct to your school, completely hassle free.

Why book a pantomime play?

  • A perfect way to celebrate towards the end of the winter term
  • Brand new pantomime performances based on key educational themes.
  • Enhance your students learning and wellbeing with interactive pantomime performances that link to the curriculum.
  • Teacher resource pack full of classroom activities free with every show.

Entertainment & Education

By incorporating aspects from the curriculum (literacy to PSHE) in each magical story you get to treat your students and at the same time justify it within the school budget. Your pupils get to experience a one-of-a-kind pantomime that both entertains and educates.  (Exact curriculum links are available on request).

For all ages

The shows are fast paced, funny and visually exciting for all ages. Older years are kept involved by the adventures, tasks and plots, whilst the physical comedy and colourful characters and costumes appeal to the younger years. The educational elements in the shows cover both KS1 and KS2 topics.

A performance to suit you

The whole school will get involved as there is constant audience interaction and the pupils even get to take part in the performance.  We are happy to perform up to 3 performances a day for up to 240 pupils per show.

Informing, Involving, Inspiring.

Pantomimeplay.co.uk is part of Tip of the Iceberg Theatre Company who have been delivering award winning theatre in education for over 10 years.  We take great pride in creating productions of the highest quality whilst ensuring a memorable educational experience.

Take a look at our website here:

https://www.pantomimeplay.co.uk/shows

You will find a price guide on the teachers’ page along with further information.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for an exact quote. We look forward to hearing from you.

Lisa Schulberg (Creative Director)

Email tourbooker@tipoftheiceberg.biz or info@pantomimeplay.co.uk

Tel: 01707 527140 or 07519593711