Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre - Home Free Pre-Entry Literacy Resources

Printable Literacy Resources for Adult Basic Skills Students. Updated 08/07/08

Worksheets and resources on this page are all linked to Milestones 7 and 8 of the UK Adult pre-Entry Literacy Curriculum. To view higher levels of the core curriculum from Entry 1 through to Level 2 go to our main Free Literacy Resources page.

Many of these resources are linked to the Skills for life Learner Materials (follow purple links to download PDFs). Printed versions of the SfL materials (with audio CDS) are available free from the DfES to all institutions in England teaching adult literacy, numeracy or ESOL.

Many worksheets in this section are available as PDF or DOC files. Learn more about downloading, saving or printing our resources.


Pre Entry Literacy Milestone 8

Speaking and Listening SLr/M8 Listen and respond
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3  M8.4
SLc/M8 Speak (or use other means) to communicate
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3 
SLd/M8 Engage in discussion
M8.1
 

Text Focus

Sentence Focus  Word Focus
Reading Rtc/M8 Reading comprehension
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3
Rs/M8 Word groupings
Rs/M8.1 
Rw/M8 Word recognition and phonics
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3 
Writing Wt/M8 Writing
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3  M8.4
Ws/M8 Word groupings
Ws/M8.1
Ww/M8 Spelling and Handwriting
M8.1  M8.2  M8.3

Pre Entry Literacy Milestone 7

Speaking and Listening SLr/M7 Listen and respond
M7.1  M7.2  M7.3
SLc/M7 Speak to communicate
M7. 1 M7.2  M7.3  M7.4  M7.5
SLd/M7 Engage in discussion
M7.1
 

Text Focus

Word Focus
Reading Rti/M7 Interest in reading
M7.1  M7.2  M7.3
Rtc/M7 Reading comprehension
M7.1 M7.2 M7.3
Rw/M7 Letter and Word recognition
M7.1  M7.2  M7.3
Writing Wt/M7 Writing
M7.1 M7.2
Ww/M7 Handwriting and spelling
M7.1 M7.2 M7.3

General Milestone 8 resources

PDF

Updated Colours, Clothes and Fruit (first uploaded 12/08/2004 this update includes our correct web site address & updated links to related resources) is a 43 page booklet with 23 Milestone 8 / Entry 1-2 paper-based word and sentence focus activities. These accompany our 'describing people' on-screen resources. Word searches and shapes, alphabetical order, upper-lower case letters, crosswords, word fills and matching games. Answers, mapping document, teaching ideas. Also linked to DfUS SfL learner materials & audio CDs Lit Unit 1 Lost & Found, ESOL Unit 3 Shopping, ESOL Unit 9 Shopping 2. 360K.

PDF

Tom's Family Book 2 - Tom's Sister is another super 18 page student workbook originally written for Milestone 8, E1-2 ESOL students to use at the beginning of the academic year. Complete with student and tutor record pages, evaluation, and answer sheets. Includes spelling, reading, cloze exercises and comprehension, form-filling, sentences, word searches and a crossword. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 18 pages. 430K

PDF

Tom's Family Book 1 - About Tom is a brilliant 18 page student workbook originally written for Milestone 8, E1-2 ESOL students to use at the beginning of the academic year. Complete with student and tutor record pages, evaluation, and answer sheets. Includes spelling, reading, cloze exercises and comprehension, sentences, word searches and a crossword. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 18 pages. 440K

Excel progress charts showing all the curriculum indicators in any particular level. Each chart provides, on one page, a quick, visual record of progress and achievement and is particularly useful in forming and updating individual learning plans. They can be kept in students' basic skills folders and used to set targets and track progress. For more information on these files such as how the Entry level sheets relate to City and Guilds specifications, PLEASE ALSO DOWNLOAD this PDF overview file. All files contributed by Dave Walkden, dave.walkden@duchy.ac.uk basic skills tutor at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall.

XLS

pre-Entry Literacy Student progress sheet. 2 sheets. 40K Please also download overview PDF above.


Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 8 (Listen and Respond)

SLlr/M8.1 Listen and respond to familiar people in the context of simple and personal subjects

(a) understand the difference between listening for gist and listening for specific details and know which one is applicable in a situation

(b) use context clues and own experience to help understanding

(c) understand how to register engagement or interest in a face-to-face exchange, e.g. by body language, eye contact, facial expression

PDF Picture-Articulate game for all learning styles and a range of levels and skills. Encourages careful listening, questioning, recognising and spell key and familiar words. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 10 pages. 400K. Contributed by Laura Wilkens, Oxford Brookes.

SLlr/M8.2 Listen to and answer simple questions about

(a) personal details

(b) personal experiences

(c) personal events

(d) narratives

PDF

Object Grids for pre-Entry activities - for improving visual figure-ground skills, expressive language development, matching and counting symbols. Contributed by Janet Kinsey (Abingdon and Witney College) janet.kinsey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk 3 pages. 60K.

PDF

Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

PDF

Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF Tutor / student illustrated prompt cards for role play and discussion. 4 pages. Respond to requests for personal information, speak clearly, listen for detail, etc. Talking on the phone.  Visiting doctors surgery. Aimed at E1 but parts cover listening and answering questions about personal details. 221K

SLlr/M8.3 Listen to and follow simple instructions and requests containing single steps from familiar people

PDF

updated Christmas party games and ideas for Entry Level 1 / Milestone 8 literacy (first uploaded 10/12/2003). What's in the stocking? Hot and Cold game. Lesson plan and other party ideas. Covers discussion, asking questions, listening for detail, single step instructions. 4 pages. 115K.

PDF

 Using a cash machine, setting a table, folding paper and more! Listening to, following and reading instructions. Resources linked to an online cash machine at Money Matters to Me and Literacy Entry 1 unit 4 New Job at the Cafe.8 pages. Extension ideas. 150K.

PDF Bicycles and Road Safety: Listening to, following and reading instructions. Milestone 8 - Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Masses of ideas and resources. Word and sentence games, links to free resources, cloze exercise. Group and individual work, extension ideas for Entry 2-3. Use independently or with SfL learner materials Lit E1,Unit 1 Lost & Found and audio CDs (Lit E1 CD track 2). 7 pages. 160K.

PDF

Making Requests. To be used independently or in conjunction with Skills for Life speaking and listening learner materials and audio CDs ESOL Entry 2, Unit 6 Worksheet, role play and teaching ideas. 3 pages. 60K.

SLlr/M8.4 Listen to and follow simple and brief narratives

PDF

Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.


Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 8 (Speak - or use other means - to communicate)

SLc/M8.1 Use key words, signs, symbols in communicating

(a) about their own experiences

(b) to recount a narrative in the working contexts of i. groups ii. one to one

PDF

Object Grids for pre-Entry activities - for improving visual figure-ground skills, expressive language development, matching and counting symbols. Contributed by Janet Kinsey (Abingdon and Witney College) janet.kinsey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk 3 pages. 60K.

PDF

Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF Picture-Articulate game for all learning styles and a range of levels and skills. Encourages careful listening, questioning, recognising and spell key and familiar words. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 10 pages. 400K. Contributed by Laura Wilkens, Oxford Brookes.

SLc/M8.2 Ask questions using key words, signs, symbols to obtain information

(a) for explanation

(b) for instruction

(c) about events

(d) about experiences

PDF updated Asking questions (first uploaded 09/02/2003). Two colour posters / prompt sheets (best blown up to A3 and laminated). 150K

PDF

updated Christmas party games and ideas for Entry Level 1 / Milestone 8 literacy (first uploaded 10/12/2003). What's in the stocking? Hot and Cold game. Lesson plan and other party ideas. Covers discussion, asking questions, listening for detail, single step instructions. 4 pages. 115K.

PDF

Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.
PDF Picture-Articulate game for all learning styles and a range of levels and skills. Encourages careful listening, questioning, recognising and spell key and familiar words. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 10 pages. 400K. Contributed by Laura Wilkens, Oxford Brookes.
PDF Tutor / student illustrated prompt cards for role play and discussion. 4 pages. Respond to requests for personal information, speak clearly, listen for detail, etc. Talking on the phone.  Visiting doctors surgery. Aimed at E1 but parts cover listening and answering questions about personal details. 221K

SLc/EM8.3 use a growing vocabulary to convey meaning to the listener which reaches beyond words of a purely personal significance

PDF Picture-Articulate game for all learning styles and a range of levels and skills. Encourages careful listening, questioning, recognising and spell key and familiar words. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 10 pages. 400K. Contributed by Laura Wilkens, Oxford Brookes.

Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 8 (Engage in Discussion)

SLd/M8.1 Contribute proactively in simple oral interactions on a simple idea or subject, including

(a) conversations

(b) discussions

PDF

updated Christmas party games and ideas for Entry Level 1 / Milestone 8 literacy (first uploaded 10/12/2003). What's in the stocking? Hot and Cold game. Lesson plan and other party ideas. Covers discussion, asking questions, listening for detail, single step instructions. 4 pages. 115K.


Reading –  Milestone 8 – Text Focus (Reading Comprehension)

Rtc/M8.1 Understand that print conveys meaning

PDF Sign and Symbol Hunt - tea break activity (different forms of text, purpose of text). Encourage students to hunt around college for signs, symbols or information. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 4 pages. 192K.
PDF Purpose of Text fill in forms for Milestones 7, 8 and Entry level 1 and 2. 3 pages. 220K

Rtc/M8.2 Understand and use the conventions of reading, following the text from left to right and top to bottom, or as culturally appropriate

Rtc/M8.3 When working with texts which contain words, signs, symbols, images, communicate about

(a) persons with which they have become familiar

(b) characters with which they have become familiar

(a) events with which they have become familiar

(b) images with which they have become familiar

PDF

Colour the House is a lovely reading and colouring activity that only be completed correctly if learners can recognise key colour words (and parts of a house / garden). Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about colours, words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 1 page. 270K

PDF

Label the House is a beautiful labelling (or cut and stick) activity for preEntry-Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 2 pages. 320K

PDF

Number and picture bingo makes a great game for preEntry-E1 numeracy and literacy learners. Choice of word or (mostly) picture tiles provides easy differentiation. Can also used for individual matching games. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF

Fruit bingo is a beautiful set of bingo games for preEntry and E1 literacy/ESOL. Choice of word or picture tiles provides easy differentiation, plus there is a second 'advanced' game with extra words/pictures. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 12 pages. 380K

PDF

Social signs quiz is a colourful quiz that can be used as a standalone activity or for consolidation and extension work after using Sally Shipton's Types of Text: Social Signs PPT. Created for an Entry 1 class but could also be used in preEntry classes either as a paper based quiz or cut into flashcards for working on recognition and discussion skills. Contributed by Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning. 160K

PDF

Using the touch screen in the doctor's surgery was written specially for a non-reader who would not visit the doctor because of the touch screen booking system. Makes good reading practice (also following instructions) even for those who don't need to use such a system. Contributed by Maggie May, Filton College, Bristol m_may@blueyonder.co.uk 3 pages. 150K.

PDF

Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

PDF

Instant Pink Whip! A great project for preEntry - Entry 2. Make the instant dessert, read and sequence instructions, match images to key word and more! Contributed by Sally Shipton, Stafford College S.Shipton@staffordcoll.ac.uk 140K.

PDF

Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF

Using a cash machine, setting a table, folding paper and more! Listening to, following and reading instructions. Resources linked to an online cash machine at Money Matters to Me and Literacy Entry 1 unit 4 New Job at the Cafe.8 pages. Extension ideas. 150K.
PDF Bicycles and Road Safety: Listening to, following and reading instructions. Milestone 8 - Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Masses of ideas and resources. Word and sentence games, links to free resources, cloze exercise. Group and individual work, extension ideas for Entry 2-3. Use independently or with SfL learner materials Lit E1,Unit 1 Lost & Found and audio CDs (Lit E1 CD track 2). 7 pages. 160K.
PDF Sign and Symbol Hunt - tea break activity (different forms of text, purpose of text). Encourage students to hunt around college for signs, symbols or information. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 4 pages. 192K.
PDF Purpose of Text fill in forms for Milestones 7, 8 and E1/2. Includes full colour picture reference sheet with examples of signs, symbols, cards, letters, etc.3 pages. 220K

Reading –  Milestone 8 – Sentence Focus

Rs/M8.1 Understand that individual words are grouped together to convey meaning and information, using rules and structure

PDF

Using a cash machine, setting a table, folding paper and more! Listening to, following and reading instructions. Resources linked to an online cash machine at Money Matters to Me and Literacy Entry 1 unit 4 New Job at the Cafe.8 pages. Extension ideas. 150K.

PDF Bicycles and Road Safety: Listening to, following and reading instructions. Milestone 8 - Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Masses of ideas and resources. Word and sentence games, links to free resources, cloze exercise. Group and individual work, extension ideas for Entry 2-3. Use independently or with SfL learner materials Lit E1,Unit 1 Lost & Found and audio CDs (Lit E1 CD track 2). 7 pages. 160K.
PDF Town and Country Sounds 2 for Milestone 8 - Entry 1. To accompany SfL E1 Lit unit 3 'My Place': Activity A, audio track 13. Designed to follow on from our Town and Country Sounds 1 (above). 110K 6 pages with symbol based cloze, word cards, teaching ideas and examples of embedding ILT using interactive web activities. Covers listening, reading and writing key words and sentences.

Reading –  Milestone 8 – Word Focus (Word Recognition and Phonics)

Rw/M8.1 Recognise the letters of the alphabet by shape, name, sound

ZIP

Recognising letters of the alphabet is a set of two simple, yet useful and effective PowerPoints. The first shows the alphabet in order, the other in random order and where each letter only flashes briefly. The resource can be used for general alphabet practice, but the random order is useful for difficult letters like vowels a, e, i, and consonants g and j. Contributed by Margit Hallam, School of ESOL, College of North West London Margit.Hallam@cnwl.ac.uk 2 zipped PPTs (27 screens each). 15K

ZIP

Letter Sounds v2 covers the sounds of all letters (except x) in initial positions. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 49 screens. 250K Please note that although entitled Lettersounds v2 this PPT covers an earlier stage of reading than Laurence's original Letter Sounds (see below).

PDF

 updated (first uploaded 14/10/02) Recognising and writing the letters of the alphabet - sort letters from symbols, handwriting practice, write upper/lower case letters. 6 pages. 170K

ZIP

Letter sounds covers many common phonemes (initial consonants, vowel and consonant digraphs) and blends. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 47 screens. 185K

PDF Town and Country Sounds 1. Word-symbol resource for Milestone 8 - Entry 1. To accompany SfL E1 Lit unit 3 'My Place': Activity A audio track 13. 86K 3 pages with instructions and teaching ideas. For listening and reading key words / symbols.

PDF

updated May 06 Word games and activities: In a Pickle! 1966 World Cup Victory. Who stole the World Cup? 29 page booklet with 14 Milestone 8 / Entry 1-2 paper-based word, sentence and text focus activities to accompany our new on-screen resources. Linked to SfL learner materials and audio CDs Literacy E1 unit 1 Lost and Found. Word searches and shapes, punctuation, cloze exercises, mixed up sentences, upper-lower case letters, etc. Answers, mapping document, teaching ideas. 160K

Rw/M8.2 Associate sounds with patterns in some letters, syllables. words, rhymes, songs

ZIP

Sh PowerPoint makes a lovely introduction to reading and spelling words with this consonant digraph in initial or final position. Contributed by Christine Robinson, Stockton Adult Education. 15 slides. 190K (Zipped PPT)

ZIP

Letter Sounds v2 covers the sounds of all letters (except x) in initial positions. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 49 screens. 250K  Please note that although entitled Lettersounds v2 this PPT covers an earlier stage of reading than Laurence's original Letter Sounds (see below).

ZIP

Letter sounds covers many common phonemes (initial consonants, vowel and consonant digraphs) and blends. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 47 screens. 185K

Rw/M8.3 Recognise / read a growing repertoire of familiar words, signs, symbols the encounter in daily life, including

(a) own name

(b) name of close family member, carer or other person of personal significance

(c) own street name, house number

PDF

Homes and Garden is a wonderful set of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers different types of residential buildings, different rooms, garden sheds and garages. Includes matching, labelling, missing vowels and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 9 pages. 250K

PDF

At Home is a wonderful and very substantial series of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers dozens  of everyday household objects and furniture. Includes matching, labelling, missing letters and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 13 pages. 350K

PDF

Colour the House is a lovely reading and colouring activity that only be completed correctly if learners can recognise key colour words (and parts of a house / garden). Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about colours, words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 1 page. 270K

PDF

Label the House is a beautiful labelling (or cut and stick) activity for preEntry-Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 2 pages. 320K

PDF

Days of the Week is a wonderful 2.5 hr differentiated lesson plan complete with resources. These include matching games, fill-in diary sheets, cloze exercises / writing frames and more! Contributed by Andrew Speers, Birmingham RathboneSociety andrewspeers@rathbone.co.uk 15 pages. 230K

PDF

Number and picture bingo makes a great game for preEntry-E1 numeracy and literacy learners. Choice of word or (mostly) picture tiles provides easy differentiation. Can also used for individual matching games. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF

Fruit bingo is a beautiful set of bingo games for preEntry and E1 literacy/ESOL. Choice of word or picture tiles provides easy differentiation, plus there is a second 'advanced' game with extra words/pictures. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 12 pages. 380K

PDF

Social signs quiz is a colourful quiz that can be used as a standalone activity or for consolidation and extension work after using Sally Shipton's Types of Text: Social Signs PPT. Created for an Entry 1 class but could also be used in preEntry classes either as a paper based quiz or cut into flashcards for working on recognition and discussion skills. Contributed by Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning. 160K

ZIP

Words to read is a useful PowerPoint featuring the first 33 Dolch words for sight reading practice. From Laurence Fletcher Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 36 screens. 70K

PDF

 updated (first uploaded 14/10/02) Recognising and writing the letters of the alphabet - sort letters from symbols, handwriting practice, write upper/lower case letters. 6 pages. 170K

ZIP Types of Text: Social Signs fabulous introduction with lots of pictures and points for group discussion making this suitable for Milestone 8 - Entry 3. Contributed by Sally Shipton, Stafford College S.Shipton@staffordcoll.ac.uk 7 screens. Zipped PowerPoint (PPT) file. 180K.

PDF

updated May 06 Word games and activities: In a Pickle! 1966 World Cup Victory. Who stole the World Cup? 29 page booklet with 14 Milestone 8 / Entry 1-2 paper-based word, sentence and text focus activities to accompany our new on-screen resources. Linked to SfL learner materials and audio CDs Literacy E1 unit 1 Lost and Found. Word searches and shapes, punctuation, cloze exercises, mixed up sentences, upper-lower case letters, etc. Answers, mapping document, teaching ideas. 160K.

PDF

Using a cash machine, setting a table, folding paper and more! Listening to, following and reading instructions. Resources linked to an online cash machine at Money Matters to Me and Literacy Entry 1 unit 4 New Job at the Cafe.8 pages. Extension ideas. 150K.

PDF Bicycles and Road Safety: Listening to, following and reading instructions. Milestone 8 - Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Masses of ideas and resources. Word and sentence games, links to free resources, cloze exercise. Group and individual work, extension ideas for Entry 2-3. Use independently or with SfL learner materials Lit E1,Unit 1 Lost & Found and audio CDs (Lit E1 CD track 2). 7 pages. 160K.
PDF TV guide activities for M8/E1/E2 Lit & Num. Contributed by June Mill, Community  Education. E. Yorkshire. Recognise, read and match number words, key words (days of week; connectives such as next, before, last; ordinal numbers and words). Tell time (analogue and digital). Read key words. MSS1/E1.2 M8.1 Relate familiar events to days of week. MSS1/E2.4 Read digital clocks. 4 pages. 24K
PDF Town and Country Sounds 2 for Milestone 8 - Entry 1. To accompany SfL E1 Lit unit 3 'My Place': Activity A, audio track 13. Designed to follow on from our Town and Country Sounds 1 (above). 110K 6 pages with symbol based cloze, word cards, teaching ideas and examples of embedding ILT using interactive web activities. Covers listening, reading and writing key words and sentences.
PDF Picture-Articulate game for all learning styles and a range of levels and skills. Encourages careful listening, questioning, recognising and spell key and familiar words. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 10 pages. 400K. Contributed by Laura Wilkens, Oxford Brookes.

Writing –  Milestone 8 – Text Focus (Writing Composition)

Wt/M8.1 understand that

(a) words convey information
(b) signs convey information
(c) symbols convey information
(d) images convey information

PDF

Homes and Garden is a wonderful set of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers different types of residential buildings, different rooms, garden sheds and garages. Includes matching, labelling, missing vowels and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 9 pages. 250K

PDF

At Home is a wonderful and very substantial series of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers dozens  of everyday household objects and furniture. Includes matching, labelling, missing letters and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 13 pages. 350K

PDF

Label the House is a beautiful labelling (or cut and stick) activity for preEntry-Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 2 pages. 320K

PDF

Social signs quiz is a colourful quiz that can be used as a standalone activity or for consolidation and extension work after using Sally Shipton's Types of Text: Social Signs PPT. Created for an Entry 1 class but could also be used in preEntry classes either as a paper based quiz or cut into flashcards for working on recognition and discussion skills. Contributed by Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning. 160K

PDF

Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

PDF

Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF Sign and Symbol Hunt - tea break activity (different forms of text, purpose of text). Encourage students to hunt around college for signs, symbols or information. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 4 pages. 192K.

Wt/M8.2 understand that written texts can have different purposes

PDF Purpose of Text fill in forms for Milestones 7, 8 and E1/2. Includes full colour picture reference sheet with examples of signs, symbols, cards, letters, etc.3 pages. 220K

Wt/M8.3 understand the need to plan before writing, including  the use of words, signs, symbols, images

Wt/M8.4 use in their supported writing - words and letters, signs, symbols, images to communicate meaning for different simple purposes when writing short texts

PDF

Days of the Week is a wonderful 2.5 hr differentiated lesson plan complete with resources. These include matching games, fill-in diary sheets, cloze exercises / writing frames and more! Contributed by Andrew Speers, Birmingham RathboneSociety andrewspeers@rathbone.co.uk 15 pages. 230K


Writing –  Milestone 8 – Sentence Focus

Ws/M8.1 Understand that individual words are grouped together to convey meaning and information, using rules and structure


Writing –  Milestone 8 – Word Focus (Handwriting and Spelling)

Ww/M8.1 Write

(a) using an appropriate grip

(b) making many controlled letter shapes

(c) using a conventional sequence of letters correctly from memory such as when writing their own names and other simple words which are well known to them

PDF

Homes and Garden is a wonderful set of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers different types of residential buildings, different rooms, garden sheds and garages. Includes matching, labelling, missing vowels and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 9 pages. 250K

PDF

At Home is a wonderful and very substantial series of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities. Covers dozens  of everyday household objects and furniture. Includes matching, labelling, missing letters and spelling. Contributed by Amanda Burgess, WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), Southern Region. 13 pages. 350K

PDF

Label the House is a beautiful labelling (or cut and stick) activity for preEntry-Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about words, images, names of familiar objects etc. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 2 pages. 320K

PDF

Updated LSCWC Days of the Week group spelling (first uploaded 10/06/2003) has large days of the week to display on an OHP in a new twist to this classic spelling strategy. Encompasses a wide variety of learning styles. Includes full instructions, teaching ideas and OHT masters. 4 pages. 50K
Note: this updated version also includes full instructions for a new PPT version of this resource (see below).

ZIP

Spell the Days of the week with LSCWC (look, say, cover, write, check) demonstrates how to use LSCWC (and use as a group activity). Each day of the week can be 'covered' with a simple mouse click, and then re-displayed (after students have had a go at writing down the word) either in plain black or with key parts of each word highlighted in colour. Each day also includes a picture memory prompt - these match with Andrew Speers' Days of the Week resources & lesson plan (below). This PPT could be edited to include any 7 words that you want students to focus on (and thus used with higher level learners). Zipped PowerPoint file. 23 slides. 130K
Note: for full instructions on using this PPT please also download the related PDF (above)

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Social signs quiz is a colourful quiz that can be used as a standalone activity or for consolidation and extension work after using Sally Shipton's Types of Text: Social Signs PPT. Created for an Entry 1 class but could also be used in preEntry classes either as a paper based quiz or cut into flashcards for working on recognition and discussion skills. Contributed by Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning. 160K

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 updated (first uploaded 14/10/02) Recognising and writing the letters of the alphabet - sort letters from symbols, handwriting practice, write upper/lower case letters. 6 pages. 170K

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updated May 06 Word games and activities: In a Pickle! 1966 World Cup Victory. Who stole the World Cup? 29 page booklet with 14 Milestone 8 / Entry 1-2 paper-based word, sentence and text focus activities to accompany our new on-screen resources. Linked to SfL learner materials and audio CDs Literacy E1 unit 1 Lost and Found. Word searches and shapes, punctuation, cloze exercises, mixed up sentences, upper-lower case letters, etc. Answers, mapping document, teaching ideas. 160K.

Ww/M8.2 Associate sounds with patterns in some letters, syllables. words, rhymes, songs

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Sh PowerPoint makes a lovely introduction to reading and spelling words with this consonant digraph in initial or final position. Contributed by Christine Robinson, Stockton Adult Education. 15 slides. 190K (Zipped PPT)

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Letter Sounds v2 covers the sounds of all letters (except x) in initial positions. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 49 screens. 250K Please note that although entitled Lettersounds v2 this PPT covers an earlier stage of reading than Laurence's original Letter Sounds (see below).

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Letter sounds covers many common phonemes (initial consonants, vowel and consonant digraphs) and blends. Look at and say the letter sound then click to see a related picture and spelling. From Laurence Fletcher Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Zipped PowerPoint file. 47 screens. 185K

Ww/M8.3 Where adults have  difficulty writing with pens or pencils, use alternative methods to handwriting such as a computer keyboard


Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 7 (Listen and Respond)

SLlr/M7.1 Listen to familiar people and demonstrate that they are paying attention such as through eye contact, nodding, etc.

SLlr/M7.2 Listen to simple questions on familiar topics and give simple responses in answer

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Object Grids for pre-Entry activities - for improving visual figure-ground skills, expressive language development, matching and counting symbols. Contributed by Janet Kinsey (Abingdon and Witney College) janet.kinsey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk 3 pages. 60K. SLlr/M6.1 SLc/M6.1 Rtc/M6.2

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Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

SLlr/M7.3 Listen to and follow simple instructions and requests containing three to five words, sign, symbols


Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 7 (Speak - or use other means - to communicate)

SLc/M7.1 Communicate (a) (b) (c) making references to i) past ii) present iii) future

(a) ideas

(b) choices

(c) events and experiences

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Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

SLc/M7.2 Use conjunctions including 'and' and 'but' to

(a) link ideas

(b) add new detail which is beyond that directly prompted or requested

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Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

SLc/M7.3 Make simple requests

SLc/M7.4 Ask simple questions of others

(a) for explanation

(b) for instruction

(c) about events

(d) about experiences

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Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

 SLc/M7.5 Make simple statements about simple and personal matters

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Object Grids for pre-Entry activities - for improving visual figure-ground skills, expressive language development, matching and counting symbols. Contributed by Janet Kinsey (Abingdon and Witney College) janet.kinsey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk 3 pages. 60K.

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Favourite things bingo game provides valuable practice in asking and answering questions for Milestone 7 upwards and makes a great icebreaker. Contributed by Alison Murray, Havering Adult College alison.murray4@ntlworld.com  3 pages. 150K.

Speaking and Listening –  Milestone 7 (Engage in Discussion)

SLd/M7.1 Contribute appropriately to simple oral interactions including

(a) conversations

(b) discussions


Reading –  Milestone 7 – Text Focus (Interest in Reading)

Rti/M7.1 Demonstrate an interest in the activity of reading

Rti/M7.2 Express a preference in which reading material is to be used

Rti/M7.3 Understand that different reading materials have different

(a) purposes

(b) forms of presentation

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Storyboards hand drawn by June Mill, Community  Education. East Yorkshire. Thank you June. 5 boards - shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and Bank Robbery! They can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or as oral conversation starters. 6 pages. 140K.

PDF Sign and Symbol Hunt - tea break activity (different forms of text, purpose of text). Encourage students to hunt around college for signs, symbols or information. Full instructions and teaching ideas. 4 pages. 192K.
PDF Purpose of Text fill in forms for Milestones 7, 8 and E1/2. Includes full colour picture reference sheet with examples of signs, symbols, cards, letters, etc.3 pages. 220K

Reading –  Milestone 7 – Text Focus (Reading Comprehension)

Rtc/M7.1 Distinguish betweeen

(a) print
(b) text

(c) symbols

(d) images

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Colour the House is a lovely reading and colouring activity that only be completed correctly if learners can recognise key colour words (and parts of a house / garden). Also makes a g