Writing resources

RhymeHamster

A free rhyming dictionary that tutors can use when building phonics, spelling and vocabulary activities. Every perfect rhyme is checked by hand, so word lists don't fill up with the wrong-stress and nonsense matches that computer-generated sites routinely offer. Near rhymes are labelled separately and sit on an adjustable dial, which helps with sound-pattern work where an exact rhyme is too narrow. It also finds rhymes hiding inside longer words, useful for syllable and stress practice.

English
General literacy / English
Poetry
Syllables
FS Eng READING - read & understand words
Adult Lit Rw/E1.2 Decode simple, regular words
Adult Lit Ww/E1.3 Use basic sound-symbol association to help spelling
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E2.3a Use context & range of phonic / graphic knowledge to decode words
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
Context
Education and teaching
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Functional Skills Success

Functional Skills Success is a growing educational platform dedicated to helping learners and teachers prepare for a range of qualifications including Functional Skills Maths (Levels 1 and 2) and FS English (Level 2) 

Fee teaching tools include functional skills maths question generators, interactive manipulatives such as place value counters, word of the day generator, teaching ideas, common exam mistakes guide, links to practice papers, question of the day, teaching blog. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
Maths
Functional Maths

Adult Literacy and Numeracy Tutor Manual: From Research to Practice

The astounding Adult Literacy and Numeracy Tutor Manual: From Research to Practice has recently been released as a joint venture between Libraries Tasmania and TasTAFE (Tasmanian Technical and Further Education) and was designed to help tutors build learner confidence, independence, and opportunity.

It's an immense tome and has been split into three downloadable PDFs. Although written for the Australian many resources and much of the information is suitable for all branches of English teaching. 

Level
M8
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
Maths
Functional Maths
ESOL
General ESOL

Iced coffee can be more sugary that chocolate! L1 English

A topical resource based on a news story. Reading comprehension at approx. L1 plus a writing task with planning and email response sheet.

Embedded maths through reading the table. This resource also offers opportunities as a discussion starter.

Similar to the resource found here https://www.skillsworkshop.org/resources/shocking_sugar_levels_in_high_street_hot_drinks but based on a more recent news story. 

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
Maths
FM E3.21 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, charts; create frequency tables
Context
News, Politics & Government items
Catering Food Nutrition
Sport and fitness

Language Feature Bingo

A game of language feature bingo, with answers, for L1 and L2 learners.

Editor's notes

I love this! A simple idea perfectly executed (and easily adapted or added to).
Note that although this is a PPT resource you do not need PPT to use it in the classroom.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose

Retrieval activity: 5-a-day punctuation

Punctuation practice perfect for L1/L2 learners that focuses on comma usage, brackets, apostrophes and speech marks. The resource aims to encourage learners' retrieval of punctuation using the 5-a-day style.

Editor's note

Beautifully presented. I love Steph's 5-a-day format and hope to use it as a template for future resources.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks

Writer's Toolkit for L1-2 Functional Skills English

An A5 handout resource that acts as scaffolding for learners during the writing process at L1 and L2. The handout includes a proof-reading checklist, handy hints and tips and quick reminders of the elements of writing they must remember to include to ensure success. 

Editor's note

Beautiful and incredibly useful. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FS Eng L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose

Language features/organisational features handout

A visually appealing double-sided A4 handout to aid L1 and L2 learners in their revision of language features and organisational features they will need to know for Edexcel FS exams.

Editor's note

Just beautiful! And very useful for end of year consolidation and revision.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources

Cooling System - gapped exercise for Motor Vehicle students

A short information text is followed by several pages of cloze exercises for Motor Vehicle students. To support subject knowledge, working out the meanings of technical vocabulary and learning subject specific spellings.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Brake Procedures - gapped exercise for Motor Vehicle students

A cloze exercise for Motor Vehicle students. To support subject knowledge, working out the meanings of technical vocabulary and learning subject specific spellings.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport
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