Keeping literacy and numeracy sharp as can be
USEFUL TIPS TO KEEP THE CORE SKILLS TICKING OVER
We’re all different. We all learn differently. All we need to do is tap into our own unique style.
The basis of every learning is grounded in literacy and numeracy.
It’s not only possible to learn these in the classroom; it’s around us in our everyday lives, especially in our homes.
This doesn’t have to be boring, it can be fun; we just have to recognise the literacy and numeracy opportunities for learning at home.
So, let’s look – do it together, in teams, set targets. And having prizes and privileges always work.
Literacy
Read anything – reading is reading!
Read a book or watch a film, and write a review of that film or book.
Read a bedtime story to a sibling. Record yourself reading this, and then assess, review, and re-do.
You could write, record and send the ‘ Family 6-1 News’.
Practice role-play by coming up with a scenario – soap operas can often give good ideas for this.
Write a letter – to a Grandparent, Aunt, friend, or whoever.
Create a word-bank of subject key-terms; overwrite spellings; create a word search; test yourself.
You could set targets for word-per-minute typing speed – set daily and weekly improvement targets.
Type up a menu for Easter Sunday dinner: Grow it, cook it, eat it!
Then put together a chart rate of all your work, and see the progress for yourself. Use a barchart – chart words read; time spent reading; screen time; exercise time; steps taken; words written; and typing rate, for example.
Numeracy
Plays games such as Sudoku; x’s&o’s’; Monopoly; Chess; Countdown.
Make a shopping list, and deduce an estimate cost, and what change you’ll get from €20, €50, €100 etc.
Use ‘Mental Maths’: Set a puzzle, estimate the answer and then – and only then – check it with a calculator.
Use Credit Card or Bank Statements to categorise and review household spending.
There are also a host of useful apps: X Mind (graphic planner); Numeracy ninja’ s( math ); Puzzlemaker. discovery education. com ( Wordsearch/crossword maker); Twinkl; SNIP (spelling); and also the National Teaching Council site.
As you can see, keeping your literacy and numeracy skills sharp needn’t be a chore.