Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

Negative reinforcement is taking something away that the child doesn’t like in response to good behavior. One of many examples of negative reinforcement could be a parent removing a chore due to the child having a great day at school.

What is Reinforcement?

Reinforcement is a way of molding and promoting particular behaviors in humans and other living creatures. This reinforcement usually takes place over a long period, i.e., over a school year. Reinforcement seeks to understand what is ‘acceptable’ behavior and what is ‘unacceptable.’ It also strives to encourage expected responses and reactions in its target. People giving the reinforcement usually aim to create a healthy balance of positive reinforcement, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and negative punishment, emphasizing positive reinforcement wherever possible.

What is Negative Reinforcement?

It’s a common misconception that negative reinforcement is the opposite of positive reinforcement. Many believe that whereas positive reinforcement is giving rewards, negative reinforcement is giving punishments and sanctions. However, this is not the case. Negative reinforcements can feel just as rewarding to a child as favorable reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is giving a child something for their excellent behavior, such as a chocolate bar or toy. Negative reinforcement is taking something away that the child doesn’t like in response to good behavior. One of many examples of negative reinforcement could be a parent removing a chore due to the child having a great day at school.

There are, however, punishments known as positive punishments and negative punishments. For example, a positive sentence would give children more chores in response to negative behavior. On the other hand, a negative sentence would be to take away a child’s gaming time.

What is More Effective, Positive or Negative Reinforcement

By comparing negative and positive reinforcement examples, scientists have concluded that positive reinforcement in isolation is better. However, a combination of the two overall has the most significant effect. Here we shall go over some examples of negative reinforcement.

7 Amazing Anglerfish Facts for Kids

Ready for some fun anglerfish facts for kids? Let’s dive in.

1. Anglerfish come in all shapes and sizes.

The term anglerfish describes a variety of fish families that belong to the order called Lophiiformes, including:

• Seadevils
• Frogfish
• Handfish
• Sea Toads
• Batfishes
• Monkfish

As you can tell from their names, anglerfish are pretty gruesome! We think they’d fit in well at a deep-sea Halloween party.

2. All anglerfish have an appendage dangling from their heads.

All anglerfish have at least one thing in common – an appendage dangling from the front of their heads known as the illicium.

The illicium is a dorsal fin found on most types of fish. However, the anglerfish has adapted its dorsal fin to protrude and dangle in front of its mouth. It’s used to lure in prey, just like bait is used to draw in fish on the end of a fishing rod.

It is where anglerfish get their name: Angler is a common term used for people who enjoy fishing with a rod as a hobby!

3. Anglerfish are predatory creatures.

Anglerfish are carnivores. It means they prey on and eat other fish and crustaceans as their primary food source.

The primary hunting technique of an anglerfish is to stay in one spot on the ocean floor to conserve energy. However, their illicium attracts fish or crustaceans passing by and lures them close to the anglerfish. The anglerfish will strike and consume its meal when the prey gets close to its mouth.

While anglerfish commonly eat small fish and crustaceans, their large jaw also allows them to eat prey up to twice their size if they get the chance.

4. They aren’t fussy eaters!

Anglerfish certainly aren’t fussy when it comes to finding their next meal. They don’t turn their nose up at any old dead fish or other dead matter that they find lying around on the ocean floor. Most forms of marine life sink to the ocean’s depths after dying, including fish, seabirds, and sea turtles. The anglerfish sees this as a tasty buffet of free food!

They’re also known to slurp snails and other mollusks on the ocean’s bedrock. Yum.

5. Some anglerfish can produce their source of light.

The deep sea is always very dark, as light from the sun doesn’t reach down there. So, some anglerfish produce their light source from the end of their illicium. It is called bioluminescence and can be used to attract both mates and prey.

Anglerfish produce light through symbiotic bacteria. However, scientists still don’t entirely know what biological mechanisms anglerfish used to acquire these bacteria. It’s commonly thought, however, that the bacteria are absorbed from the seawater through the illicium.

6. Male anglerfish depend on females to survive.

Male anglerfish are much smaller than females. Therefore, when a male anglerfish reaches maturity, it must find a female to latch on to. Otherwise, it will die. The male latches on to a female by biting her, like a parasite, and attaching itself. The male will then rely on the nutrients in the female’s bloodstream to survive.

7. We’re still in the dark about the anglerfish’s habitat.

Anglerfish are deep sea creatures. They can live very deep down, far from the ocean’s surface. And there is still so much we must learn about this deep-sea habitat.

At its deepest point, the sea is over 36,000 feet deep! That’s much deeper than Mount Everest is tall – the highest mountain in the world is a little 29,029 feet in comparison.

Because of its great depth, there are many challenges when exploring the ocean. For example, extremely high pressure and total darkness.

So far, humans have only actually explored around 5% of the world’s oceans. It makes the anglerfish’s habitat the habitat we know least about!

It’s thought that many species of deep-sea creatures are still undiscovered. So can you imagine what kind of deep sea creatures we might discover in the future…?

What is procedural writing?

Procedural writing is simply any text that provides instructions in a simple, step-by-step format. The name comes from the fact that the reader must follow a procedure to carry out the instructions. A procedural text is a great way to teach someone something new, from how to ride a bike to how to get from one place to another. Procedural writing is an excellent example of a non-fiction text your children might encounter.

What is the purpose of procedural writing?

The main thing that unites different types of procedural texts is their purpose. All procedural writing examples are informational and directional, aiming to instruct the reader and help them towards a specific goal.

What are some examples of procedural writing?

Procedural texts are everywhere, and your child will likely have encountered forms of procedural writing from a young age. It might include formats such as:

• A recipe – how to cook something;
• Directions – how to get from one place to another;
• A how-to guide – for example, how to tie your shoelaces;
• Rules – for example, of a board game;
• Safety procedure – telling you how to stay safe, for instance, if there’s a fire;
• Craft instructions – such as how to make a paper chain;
• Instruction manual – how to use a new toy.

There are plenty more types of procedural writing out there – these are just a few common examples. So why not get your class to see if they can think of any more specific examples they have encountered recently?

Standard features of procedural writing

While they might have different formats, procedural writing texts are all connected because they have the same aim: to instruct the reader. Because of this, many features of the genre are standard, including:

• An introduction that clearly states the purpose of the text to the reader – this could be as simple as one sentence or could be a whole paragraph with a little bit of backstory;
• Numbered instructions – this will help the reader to know the order they must follow and will also help them keep their place if they’re carrying out the instructions as they read;
• Imperative commands, such as “mix the ingredients” or “do this,” – are verbs that specifically tell the reader to do an action at that moment;
• Second-person language (“next you mix in…”) – this reinforces the fact that the reader is expected to carry out the instructions;
• Time phrases to signpost instructions, such as “first,” “next,” and “then”;
• Present tense – as the reader is likely to attempt the steps while they read or very soon after;
• Vocabulary specific to the procedure – for example, baking-related terms in a recipe.

Not all procedural texts will have every one of these features, but they are familiar. Knowing these typical features of procedural writing are an excellent way for your class to recognize the genre when they encounter it.

How to write a procedural text

If you’re writing a procedural text, there are a few simple steps you can follow to make it as good as it can be:

• Explain your aim in the title. The whole point of a procedural text is to explain how to do something. Your title should let the reader know what this is – for example, How to boil an egg.
• List all the equipment. If you’re describing a procedure that requires equipment, you need to list all this equipment clearly at the beginning of your text. It means the reader can be prepared. An excellent way to do this is to add a ‘You will need’ subheading. Then, list the items in the order the reader will need, just in case, they don’t get all their equipment together before starting the procedure.
• Keep things in the correct order. When writing a procedural text, you must think very carefully about the steps you take to carry out the procedure you’re writing about. For example, in what order do you perform these steps? You must write down all the steps correctly so the reader can get the procedure right.
• Write it as a list. It would be best to tell the reader what they need to do step by step. Write the steps as bullet points or a numbered list to make the sequence as straightforward as possible. You can also use sequencing words such as ‘first…’ and ‘then…’ so the reader can follow the steps in order more efficiently.
• Use simple language. You aim to help the reader complete this procedure without making any mistakes. To achieve this, you need to keep your language straightforward, so they can easily understand it.
• Include diagrams and pictures. Lots of people learn visually. So including diagrams and photographs is a great way to help your reader understand what you’re helping them to do and what the different steps should look like. In addition, your graphs should be labeled so the reader can see how they should use the equipment. If you can include a video, too, that’s even better, as many people find video more accessible to follow than written text.
• Explain the outcome. The reader needs to know what the finished result should look like or what they should have achieved at the end of the procedure. It means you need to write a clear explanation of the outcome. It should come at the end of your procedural text after you’ve listed all the steps.
• Read it back. Once you’ve finished writing your procedural text, it’s essential to read it back thoroughly from start to finish. Would you be able to complete the procedure based on what you’ve written? It is where you can see if you’ve missed any steps or forgotten to include a vital piece of equipment.

What is pollution?

Pollution is the process of substances being introduced to an environment that are potentially dangerous or toxic/harmful. There are lots of different types of pollution and even more potential pollutants.

What are the different types of pollution?

There are three significant types of pollution: air pollution, water/ocean pollution, and land pollution. In addition, the main types of pollutants are noise pollution, thermal pollution, light pollution, chemical pollution, and plastic pollution.

Let’s delve a little deeper into each of these types of pollution.

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is one of the most significant environmental issues humans face. It threatens our environment and the wildlife within it. So put, plastic pollution is caused by the fact that plastic is highly durable and hard to break down safely, and incredible amounts of plastic products are produced yearly. As a result, used plastics are being found in all sorts of places, including in the ocean, on beaches, lakes, and rivers, and even in some of the most remote parts of the world. Discarded plastics also pose a considerable threat to wildlife and ecosystems.

Plastic production also uses natural resources/fossil fuels that we run out of at incredible speed. Natural products such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas, which are extracted from the earth, are needed to make these products. The manufacturing process also releases harmful gases into the air, contributing to global warming and air pollution.

Plastic is also tough to dispose of. As it is not biodegradable, it can take decades to break down. It also can’t be burned, as this releases toxins into the air. So, discarded plastics often end up buried in landfills, floating in bodies of water, or littering the sides of the road.

Did you know more than 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced yearly? That’s not far off the total weight of the human population on Earth! By the end of the century, it is estimated that 30 billion tonnes will be produced. The impact on the Earth will be huge.

Ocean pollution

A significant contributor to ocean pollution is plastic, particularly single-use plastic. These materials pose a considerable threat to marine life. It is thought that over eight million tonnes of plastic find its way into the ocean yearly. It can be anything from plastic bags to food wrappers and even glitter.

Plastic bags are one of the biggest culprits. For example, a plastic bag floating in the ocean can look like a jellyfish, which is what sea turtles like to eat. Different plastics also release chemicals that make them smell like food to seabirds, so they often accidentally eat plastic instead of real food.

Did you know… ​​8 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean yearly?

That’s not all the ocean has to deal with, either. Ocean pollution includes oil, toxic metals, chemicals, petroleum, agricultural runoff, sewage, etc. Humans use these substances and often end up in the ocean for several reasons.

Air pollution

Air pollution is the presence of a harmful substance in the air. Air is a mixture of various gases, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen. When a dangerous substance is introduced to the Earth’s atmosphere, it can cause diseases, damage to living organisms such as plants and animals, and even death in humans. Unfortunately, cities are familiar places for air pollution to be present.

Some sources of air pollution in cities include:

• Construction industries and factories produce dust, dirt, and smoke;
• Transportation;
• Generators;
• Indoor cooking;
• Waste burning.

Air pollution can come from familiar household sources, including:

• Perfumes;
• Products like cigarettes;
• Wall paints;
• Spray products such as bleach, cleaning sprays, and washing machine detergent;
• Pesticides.

Land pollution

Land pollution is harmful solid or liquid waste materials on land or underground that can contaminate the soil, causing unsightly, foul-smelling, or threatening public health.

It is one of the most visible forms of pollution. Mountains of rubbish on landfill sites or discarded on the side of roads can ruin beautiful landscapes and interfere with wildlife and habitats. Factories can leak chemical waste into the soil, destroying habitats and harming wildlife. Toxic soil can also cause human diseases, skin conditions, and cause cancers.

Chemical pollution

Chemical pollution is the introduction of toxic contaminants. Artificial products generally introduce chemical pollutants. Typical causes of chemical pollution are pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, oil, sewage, and industrial chemicals.

Chemical pollution is particularly harmful to the ocean. Toxic chemicals often end up in streams and rivers that eventually flow into the sea. Chemicals such as fertilizers are used because they are great for helping plants grow. However, as practical as they are, if they get blown away, it is easy for them to make their way into the ocean and can cause algae to grow. It isn’t good because too many algae will absorb vast amounts of oxygen from the area, making it uninhabitable for most marine life.

Light pollution

​​Light pollution is caused by artificial light, such as street lamps. While street lighting and other forms of artificial light can be highly beneficial to humans, they can harm the environment, particularly the ocean.

Artificial light beneath the water’s surface can hurt marine life. For instance, small fish can become more visible, meaning their predators can see them as more accessible. Artificial light can also affect the natural circadian rhythms of fish, disrupting their feeding patterns, reproduction, and more.

Noise pollution

Noise pollution is simply disturbing or unwanted noise that is harmful or interferes with humans or wildlife. Unlike most other pollutants, noise is invisible and can’t be tasted or smelled. It can be dangerous, though. For example, dolphins and whales use sound to communicate with each other and navigate underwater. So, when artificial noise interferes, it can affect communication, migration, hunting, and reproduction patterns.

A guide to powerful adverbs

Looking for a handy way to improve your vocabulary? Try some powerful adverbs! Adverbs are a valuable part of our language tool kit, giving us a chance to describe an action fully.

They’re also a significant next step for children to learn about when they’ve got the hang of more basic word classes like verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

Adverbs are also a fun way to boost vocabulary, teaching children about the subtle differences between words while expanding how they can respond in their speech and writing.

There are five basic types of adverbs. These are:

• Adverbs of time
• Adverbs of manner
• Adverbs of degree
• Adverbs of place
• Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs can be super effective in a range of settings if used correctly.

What makes a powerful adverb?

For an adverb to work in a sentence, it has to have a clear purpose. For example, it could describe how an action was done, it could add another description to a noun and adjective, or it could be used to add emphasis.

Powerful adverbs add punch to a sentence by underlining the point you’d want to make. However, it’s important to note that too many weak adverbs can harm writing more. It is valid for more general adverbs like ‘really’ or ‘actually,’ which can feel like filler words. Take the following sentences:

“The car was prolonged.”

“The car was uncomfortably slow.”

“David sang very well.”

“David sang hauntingly.”

In these two examples, the bottom adverb has more tone and personality, thanks to the specificity, making them powerful.

Powerful adverbs to modify verbs

The ability to modify verbs is perhaps the first thing you think of when it comes to adverbs. Adverbs are great for describing how an action happened. It can give a sense of tone to a character’s actions if we’re writing a story or painting a more precise image in the listener’s mind during the conversation. Here are some adverbs that modify verbs and examples in a sentence.

Powerful adverb	Meaning	Example in a sentence
Angrily	In bad temper	The boy spoke angrily
Cautiously	To do an action carefully or with hesitation	Sarah cautiously crossed the road
Gracefully	To do something with sophistication and elegance	He danced as gracefully as a swan
Enthusiastically	When something is done in an excited manner	We all enthusiastically sang along
Lovingly	With care and affection	Mum lovingly spooned her soup into my bowl

Powerful adverbs to modify adjectives

Adverbs also have the power to make a description more specific and evocative. Want to make it clear just how big something is? Adverbs have you covered. Wanting to say just how cold you were? There’s an adverb for that. Here are some powerful adverbs that you can use to modify adjectives:

Powerful adverb	Meaning	Example in a sentence
Unusually	Not typical	Sarah was unusually tall for her age
Surprisingly	Shocking	The test was surprisingly easy
Wickedly	Devious	The singer is wickedly talented
Often	In regular occurrence	My hands are often cold
Slightly	A small amount	I am slightly tired

Powerful adverbs to modify other adverbs

So. Many. Adverbs. Sometimes one won’t do it! It is especially true for common adverbs, such as adverbs of frequency and location, which might not be detailed enough on their own. Here are some adverbs that can modify other adverbs:

Powerful adverb	Meaning	Example in a sentence
Incredibly	Similar to amazingly	The race was finished incredibly quickly
Happily	With joy	The trophy sat happily atop the shelf
Silently	Without any sound	Our dog sits silently behind us
Unexpectedly	Similar to surprisingly	The meeting finished unexpectedly early

A list of powerful adverbs

To round off the focus on vocabulary, here’s a handy list of powerful adverbs that you could use to inspire your students.

• Angrily
• Anxiously
• Brightly
• Cautiously
• Cheerfully
• Courageously
• Crossly
• Cruelly
• Defiantly
• Doubtfully
• Elegantly
• Enthusiastically
• Excitedly
• Foolishly
• Frantically
• Gently
• Gladly
• Glumly
• Gracefully
• Happily
• Harshly
• Hungrily
• Loudly
• Oddly
• Sternly
• Stylishly
• Tactfully
• Tightly

These are all words that add a bit more pizazz to a sentence. It’s also important to note that overusing adverbs can be harmful. So, before writing, think about whether these words could be expressed as a verb or adjective first.

Camels don’t store water in their humps.

Despite what we’re led to believe, camels don’t store gallons of water in their humps like a portable wall. Instead, their humps store fat, which they can live off for weeks, sometimes months! Then, when food is scarce, camels will break down the fats in their humps to use as a source of nutrition. Then, if a camel hasn’t eaten in a while, its hump will drop as the fat stores empty.

This method of fat storage also helps regulate body temperature. In the hot desert, storing fat on humps reduces their heat insulation, helping keep them cool during hot days.

Camels store water in their blood.

The red blood cells in camels are oval-shaped, not round like most other animals. They are also much smaller, allowing continued circulation even when the camel is dehydrated. A camel’s blood cells can also expand up to 240% of their regular size with water when the camel rehydrates, which is why camels can drink up to 30 gallons in ten minutes. If any other animal did this, their blood cells would burst!

Camels are born without humps.

After being pregnant for 12-14 months, a female camel will give birth to one or rarely two newborns. Camels do not have humps at birth, but with a tassel of curly hair on top, small peaks indicate where the humps will develop. A baby camel can typically fully walk within half an hour of birth. Also, some baby camels are born completely white and only achieve their recognizable brown color when their adult coat comes in.

Camel milk is incredibly nutritious.

Nomadic cultures in harsh environments like deserts have relied on camel milk for centuries as a source of nutrition. It is because milk contains many nutrients that are important for overall health. For example, milk has much more iron and vitamin C than cows’ milk and is sometimes used in Kazakhstan to help treat illnesses such as tuberculosis. You could pick up a milkshake with natural camel milk if you visit Abu Dhabi.

Types of camels.

There are two species of camels, the Camelus bactrianus and the Camelus dromedarius. The difference between the two species can be seen in their humps; dromedary camels have one, while Bactrian camels have two. Dromedaries, also known as the Arabian camel, can be found in northern Africa, the Middle East, part of Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. In contrast, Bactrian camels can only be found in inner, central, and eastern Asia. Dromedaries make up about 90% of the world’s population of camels, with all of them being domesticated.

Meanwhile, Bactrian camels can be found both domesticated and wild. At shoulder height, the Bactrian camel stands 5.2 to 5.9 feet tall, has a length of 10 to 11.5 feet, and weighs 990 to 1,100 pounds. The dromedary camel’s size ranges from 7.2 to 11.2 feet, is from 5.9 to 6.6 feet, and weighs 880 to 1,320 pounds.

Camels can live up to 50 years.

They live so long due to several factors; firstly, they don’t have any natural predators. The second reason is that they can store water and fat in their bodies for a very long time, which means they can go without food or water for days and still be okay. It is something that most animals can’t do.

Camels are fast.

Even though they might not seem like it, camels can be fast runners. They can run as fast as 40 miles per hour! Despite this, it’s extremely tiring for camels to run that fast, and they typically slow down rather quickly. The average camel will walk 2 to 3 miles per hour, trot at 9 to 10 miles per hour, and jog at 16 miles per hour. In Arab countries, you can even find camel races to commemorate special occasions.

 

 

There are 160 words for camel in Arabic.

You might wonder how this could be possible; after all, there are only two species of a camel! Well, as well as having words for the standard camel, Arabic has more specific terms relating to appearance or function. Not only that but there are also words describing camels in minute detail, for example;

الربع – A camel that drinks once every three days

الدفون – A female camel in the middle of a herd of camels

الشرود – A camel that loves to escape and is difficult to catch

The word “camel” actually comes from an Arabic word. When translated, it means “beauty.”

The most expensive camel was sold for $53 million.

A Dromedary camel named Arnon was sold at an auction in Kuwait in 2019 for 200 million Saudi Riyals, which is about 53 million dollars. According to reports, Arnon took first place in the category of stallions at the 3rd King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Saudi Arabia.

There is a camel festival in the United Arab Emirates.

Every year, the UAE hosts the Al-Dhafra Camel Festival. The most popular event in the festival is the beauty competition, in which thousands of camels compete for the crown.

Camels and llamas are cousins.

The camel is part of the Camelidae family. Also belonging to this family are alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. Despite being in the same family, they live incredibly far apart. Camels are most commonly found in the desert of Asia and North Africa, while llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas are native to the Andes mountains and grasslands of South America. Fossil records show that the Camelidae family started in North America, although there are no living species of the Camelidae family today.

Camels are very social animals

You won’t often see camels traveling solo in the wild. They are social animals that live in groups called herds. The herd usually consists of a dominant adult male, females, and their young. Males that may have been chased out of the group have been known to form bachelor herds. Camels will talk to each other too. Not in the same way that you and I do; they communicate through many sounds like loud bellows and moans. They’ll also blow on each other’s faces as a friendly greeting. In camel society, different head, neck, ears, and tail positions have different meanings.

Camels spit as a defense mechanism

If you’ve ever seen a camel in real life, you might have been unlucky enough to have been spat on by one! Camels are docile animals and rarely turn towards violence, but if they feel threatened, they can regurgitate bile, saliva, and water from their stomach to spray their attacker. So really, it’s more like vomit than spit! They use this as a defense mechanism to distract whatever they think is a threat. The longest recorded distance a camel has spat is an incredible 121 feet!

A camel’s body is built for the desert.

We all know that camels store lots of water and fat in their bodies since it’s scarce in the desert. But did you know that there are many ways in which camels are designed for hot, sandy climates? Camels have large, flat feet to help them walk on sand. The soles of their feet have a large surface area to stop them from sinking into the sand. They have slit-like sealable nostrils to prevent the sand from getting up their nose and two rows of eyelashes. Not only that, but they can tolerate body temperatures of up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

Camels can even eat cacti!

In the desert, camels can survive on thorny vegetation and dried grass, including cacti. They can also eat twigs, desert bushes, date stones, etc. However, it mainly eats plants that are rich in salt. The mouth of a camel has a thick, leathery lining that allows them to devour wild and thorny plants.

Camel meat is considered a delicacy.

In Middle Eastern countries, many people eat camel meat and consider it a delicacy. The hump is said to be the best part of the camel, and it’s traditionally served at Arab weddings. The taste of camel is described as similar to beef.

What is the Lattice Method of Multiplication?

Lattice multiplication, also known as Chinese multiplication, is a written method of multiplying numbers. It’s usually used when solving problems, which include multiplying 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. But it can also be used when working with more significant multi-digit numbers.

It is a handy method that helps break down large numbers into simple maths facts. It can help visualize the different steps and help pupils understand how to multiply numbers.

It is also a helpful multiplication method, as it provides pupils with a model to help them ensure the numbers are correctly aligned.

The lattice method of multiplication is an alternative to the formal written process of long multiplication. Although both consist of breaking up the numbers, multiplying them, and then adding them together, there are still some vital differences in how it’s written down.

Let’s look into how to do lattice multiplication. We’ve included an example to make it easier to understand and follow.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Lattice Method of Multiplication

Here are four steps that will help you use this method of multiplication, which are:

1. Drawing the lattice;
2. Labeling the lattice;
3. Multiplying the numbers;
4. Adding the numbers.

For example, let’s multiply 34 by 56 and see how you can follow these steps in practice.

1. Drawing the lattice

The first thing you need to do is to draw a grid that matches the number of digits you have. In this example, 34 and 56 are both 2-digit numbers, so we’ll need a 2×2 grid.

2. Labelling the lattice

Now that you have your lattice, you need to label it.

First, take one of the numbers and put it on top of the lattice. For example, if we take 34, we must put each digit over each box. (see below)

Then, put the second number on the right of the lattice. Again, one digit should go next to each box.

3. Multiplying the numbers

What you need to do now is to multiply the numbers. It would help if you did this by multiplying every digit that “meets” in the grid. In our example, the digits that meet are:

• 3 and 5;
• 3 and 6;
• 4 and 5;
• And 4 and 6.

Remember that the upper triangle in each box holds the tens place digits of the multiplication result when multiplying the numbers. The lower triangle will have the ones place digits.

If this sounds a bit tricky, look at the image below. It shows how to write it down with the equation we took as an example.

 

4. Adding the numbers

Extend the diagonal lines, then add the numbers on the same line to take it one step at a time. What you need to remember is to start from the bottom right corner.

In the example below, you start with 4, which is on its own, so you write four outside the box. Then, you have 8, 2, and 0. Finally, the sum is 10; you write 0 outside the box and carry one over. See how you can write this down below.

Once you’ve added the numbers on all 4 of the diagonal lines, you’ve completed the problem! You need to read the numbers now, starting from the top one on the left and finishing with the bottom right one.

So, the answer to the equation is 1904.

34 x 56 = 1904

Applying the Method to 3-Digit and Larger Numbers

You can follow the same four steps if working with more significant numbers.

The only difference would be when drawing the lattice. For example, if you’re multiplying a 3-digit number by a 4-digit one, you would need to draw a 3×4 grid. So, make sure the grid matches the number of digits.

Lattice Multiplication vs. Long Multiplication

Children will learn to use various written methods when solving multiplication problems throughout their maths education.

The lattice written multiplication method isn’t included in the national maths curriculum, so it’s less popular than other written methods. In comparison, long multiplication plays an essential role in the curriculum for years 5 and 6 as children use it to multiply multi-digit numbers.

So, while the long multiplication method is taught in maths lessons, children won’t necessarily learn about lattice multiplication.

Educators still use lattice multiplication to simplify multiplication by breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps.

It follows the standard multiplication algorithms and shows what these algorithms mean in an accessible way for children.

It is also a fantastic tool for supporting visual learners, as some kids learn better by visualizing the process.

Even if it’s not included in the maths curriculum, lattice multiplication is an excellent method for expanding children’s multiplication knowledge and number sense.

What is an orchestra?

An orchestra is a group of musicians (specifically instrumentalists) who use a range of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments to play classical music together. They are led by a conductor who stands at the front, setting the tempo and guiding the players.

A typical Western orchestra is sometimes called a symphony orchestra. These can be made up of any number of musicians, depending on what music is being played or the size of the venue. Orchestras can consist of over one hundred musicians playing a single work!

What sorts of instruments make up an orchestra?

An extensive range of instruments makes up an orchestra. These include violins, trumpets, trombones, flutes, cellos, oboes, drums, and many other devices worldwide.

The instruments are grouped into four distinct families based on the characteristics of the instrument, such as how musicians play them to make sound, their volume or loudness, and what kind of sounds they produce.

The four Families of the Orchestra

The four families of the orchestra are:

1. String
2. Woodwind
3. Brass
4. Percussion

Keep reading for a deep musical dive into these four families and what instruments fall under each category. The answers might surprise you!

String Instruments in the Orchestra

Characteristics of String Instruments

When people think of what instruments make up an orchestra, string instruments like the violin are often the first example that springs to mind. But there are other instruments in this family, and all of them have the following characteristics:

• As their name suggests, string instruments must have strings that cause them to create noise through vibrations. It doesn’t matter what material these strings are made of or how thick they are, as long as this is the case.
• The instruments must create sound by being strummed, plucked by hand, or bowed.

What are string instruments made out of?

The body string instruments have to be hollow inside to produce the required sounds, so many of the instruments in this family are made of wood.

The strings themselves are a different story. Some are made out of nylon or steel, but the traditional way to create them is by using gut. Although these guts were called ‘catgut strings,’ no cats were harmed in making these violins. They were developed from sheep’s intestines. Gross!

Another essential part of string instruments like the viola and the violin is the bows used to play them. Unfortunately, these handles are made of a thin piece of polished wood, while the strings are made of horsehair, making them quite fragile.

Examples of String Instruments in the Orchestra

Here are seven string instruments that might be featured in a classic orchestra:

1. Violin
2. Double bass
3. Viola
4. Cello
5. Guitar
6. Harp
7. Mandolin

Where are the string instruments positioned in an orchestra?

The string instruments are positioned in a fan shape at the front of the orchestra. They sit directly in front of the conductor in a set order. From left to right are the first violins, the second violins, the violas, and the cellos.

The harp sits behind the first violins, while the double basses sit behind the cellos.

Woodwind Instruments in the Orchestra

Characteristics of Woodwind Instruments

Sometimes referred to as the ‘wind instruments, the woodwind section of an orchestra relates to a few instruments which have these two things in common:

• Woodwind instruments create sound when the player blows air into them through the mouthpiece.
• Different pitches are made by covering additional holes on the instrument, which takes a lot of practice.

What are woodwind instruments made out of?

Even though they have ‘wood’ in the name, woodwind instruments do not necessarily have to be made of wood. Today, they can be made from wood, metal, or plastic (or some combination of all three).

The mouthpieces of many woodwind instruments are made out of a long, thin piece of wood called a reed. These vibrate when air is passed into them.

Examples of Woodwind Instruments in the Orchestra

Here are a few common examples of woodwind instruments:

1. Flute
2. Clarinet
3. Bassoon
4. Oboe
5. Piccolo
6. Saxophone
7. Tin Whistle
8. Recorder
9. Bagpipes
10. English horn

Fun fact: the piccolo is the highest-pitched instrument in the entire orchestra!

Brass Instruments in the Orchestra

Characteristics of Brass Instruments

Brass instruments have a few defining characteristics that have to do with how they make sounds and play different notes:

• They make sound through the vibrations from the player’s lips into the instrument’s mouthpiece.
• You can play different notes by adjusting your lips and using the instruments’ valves, slides, or keys.
• They’re essentially very long pipes that have been twisted into various shapes.

What are brass instruments made out of?

As the name suggests, brass instruments are usually made out of brass – an alloy of zinc and copper.

Old versions of these instruments would have been made from wood or conch shells.

However, just because an instrument is made of brass does not mean it’s a brass instrument. One good example is the saxophone, a part of the woodwind family.

Examples of Brass Instruments in the Orchestra

Seven brass instruments include:

1. Trombones
2. Trumpets
3. Cornets
4. Tubas
5. Tenor horns
6. French horns
7. Euphoniums

What is the most difficult brass instrument to play?

Some say the French Horn is one of the most challenging brass instruments to play. How you play can produce loud blaring noises or much softer, gentler sounds.

Where are the brass instruments positioned in an orchestra?

Brass instruments are loud and disruptive, so they’re positioned toward the back of the orchestra, just in front of the percussion instruments.

Percussion Instruments in the Orchestra

Characteristics of Percussion Instruments

There are a lot of percussion instruments, and no two of them share the same characteristics. Still, there are a few reasons why they can be grouped:

• Most percussion instruments make sounds when they are hit. If they don’t, chances are that they instead make sounds when they’re shaken, rubbed, or scratched (like maracas).
• Percussion instruments can be loud. So even though percussionists have to be careful to control their volume and tempo in an orchestra, there’s no denying that basic fact.
• They’re responsible for maintaining the rhythm of a piece of music.

What are percussion instruments made out of?

Usually, percussion instruments are made out of wood or metal to produce a timbre. Some feature a stretched membrane that vibrates when hit, like the top of a drum.

Examples of Percussion Instruments in an Orchestra

Here are a few examples of percussion instruments that you might find in an orchestra:

1. Celesta
2. Piano
3. Tambourine
4. Glockenspiel
5. Triangle
6. Bass drum
7. Snare Drum
8. Timpani
9. Chimes
10. Cymbals

There are plenty more examples, but even from this short list of ten, it’s easy to see that the variety of percussion instruments is wide.

Who would think a piano fits into a group with a triangle or cymbals? However, it makes a bit more sense when you think about it according to the main characteristic of making sounds when hit. A piano works through hammers hitting the strings inside, even though we control those hammers by using our fingers.

Where are the percussion instruments positioned in an orchestra?

As mentioned before, percussion instruments can be incredibly loud –think of the noise a gong might make in the middle of a musical performance. In addition, it means that they’re positioned at the very back of the orchestra.

 

 

What is a Statement?

 

What is a statement sentence?

A statement sentence is a type of sentence that conveys and expresses a simple piece of information in speech or writing. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a statement of fact. Instead, it could be a statement of an idea or someone’s opinion, such as “I like eating ice cream.”

A statement is the most common type of sentence used in everyday speech and writing. You’ll sometimes see this type of sentence being referred to as a ‘declaration’ or a ‘declarative sentence.’

Statements are one of the four different kinds of sentence structure, along with:

– Exclamative sentence (an exclamation).

– Interrogative sentence (a question).

– Imperative sentence (a command).

What are some examples of statement sentences?

Here are five different examples of how a declarative sentence might look:

1. I need to do my homework tonight.
2. I don’t want pasta for dinner, so I’ll have to buy something else.
3. Our flight back to London from Spain was canceled, so we had to stay an extra night.
4. I go to my swimming lessons every Wednesday afternoon.
5. I take the bus to school every morning.

Statements of fact vs. statements of opinion

Before we learn about these statement sentences, it’s important to note that they can be split into two camps; statements of fact and opinion. Here are a few examples:

I think this film is the best in the series.

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.

We can see here that the first sentence is a statement of opinion, while the second is a statement of fact. While this example is pretty simple, things get more complicated when ideas are said as if they’re facts.

That’s why pupils need to know the difference. One of the national curricula aims for years 5 and 6 is to tell statements of fact and opinion apart.

How can I write a statement sentence?

Writing these declarative sentences is relatively straightforward. Like all sentences, a statement will typically include a clause. Clauses contain a verb (a ‘doing’ word) and a subject (the thing or person referred to).

Let’s take a look at a quick example:

‘I often go on walks through the park with my dog.’

In this example, the verb used is ‘go.’ We can also see that it’s written in the first person, so the subject is the person who wrote the sentence. The writer states that they like to go to the park with their dog.

A statement will always finish with some punctuation. It might be an exclamation mark, but it will be a complete stop in most cases.

 

 

What are Discourse Markers?

 

 

Discourse Markers

A discourse marker is a word or phrase that changes the flow or structure of dialogue without changing its meaning. We use discourse markers a lot in our day-to-day lives for many reasons. For instance, if we wanted to change the topic of a conversation, we’d use ‘so’ or ‘anyway.’

What Are Discourse Markers in The English Language?

We use discourse markers every day, often without even realizing it. They’re phrases and words that mark the direction of a conversation or discourse. They are used to connect, organize and manage what we think, say or write, or express a confident attitude. But they can also be used to redirect or focus a conversation.

You might sometimes see them as linking words, linking phrases, or sentence connectors.

What Are Some Examples Of Discourse Markers?

Now that we know a bit more about these words and phrases let’s look at a few examples. In this table, we’ve compiled a few common words and phrases that get used a lot in everyday speech:

Anyway

Like

Okay

As I say

Right

So

However

Therefore

Particularly

Well

Because

For starters

Oh

But

How Do You use Discourse Markers in a Sentence?

Now you know some examples of these markers, it’s time to learn how your students can use them in their writing. Every discourse marker can be used for a different purpose to create emphasis, introduce evidence or conclude a text, so you need to understand which tag will suit your sentence. Here are some examples of how you can use discourse markers for different purposes.

To start a topic or sentence:

Words and phrases, like firstly and first of all, are used to introduce an item, opinion, or thought in a longer list or sequence. Here are a few examples of how they might look in a sentence:

“For a start, 90% of people voted for the new law.”

“First of all, let’s recap what we learned in the last lesson.”

To structure ideas:

Another common way to use these words and phrases is when we’re trying to structure our ideas in a way others can understand. For example, we might use numbered terms like ‘firstly’ and ‘secondly.’ Or if we’re telling a story or series of events, we might be more likely to use words like ‘then’ or ‘next’:

“Firstly, I didn’t eat the scones. Secondly, you have no proof that it was me.”

“I woke up at 7:30, and then I went to shower. After that, I got changed and had some breakfast.”

To express an opposing idea:

We might also use discourse markers to acknowledge or discuss two different ideas or opposing opinions. This discourse marker is most commonly used in balanced arguments and debates. For example:

Tim wanted to go to Sarah’s birthday party. However, he had a big test to study for.

I could buy these sweets now. But, on the other hand, I could save up for the new computer game.

To say something differently:

This course marker can also come in handy when we want to rephrase or reiterate something we’ve already said. Some examples include ‘in other words’ and ‘what I mean to say.’

There are also some specific words and phrases that are particularly useful when we want to simplify our ideas or sum up something complex using a few simple words:

“To cut a long story short, Alice forgot to bring her homework to school.”

“To put it simply, we need more time to finish the project.”

To provide additional information:

We might also use markers like ‘which,’ ‘but,’ or ‘so’ when we want to give information that would be useful to the listener, support an argument we’re trying to make, or even interject with our ideas. Take a look at a couple of examples:

“Assuming that I did eat the scones, which I didn’t, there would be crumbs on the kitchen counter.”

“The performance of King Lear, which took place at the local theatre, was well received by critics.”

Other ways to use discourse markers:

There are also loads of other ways that we use these markers in our speech and writing, including:

• Changing the topic (‘so,’ ‘well,’ ‘anyway;’):

“Anyway, enough about my day. How was yours?”

• To respond to someone (‘actually,’ ‘wow,’ ‘exactly’):

“Wow, those holiday photos look fantastic!”

• To end or sum up a conversation (‘right,’ ‘okay,’ ‘so’):

“So that about wraps up this week’s creative writing session. Let’s meet up again next Friday.”

What are Speech Marks?

 

Speech Marks

Speech marks are punctuation marks that indicate direct speech in a sentence. Learn all about speech marks and how to show speech in writing.

What does a speech mark look like?

 

What are speech marks?

Speech marks are punctuation marks used in pairs in various forms of writing to indicate speech or begin a direct quote.

They are also called quotation marks and inverted commas.

Speech Mark Rules

The main rules for punctuating direct speech are:

1. The spoken words should be surrounded by speech marks/inverted commas.

2) Each section of direct speech should end with a punctuation mark inside the speech marks. For example, “Bonjour!” said Anna cheerfully.

In this case, the exclamation mark ends the spoken sentence, so it needs to go inside the speech marks.

3) Remember to begin all new speech with a capital letter, like you’re starting a new sentence.

4) If a reporting clause breaks up a section of direct speech, it should end with a comma inside the speech marks. For example, “Ah, you’ve been learning French,” Josh said. “Salut!”

5) New speaker, new line. Direct speech should be carefully structured to help the reader follow the conversation. Every time there’s a new speaker in the discussion, you should start a new line.

A quick note on reporting clauses:

A reporting clause after the direct speech tells the reader who’s speaking.

Also, the reporting clause shouldn’t start with a capital letter unless the person’s name is used first. So, ‘said’ should never be capitalized in a reporting clause.

How do you use speech marks?

Do you want to know how to show speech in writing? Then we’ll break it down for you.

Direct speech:

The most common use of speech marks is to punctuate direct speech.

Direct speech is any speech spoken directly by a person or character. For example:

• “I’m tired!” Lauren complained.

Direct speech can be the most complicated type of speech to punctuate because of the placement of the speech marks and punctuation in each sentence.

Titles

Outside direct speech, inverted commas can also indicate the title of something.

The book is called “The Wyrmstooth Crown.”

Irony

Speech marks can also be used to say that something is “so-called” and to indicate irony.

The “fresh” apples were full of worms.

The “free” gift required me to buy something first.

Using technical terms

Occasionally, we might use speech marks to indicate technical words or phrases. For example,

The reading technique is called “decoding.”

What is English Language Devices?

 

Literary devices, also known as linguistic or figurative devices, are techniques writers use to communicate a mood, feeling, or theme more effectively. English has many language features, including simile, metaphor, allusion, and hyperbole. All of these can be used to create a particular effect in the writer’s text.

English Language Techniques and Their Effects

Having a toolkit of English language techniques on hand is an excellent way for kids to amplify their writing. It also helps them analyze different texts, as they can identify the English language techniques used and their effects.

Here is a list of standard language features in English that kids will find in lots of novels, plays, poems, and more. We’ve also included examples of each technique to see how they look. By introducing some of these devices to your learners, you can help them to elevate their writing to the next level:

Imagery

Imagery is a way of using language to paint a picture for the reader. Imagery can affect all five of the reader’s physical senses – not just sight. In other words, imagery assists a reader in imagining the smell, taste, touch, view, and sound of the scene that the author is describing.

Simile

One of the most common language features in English is similes. Similes are descriptive English language device that compares two things to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. Similes impact the reader’s experience in imagining and understanding what they are reading. Similes are commonly used as a language devices in descriptive writing and poetry. Check out these examples of similes to see for yourself:

• Cool as a cucumber.
• Right as rain.
• Lonely as a cloud.
• Fit as a fiddle.

These examples of similes demonstrate how this language device adds extra detail to help the reader understand behaviors, people, situations, events, or objects.

Metaphor

While similes compare two things, metaphors create more of a direct and literal effect. A metaphor is a form of figurative language that directly resembles one thing to another for rhetorical effect. Metaphors most commonly use the structure ‘X is Y.’ Check out these examples of how metaphors can be an effective English language device:

• The cat had eyes of moonlight.
• She’s the sun on a cloudy day.
• The night is a shadow cast on the Earth.

Alliteration

Alliteration can make your words more engaging and entertaining. When your writing engages your audience, they’re more likely to pay attention and remember what you say. Check out these examples of alliteration to understand the effect of this English language device.

• The bird sang sweetly.
• Matthew met Michael at the moor.
• Tough talk.
• Becky’s a busy bee.

Personification

Personification is a language device in which human characteristics, including thoughts, feelings, or actions, are given to something non-human. The ‘non-human’ in this case encompasses everything from inanimate objects to plants and animals. It makes it one of the language features in English that’s fun to experiment with. Check out these examples of personification as a practical language device.

• The stars danced in the sky.
• Those flowers are begging for water in this hot weather.
• The sun is playing hide-and-seek today.

Assonance

Assonance is when two words in a sentence share the same vowel sounds, but consonants differ. It creates a type of alliteration that flows to the text and can be strategically used to amplify the meaning.

For example:

• Make sure to go slowly over the road bumps.

The assonance here is in the long ‘o’ sound.

Colloquial language

Colloquial language is essentially just informal language or simple forms of communication in written form. Includes shortened versions of words or specific phrases. This form of language is often used to show that characters in a story are familiar with one another.

For example:

• ‘Wanna’ is a colloquialism meaning ‘Do you want to.
• She needs to step up to the plate is a colloquial phrase meaning that someone needs to rise to the challenge of something.

Dialect

Dialect is a great English language technique for establishing different story characters. It is a type of language that people speak in a particular geographical area. Therefore, using it in fiction helps show where the characters are from.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is the name given to an exaggerated phrase. If language is said to be hyperbolic, it is over the top and not intended to be taken literally.

For example:

• The young boy was so hungry he could eat a horse.

Hyperbole can function as an intensifier, allowing us to put extra emphasis on something that’s happening in a story. However, exaggerated hyperbole can also be used for comedic effects.

Irony

The irony is brutal to describe but can be effective when used correctly. It means when words or ideas are used sarcastically or humorously to imply the direct opposite of what they mean.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is one of those language features in English that’s much easier to use than it is to spell! This English language technique is a word that sounds like the noise it’s describing.

For example:

• Splash, drip, bang, crash.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is where two words typically not associated with one another are used together.

For example:

• The ending of the movie was bitter-sweet.

Pathos

Pathos is any language that is used to stir up feelings of sadness.

Repetition

This English language technique is pretty self-explanatory. Often, writers will repeat specific words or phrases to emphasize them.

For example:

• It is cold here in Belfast.

Rhyme

Rhyme is another of the language features in English that is most frequently used in poetry. Poems do not have to rhyme, but many adhere to a particular rhyme scheme. When describing the rhyme scheme in a poem, you use letters to represent the different rhyming sounds. For instance, a sonnet has 14 lines and follows the fixed rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Rhyme can have various effects, depending on how it is used and in what context. It is really up to the writer to control this technique’s impact.

Rhythm

Rhythm is another technique that is most commonly used in poetry. Many poems maintain a steady beat, known as ‘meter,’ throughout. Much like rhyme, rhythm can have various effects on a text, depending on its use.

Symbolism

Symbolism can be one of the most helpful language features in English when used properly, and it’s a fantastic way to boost your writing and create an exciting text. Many different things can be used as symbols, such as colors, places, sounds, and objects. Symbolism can be used in different ways but is often used to provide further insight into the text’s central themes.

For example:

• Red is often a symbol of danger, so if a building is painted red in a text, we get the sense that it is not a safe place.

Tone

The tone is a way of writing to create a specific mood or feeling in a text. This mood can be anything from shock, happiness, anxiety, anger, and sorrow. Many techniques listed above, in addition to structural devices like short or long sentences, can be used to create tone.

Allusion

An allusion is a language technique in which something from a completely unrelated context is referred to indirectly. As the reference is discreet, it is left up to the audience to make a direct connection.

Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence. It can create a dramatic effect and a great sense of rhythm within a piece of writing.

• I wish you didn’t have to go. I hope you want to stay. I wish things didn’t have to change.

Anecdote

You will likely have seen an anecdote without realizing it is an effective English language technique. An anecdote is an engaging, personal story or tale often used to develop specific ideas in a text or add depth and personality to characters.

Anecdotes can also be used as clues in a text to hint towards some aspects of a character’s story or life covertly.

Cliché

A cliché is a type of expression or phrase that is extremely popular and over-used. These phrases tend to lose their original meaning but serve a different purpose in a text. It can give readers specific insight into a character’s personality, for example, if they use a lot of clichés.

• And they all lived happily ever after.

Consonance

Consonance is simply the repetition of consonants throughout a sentence or phrase. Consonant sounds are often harsh and abrupt and can create a coarse, grating tone in a text. However, these sounds can also create a rhythm within a text, which is why they can be found in many poems.

• The car tore through the street at an alarming speed.

Contrast

Contrast is when two or more objects, events, or characters directly oppose one another. Writers use this technique to show the difference between these objects, events, or characters within a text, which, in turn, accentuates their uniqueness or individuality.

• Henry was a lovely boy whose golden hair shone in the sun. He was renowned for his kindness, which seemed to flow from him effortlessly. His brother, Max, however, was a horrible, you man. His face, constantly shrouded in a dark mass of hair, bore what seemed to be a permanent frown.

Didactic

A text is didactic if it intentionally pushes a particular moral message to the reader. This simple message does not have to be overt but can be buried within the story’s subtext. Lots of famous children’s books are didactic.

Ellipsis

Ellipsis is one of the most versatile language features in English. One of the most common ways it is used in literature is to create a dramatic effect. Ellipses create a pause in a text, which writers can use to build tension and suspense. Ellipses can symbolize unspoken words in a text, perhaps too complex for a character to say. Moreover, ellipses are often used to portray a sense of uncertainty. If there are ellipses before or after a phrase or sentence, it completely changes the meaning of the words.

• The door swung open, but there was no one there.
• Yeah, sure, I’d love to.

Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is a language technique in which human emotions are given to inanimate objects. This technique is most commonly used with objects or aspects of nature. A pathetic fallacy can be found throughout many classic texts, wherein nature is used as a powerful reflection or representation of certain characters’ feelings.

• The rain pelted outside, and the freezing air nipped at his skin.

In this use of pathetic fallacy, the rainy weather represents the character’s feelings of sadness.

• The sun beamed down Mary’s face and warmed her body from head to toe.

In this use of pathetic fallacy, the sunny weather represents Mary’s happiness.

Satire

Satire is used commonly, both in written and spoken language. It is a technique in which language mocks certain aspects of human nature or behavior. Satire can be used unkindly, depending on the broader context, and is often regarded as a very high form of comedy. Shakespeare was a big fan of satire and used it frequently throughout his plays.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is when the writer hints about something earlier on in a text that will become important or meaningful later on in the story. It is a fun English language technique that can often go unnoticed on first reading but becomes apparent upon closer analysis.

 

 

What are North Pole Animals?

 

 

North Pole Animals

Some North Pole animals include Polar Bears, Arctic Hares, Arctic Foxes, Snowy Owls, and Reindeer.

Meet some of the North Pole animal residents! You might be surprised by the variety of animals that inhabit the Arctic despite some seriously extreme conditions.

Polar Bears

Polar bears are amongst the largest land animals at the north pole. They use the ice in the Arctic Sea to hunt seals. They’re the largest carnivores (meat-eaters) that live on the land – the most prominent males can be up to ten feet tall, though the females tend to be about half their size. Though polar bears look white, their skin is black. The fur covering their dark skin is see-through and helps them blend in with the icy environment. Their sense of smell is fantastic – they can smell a seal almost a mile away!

 

Polar bears are excellent swimmers. Their paws are specially-adapted for paddling, and they use their hind legs like a rudder. They can reach up to 6mph in the water and swim without rest for days. Because they spend so much time at sea, polar bears are considered ‘marine mammals.’ They’re the only type of bear to be classified in this way.

Their fur is so effective at keeping them warm that polar bears must be careful not to overheat! So instead, they maintain a comfortable temperature by strolling when they’re not stalking prey.

Though they’re impressive creatures, their hunting success rate is meager. Less than 2% of their hunting missions end in a kill. As a result, they have to be resourceful and often end up scavenging from nests or eating small creatures to keep them going between meals.

Arctic Hares

Arctic hares dig burrows beneath the snow. They’re much bigger than the average pet rabbit, but their ears are shorter. They change color throughout the year. In summer, their fur is a bluey-grey to help them blend in with the rocks on land. When it snows heavily in winter, their fur turns white so that they can stay camouflaged. They must remain concealed from arctic foxes, who will kill and eat them.

 

Arctic hares are extremely fast and can be bound away from predators at speeds up to 40mph. Arctic hares stand on their hind legs like meerkats to watch for predators.

Arctic Foxes

Like their prey, arctic hares, arctic foxes also have fur that changes throughout the year. The skin of an arctic fox is the warmest on the planet, making them the best-insulated animals in the Arctic. They live underground burrows and use their long, bushy tails as blankets.

 

To save energy, arctic foxes will sometimes follow polar bears and scavenge the remains of the bear’s kill rather than find their prey. They will also eat vegetation and steal eggs from nests.

The burrows of arctic foxes are extensive structures. Some are spread over 500 feet and have over 100 entrances. Like polar bears, their noses are very sensitive – they can sniff out a seal lair from more than a mile away.

Snowy Owls

Snowy owls perch on rocks to hunt, as there are no trees in the Arctic. Their favorite food is lemming (a kind of small rodent), and they can eat around 1,600 a year. They will also eat birds, fish, and other small mammals like rabbits, rodents, and arctic hares.

Most owls are nocturnal, but snowy owls are diurnal – they’re active during the day and night. Male snowy owls are the heaviest in North America: weighty and strong enough to knock over an adult human!

Snow owls’ legs and toes are covered in feathers to help them stay warm. The males tend to be paler than females – the females never become entirely white.

Reindeer

Reindeer eat moss, plants, and grass. In winter, they travel further south as it gets too cold to survive. Their sharp hooves help them walk on ice and rocks.

Believe it or not, reindeer do get red noses! It is because there are a lot of capillaries in their noses that carry oxygen-rich blood. In addition, the dense network of veins in the nose helps reindeer regulate the internal temperature of the rest of their bodies. As a result, their nose is designed to warm the chilly air before it reaches their lungs.

Reindeer are very social and live in herds. These herds can be huge, with up to 500,000 reindeer moving between 1,000 to 3,000 miles south to find warmer climates in winter. Sometimes, to make sure they don’t lose each other, reindeer can communicate using a clicking sound made by their knee joints.

Reindeer are a great example of herbivorous north pole animals – they only eat plants. Instead, they use their antlers (both males and females have antlers) to dig through the snow to find vegetation.

Arctic Seals

Arctic seals are brilliantly adapted to live on the ice at the North Pole. They dive through gaps in the ice to hunt for fish and crustaceans, using the claws in their front flippers to pull them along. They can dive a long way down to find food, sometimes going as far as 150ft underwater. And they can stay underwater for over fifteen minutes at a time. Under their fur has a thick layer of fat that helps keep them warm.

 

Female harp seals can tell which seal pup belongs to them by their sense of smell alone. When the seal pups are born, they have a layer of long fur that keeps them warm until their blubber develops.

Walruses

Walruses are also very blubbery. When fully grown, they weigh over 1,500 kg, which is 1.5 tonnes! They are very social animals and collect in huge groups on the ice. Their whiskers help them find shellfish to eat, and they use their vast tusks to hack through the ice, hoist themselves out of the sea, and defend against predators.

 

Walruses tend to live to around forty years old. Unlike seals, they don’t stray far into deep water. Instead, they prefer shallow water, where they can find all the worms, snails, and sea cucumbers they want to eat.

As most ice melts due to climate change, walruses have few places to rest, eat, and shelter with their young. They’re forced to move to land, further away from where they can find food. There are also vast numbers in a small space, which can lead to stampedes. Life as a walrus is becoming increasingly difficult.

 

 

What are the Types of Reading?

 

 

What are the Different Types of Reading?

When we read texts, we don’t read the same way every time. The type of reading approach we take often depends on what we want to get from what we’re reading. Is it for pleasure, or are we looking to learn something new?

The types of reading can be placed into two main categories: extensive and intensive.

Extensive vs. Intensive

Extensive reading is reading that’s for pleasure and relaxation. As readers, we can dive into a book and get lost in a topic that interests us or explore a fictional world with exciting plot points and characters. With extensive reading, there’s no aim to achieve or objective to reach. It’s simply for the fun of reading.

Intensive reading takes a more active approach. As the name suggests, it’s more of an in-depth technique where the text is analyzed on a deeper level. This type of reading requires a careful and critical eye. There are different kinds of intensive reading, including scanning, skimming, and essential reading.

Types of Reading Examples

Scanning

Scanning texts helps the reader find the precise information they’re looking for.

For example, if baking a cake, you might scan the recipe to remind yourself of the amount of flour you need to weigh.

So, scanning is seeking out specific information from a text. It’s also called rapid reading because we seek information quickly.

Skimming

Another form of rapid reading, skimming, allows us to understand the central message of a piece of text without reading the entire thing.

You can skim-read titles, headings, subheadings, charts, and diagrams to get an idea of what it’s about. It will give a broad but shallow understanding of the text.

This type of reading can save time and tells you if it’s worth reading the entire text in detail.

For example, children might skim-read the chapter titles of a book to find out if it’s something they’d be interested in reading.

You may have also skim-read the headings of this Teaching Wiki to see if it will provide the information you’re looking for!

Critical

Critical reading is the most in-depth and intensive type of reading. As the name suggests, it involves having a critical eye and holding up a metaphorical magnifying glass to the text you’re reading.

It’s not about looking for faults and flaws in the text but instead holding the author and their ideas to account. Can they back up what they’re saying? Is there sufficient evidence to prove their point?

To read a text critically, you must analyze what it is saying and how it’s saying it (such as by looking at the literary devices it uses). From this, you make inferences and use your judgment to conclude – do you agree or disagree with what the text is saying or trying to say?

Critical reading analyzes various texts, including novels, poems, articles, and even what we see on social media or television.

What is fake news for kids?

Fake news is false information shared under the guise of news to mislead or deceive others.

People may share fake news so that they can:

• make money through advertising;
• promote ideas and beliefs about organizations, companies, or ideologies;
• trick or entertain people;
• promote their personal opinions.

What types of fake news articles are there?

Here’s a breakdown of the two distinct types of fake news articles for kids:

Misinformation

Misinformation is false or misleading information that is shared without the intent to mislead or deceive people. It is often not done deliberately and can be shared because an individual or group believes the information they share is accurate.

Disinformation

• Disinformation is false or misleading information that is shared to deceive others intentionally. For example, it can be transferred to make people develop opinions about a particular person, organization, or ideology that the writer wants them to believe for their gain.
• The term has been used to describe information spread by influential groups such as the government to spread lies to the public. It can then make the public feel or act in a certain way. With the rise of the internet, disinformation is often used to describe false information that an organization or an individual has deliberately spread.
• Disinformation can be spread online or in print to spread lies about something that the creator agrees or disagrees with. In addition, it is a way to encourage others to agree with the creator’s ideologies or opinions on a specific topic.
• In other circumstances, disinformation can be spread purely to make money. By getting people to click on an article, creators can make money through advertising. The information often has to be particularly shocking or appeal to specific groups through confirmation bias, for example.

Nine ways you can spot fake news.

1. Errors

You can spot misinformation by checking for accidental errors such as pronoun usage, statistics, and whether the dates look accurate. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG) is also excellent way to detect whether a site is trustworthy. If it is riddled with SPaG errors, then it is a sign that the content is not going through quality checks, which puts into question whether there is a real organization behind the site. It also implies that those writing the content are not trained or professional journalists and are, in fact, scam artists. It is worth noting that a small error on a site does not necessarily mean that it can not be trusted – large news organizations have these all the time. The mistakes to look out for are those that are frequently repeated and intrusive.

2. Is it a joke?

Lots of the time, people may share misinformation because they take a joke seriously. Information is often shared online to entertain people rather than inform them. However, if somebody reads an article and believes it to be accurate, they may share it with others as factual information when it is not.

3. Is it from a reliable source?

If the information shared online is a joke, then it may be shared by a site known for releasing parody articles. Checking this before the content is taken seriously is a must.

Some websites can try to appear trustworthy while not being so. Looking through the site for information contradicted by other articles released is one good way of checking its reliability. You could also decide whether the site looks professional, if there are many pop-up adverts, and if they have any legitimate contact information.

If you aren’t sure whether to trust the site, use your favorite search engine to see what others have said about the area. Online reviews, blog posts, or videos may warn others not to use the site. When looking for this content, it is worth being critical of the information shared. Some may claim that a website is untrustworthy to promote its website.

4. Is there bias?

Bias is an underlying opinion, point of view, or perspective of the world that guides your actions. Everyone has a bias in some sense, but it can be tricky to detect within fake news. Lots of stories can be presented as facts as well as opinions. It makes them particularly hard to label as having bias.

One way to check whether a story is biased is to look at a different publication to see how the topic has been represented. For example, suppose the author of the text has missed out on specific facts or presented certain pieces of information particularly positively or negatively. In that case, it could not be very objective. It is because news creators sometimes want to persuade their audience of a particular viewpoint without directly telling them to believe the information.

Another way to detect bias is to see whether the statements in the text can be fact-checked or argued against. If they can not be adequately fact-checked or measured and can be challenged by an opposing opinion, then it is probably an opinion rather than fact.

5. Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is the willingness to believe something because it aligns with our existing beliefs. For example, it may occur when a person reads a news article that describes how great a particular political leader is. Readers easily believe the information because it is what they want to hear. SomeLikewise, some organizations release inf

6. Is it advertising something?

Bias often exists in advertising. However, advertisements are not always as apparent as TV commercials. Sometimes blogs or news articles can make readers feel they need to buy a particular product or invest in some service. Some companies even sponsor news organizations to talk about their product, like a piece of news, to get more people to buy it.

7. Check the date

If the article was released on April Fools’ Day and the content does not seem believable, it is probably a joke. Unfortunately, even reputable news organizations release fake news on April Fools’ Day, so only checking whether the site is trustworthy is not always enough.

Checking the date is also an excellent way to know whether the information in the article is trustworthy. For example, let’s say it isn’t April Fools’ Day, but you still don’t trust the data. Cross-referencing the article’s date with the content shared is an excellent way to gauge whether the information released is real or fake news. For example, if the news story is dated in the summer and proposes that there will be snow on Christmas day, it is unlikely to be true.

8. Look at the images used

Often the images used for fake news articles are not related to the article and are used to make people click on the full version. However, some people online can make money on the number of clicks an article gets, so if the image looks like it could be clickbait due to it looking particularly shocking, you may not be able to trust the content.

Images can be altered to make the news story seem legitimate. For example, photos can be airbrushed, retouched, and cropped. To spot whether an image has been edited, look for missing objects, repeated images, patterns that do not match up, filters, and smudges.

9. Does the headline seem legitimate?

As we mentioned, some people receive money for each click they receive on a specific page. Another way to sense whether it is clickbait is to analyze the headline. Ask yourself whether it sounds particularly dramatic, sounds made-up, or if it is simply impossible. Often with these sorts of articles, the story itself is pretty bland, but the headline or image from the thumbnail will take the most dramatic parts of the story and exaggerate them to increase the number of clicks they receive.

Why is it important for children to learn about fake news?

Fake news for kids can be confusing as the information presented online often looks very believable. Some organizations exist to make money, while others produce fake news to promote specific ideologies. While some fake news is simple misinformation, children must learn how to spot it, so they do not spread it themselves.

Getting children to learn how to spot fake news through learning the types of fake news and its contents is a great way to help them develop critical thinking skills. In addition, it will enable them to understand the concept of agenda, reliability, and validity.

An autobiography is a literary genre that is a self-written account of a person’s life. It is often written by well-recognized or well-renowned people to inform readers of their thoughts and experiences, but anyone can write it.

Autobiographies can take many forms based on different types of writing – they can be based thematically, religiously, or written purely for personal reasons, for example.

The term ‘autobiography’ was first used in 1797 by William Taylor in the English periodical (magazine) The Monthly Review. However, it was used negatively and seen as formal and arrogant.

The word means self (auto), life (bio), and writing (graph).

But, they are the story of a person’s life written from the point of view of that person.

Memoirs and diaries are autobiographies but do not follow the same structure.

Who wrote the first autobiography?

Around the year 400A.D., Augustine, a Catholic Saint who was once Bishop of Hippo Regius, wrote what is considered one of the earliest autobiographies, which he called ‘Confessions.’

In it, he gives his account of his journey from apparent moral destitution to a return to Christianity and his spiritual roots. For many centuries and still today, it is considered a highly influential publication for the Western church.

What are the key features of an autobiography?

Autobiographies are written in the first person from the author’s point of view, using first-person pronouns such as I, me, and my.

They recount the events of the author’s life in chronological order, although they may sometimes use flashbacks for added effect. To describe these events, they will also use time connectives, such as:

• While
• Earlier
• Yesterday
• Last year
• Before

Autobiographies are usually very personal because the writer is connected to the events they are writing about. They include personal thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the possibilities and often describe how the events in their childhood or early life influenced them as a person. They also use literary devices such as adjectives, similes, and metaphors to describe these events.

Dates, times, individuals, and specific places are also used to describe the events in an autobiography. Again, it helps to make the writing a more accurate reflection of the person’s life as it indeed was.

Autobiographies usually end with the writer talking about what their hopes and plans for the future are. They reflect on what happened in the past and how this has influenced the person they are.

What is the difference between an autobiography and a biography?

The main difference between an autobiography and a biography is that the same person writes an autobiography that the text is about. In contrast, a biography is an individual’s history written by someone else.

Autobiographies are more personal and are based on the person’s thoughts, feelings, and memories. Biographies are written from an outside perspective in the third person. They recount a more objective view of the person’s life, although the author may include their opinions too.

You can identify an autobiography from a biography by whether the writer uses I, me, my (first-person pronouns) or she, he, or they (third-person pronouns).

Autobiographies for Children’s Literature

Many famous autobiographies have been written in the past. Here is a selection that does great reading for primary school children:

• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
• I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl
• Jacky Daydream by Jacqueline Wilson
• My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall
• Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

What is a double consonant? Examples of double consonant words.

A double consonant is a letter occurring twice in succession in a word. For example, the ‘nn’ in a tunnel is a double consonant. Double consonants are found in words that have a suffix added to them, for example, ‘beginning.’ To spot another example, is ‘happy’ a double consonant? Yes, the consonant ‘p’ here is doubled to protect the vowel in front of it. To learn more about this, continue reading to learn more spelling rules of double consonants.

What is the rule for double consonants?

There are a few spelling rules for using double consonants in your writing. Including:

The rabbit rule: A fun way to learn when to use double consonants is to understand the rabbit rule! The ‘Rabbit Rule’ is a commonly taught spelling rule that addresses the double consonant in words like ‘rabbit’ and ‘kitten.’The ‘Rabbit rule’ says that if a word has two syllables, the vowel is short, and only one consonant sound is placed between the vowels, then the consonant in the middle is doubled. So, for example, rabbit, happy, and kitten are all words with two syllables and a short vowel, meaning that the consonants ‘bb’, ‘pp,’ and ‘tt’ are doubled.

To summarise, if a word has:

• Two syllables
• The first vowel is short
• Only one consonant sound between the vowels

Then double that consonant! Like any spelling rule in English literacy, this spelling technique should be taught to guide students alongside other laws to double consonants.

Double consonants to protect a vowel: When you are adding a vowel suffix (a suffix that starts with a vowel, like ‘ing,’ ‘ed,’ and ‘able’), you should double the consonant before the suffix. Examples of double consonants used to protect the vowels include ‘stopped,’ ‘digging,’ and ‘falling.’

As you can see in these examples, the double consonant protects the vowel. One way to think of this is to think of the vowel suffix as an invader. Placing the double consonant between the short vowel and the suffix will protect its pronunciation and stop it from becoming a long vowel. In this case, there is a solid protective wall of the double consonant to separate the vowel and the suffix.