Kempston Education Trust

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Robert Bruce

Middle School

Preparation

Booklet for KS2

SATS

SATS – GENERAL INFORMATION

As you are no doubt aware, your child will be taking KS2 tests in English and Maths in May. This booklet is intended to give you information relating to the tests and ways in which you can support your child at home.

PURPOSE OF THE TESTS

The Key Stage 2 tests are designed to test pupils’ knowledge and understanding at the end of the KS2 Programme of Study. They provide a snapshot of a pupil’s attainment at the end of the Key Stage. Alongside the test results you will also receive a teacher assessment. Tests are designed for pupils working between levels 3 and 5. Pupils working below Level 3 will not be entered for the tests and will be given a teacher assessed level.

DATES OF THE TESTS

ENGLISH - Monday 10^th and Tuesday 11^th May

MATHS - Wednesday 12^th and Thursday 13^th May

All tests take place during the morning. Please make sure that your child attends school this week as tests cannot be taken at any other time.

HOW DOES SCHOOL PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE TESTS?

· All material likely to appear in the tests will have been covered.

· Pupils will have worked on past papers to help familiarise them with the layout of the tests.

· Help with reading, where allowed, is given to pupils in the Maths tests.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD?

· Take an interest in what your child is learning at school – look in their exercise books.

· Encourage your child to do their homework.

· Ask your child what their targets are for English and Maths and what they need to do to achieve those targets.

· Use the guidance given in this booklet by the English and Maths leaders. The websites mentioned are useful and user – friendly.

· Nearer the test dates encourage your child to revise for a short period of time every day. The revision guides given to your child by school will cover all the necessary information.

· Encourage your child to eat breakfast and to bring water to school on the test days. School will also provide refreshments.

We hope that you find this booklet helpful. If you or your child has any concerns regarding the tests please do not hesitate to contact their form tutor. By working together, we will ensure that your child approaches the tests in a positive frame of mind and therefore reaches their full potential.

Mrs L Glover – Assistant Headteacher.

Preparing for the Maths SATs

When will the Maths SATs take place?

The Maths SATs tests will take place over two days Wednesday 12^th May and Thursday 13^th May 2010.

Wednesday 12^th May

Mental Maths Test (20 mins).

Paper A – Non Calculator (45 mins).

Thursday 13^th May

Paper B – Calculator Paper (45 mins).

What do the Maths SATs involve?

There are three mathematics tests:

· test A (a non-calculator paper)

· test B (a calculator paper)

· mental mathematics test.

Tests A and B have 40 marks each; the mental mathematics test has 20 marks, giving

a total of 100 marks.

Pupils’ marks from all three tests will be added together to calculate their overall mathematics score out of 100 and a level will then be awarded.

A level 4 is usually awarded if the child gains ~ 48 marks out of 100. A level 5 is usually awarded if a child gains ~ 78 marks out of 100.

What is the structure of the Maths SATs papers?

Tests A and B

· These are written tests.

· Pupils are allowed 45 minutes for each of tests A and B.

· Pupils are not allowed to use a calculator for test A. Calculators are allowed for test B.

Mental mathematics test

· This is a recorded test that lasts around 20 minutes.

· There are 20 questions.

· Pupils have to answer each question in the allocated time.

· The questions are designed to test mental recall and agility. Pupils may write down mathematical workings if they wish. Marks will not be deducted or awarded for any workings shown on the answer sheets.

· Calculators are not allowed for the mental mathematics test.

· Other than pens and pencils, pupils must not use any equipment for the mental mathematics test, for example rulers or protractors. Pupils must not use rubbers as rubbing out is not allowed.

What will be tested?

The children will be tested on their understanding of mathematics through word problems. The areas that will be assessed are: Using and applying mathematics (Ma1), Number and algebra (Ma2), Shape, space and measures (Ma3) and Handling data (Ma4).

In school, with the introduction of the new curriculum for numeracy the children are taught in five blocks over each term covering the key aspects of the 4 attainment targets above. I have included the key vocabulary from each of these blocks at the end that the children will be using in year 6. This vocabulary will be used in lessons in school and in the tests.

How can you help your child at home?

Encourage your child to do their homework and discuss what they have been doing in class.

Encourage your child to learn their multiplication tables and their division facts up to 12 x 12.

Ask your child to help in the measuring out when you are cooking at home.

Take your child shopping and ask them to add 3 or 4 items in their head, perhaps ask them how much change they think they will get from £5 or £10.

Use the mathematics toolkit that has been provided for your child and help them revise from this.

Do small but frequent revision, on websites as well as from the revision guides.

Try and ensure that your child has their equipment, pencil, ruler, protractor and eraser for lessons.

Useful and fun Maths websites to support learning

www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT

YEAR 6 SAT PAST PAPERS which include mathematics papers, mark schemes and transcripts of the mental maths tests. They can all be downloaded free from the website.

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/

This website has several fun online interactive activities to help you not only improve your mental maths skills, but also to help with your SATs Revision too! The pages are aimed at 7 -11 year olds.

www.samlearning.co.uk

The website that the school has bought into to help children with their revision. Each child has their own login and can monitor their progress with online tests.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/

Maths revision for KS 2 children.

www.halton.gov.uk/schools/weblinks/numeracylinks_ks2-pupils.htm

This website has useful links to interactive activities designed to improve understanding of mathematics. Contents of KS2 Numeracy Websites for Pupils. General · Numbers and the Numeracy System · Fractions · Co-ordinates · Shape and Space · Problem Solving.

Below is a list of key vocabulary that children should be using in school when they are learning the mathematics in block C.

problem, solution, calculate, calculation, method, explain, reasoning, reason, predict, pattern, relationship, classify, represent, analyse, interpret

fair, unfair, risk, doubt, likely, unlikely, equally likely, likelihood, certain, uncertain, probable, possible, impossible, chance, good chance, poor chance, no chance, equal chance, even chance, outcome, biased, random

estimate, measure, standard metric units of measurement and their abbreviations

data, information, survey, questionnaire, graph, chart, table, scale, interval, division, horizontal axis, vertical axis, axes, label, title, pictogram, bar chart, bar-line chart, line graph, pie chart

frequency, mode, maximum/minimum value, range, mean, average, median, statistics

Block D - Calculating, measuring and understanding shape Vocabulary

Below is a list of key vocabulary that children should be using in school when they are learning the mathematics in block D.

problem, solution, answer, method, strategy, compare, order, explain, predict, reason, reasoning, pattern, relationship

operation, calculation, calculate, equation, decimal, decimal point, decimal place, add, subtract, multiply, divide, sum, total, difference, plus, minus, product, quotient, remainder, calculator, memory, display, key, enter, clear

numerator, denominator, divisible by, multiple, factor

measure, estimate, approximately, metric unit, standard unit, length, distance, perimeter, area, surface area, mass, weight, capacity, angle, degree (), angle measurer, protractor, set-square, balance, scales, units of measurement and their abbreviations, pound (£), penny/pence (p)

position, direction, reflection, reflective symmetry, line of symmetry, mirror line, rotation, centre of rotation, clockwise, anticlockwise, translation, origin, coordinates, x-coordinate, y-coordinate, x-axis, y-axis, axes, quadrant

Year 6 Block E - Securing number facts, relationships and calculating Vocabulary

Below is a list of key vocabulary that children should be using in school when they are learning the mathematics in block E.

problem, solution, calculator, calculate, calculation, jotting, equation, operation, symbol, inverse, answer, method, strategy, explain, predict, reason, reasoning, pattern, relationship

add, subtract, multiply, divide, sum, total, difference, plus, minus, product, quotient, remainder, multiple, common multiple, factor, divisor, divisible by

decimal fraction, decimal place, decimal point, percentage, per cent (%)

fraction, proper fraction, improper fraction, mixed number, numerator, denominator, unit fraction, equivalent, cancel

proportion, ratio, in every, for every, to every

I hope this will be of use to you in helping your children prepare for the forthcoming SATs tests. If you have any further questions about the tests please feel free to contact me.

Laura Wren

Maths Coordinator

Preparing for the English SATs

All Year 6 pupils working at Level 3 or above in English will take the English SATs. During the course of the year, teachers assess the progress made and monitor pupils’ levels within their classes. As parents, you will be informed of your child’s level each term

What do the English SATs involve?

The English SATs take place on two separate days, starting with Reading and moving on to Writing and Spelling on the second day. This year the English SATs will be held on Monday 10^th and Tuesday 11^th May.

The Reading Test takes an hour in total, which includes 15 minutes to read the text booklet and 45 minutes to answer questions on the texts read.

The Writing Tests are made up of a Short Writing Task (20 minutes) and Spelling Test, followed by a Long Writing Task (45 minutes). There will be a break between the tests

What will be tested?

Pupils are tested on a range of reading, writing and spelling skills.

In the Reading Test, pupils are assessed on their comprehension of a range of texts which may include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The text booklet should be referred to throughout the test to support their answers.

In the Writing Tasks, marks are awarded for:

• Sentence structure and punctuation (varied sentences with correct punctuation)

• Text structure and organisation (including sequencing and use of paragraphs)

• Composition and effect ( writing imaginative and interesting pieces, appropriate to the task)

• Handwriting (in the Long Writing Task only)

In the Spelling Test, pupils are tested on a selection of 20 words, using a range of spelling strategies. These words will be inserted into gaps in a passage, which will be read aloud.

What types of Writing Tasks are there?

Writing Tasks vary from year to year. Pupils may be asked to write fiction or non-fiction, depending on the task.

Fiction

Recent tests have included writing:

• the opening to a mystery story (Short Writing Task)

• a short story based on picture prompts (Long Writing Task)

• a playscript for a scene in a family setting (Long Writing Task)

Non-Fiction

The variety of non-fiction tasks is much larger. Examples of tasks include writing:

• memories of the school year (Short Writing Task)

• an eyewitness account of an accident (Short Writing Task)

• the biography of an imaginary figure (Long Writing Task)

• a speech about a school issue (Long Writing Task)

• the text for a leaflet on environmental issues (Long Writing Task)

Preparing for the Writing Tests

With such a wide range of possible writing tasks, it is important that pupils are prepared for any type of writing.

During Year 6, pupils:

· revise the key text types (see chart provided)

· build upon essential writing skills (punctuation, paragraphing and proof-reading)

· develop a wider range of vocabulary, including spelling

· practise working on past papers

At home, you can:

· have a look at your child’s English homework, following work in lessons

· encourage them to revise, using revision guides and websites ( in small chunks)

· help them to practise their spellings

· make sure your child is well equipped with a good pen (eg Berol Handwriting)

Non-Fiction Text Types

Text Type	Structure	Language Features
Recount Purpose: To retell an event e.g. Diary, Newspaper Report	· Introduction · Events · Summary	Past tense, First/Third Person
Instructions Purpose: To instruct e.g. Recipes, Games	· Aim · What you need · What you do	Quantities, Present Tense, Imperative Verbs, Second Person, Time Connectives, Adverbs
Non-chronological report Purpose: To give information e.g. Animals, Cars, Music	· Title · Introduction · Paragraphs about various aspects of the subject · Rounding off statement	Mainly Present Tense, Technical Vocabulary, Adjectives, Impersonal Voice
Explanation Purpose: To explain how or why e.g. How something works	· Title · Introduction · Paragraph to describe parts of the subject · Paragraph to explain how or why · Rounding off	Mainly Present Tense, Time Connectives, Cause and Effect Connectives (as, so that), Technical Vocabulary
Argument Purpose: To present one or more points of view e.g. Uniform, Homework, Pollution Issues	· Title · Identify the issue · Points to support the issue/ points against · Summary	Present/Past Tense, Connectives (therefore, so, but, however, finally), Evidence

It is also important to know and use:

· Verbs, using the correct tense for a piece of writing

· Adjectives to improve description

· Adverbs to explain how a verb is done

· Nouns, including Proper Nouns using capital letters

What is expected in the Reading Test?

Pupils are expected to:

· read a booklet to themselves in 15 minutes

· understand a range of texts, sometimes fiction and non-fiction

· scan the text to look for evidence when answering questions

· provide clear answers based on the text or their own opinions

During Year 6, pupils:

· read different texts in lessons and develop their comprehension skills

· choose their own books for individual reading

· practise past papers

At home, you can:

· encourage your child to read daily

· ask them about what they are reading

· suggest different types of reading material, eg newspapers, non-fiction books

Useful Websites (Select Key Stage 2 English)

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise offers a range of interactive Reading, Writing, Spelling and Grammar activities.

www.samlearning.co.uk has Revision Exercises and Tests to try out. Pupils have their own login and can monitor their progress.

www.parentsintouch.co.uk provides information for parents and examples of past papers upon registration (a fee is required for full access).

Hopefully you will have found this information of use. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Sue Luscombe

English Coordinator