Additional support for BBC Bitesize daily lessons, including free activities. For the week 20th–24th April.
BBC Bitesize lesson support: Week 1
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Product tag: Oxford Dictionaries
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Flummoxed by fractions? Dismayed by decimals? Perplexed by percentages? Get tips for exploring these tricky concepts at home.
What to expect in Year 6 (age 10–11)
Find out what to expect in Year 6 at primary school as your child prepares for their Key Stage 2 SATs and the transition to secondary school.
What to expect in Year 1 (age 5–6)
Find out what your child will learn in the year 1 primary curriculum for literacy and maths and ways to support home learning. Learn more about the phonics screening test.
Books to inspire young scientists
Science and engineering provide fantastic career opportunities, but science is not just for scientists – it’s a huge part of everyday life. A good grounding in science will help every child to navigate their world and make good decisions. Isabel Thomas recommends books for ages 3–11 to inspire your young scientist.
Grammar & punctuation in Year 6 (age 10–11)
Learn how grammar and punctuation is taught in Year 6 and find out how to support your child at home, with lots of fun ideas and free activities.
2019 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year: Brexit
Brexit is the 2019 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year. Find out about children’s evolving use of language from analysis of stories from BBC 500 Words 2019.
Measurement in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will convert between metric and imperial units. They will find and use area and perimeter, capacity and volume, and units of time.
Moving on up (to secondary school)!
This year, the uncertainty around schools reopening could make moving up to big school even more daunting than usual. Here are our top tips on how to prepare.
What do the KS2 SATs scores mean?
Education expert James Clements explains what the KS2 SATs are, how scaled scores work, and what you can expect to hear from your child’s school.
Spelling in Year 1 (age 5–6)
In Year 1, your child will learn about the alphabet and will learn to spell some basic words. Find out how you can help your child with spelling at home.
What is Letters and Sounds?
Find out about this popular approach to helping children learn to read with phonics. Discover which graphemes, phonemes, and tricky words are taught in each phase.
Maths is everywhere!
Maths expert Louise Pennington shares her advice for developing your child’s maths skills during school closures by exploring maths in the real world.
Language unlocks reading – easy ways to support your child’s early language skills
A recent report highlights the link between children’s early language skills and their life chances. We look at simple everyday activities to boost your child’s communication, language and reading skills.
What to expect in Year 5 (age 9–10)
Find out what to expect in Year 5 at primary school as your child starts to embed the knowledge needed for the tests at the end of Year 6.
Choosing a secondary school
Author and teacher Jill Carter runs through what to consider when choosing a secondary school.
Spelling in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will be spelling more complicated words with increased accuracy. Find out how to help your child with spelling at home.
Progress with Oxford Age 9–10
Progress with Oxford activity books help develop essential English and Maths skills. Help your child practise times tables, grammar, handwriting and more.
Working with school (in strange times)
James Clements shares his advice on how we can work together with teachers to help our children be happy and confident at school, and gives his tips on getting the most out of parents’ evening.
Your local library – a forgotten treasure trove
Guest blogger and primary school librarian Clare Turner gives her top five reasons why you should visit the library with your child.
Spelling in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will write and read more, learning more complex spellings as they go. Find out how to help your child with spelling at home.
How to support your child during GCSEs – what to do and when
As your child starts studying for their GCSEs, Aaron Wilkes gives his advice on navigating the new exams and encouraging good study skills.
Writing non-fiction for fun
As writing for pleasure becomes less popular with children, Isabel Thomas emphasises the importance of writing non-fiction for fun.
Geometry & shapes
Understanding geometry is essential to be able to understand and describe the world around us. Discover what your child will learn at school and how you can help at home.
How to support your child as they start secondary school
Teacher and writer Jill Carter takes us through her tips for helping your child cope with the transition from primary to secondary school.
Overcoming maths anxiety and being #PositiveAboutNumbers
Derry Richardson talks about combating maths anxiety and becoming #PositiveAboutNumbers, with helpful practical tips for parents.
Early years
If your child is aged 3–4, the chances are that they are in some form of Early Years setting, whether at nursery, preschool, or with a childminder. Find out what they’ll be learning and how you can help.
What are reading schemes and why do they matter?
Educational publishing expert Andrea Quincey explains why reading schemes are important, and what the different colours, bands and levels actually mean.
8 fun ways to learn about shapes
Shapes are all around us and there are many ways you can start exploring them with your child. Get ideas on how to help familiarise your child with different shapes in all sorts of contexts.
4 top tips for writing great plots
Top tips for helping children develop great plots in their creative writing.
Learning to tell the time
Telling the time is an important skill in everyday life, but it can be tricky to learn. You can start to increase your child’s awareness of time from a young age with simple activities and games.
How to choose a book for ages 3–7
Children’s librarian Greta Paterson shares her 5 top tips for choosing books for 3–7 year olds.
Getting ready to start school
Read our top five tips for getting your child school-ready, download our Starting School checklist and print a certificate for your child.
How can I support my child with phonics?
There are so many easy things you can do to help support your child’s phonics learning. Here are a few ideas from phonics expert Laura Sharp.
Spelling in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child’s knowledge of spelling is assessed by their teacher and in the SPaG SATs test. Find out how you can help with spelling at home.
Why does your child need a dictionary?
Dictionaries are great for developing your child’s vocabulary, but not just any will do. Publisher Sam Armstrong explains how Oxford Children’s Dictionaries can support your child.
Key Stage 1 SATs
The National Curriculum tests or SATs can seem like a daunting part of your child’s education but, if you know what to expect, they don’t need to be scary for you or your child!
How Numicon can help develop maths skills at home
Early Years teacher and mother Sheila O’Reilly shows us how the 1st Steps with Numicon at Home kit can support your child’s early maths development.
Spelling in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will be spelling more complicated words with increased accuracy. Find out how to help your child with spelling at home.
Story sparks: find inspiration for your short story
When you look down at a blank piece of paper, inspiration can seem a long way away. Here are Christopher Edge’s top tips for coming up with story ideas.
How to write your best story ever!
Christopher Edge, author of ‘How to Write your Best Story Ever!’, shares his top 10 tips to help your child write amazing stories.
Science for fun – six super science activities to try at home
Six super science activities to try at home from Isabel Thomas. Bake a solar system, design a marble run, and sculpt with sugar!
Geometry & shapes in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will draw and build shapes using information about length and angles. They will plot points and shapes on a full coordinate grid, and will translate and reflect shapes.
Book of the Month: Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary
The Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary is packed with words ordered by phonic sound to help young children learn how to spell. Enter our competition to win a free copy.
Times tables: Practice makes perfect
Maths teacher and education expert Louise Pennington shares her favourite activities and games to help your child learn their times tables.
How to help your child do well at school
Being involved with your child’s education can make a huge difference to their success. Here are some helpful ideas for you to support your child’s learning.
Grammar & punctuation in Year 3 (age 7–8)
Learn how grammar and punctuation is taught in Year 3 and find out how to support your child at home, with lots of fun ideas and free activities.
Measurement in Year 1 (age 5–6)
In Year 1, your child will have explored measurement in relation to length, height, weight, volume, and time. They will also start to learn about money.
Using music for social and emotional development: Family activities from Amani Project
We’re working with Amani Project to help you make music and make change this summer! Get involved and complete the weekly activities to earn badges and find out more about Amani Project’s important work combining the power of music for children’s social and emotional development all around the world.
What to expect in Year 3 (age 7–8)
Find out what your child will learn in Year 3 as they enter Key Stage 2, and how you can support their learning at home.
Teaching number bonds (without any screens)
Lots of schoolwork is being set online at the moment. Here is one example from education expert James Clements of teaching maths skills without a screen.
Addition & subtraction in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will use a mental and written strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems. Find out how to help your child learn at home.
Reading: Age 3–4 (Early years)
Find out how your child’s reading skills will develop in nursery. Discover fun activities, ideas, and books to support your 3–4-year-old at home.
2018 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year: Plastic
Plastic has been revealed as the Children’s Word of the Year by Oxford University Press for the BBC 500 Words Competition. British children have once again shown themselves to be fabulously inventive, funny and socially astute.
Start calculating with Numicon
It can be hard making the jump from counting numbers to calculating. Sheila O’Reilly shares activities to introduce your child to addition and subtraction.
Mindfulness and mental health in children: five top tips for parents
How can you encourage mindfulness at home with your child, to support positive wellbeing and mental health? Liz Lord shares her tips for parents.
Read with Oxford Stage 4
Read with Oxford Stage 4 is for children who are beginning to read with more confidence. Find out about the series and browse our books and activities.
Multiplication & division in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, your child will recall multiplication and division facts for times tables up to 12 × 12. Help your child at home with our advice and activities.
Maths: Age 10–11 (Year 6)
In Year 6, your child will develop new skills to help solve more complex maths problems. Get tips and activites to help your 10- or 11-year-old at home.
Secondary school
Find out what your child will be learning when they start secondary school, and browse our books and resources to help their studies at home, from Year 7 to GCSEs and A Levels.
What to expect in Year 4 (age 8–9)
Find out what your child will learn in Year 4, and how you can support their learning at home.
Read with Oxford Stage 3
Read with Oxford is an exciting range of levelled books to build reading confidence at home. Use Stage 1 to start your child on their reading journey.
2020 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year: Coronavirus
Coronavirus is the 2020 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year. Find out about children’s evolving use of language from analysis of stories from BBC 500 Words 2020.
Spelling in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, your child will write and read more, learning more complex spellings as they go. Find out how to help your child with spelling at home.
Grammar & punctuation in Year 4 (age 8–9)
Learn how grammar and punctuation is taught in Year 4 and find out how to support your child at home, with lots of fun ideas and free activities.
500 Words: Black Lives Matter – how are British children responding to the emerging themes and issues in their writing?
Almost 6,000 children entered the writing competition in July 2020 and Oxford University Press’ analysis shines a light on children’s insight, empathy, and imagination when writing about race. Find out more.
English: Age 5–6 (Year 1)
In Year 1, your child’s reading, writing, and speaking skills will develop in leaps and bounds. Find out what they will learn at school and how to help at home.
Number & place value in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child will order numbers from 1 to 100, and will know the place value of two-digit numbers. Help at home with our activities and advice.
Money skills in a digital age
How to develop an understanding of money and healthy money habits in our children when there are fewer opportunities for them to see the real and physical exchange of cash.
Geometry & shapes in Year 1 (age 5–6)
In Year 1, your child will recognise 2D and 3D shapes and will explain simple turns (for example, a half-turn). They will use some basic geometry words, like sides and edges.
Everyday activities to practise subtraction
Subtraction is a key concept in the primary maths curriculum. Here are some easy activities you can try at home to build your child’s skills and confidence.
Back to school
Help your child get ready for the year ahead. Includes guides to starting primary and secondary school, free activities, and a year-by-year guide to primary school.
Using storytelling to develop reading and writing skills
Early reading specialist Emily Guille-Marrett talks about how oral storytelling can lay the foundations for literacy skills – as well as being great fun.
Fun Christmas activities for 0–4 year olds
From hand-print Christmas wreaths to games to develop shape recognition skills, discover lots of toddler-friendly crafts and activity ideas to try with your little ones this Christmas!
Building a strong vocabulary: How to help at home
Headteacher Tracey Smith shares her ideas for fun and easy games you can play to build your child’s vocabulary and boost their confidence with words.
Geometry & shapes in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will continue to learn the properties of shapes, will investigate right angles, and will understand perpendicular and parallel lines.
Addition & subtraction in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, your child will solve problems involving numbers up to four digits. Help your child learn at home with our activities, videos, and advice.
Developing reading skills as your child gets older
Once your child has mastered phonics and word-reading, where do they go next? Here are our ideas to keep your 7–11-year-old’s reading skills developing.
Reluctant readers
From ‘thinking outside the bookbag’ to reading for a purpose, children’s author and mum of three Isabel Thomas shares some great advice on helping reluctant readers get excited about books.
Maths education glossary: M to Z
Find helpful explanations of maths terms, as well as activities, downloadable sheets, and videos for further support. From measurements to word problems.
Book of the Month: Kitty and the Twilight Trouble
To celebrate the publication of the brand-new Kitty book, we have a bundle of books to give away! (February 2020)
BBC Bitesize lesson support: Week 2
Additional support for BBC Bitesize daily lessons, including free activities. For week 27th April–1st May.
Reading: Age 7–8 (Year 3)
Children in Year 3 will hopefully be on the way to becoming a confident, independent readers. Find out how you can support their reading development at home.
Reading: Age 9–10 (Year 5)
In Year 5, your child will be encouraged to read widely. Find out how to encourage them at home as they discover different types of language and writing.
Nelson guide for parents
Find out more about Nelson English and download worksheets to support your child’s learning during school closures.
The new GCSEs explained – what’s changed and how the new grades work
Teacher and writer Aaron Wilkes explains what the new 1–9 GCSE grades mean, how they will be used, and how they map onto the old A*–U GCSE grades.
Maths education glossary: A to L
Find helpful explanations of maths terms, as well as activities, downloadable sheets, and videos for further support. From arrays to long division.
Read with Oxford guide for parents
A parent guide to Read with Oxford Stages and our exciting range of carefully levelled books to help children learn to read at home. Developed by experts to support your child’s first steps in phonics through to being an independent reader.
Oxford Levels: How to support your 7–11-year-old’s reading development
Find out how Oxford Levels and levelled readers can support and develop your child’s reading skills even after they’ve learned how to read.
Reading: Age 8–9 (Year 4)
In Year 4, your child will be developing into an increasingly fluent reader. The focus will now be on building comprehension. Find out how to help them at home.
Learning to read in Reception
Find out what sort of books to expect to come home in your child’s book bag, and get top tips on how best to support your child.
Multiplication & division in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will find multiples and factors, and will solve more complex problems. Help your child learn at home with our advice and activities.
Addition & subtraction in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 1, your child will solve problems using objects, diagrams, and symbols. Help your child learn at home with our activities, videos, and advice.
Calculation in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in calculations. Help your child at home with our activities and advice.
Geometry & shapes in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child will learn to describe 2D and 3D shapes using accurate mathematical vocabulary. They will also learn to find 2D shapes in 3D shapes, to arrange shapes into patterns, and to talk about rotation.
Non-verbal reasoning
Parents with children in Year 6 will probably hear about non-verbal reasoning a lot. But what exactly is non-verbal reasoning?
Book of the Month: Roald Dahl Words of Magical Mischief
Celebrate Roald Dahl Story Day with Roald Dahl Words of Magical Mischief, a brand-new, wickedly mischievous guide to the magical words!
Learn to read with phonics
What is phonics? Find out in our phonics guide for parents. Learn about Letters and Sounds, the phonics screening test, and how to practice phonics at home.
Multiplication & division in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will learn to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number. Help your child learn at home with our advice and activities.
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