This Real Grammar resources pack provides everything that you need to successfully explore how to leave single spaces between words when writing (finger spaces) with your pupils in Year 1 or to revisit this learning. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to create a complete resource to teach children about finger spaces. Year 1 pupils should also learn how to punctuate complete sentences with capital letters and full stops - separate Real Grammar KS1 grammar teaching resources are available for these key objectives.
What are finger spaces?
‘Finger spaces’ is the term used to describe the spaces that are needed between each word when writing.
Why is it important to teach how to leave spaces between words?
Spaces are very important when writing as they show where one word ends and another begins. Sentences can be very hard to read without finger spaces:
Iwenttothepark.
Without spaces between each word, the sentence is very difficult to read.
I went to the park.
It is now clear where one word ends and the next one begins.
What is included in this resource pack?
This pack is divided into five parts:
- TEACH
This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce finger spaces to your pupils. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.
- PRACTISE
An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.
- REVISIT
A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.
- APPLY
A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.
- REVISE
Three SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.
Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks.
Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.
How is this resource pack differentiated?
The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:
- Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
- Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
- Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.
SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.
What pupil-facing resources are included?
- TEACH
PPT slides; model text ‘Outside the window’; finger space prompt template; teaching script
- PRACTISE
Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets
- REVISIT
Game 1
- APPLY
PDF images of views from a window; word mat; writing scaffold
- REVISE
PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets
Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.