New KS2 Grammar Tests (2)
These posts are in response to the new KS2 Grammar tests to be introduced in May 2013. If you haven’t got the Standards and Testing Agency information about this, you can download a PDF of it here. The posts I shall be publishing will cover these areas of the KS2 Grammar Tests: Sentence forms and [...]
New KS2 Grammar Tests (1)
In this series of posts I shall set out some first reactions to the grammatical elements in the planned new ‘English grammar, punctuation and spelling test’ for Key Stage 2 (KS2). They are based on the document issued by the Standards & Testing Agency (STA) in July. A copy of the STA document (STA/12/5836; ISBN: [...]
We are experiencing a high volume of requests
There are frustrations in publishing with iBooks Author… Communicating with Apple is not one of the more enjoyable features of publishing iBooks, as anyone who has clicked on ‘Contact us’ at iTunes Connect will confirm.
Using iBooks Author – layout and typography
One of the pleasures of using iBooks Author is that it will give you as much structure, or as little, as you want. You stay in control.
Using iBooks Author – fixed layout or flowable?
I’ve just finished formatting Grammar for Teachers as an iBook, using iBooks Author, Apple’s free app for making iBooks. In this article I’ll set out what I think are the most important features for educational authors like me. In later articles I’ll explain a bit more about how it can be used.
5 reasons for not using iBooks Author
… and why I am using it I started using iBooks Author just over three weeks ago. In that time I have reformatted one of my books, Grammar for Teachers (more details here), using this new Apple software, turning it into an attractive, colourful, interactive textbook.
Essay writing: make a plan.
A standard piece of advice about essay writing is that you should make a plan. I used to think – and some people still do think – that this is a linear process: generate ideas —> research —> plan. But of course it isn’t as simple as that.
Essay writing: answer the question!
If you find yourself struggling with essay writing, it’s often because you haven’t understood the question, or haven’t defined it clearly enough in your own mind. Essay writing problems are really thinking problems.
Ten ways to improve your vocabulary
If you want to improve your command of English words, you need to take a positive and active approach to developing your vocabulary. Here’s a simple ten-point plan to help you get a grip on words.
Lexis is here!
It’s been a long time in the making, but my latest title, Lexis – an introduction to English words is finally available. You can see full details here. Lexis takes a relaxed and – I hope – entertaining look at our vocabulary.