Home School Learning
This page contains links to useful websites, National Test past papers for children to practice and will contain links to other websites that may be of interest to you or your child.
Useful Websites
These are the websites our children use on a daily basis in school. They have usernames and passwords to access these sites.
Recommended Software
Free Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is now FREE to learners in Wales.
Simply log in to Hwb and download Office 365 (worth up to £69) on up to 15 of your personal devices.
Office includes: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, OneNote, Outlook and Skype for Business.
You can also access Minecraft Education Edition for free too!
Minecraft Education Edition is an open-world game that promotes creativity, collaboration and problem-solving in an immersive environment.
For help on how to get your free software visit: https://hwb.gov.wales/Microsoft
National Test Past Papers
Click on the star to access all National Test past papers. Remember, practice makes perfect!!
Other useful websites
- Cbeebies Radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio (Listening activities for the younger ones)
- The Imagination Tree https://theimaginationtree.com (Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest)
- Red Ted Art https://www.redtedart.com (Easy arts and crafts for little ones)
- Oxford Owl for Home https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/ (Lots of free resources for Primary age)
- BBC Learning http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/ (This site is old and no longer updated and yet there is so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer)
- https://www.scholastic.com/learnathome/
- Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/ (Creative computer programming)
- National Geographic Kids https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/ (Activities and quizzes for younger children)
- Nature Detectives https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/ (A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location)
- The Artful Parent https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/ (Good, free art activities)
- Tinkercad https://www.tinkercad.com (All kinds of making)
- Toy Theater https://toytheater.com/ (Educational online games)
- Science in the kitchen – https://www.sciencekiddo.com/kitchen-science-experiments/
- DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/?fbclid=IwAR2wJdpSJSeITf4do6aPhff8A3tAktnmpaxqZbkgudD49l71ep8-sjXmrac (Activities and quizzes)
- Geography ideas – explore maps – Can you find the continents on a world map?
Can you follow your route to school on a road map? Find some famous landmarks – where are they? Look at the packaging of your food – what country does it come from? Which continent is that on?
Distance Learning Resources
The following are links to resources to help with distance learning.
Whole School Resources
Twinkle – Twinkle are offering a month’s free access to parents to help with teaching resources at home.
www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and enter the code PARENTSTWINKLHELPS
Hwb - Hwb have produced guidance for schools and pupils, highlighting what tools are available through the Hwb platform. This includes guides for both Office365 and G-Suite.
https://hwb.gov.wales/distance-learning/
YouTube – YouTube has numerous videos and channels that could be utilised for distance learning. Links to useful videos can be recorded and sent via emails, J2E tiles, etc.
Office365– Office365 has many tools that can be used for distance learning. Office365 can be accessed by any device that has internet access including mobile and gaming devices A few of the more useful tools are:
Microsoft OneDrive - Microsoft OneDrive allows the user to access files from anywhere there is an internet connection.
Microsoft Outlook – Microsoft Outlook is an email client that all hwb users have access too. It is encouraged that pupils are able to access their emails and use it as a communication tool.
Microsoft Teams – Microsoft teams delivers a platform for collaboration and communication. Classes can be set up easily using the pupils Hwb credentials. Within the team/class, group conversations can be had, resources can be shared, assignments set and one to one or group calls can be made.
An example of its use can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN5ypuZF1bI
Microsoft Forms – Microsoft forms is an application that enables questionnaires and quizzes. This can be used to test knowledge of pupils. If multiple-choice questions are used, the application will be able to “Mark” the quiz and provide a result of the test. Links to the forms can be sent to the pupils.
A video of how to create a quiz can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IsGxoezzZA
Google G-Suite – G-Suite is a set of tools similar to Office365. Some of the main tools for distance learning are:
Google Classroom – Google classroom is a tool similar to Microsoft Teams that allows communication and collaboration. Classes can be set up easily via Hwb. Within the team/class, group conversations can be had, resources can be shared and assignments set.
A video of how to set up a classroom can be seen here: https://youtu.be/GIN-EtPa0lw
Google Meet – Google Meet is a Video Call tool similar to skype. Can be used for multiple users.
Google Forms – Google forms can be used in a similar way to Microsoft Forms
Just2Easy – Just2Easy is a collection of tools again similar to Office365, designed specifically for schools. Most pupils in Swansea will familiar with the tool set that allows pupils to access classwork at home. Some tools that maybe useful are:
J2Blast – A Bilingual online Spelling and Times tables Tests. These can be played by the pupils on their own or in a competition setting. Personalised Wordlists can be added for the spelling tests.
J2Code – A setting of computational thinking tools that pupils can access on their own, with online lesson plans to guide.
FlipGrid - Flipgrid is a Hwb based application that allows a simple way to have short video-based discussions on classroom topics. This is a quick guide https://static.flipgrid.com/docs/Flipgrid-Remote-Learning.pdf
Kahoot – Kahoot is a game based learning platform, where teachers can set quiz-like questions and tasks. Kahoot are offering premium access at present. https://kahoot.com/access-kahoot-premium-for-free/
Quizlet - Quizlet makes simple learning tools that let you study anything with flashcards, games and learning tools. https://quizlet.com/en-gb
Teachers Toolkit – Teacher toolkit is a collection of resources that could be helpful. Here is a useful blog post “47 Ideas: How To Teach Online” https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/2020/03/15/how-to-teach-online/
Khan Academy - Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it's mostly common material. https://www.khanacademy.org
BBC Learning - This site is old and no longer updated and yet there is much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
Futurelearn - Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account). https://www.futurelearn.com
Seneca - For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material. https://www.senecalearning.com
Ted Ed - All sorts of engaging educational videos. https://ed.ted.com
The Kids Should See This - Wide range of cool educational videos. https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Crash Course - You Tube videos on many subjects - https://thecrashcourse.com
Crash Course Kids - As above for a younger audience - https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
Oxford Owl - Reading resources for all ages - www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Hamilton Trust – Free teaching resources https://www.hamilton-trust.org.uk/
Specific Subject Areas
Welsh
Featured Apps – Link to apps being featured by the “Welsh in Education Team”
Additional Links – Link to a PowerPoint that include beneficial website links
Music
Sibelius is available with a 90 day free trial for users. Further information can be found here: https://cdn-www.avid.com/-/media/avid/files/corona-virus-2020/creative-product-foc-license-instructions.pdf?la=en&v=20200315143221
Science
A number of Science Resources can be accessed through this link, provided by ERW. This includes GCSE revision.
The Children’s University of Manchester website is an excellent interactive resource in which your child can browse a number of different science topics which have a quiz at the end of each unit.
Mystery Science - Free science lessons. https://mysteryscience.com
Crest Awards - Science awards you can complete from home. https://www.crestawards.org
Maths
Maths platform www.99math.com has developed a special version to bring learners together virtually is making it free to use and will organise daily webinars for teachers.
Online learning platform, Sumdog, has a number of engaging and challenging maths and literacy games that your child can use to enhance their learning at home.
Prodigy Maths - Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age. https://www.prodigygame.com
Languages
Language-learning application www.Lingvist.com is opening up its platform to schools for free until the end of the school year.
Innovative language-learning application www.Speakly.me is opening its web and mobile applications up to schools for free until the end of the school year.
Duolingo - Learn languages for free. Web or app. https://www.duolingo.com
British Council - Resources for English language learning. https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Foundation Phase
ALPA Kids, https://alpa.ee/en/ , an early education learning platform, is also offering its content for free.
Cbeebies Radio - Listening activities for the younger ones. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Nature Detectives - A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location! https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/
Top Marks – Teaching resources for Foundation Phase. www.topmarks.co.uk Scratch - Creative computer programming
Computer Science
Blockly - Learn computer programming skills - fun and free. https://blockly.games
Scratch - Creative computer programming - https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Hour of Code – Short coding games with small challenges. https://hourofcode.com/uk
Minecraft – Online coding/gaming platform that can be used for educational purposes. This can be downloads and accessed using Hwb credentials. https://hwb.gov.wales/support-centre/hwb-services/microsoft/minecraft-education-edition
iDEA Awards - Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online. https://idea.org.uk
Geography
Geography Games - Geography gaming! https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Virtual field trips – Here is a link to 30 virtual field trips that pupils can use at home. Link
History
Big History Project - Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities. https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Art
Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone. https://krita.org/en/
Red Ted Art - Easy arts and crafts for little ones. https://www.redtedart.com
The Imagination Tree - Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest. https://theimaginationtree.com
Welsh
Featured Apps – Link to apps being feature by the “Welsh in Education Team”
Additional Links – Link to a PowerPoint that include beneficial website links
Additional Learning needs
SEN Teacher – A collection of teaching resources aimed at pupils with additional learning needs www.SENteacher.org
ALN Support Website
Speech link are launching their Parent Portal and will be live from Friday 20th March and will provide parents with FREE speech and language advice, resources and activities.
The site can be found at https://speechandlanguage.info/parents