KS2 English for Teachers and Home Educators
Hands-On Education: A Unique Approach to English for Key Stage 2
KS2 English Topics from Hands-On Education
The English national curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing pupils' skills in spelling, writing, grammar, punctuation, reading, and poetry. These skills are essential for effective communication, both in personal and professional contexts.
In terms of spelling, pupils are expected to learn and apply the rules of English spelling, including the use of prefixes, suffixes, and root words. They are also taught to use strategies such as phonics and mnemonics to help them improve their spelling.
Hands-On Education deliver content that children find fun while being full of facts. Our resources have proven to be a highly effective way for pupils to develop their skills in English.
In writing, educators should focus on developing pupils' ability to write clearly, coherently, and persuasively. This includes understanding the different types of writing, such as narratives, descriptions, and arguments, as well as how to structure their writing effectively.
Grammar and punctuation are also important components of the English National Curriculum. Pupils are taught with resources to understand the different parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives, as well as how to use them correctly in sentences. They also find out about the different types of punctuation, such as commas, full stops, and apostrophes, and how to use them to clarify meaning and structure.
Reading in the English Curriculum
Reading is another key focus of the English curriculum, with an emphasis on developing pupils' ability to understand and analyse different types of texts. They will use resources to ask questions and develop opinions in fiction and non-fiction books as well as poetry. Pupils are taught to use strategies such as skimming, scanning, and inference to help them read books and poetry more effectively.
The National Curriculum for England places a strong emphasis on poetry, with a focus on developing pupils' ability to understand and appreciate the content. They should also learn to practice the different forms of poetry, as well as write their own using a range of techniques.
Great Reads for 7 – 11 Year Old’s
Children's literature content is typically characterized by its simplicity, humour, and imaginative storyline. Three popular children's book series that have captured the hearts of young readers around the world are: The Bad Guys created by Aaron Blabey, Tom Gates created by Liz Pichon, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid created by Jeff Kinney.
- The Bad Guys is an Australian series of books that follows a group of animal characters who are trying to be good. The series is known for its humour and quirky illustrations.
- Tom Gates is a British series of fiction and graphic books that follow the life of Tom Gates, a young boy who loves music and doodling. The books are known for their unique format, which includes doodles and illustrations throughout the text.
- The Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an American series that follows the life of Greg Heffley, a middle school student who navigates the challenges of adolescence. The books are famous for their humorous illustrations and relatable characters.
All three of these series have become extremely popular among young readers, and for good reason. They offer engaging stories, relatable characters, and humorous illustrations that make reading fun and enjoyable. These series have become beloved classics of children's literature and continue to inspire and entertain young readers around the world.
English Reading Resources
Hands-On Education deliver content that children find fun while being full of facts. Our resources have proven to be a highly effective way for pupils to develop their skills in English. In the case of English language learning, a comprehensive Booklist can be an excellent tool for facilitating hands-on learning.
There are many ideal storybooks available that can help pupils develop their reading and writing abilities, as well as their knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling. English adventure stories are particularly engaging and can capture the imagination of pupils at different levels.
KS2 Book Recommendations
One key stage 2 English book that is highly recommended is: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. This classic tale is filled with adventure and magic, while also providing ample opportunities for pupils to recognize and practice proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Other books that can be included in a comprehensive Booklist for key stage 2 English pupils include Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. All of these books are engaging stories that can help pupils keep on track in their English language skills.
A comprehensive Booklist along with other resources is an excellent tool for promoting hands-on learning in key stage 2 English. By including English adventure stories and other engaging books, pupils can develop their reading and writing abilities while also improving their knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Curriculum Ideas to Successful English Teaching
Successful English teaching in Key Stage 2 (KS2) requires careful planning, engaging activities, and effective resources. The National Curriculum of England provides a framework for teaching English in KS2, with a focus on developing children's comprehension skills and reading fluency.
To support comprehension at all ages, it is essential to provide a range of reading materials at an appropriate level. These can include fiction and non-fiction books, poetry and plays. When planning reading activities, it is important to consider the child’s reading level, interest of the material, and level of support being offered.
Hands-On Education support teaching English through fun activities for parents and teachers. With plenty of resources and teacher/parent created materials we create the ideal platform for learning. Alongside careful planning, practice, engaging activities, and effective resources your child’s understanding comprehension skills of books and poetry can quickly develop.
If you are looking beyond KS2 be sure to explore more of our exclusive topics. We cover key stage one learning across the national curriculum for England in: