LEARNING LEAFLETS
What are learning leaflets and why are we using them?
The amount of information that can be held in an individual’s working memory is limited. Our Learning Leaflets help to free up working memory when children first meet a new area of learning. Through careful, planned use of these documents, children will be given regular opportunities to retrieve and recall this key knowledge and demonstrate vital skills helping them to, over time, integrate this new learning into their long-term memory and make lasting connections that foster understanding.
Learning Leaflets include key vocabulary with definitions, dates and timelines, maps, significant individuals and other contextual knowledge along with key skills the children will need to demonstrate. We expect the majority of children to know the information on the learning leaflet by the end of the unit of work and be able to recall key detail.
The facts on the Learning Leaflet are the crystallised, necessary information about a topic but they don't represent the topic in its entirety and many children will have a far deeper understanding and be able to discuss and elaborate much further.
How do teachers use learning leaflets?
- Set the scene: show the learning leaflet at the start of the lesson, and draw attention to the facts that pupils will explore and how these fit into the bigger picture
- Assess pupils' knowledge: give pupils a 'blanked out' learning leaflet as an end-of-unit assessment, to help judge how much of the intended curriculum pupils have actually learned
- Check previous knowledge: give pupils the learning leaflet for a previously covered topic at intervals that get increasingly longer, to help them revisit and retain key facts
- Make clear links with prior and future learning: when lesson planning, teachers study learning leaflets from previous or later year groups/units to quickly get a sense of what pupils have previously covered or need to know for future units
- Ensure progression: tailor key concepts and vocabulary on the learning leaflet so that they become increasingly complex and ensure pupils are progressing – for example as the children get older they may have more prompts or general points.
How do pupils use learning leaflets?
The pupils at Wolston St Margaret’s use learning leaflets in a variety of ways, such as:
- Self and peer assessment
- As a discussion prompt
- To make links between previous and future topic
- To keep students informed of their learning journey
The learning leaflet also provides a vital link between home and school to highlight key vocabulary, knowledge and skills in order to support home learning.
How are learning leaflets used to support assessment in foundation subjects?
At Wolston St Margaret’s we believe the purpose of assessment is to improve the standard of teaching and learning in our school and therefore support the children in reaching their true academic ability.
Assessment of the foundation subjects at our school is based on teacher assessment. A judgement is reached through marking, discussion, quizzes, assessment of pupils’ work both written and oral and observed. Learning leaflets contain much of the necessary vocabulary, skills and knowledge needed to achieve the expected standard in a topic and therefore provides a consistent benchmark for both pupils and teachers.
LEARNING LEAFLETS CAN BE FOUND ON CURRICULUM SUBJECT PAGES
