Why a Mock Exam Is About Far More Than a Score With the first of my annual SEAG Transfer Test mock exams weeks away, many parents have been asking whether mock examinations are really worthwhile. After running them for the past five years, my answer is always the same: absolutely. However, probably not for the Read more about The Power of SEAG Transfer Test Mock Exams[…]
Why Asking One Question Can Help an Entire Group Questions children don’t ask are often the biggest barriers to learning. As a teacher and tutor, I’ve realised that the children who appear the quietest aren’t always the ones who understand the most. In fact, some of the biggest breakthroughs happen after a child finally asks Read more about The Questions Children Don’t Ask[…]
Looking Beyond the Words on the Page Poetry comprehension encourages children to slow down, think carefully and look beyond the words on the page. In many ways, it teaches some of the most valuable skills required throughout primary school English, including vocabulary development, inference, literary analysis and supporting ideas using evidence from a text. With Read more about Poetry Comprehension: Helping Children Look Beyond the Words[…]
Every Mistake Tells Us Something Learning from mistakes is one of the most effective ways children develop confidence and understanding. One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that mistakes are something children should try to avoid. In reality, mistakes are one of the most valuable parts of learning. Whether a child is preparing Read more about Learning from Mistakes: Helping Children Make Progress[…]
Primary 6 SEAG: Why a Gentle Start Helps Primary 6 SEAG preparation often feels more real for families as children move from Primary 5 to Primary 6. For some families, Primary 6 marks the beginning of the journey towards the SEAG Transfer Test. Every year, I speak to parents who are unsure whether they should Read more about Primary 6 SEAG: Getting a Head Start This Summer[…]
Keeping Learning Ticking Over SEAG Transfer Test preparation often becomes a major focus for families as the summer holidays approach, but maintaining the right balance remains essential. With the summer holidays now less than two weeks away, many families are looking forward to a well-earned break. After a busy year, children deserve the opportunity to Read more about SEAG Transfer Test Preparation and Avoiding the Summer Slide[…]
SEAG Transfer Test Preparation and Registration SEAG Transfer Test preparation is now beginning to feel very real for many Primary 6 families as registration officially opens. One of the most important things to remember is that there is still plenty of time. Parents have until 18th September to register their child, so there is no Read more about SEAG Transfer Test Preparation: Advice for Parents[…]
A Positive Start to SEAG Practice Tests SEAG practice tests have now begun for many Primary 6 pupils, and after the first week, I have to say I am incredibly proud of the effort the children have shown. For many, this was their first experience of completing a full paper, and they approached it with Read more about P6 SEAG Practice Tests: A Balanced Approach[…]
SEAG practice tests are now beginning to feature more regularly for many Primary 6 pupils. This week, I have assigned my first test, and I am also aware that some schools have started introducing practice papers in class. If your child has not yet begun, there is no need for concern. Different schools take different Read more about P6 SEAG Practice Tests: Getting Started the Right Way[…]
Developing strong inference skills is one of the most important aspects of reading comprehension, particularly for children preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test. Each year, I find that inference is the area many pupils find most challenging, even those who are otherwise confident readers. In simple terms, inference involves working out information that the author Read more about Inference Skills for the SEAG Transfer Test[…]