1. KEY STAGE 1 GaPS
Maddy Barnes, November 2015

2. Aims and objectives To prepare pupils for the 2016 KS1 GaPS test
To examine the implications for teaching in relation to the sample materials
To identify key points from the KS1 GaPS Test Framework
To identify key points from the 2016 KS1 ARA document
To share best practice

3. To prepare pupils for the 2016 KS1 GaPS test
How will you prepare your year 1 and year 2 staff and pupils for the 2016 GaPS test?
Have you read the framework?
Are you familiar with the ARA arrangements for 2016 (see links at the end of this powerpoint for both documents)
Do you have a consistent approach to teaching GaPS (is it a discrete lesson, embedded in English or a mixture of both?)
Do you have resources that help pupils to be familiar with the style and format of the tests?

4. To prepare pupils for the 2016 KS1 GaPS test

5. Using sample materials
Familiarise all staff with the range of question types
In the GaPS test there is a high emphasis on multiple choice questions – are your pupils familiar with this format of question?
Do you use technical language in English lessons? Avoid child-friendly names such as ‘the flying comma (apostrophe), shouting stick (exclamation mark) or 66s and 99s (inverted commas). There is an emphasis on children understanding key terminology so we should teach it from the beginning.

6. Preparing them for the test

7. To examine the implications for teaching in relation to the sample materials
Model and demonstrate how to approach a multiple choice question in small groups – explain to pupils what you are doing
Ensure that when pupils are inserting a word into a sentence that they use lower case letters – model this to pupils so that they are not penalised for test technique
Ensure that pupils follow instructions, for example, ‘Add an adjective to the sentence below – I have a _______ bag, means one adjective and no more! KS1 pupils like to impress their teachers, but they must follow the instructions.

8. Knowledge of test technique
Understand instructional language:
Tick
Write one word
Draw lines
Underline
Circle
Match

9. To identify key points from the KS1 GaPS Test Framework
Are all year 1 and 2 staff familiar with the content domains for GaPS?
Discuss the importance of reviewing content and terminology from the previous year, particularly spelling domains
There are no contextual questions for 2016 – they are all short questions. Familiarise pupils with this style of question.

10. Content domains assessed in KS1
G1 – Grammatical terms/word classes
G2 – Functions of sentences
G3 – Combining words, phrases and clauses
G4 – Verb tenses and consistency
G5 – Punctuation
G6 - Vocabulary

11. To identify key points from the KS1 GaPS Test Framework
For the purposes of the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test, an exclamation is required to start with What or How
e.g. What a lovely day!
How exciting!
A sentence that ends in an exclamation mark, but which does not have one of the grammatical patterns shown above, is not considered to be creditworthy as an exclamation (e.g. exclamatory statements, exclamatory imperatives, exclamatory interrogatives or interjections).

12. Correct spelling is required for the majority of the questions in Paper 2

13. At least 2/3 of questions will be multiple choice

14. KS1 GaPS Performance descriptor

17. To identify key points from the 2016 KS1 ARA document

20. Homework identified as part of TA

21. Sharing best practice
Ensure there is a consistent approach to teaching GaPS throughout whole school
Ensure previous learning (and terminology) is reviewed
Teach GaPS in a context using high quality texts
Use guided reading as a vehicle to highlight, teach and consolidate key terminology
Allow pupils opportunities to investigate when teaching GaPS
Use materials similar to the test to ensure pupils are familiar with the layout
Track progress of pupils using half termly tests

22. Useful documents

23. Useful documents

24. Rising Stars Resources to raise standards in KS1 GaPS
A fun and active way of teaching, learning, practising and revising all of the technical English requirements of the new curriculum – find out more.
Weekly spelling tests to ensure new national curriculum spelling coverage – find out more.
Age-appropriate revision materials to help prepare for the Key Stage 1 National Tests – find out more.
Formative and summative assessments to help assess knowledge and understanding of the new PoS – find out more.