SATS 2016 All pupils will be tested in: Reading Spelling, punctuation and grammar Maths

SATS 2016 Date:Tests Monday 9 th MayEnglish Reading Tuesday 10 th MayEnglish Spelling, punctuation and grammar Tests 1 and 2 Wednesday 11 th MayMathematics Paper 1 - Arithmetic Mathematics Paper 2 - Reasoning Thursday 12 th MayMathematics Paper 3 - Reasoning This year’s SATs tests will take place during the week beginning 9 th May, on the following days:

Reading Test Children will be tested on their ability to understand a text they have read independently and to explain their understanding in sentences. There will be a variety of question styles including: retrieving key facts from the text reading between the lines commenting on text structure and language choices. They will not have to read aloud at any point during the test.

Reading Test Arrangements: Children will have one hour to read the text and answer the questions. The booklets contain three separate, texts of a variety of genres and lengths – including both fiction and non- fiction. Children are advised to spend twenty minutes on each text – including the questions. The texts get progressively harder throughout the booklet.

Preparation for Reading Test When reading with your child at home check their book is appropriately challenging to build their reading stamina for the test. Talk about interesting and unusual vocabulary and ask your child why they think the author has chosen it – what impact does it have on the reader? Discuss the features of the text type as well as the layout of the text you read together. Talk about characters’ motives and find evidence from the text which supports your child’s opinion. Give them practice Reading comprehension papers which involve them writing their answers.

English Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Test Arrangements The SPAG test is in two parts: A spelling test – where children must listen to a selection of 20 words presented in different sentences. The spelling test takes approximately 20 minutes. Punctuation and grammar test. The punctuation and grammar test is timed and takes 45 minutes.

Preparation for SPAG test Ensure that your child completes the weekly SPAG homework in the revision guide and, after they have marked it, ask them how well they did. Spend time revising anything that they had difficulty with. Take advantage of the huge range of free SPAG games online – we recommend Woodlands Junior and BBC Skillswise. Check that children are recording the sites they visit in their planners, on the spelling facts page. When reading, ask your child to identify conjunctions, prepositions, nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs within sentences. Ask your child to change the tense of a verb or sentence. Ask your child to name different punctuation marks within texts he / she reads and ask why they have been used.

Maths Tests The maths test consists of 3 parts : Maths Paper 1 - Arithmetic Maths Paper 2 – Reasoning Maths Paper 3 - Reasoning

Maths Test Arrangements Arithmetic test – 30 minutes. Reasoning papers – 45 minutes each. Total 110 marks – 40 marks arithmetic, 35 for each Reasoning paper (70). The arithmetic paper will test children on their written and mental calculation skills. The reasoning papers will involve longer worded problem which may require multiple step answers or the children to explain their understanding carefully.

Maths Test Arrangements To ensure consistency and fairness – we will provide children with all the equipment they will need for the tests, including: A protractor, a ruler, tracing paper, a mirror, a rubber, a pencil and a pencil sharpener. Children do not need additional sheets of paper to do workings out, as they are allowed to use any space inside the booklets. No calculators are allowed on any of the papers.

Preparation for Maths Tests Practise number facts daily. Ensure your child logs on to Mathletics regularly Ensure your child completes all homework tasks and makes full use of the revision guides, which we will be providing before Easter. Practise SATS style questions online:

Writing Writing will be teacher assessed using the national Key Performance indicators. Samples of writing from across the curriculum will be used when we make our judgements. Our judgements are firmly grounded in what the child can do accurately and consistently. Teacher assessments will be submitted on Friday 27 th May.

General Preparation Please make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep before a test. Please provide your child with a water bottle, as they will not be allowed to leave the room to get a drink once the tests have started. Make sure your child arrives at school on time to reduce unnecessary stress.

Talk about the tests – especially if you sense that your child might be anxious. Reassure them that it is nothing to worry about! Before the tests, try and find a balance between revision and relaxing free-time.