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Phonics Focus
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I add pupils to the progamme? How do I customise an activity? How do I create an activity sequence? What is the Y2 and Y3 Planning Exemplification and Spelling Programme? Can I use Phonics Focus CD-ROMs on an interactive whiteboard? Is Phonics Focus a stand-alone resource? I have an Apple Macintosh. Can I use Phonics Focus CD-ROMs? Do I need to have the CD-ROM in the computer after I have installed the software? Does the software have to be installed in order to use it? I can't open the 'Help!' booklet. Is Phonics Focus Windows Vista compatible? How do the activities work?Phonics Focus contains 11 basic activity types as follows: Pick and mix Further explanation of each type can be found on p. 13 of the 'All you need to know to use Phonics Focus' booklet which you will find inside your CD ROM case. This booklet is also available in PDF format from the 'Help!' button on the Teacher's login main menu. The word lists for the activities are specific to each activity, with one set being programmed for each activity. The number of words in each activity varies according to the activity type with between 15 and 20 words per activity. Words will repeat at random when an activity is replayed. How do I add pupils to the programme?In order to add pupils you will first need to decide whether you wish to assign any members of the class to a 'group'. If so you will need to create a group list. See 'How do I create a group?' below for further instructions. Next you will need to set up a class list and assign pupils to a class. If you try to add pupils' names without having first set up a class list then the names will not be saved. See 'How do I create a class list?' below for further instructions. How do I create a group?If you wish to assign any members of the class to a group, you will need to create a list of groups before you create your class list. To create a group, click on 'Create or view a group' from the Teacher's login main menu. Click on the 'Add a group' button and enter a group name. Then click 'Go!'. Continue to add groups in this way. When you have added all the groups you wish to use, click 'OK!' to return to the main menu. How do I create a class list?Before you create a class list you will need to decide whether you wish to assign any members of the class to a 'group'. If so then you will need to set up a list of groups before you create your class list. See 'How do I create a group?' above for further instructions. From the main menu select 'Create or view a class/ pupil' to set up you class list. Click on the 'Add a class' button and enter a class name. Then click 'Go!'. Continue to add classes in this way if you wish. Once you have created a class you will be able to add pupils to it. Highlight the class required in the list of 'class names'. Then click 'Add pupil'. Enter the name of the pupil. You can assign the pupil to a previously-created group if you wish by selecting the group name from the drop-down menu. (See 'How do I create a group?' above for instructions on how to create a group.) Then click 'Go!' to add the pupil. When you have added all the pupils and classes which you wish to add, click 'OK!' to return to the main menu. You can return to the 'Create of view a class/ pupil' screen at any point in order to view your current class list or to add or remove classes or pupils from the list. How do I customise an activity?You can customise each of the 11 basic Phonics Focus activities with your own word lists by clicking on 'Customise activities' in the Teacher's login main menu. Click on the activity type you wish to customise and then click 'OK!'. Look at the example which is given. Use the example to structure the way you fill in the boxes with your word list. Delete the example if you do not wish it to appear in the exercise and replace it with a word from your word list. Click on a box with the mouse cursor to type a word. The order in which you enter the words will not affect the order in which they appear in the customised activity but you should enter a different word on each of the numbered lines. You do not have to fill in all the lines. When you have completed the word list click 'Save!' and enter a name for your activity. Then click 'OK!'. To play your customised activity you will need to add it to an activity sequence. See 'How do I create an activity sequence?' below for instructions on creating an activity sequence. How do I create an activity sequence?The 'Create activity sequence' button on the Teacher's login main menu allows you to create a sequence of activities for a pupil, class or group. Once created, the pupils to whom this sequence has been assigned will be able to access it via the 'Play Teacher's choice' button on the Pupil's login main menu. Before you create an activity sequence you will need to have created a class list. See 'How do I create a class list?' above for instructions on how to do this. Select 'Create activity sequence' from the Teacher's login main menu. Use the drop down lists to select a class, a group or a pupil for whom you wish to create an activity sequence. Then click 'OK!'. Please note that you can create more than one activity sequence for each class, group and pupil. The pupils will be able to choose which activity sequence to run when they go to 'Play Teacher's choice' from the Pupil's login main menu. To add your first activity, select an activity from one of the scrollable lists for each term. Click on the activity to highlight it and then click the 'Add' button below that list. Alternatively you can select one of your customised activities from the 'Customised' list. In order to add a customised activity you must first have created some customised activities. Please see 'How do I create a customised activity?' above for further details on how to do this. Continue to add activities in this way. Your chosen activities will be listed in the 'Your chosen activities' window on the right of the screen. If you wish to remove an activity from the list then click on the activity to highlight it and then click the 'Remove' button. Once you are happy with your list, click on the 'Save!' button at the bottom of the screen. Type in a name for your activity sequence and then click 'OK!' Your pupils will now be able to access you activity sequence via the 'Play Teacher's choice' button on the Pupil's login main menu . Alternatively you can access the sequence yourself by clicking 'Preview activities' on the Teacher's login main menu and then clicking 'Play Teacher's choice'. What is the Y2 and Y3 Planning Exemplification and Spelling Programme?Progression in phonics has accelerated the work in spelling for children in Foundation Stage and Year 1. Progression in phonics and the Key Stage 2 Spelling bank do not address Year 2. The Y2 and Y3 Planning Exemplification and Spelling Programme serves to fill this gap and provide continuity between key stages. You can find our more on the DfES website. Can I use Phonics Focus CD-ROMs on an interactive whiteboard?Yes, there are whole class activity screens - Word Bank and Word Maker - which are designed for use in whole class spelling lessons and are ideal for use on interactive whiteboards. The practice activities are designed for individual use at a computer. Is Phonics Focus a stand-alone resource?Each CD-ROM can be used to provide stand-alone activities to support your own phonics and spelling programme, as an accompaniment to the DfES spelling programmes or with Searchlights for Spelling published by Cambridge University Press. I have an Apple Macintosh. Can I use Phonics Focus CD-ROMs?Yes. Do I need to have the CD-ROM in the computer after I have installed the software?No - once you have installed the software, you can run the programme without the CD-ROM being present. Just double click on the icon on the desktop each time you want to use Phonics Focus. Does the software have to be installed in order to use it?Yes. Details of how to do this can be found in the CD-ROM insert. Do I need a site licence?No. The cost of a site licence is included in the price. Do I need a network licence?No. The cost of a network licence is included in the price. I can't open the 'Help!' booklet.The 'Help!' booklet is in PDF format, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print it. Acrobat Reader is free to download from the Adobe website. Is Phonics Focus Windows Vista compatible?Windows Vista compatibility is not guaranteed for Phonics Focus. |
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