SkillsBuilder

It has never been more important to build a set of essential skills to succeed in life for our children and young people: the ability to creatively solve problems, to self-manage, to communicate effectively, and to work well with others. These are skills that are needed to do almost anything well.

SkillsBuilder define these skills as: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork.

We are using the SkillsBuilder programme to support students to understand and develop these skills. Each half term we are focusing on a different essential skill. The focus for this half term is COMMUNICATION and the skills of speaking and listening. Curriculum areas will be highlighting where these skills are used in their subject and providing opportunities for students to demonstrate and develop these skills.

You can support your child by encouraging them to practise these skills at home with some of the Skill Challenges below.

Skills Challenges

Challenge 1 - Listening

Listen to a weather report on the radio or TV. Listen carefully to the forecast for today and for the days and week ahead. Summarise what you heard and share with members of your household so they can plan ahead and dress appropriately for the weather.

Reflection Questions

Beginner: How do we listen?

Intermediate: Do you have any ways of helping maintaining concentration when listening?

Advanced: What is the value of summarising what you have heard?

Expert: How can this skill support you when working with others?

Challenge 2 - Speaking

Prepare a short presentation for your family about your favourite season. This could be delivered as a poem, or with accompanying drawings or photos. Talk about how the season makes you feel and what you enjoy most about this particular time of the year.

Reflection Questions

Beginner: How do we know if we are speaking clearly?

Intermediate: How do you think you can put your points in a logical order?

Advanced: How can you use tone, expression and gesture to make your speaking engaging?

Expert: How can you adapt the content of what you are saying, in response to listeners?

Challenge 3 – Listening

Ask a family member which is their favourite season and why. Listen to carefully to their reason and summarise what they have told you asking any questions to further your understanding.

Reflection Questions

Beginner: How do we listen?

Intermediate: Do you have any ways of helping maintaining concentration when listening?

Advanced: What is the value of summarising what you have heard?

Expert: How can you identify the core points being made?

Challenge 4 – Speaking

Imagine you are providing the voice over for a documentary about life in your household. Go from room to room and talk about who and what is in the room as though you were the narrator of a television documentary. You might be able record your ideas and play it back to other household members to make them smile.

Reflection Questions

Beginner: How do we know if we are speaking clearly?

Intermediate: How do you think you can put your points in a logical order?

Advanced: How can you use tone, expression and gesture to make your speaking engaging?

Expert: How can you adapt the content of what you are saying, in response to listeners?