Word Wizard

1st Class

Word Wizard for 1st Class is a strategies-based activity book for teaching literacy skills, designed to be used with any core English programme.

The best choice for you and your class

Word Wizard for First Class follows a thematic approach, with themes spanning two units, allowing for easy planning. Learning outcomes from the Primary Language Curriculum are referenced on each page. It includes:

  • A fully integrated Literacy Skills and Activities Book
  • FREE teacher eBook
  • FREE digital teacher resources

The Word Wizard approach

Phonics Games

This book contains four different kinds of phonics games, one of which is used on the first page of every unit to introduce the sounds being taught. Nonsense words have been included in the games to encourage pupils to practise their decoding skills and to challenge those who have a tendency to learn words by sight.

Phonics linked with comprehension

Vocabulary containing the sounds taught within the unit has been incorporated into the comprehension reading passages wherever possible. This helps to bridge the gap between phonics and real reading practice, rather than teaching both in isolation.

Higher-order comprehension questions

At this level, pupils are being introduced to answering written, lower-order thinking questions. In order to ensure that higher-order thinking skills are not overlooked, a list of questions is provided online for each reading passage, allowing teachers to develop these skills orally.

Genre writing

Word Wizard for 1st Class takes a unique approach to genre writing. The reading passage serves as a template for the genre. Discrete oral language activities act as building blocks for genre writing, and grammar activities are linked to the genre wherever appropriate.

Take a look at the digital resources available!

The digital library for Word Wizard 1st Class includes a suite of online and printable teaching resources:

View sample

Online Book

Literacy Skills Book

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Sample Discussion Activities

Unit 02 Reports: Bats

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Sample Higher Order Comprehension Questions

Unit 01 'The Village School'

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Sample Modelled Writing Activities

Unit 03 'The Fox'

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Sample Oral Language

Unit 01 Barrier Game: 'The Village School'

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Sample Planning Material

1st Class Yearly Plan

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Sample Planning Sheets

Unit 11 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff'

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Sample Self-Assessment Checklist (Editable)

Unit 03 Reports

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Sample Writing Templates (Editable)

Unit 03 'The Frog'