The books we received were attractive and well presented.

The boys particularly enjoyed them as they were non-fiction titles. We used the books with classes from Yr 1 – Yr 6.

They provided extension reading and follow up work for the younger children and high interest, lower ability for our older children.

Classes could be independent in their research on the internet which often led to children undertaking their own projects. Classes used the sets of 6 boxes as group readers which led to much speaking and listening as children discussed various topics.

We were able to fund this project using our E-learning credits.

Norton St Nicholas, Letchworth, Herts

We have used ‘Leading the Way’ - a good starting point for general interest searches. It is easy for teachers to generate more materials. Pupils like the layout / mix of text and visuals.

Katy Van Brienen, Friern Barnet School, London

Infosteps – Leading the Way

Having tried hard to find non-fiction Guided Reading material to enthral Year 3 and Year 4 children, I was delighted to find ‘Leading the Way’ from the Infosteps series, which has the added appeal of internet research.

Three different groups of children have been informed, encouraged and have learner from using this resource. They were enthusiastic and interested in the content and I was confident about allowing the children access to the safe internet site to carry out further research.

The setting up of internet access was remarkable straight forward and took less than ten minutes, providing me with a printout of passwords. The children were able to navigate the site easily and were impressed by their ability to complete the task independently.

The Infosteps books are cleverly designed, incorporating all the expected features of good quality non –fiction. The illustrations and photographs are clear, bright and appealing, the subjects fit with the topics being taught and the books are discreetly levelled.

I am now looking forward to learning about ‘Our Changing Planet’ and I know the children will be as enthusiastic as I am.

Lucy Clark, Chew Stoke Church School, Chew Stoke, Bristol

Jamie : 
It is good because it tells you which of the solids would break down 1.2.3.
It tells you about a nuclear power plant.
It tells you about cow’s milk. The milk is liquid solid.

Sophie :
I think the look is good it gives you loads of facts it is very funny

Gyurjit :
I think it is good because it tells you about a power plant

Akash :
Matter Splatter is a very interesting book, with lots of interesting facts like : 
  - did you know that diamonds are the hardest natural solid in the world.
  - did you know that glass is not a solid it is a liquid.
  - also the book has an activity that you can do.
  - a bubble is not just a liquid, it is a liquid and gas.

Year 5 children, Crasley Primary School ,Wolverhampton

Our Changing Planet  - Infosteps Set 1 

Y3-6 Top Group Chldren all KS1 SAT’s Level 3
Approx  3hrs work & research+ reading

Researched information using  the Infosteps website – very good helped to focus children attention and learning - Read the book - Answered questions - Completed “Did you Know?” sheet – very interesting - Reported back to the class

Children thought the book to be very good “interesting and full of helpful information”.

Clear layout good use of photos, diagrams maps etc.

Variety of layout encouraged the children to scan for information.

Text quite challenging for any child less than level 2.

Children enjoyed the fact that there were games and they recognised that they were learning whilst they were having fun.

Nicky Slide, Wednesfield Village Primary School    

Year 6

All the school council read a book called Medieval Days, Infosteps Set 2 . We did group reading.

Abbie and Nicole "Each member read a page each. We found the book interesting because the book had lots of facts and the pictures were really artistic. Our favourite part of the book was to build your own castle. It had all the instructions and pictures. This was an excellent book. " 

Mary and Laura "The school council did group reading every afternoon about the medieval day’s. Each member had a page of the book each then we came back and read all the facts. The whole council found the book very interesting and we all liked it. We all liked it because it was educational and it will help us to learn. We all liked the pictures in the book very interesting. The subjects on the website were good.

Jamal and Paul "We all read a Medival days book as a group.We found the book excellent because it included lots of facts about the lives of medieval people. The book included things to make and do such as castle." 

Here are some quotes of the members of the school council : 

This book was a very interesting to read because the author had included something to make, explained Nicole.

I liked the book because it had some very interesting pictures to look at says Jamal 

I enjoyed the book because4 it gave me something new to learn about. Says Paul.

We thought the website was bad because logging in was a pain.

We couldn’t find anything to do with the book we read.

There was information about other topics we could use for our school topics, this was quite useful. 

High quality text, illustration. Usefull for group reading and in dependent research.

Pain to register and log in! Valuable once into it! 
(EDITORIAL NOTE - THE TEACHER'S GUIDES RECOMMEND THAT THE TEACHER OR TEACHING ASSISTANT'S REGISTER THE CHILDREN, NOT THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES) 

Marlette Jervis, Oxley Primary School

This is a comprehensive series of non-fiction books covering a wide range of topics which are of interest to and support the curriculum at Key Stage 2. They are ideally suited for use during guided reading with follow-up activities for individuals or groups with internet access.

The books are well presented and include a wide range of features and styles of typical non-fiction texts, with information presented in a variety of ways. The text is fairly challenging and would therefore possibly be beyond the reading ability of some children within the class.

The unique feature of this series is the associated secure website which is easy to navigate and is bright, colourful and appealing to the children. There is a good mix of additional information, activities and games for the children to complete and the text can be accessed confidently as the glossary facility enables children to find our meanings they are unsure of.

The guidance notes are informative and provide appropriate support for a teacher to teaching assistant to lead a guided reading session, as well as directing the children when using the website.

The children were enthusiastic about the books and responded particularly well to the website, welcoming the chance to find out further information related to the guided reading book.

Sarah Blake, The Redstart Primary School

This non-fiction series is designed for guided reading with pupils who have reading ages between 7 and 11+. There are four sets with 20 titles in each. Clearly set out and attractively presented, they make a welcome addition to the factual books available for young readers.

National Literacy Association (NLA)