National Geographic Theme Sets – Cells at Work
National Geographic has a solid, global reputation that’s second to none, so they aren’t going to put their name to something that doesn’t deliver the goods. Cells at Work is a collection of four books and teachers’ notes that explains the systems of four different types of cells: skin, muscle, blood and bone. These will help you and your pupils understand more about what makes us tick and what cells do what.
Every set consists of four books, which are written at four different reading levels from A to D, each placing the spotlight on a particular topic to explain and demonstrate the central theme within a shared reading context – where four different ability levels read four different topics and come together to share ideas.
The theme sets strive hard to weave science and literacy skills together. Each of the pupil books contain overt coaching in one visual literacy skill, such as how to read a labelled diagram. Tick. Then there is a genre study built-into each book which defines and explains a non-fictional writing form such as an informational pamphlet. Tick. There is a Research and Write section in each book so that pupils have the opportunity to practise and build-on what they have learned. Tick. In fact, the ticks keep on going. Key concepts are consistently well explained. Pictures and diagrams are engaging and illustrate the content with panache. There are plenty of thinking questions asked within the books, there are activities to try, ideas for sharing what you have learnt and helpful glossaries. Added to this, the books are colourful, well set out and visually attractive.
In the teaching guide you will find plenty of sound, comprehensive teaching tips and guidelines linked to assessment for learning principles such as KWL grids (What we Know, What we Want to know, What we Learned). There are various suggestions included within well written notes that focus your mind on imaginative ways of fusing science and English together in order to develop key literacy skills. The activity masters include comprehension models (drawing on Bloom’s taxonomy), comprehension strategies, word cards, content reading guides, prewriting and open-book activities. The teaching notes are well-structured, easy to use and a good source of ideas.
The books all dive deep and offer more information than is needed at Key Stage 2. Having said that, they’d be ideal for the Gifted and Talented children in your school who would lap up the detail. I like the ‘one size does not fit all’ approach. The teaching notes are well meaning, well written and packed with great ideas for erasing the lines drawn between science and literacy in a pigeon-holed curriculum.
John Dabell – KS2 Teacher, Teach Primary Magazine |
