While we are no longer developing Digital Mysteries and Thinking Kit, we are leaving our website up for those of you interested in the ideas behind the Apps.

amy app       Amy

       

       Subject:        PSHE, English
       Topic:            PSHE, Citizenship, Relationships, English
       Audience:     KS1/Y2
       Question:      Why didn’t Amy come to school today?
       Author:          Anne de A’Echevarria



Description

Amy is a mystery that focuses on typical friendship problems which can often arise within the primary school age group. It does this through a young character called Amy and her experiences at school. Students must read information then organise their ideas to help them discuss the question: ‘Why didn’t Amy come to school today?’

The mystery would fit well within the KS1 PSHE/Citizenship curriculum; could also be used to support the development of speaking and listening within the English curriculum; and could be used to foster the development of generic higher order thinking skills.

Learning outcomes:

PSHE/Citizenship

The mystery could be used to stimulate discussion and drama for learning activities in the area of developing good relationships. Relevant learning objectives might include:

  • To recognise how their behaviour affects other people, to care about other people’s feelings and to try to see things from their points of view
  • To listen to other people, and play and work cooperatively
  • To understand that there are different types of teasing and bullying, that bullying is wrong, and how to get help to deal with bullying

English

The mystery could be used to support the development of group discussion and interaction. Relevant learning objectives might include:

  • To take turns in speaking
  • To relate their contributions to what has gone on before - building on the ideas of others
  • To take different views into account
  • To extend their ideas in the light of discussion


Thinking skills

Learning objectives relating to the generic thinking skills that the mystery aims to develop might include:

  • To justify ideas with reasons
  • To form a well-structured explanation
  • To speculate and draw inferences from information