We’ve pulled together a set of tried-and-tested classroom ideas to help pupils understand active and passive sentences. All of these suggestions come directly from teachers.
If you’d like to add your own ideas, you can find us on social media @Sats_companion or email info@satscompanion.com.
1. Get Active!
Teaching active voice works best whilst pupils are being active! Try taking the lesson outdoors. Emma. E, suggested pupils could ˜look for verbs and then ask pupils to comment in the passive voice. Emma’s idea is great, as there is so much scope here to adapt according to what your pupils’ interests are! Emma also commented that her pupils played football in the passive voice. The ball was kicked, the goal was saved.
2. Bring out the Zombies!
By Zombies! This is a tip I’m looking forward to trying out. Spot passive voice by adding 'by zombies' after the verb for passive. The house was built, by zombies! I can imagine the class having lots of fun with this one. Great tip here from Katie. S! Thanks!
3. Make it real..
Put the passive voice into a real-life context. Ask pupils to think back to what they did on the weekend. Use this to encourage discussion around the passive voice. (eg) A visit to the park can become. The dog was walked, the ducks were fed.
4. Research for the win!
This next tip works with the pupil’s investigative skills and would be great as a homework task. Ask pupils to research who invented their most useful technology. From smartphones to gaming devices, the list is endless. For each invention, they should write a passive sentence to go with it. For example, computer software was invented by Grace Hopper.
5. Free active and passive revision questions!
If you’re looking for more structured practice, SATs Companion includes hundreds of instantly marked active and passive voice questions. Pupils can practise independently, and teachers can quickly see who has secured the skill and who needs more support.
The platform also includes a wide range of Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar questions, all mapped to the KS2 curriculum.