In this section, you will find examples of adapted units showing why and how teachers have changed units. They also give teachers' thoughts on how this improved children's learning.

Key stage 1

In Looking like a picture, the teacher used richly illustrated books in the school to make art and design (unit 2a) more motivating and accessible for children who speak English as an additional language.

In Eat more fruit, the teacher adapted design and technology (unit 1c) to stimulate children's interest in different kinds of fruit. He also gave more time to developing children's practical cutting skills.

In Why we remember Brunel, the focus of history (unit 4) was changed to inspire children's interest in the rich historical heritage in their surrounding locality and its connections with the famous engineer.

In Celebrating light, the teacher adapted science work on light and dark (unit 1d) to motivate the children in a mixed-age class, develop their investigative skills and make stronger links with children's ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In Come to Castries, the year 2 teacher changed the focus of geography (unit 22) to St Lucia, to promote positive attitudes towards life in an economically developing country.

Key stage 2

In Problem parking, a school's parking problems provided a topical focus for developing children's fieldwork and communication skills in geography (unit 20).

In Plant it deep!, the teacher focused on plants in science (unit 5b) to extend some children's learning and support others in carrying out an in-depth science investigation.

In Sounds and images, year 4 teachers challenged children to design and make a range of musical instruments. They used these to interpret different images and compose their own music. This is an adaptation of unit 13.

In Changing times, the teachers developed resources for the study of the locality in Victorian times (history unit 12) to attract children's attention to the rich heritage resulting from migration to the area.

In What's your view?, teachers of a mixed-age class of year 3 and year 4 children focused on developing their experience of printmaking techniques in art and design work on viewpoints (unit 4a).