THRASS 15 MINUTES A DAY x 2 is a four-year scheme of work for schools, based on the essential teaching guide TEACHING THRASS [© Alan Davies 2003, 2006], and the focus of this website www.thrass.co.uk. The book is a bit larger than A4, measuring 350mm x 250mm, and is thread sewn so that it is robust and durable.

Adapt the scheme to suit
The scheme of work has been written mindful of the fact that THRASS is used in different countries and in both government and independent schools within these countries. It should be used as a 'model for reference' and, if necessary, adapted to suit the actual number of terms and weeks in any particular school year. In the UK, the 'FIRST YEAR of THRASS' would ideally be in nursery/kindergarten, when the children are 3-4 years old, but it could be one or more years later elsewhere. The 'start-date' for introducing THRASS will be largely dependent on national, regional or local laws for the start of formal schooling, the availability of nursery/kindergarten provision (either locally or within the school) and personal beliefs, practices and expectations (of teachers, assistants and parents) concerning the teaching of essential speaking and listening skills to young children. The 'start-date' will also depend on whether English is being taught as a first or additional language and, possibly, on matters relating to disability, such as physical, sensory or speech difficulties. For example, although the scheme is largely intended for hearing children, a significant number of schools and practitioners (including speech and language therapists) have adapted the THRASS programme for use with deaf or partially deaf children by using sign language and/or lip reading.

Follow-on Resource and '15 Minutes' is an approximation!
On all THRASS Accredited Certificate courses for teachers and assistants in the THRASS UK territory (the blue territory on the World Map on www.thrass.com), the courses are focused on TEACHING THRASS. This scheme of work is the ideal follow-on resource to the course, because it gives clear guidance on the teaching required to fully implement and assess the ten-stages of the THRASS programme. However, the allocation of '15 Minutes' for each lesson is an approximation so teachers and assistants will need to be flexible with the guidance. Sometimes they may be slightly ahead of themselves and sometimes slightly behind but over the course of a few days or more things should even themselves out!

Pages 75-80 include copies of the THRASS Profilecard, THRASS Calendar Chart, THRASS Spelling Tiles Grid and THRASS Grapheme Grid. These can also be downloaded from DOWNLOADS. When you get to the correct webcard, 'Right Click' the hyperlink for the Profilecard, Chart or Grid/s and then 'Save Target As', to download the file to your computer.

Comments: The staff have begun to use 15 Mins and are finding it most helpful. The feedback at last night's staff meeting was very positive despite the fact that we have only been using it for a few days.