I made this template for KS2 to make simple topic research and information gathering more practical and fun but I have also used it with groups in KS1. The children cut out the ‘head and shoulders’ template and decorate it as their chosen historical character (it could be anyone from the past eg. Kings & Queens, explorers, inventors, designers etc). Then the children cut out the paper strips and complete the spaces beneath the headings. They make a colourful and informative class display and the children love reading each other’s contributions.

Greek Myth story plan on a page KS1 & 2 Greek Myth story planning template. A fun resource for pupils to use to plan their own mythological writing. Includes story prompts and spaces for pupils to develop writing in note or bullet point format when planning their own character description, setting and story structure. Great to use following a ‘Myths’ writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics: Myths and Legends, Ancient Greece, Greece, Heroes and Heroines/Superheroes.

Ernest Shackleton Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this factsheet with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about Ernest Shackleton in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise. Links well with topics on Explorers, South pole/Antarctica, Famous people, Ships and sailors, Frozen Earth.

Horatio Nelson Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.

Grace Darling Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.

Aztecs 3 Factsheets KS2 Factsheet 1 Simple facts about who the Aztecs were, where they came from, where they settled. Factsheet 2 Aztec gods and a brief description. Factsheet 3 Where the Aztecs settled and the end of their civilization. Includes key events broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 5 & 6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous civilization in a range of genres (newspaper report, non-fiction report, letter or diary writing, fiction, etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.

KS1&2 The Great Fire of London story and sequencing activity. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the story of the Great Fire of London in order. Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key times when events took place from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA pupils can order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.

KS1 & 2 Myth story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own mythological writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing myths and spaces for pupils to develop writing in note or bullet point format when planning their own character description, setting and story structure. Great to use following a ‘Myths’ writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics: Myths and Legends, Ancient Greece, Greece, Heroes and Heroines/Superheroes.

Greek Gods and Goddesses comprehension cards. Set of 18. KS2. Each card includes information about a God/Goddess and up to eight questions for pupils to retrieve answers from the text. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each subject on the card. Can also be used without the comprehension questions as a reference resource for pupils to research a God/Goddess independently.

Knights and castles story template KS1 Historical story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own ‘Knights and castles’ story writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing historical stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and ideas for the structure of their story. Great to use following a History writing lesson, a visit to a castle or topic related drama lesson. Can also be adapted for most History topics eg: Norman Castles, Explorers, Travel, Romans, Egypt, Saxon Britain etc.

Greek Gods and Goddesses set of 18 fact cards (KS1&2). Can be used as a game to help pupils learn the names and characteristics of the individual gods and goddesses. Can also be used to aid pupil research into Greek Gods and support independent writing or comprehension/guided reading. Use also as a link with topic work in History/Ancient Greeks/Myths and Legends or mythological/fiction writing.

The Great Fire of London pp KS1 31 slides. The power-point can be divided into separate sections depending on how you want to follow up some of the aspects/features depending on your class. Each set of slides includes paired discussion or individual/ paired written follow up tasks or worksheets. There are a range of strategies to keep the content interesting and interactive. Slides 2-6 introduce the topic with a 3-clue riddle, slides 7&9 focus on a sentence starter activity /worksheet about fire engines. Slides 10&11 focus on Samuel Pepys. Slides 12-15 show London in 1666 and a you tube clip about the Great Fire. Slides 16-17: Fire-fighting in 1666. Slides 18-22 focus on the fire as seen by Samuel Pepys. Slide 23-25: How the fire started and how it spread. Slide 26-27: After the fire. Slides 28-30: Differentiated sequencing activity worksheet, teacher notes and a simple pupil comprehension worksheet.

Ancient Rome KS2 power-point of 24 slides. Learning Objectives • I must explain where the Romans came from using geographical vocabulary. • I should retell the legend of Romulus and Remus • I could explain BCE and AD • I could order a timeline of Ancient Rome from 753BCE to 79AD. Includes activities for pupils to locate Rome/Italy using an atlas, a simple story of how Rome was founded, timeline activity to distinguish BCE and CE. Useful to link in with topics on The Roman Empire, Time, Calendars, Beginnings.

Ancient Greek Olympics KS1 and KS2 Assembly. A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of the Ancient Greek Olympics which can be used in the days preceding the Olympic Games. A link (on last slide) to traditional Greek music played on a lyre can be easily slotted into the assembly if you chose. Power-point of 30 slides which include: Suggested music, video clip and hymns. The meaning behind the Olympic rings and the Olympic motto. Ancient Greece and the important kingdoms of Athens and Sparta. The first Olympics in Olympia and the competitions held there. Image of the remains of the stadium today and image of how Olympia may have looked. Facts about the differences between the games today and in Ancient Greece. The honouring of Zeus, the opening ceremonies, symbolism of lighting the torch. The Ancient Greek sporting events and the experience of the spectators. Final prayer. Links well with topics on The Modern Olympics, Greece, Ancient Greeks, Health, sports and fitness, Sports Day, Going for Gold.

Victorian Christmas Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets). This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how a Victorian Christmas is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, a short youtube clip, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities, 11 worksheets. Christmas traditions covered are: Tree, decorating the tree and the home, presents, crackers, cards, dinner, entertainment and games. Learning objectives • To know the origins of Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom. • To compare Christmas traditions today with Victorian Christmas traditions. • To express opinions and views about Victorian Christmas and compare what it was like for rich people and poor people. • To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Christmas traditions. Worksheet 1: Matching task. Victorian and present-day Christmas tree decorations. Worksheet 2: Venn diagram – rich and poor Victorian Christmas. Book activity: Label the evergreen decorations. Worksheet 3: Write a message / joke for a cracker. Worksheet 4. Follow Instructions. How to make a Christmas cracker. Book activities: Christmas cards. Worksheets 5,6,7: 3 blank templates with a Victorian border for Christmas card designs. Worksheet 8: Work out the Figgy Pudding recipe used by the Victorians but written in old English. Worksheet 9: Blank plate templates for a Victorian and present-day Christmas dinner. Worksheet 10: 6 Victorian Parlour games on cards. Worksheet 11: Victorian traditions blank writing summary for each tradition. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Christmas, celebrations, Winter, entertainment, Victorians.

Y 5 & 6 KS2 Greek themed Maths Booklet I made this booklet based upon similar Level 4 SATs questions but with an Ancient Greek theme. It is targeted at Years 5 & 6 for practise in the areas below. There are 50 questions altogether in the booklet. Each topic has a learning objective for pupils to match against their targets. The questions are set out in a simple format with spaces for pupils to write answers and show workings and calculations. Greek pictures are included alongside the questions which are practical and fun. Answer sheet provided at the end of the booklet. Pages 1 &2: Proportion and Ratio. 12 questions. Learning objective: I can solve ratio and proportion questions by working out the relationships between numbers. Page 3: Checking the cost (calculations). 3 questions. Learning objective: I can check a calculation. Page 4: Factors and Multiples. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply pairs of factors to make a given number. Page 5: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use times tables. Page 6: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply and divide by 10 or 100. Page 7: Using a calculator. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use a calculator to work out calculations and solve problems. Page 8: Measurement. 5 questions. Learning objective: I know which units of measurement to use for length, mass and capacity. Page 9: Tables and charts. 2 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 10: Tables and charts. 3 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 11: Number Patterns. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can recognise patterns in numbers and can explain the pattern.

Bonfire night and the Gunpowder Plot Y2 & KS2 power-point lesson of 39 slides. The power-point can be divided into separate sections depending on how you want to follow up some of the aspects/features depending on your class. Each set of slides includes paired discussion or individual/ paired written follow up tasks or worksheets. There are a range of strategies to keep the content interesting and interactive. Slides 1-5 introduce the topic with a 3-clue riddle, slides 6&7 focus on a sentence starter activity and worksheet about Bonfire Night. Slides 9&10 focus on names of fireworks and a youtube clip. Slides 11-14 introduce Guy Fawkes followed by a worksheet with a simple maths calculation to work out the age of GF when he died and a geography map activity to label his birthplace. Slides 15-17: ‘Remember, remember’ rhyme and dictionary activity. Slides 18-31 focus on the story of the Gunpowder Plot plus 2 worksheet activities (identify the plotters from a source and give advice to GF about the ‘weaknesses’ of his plot. Slide 32: Speech bubbles conversation worksheet. Slide 33-35: Guy Fawkes punishment and a ‘was it fair?’ written task. Slides 36-39: A brief introduction to Onomatopoeia and a firework scene task.

KS2 Pompeii powerpoint lesson of 30 slides broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to watch and take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare photographs and paintings and use maps and atlases to locate Italy, the Bay of Naples and Pompeii. Each slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the history of Pompeii as well as simple information about Vesuvius. Great to link with cross curricular topic such as Italy, Volcanoes, Ancient Rome, Early civilizations etc. Learning Objectives I must find Pompeii in my atlas. I should recognise which the country where Pompeii is located. I could explain what Pompeii was like and what happened in 79AD by looking at and comparing ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs and information from books and the internet. Extension I could research Pompeii and make an information booklet.

Florence Nightingale KS1 complete lesson(s) pp of 49 slides and worksheets. Slides 2-6 begin with a 3-clue riddle for the pupils to solve; Slides 7-8 are learning objectives and a class poll; 9-15 focus on hospitals; 15-37 focus on Florence’s life with supporting worksheets and opportunities for paired talk. Slide 38 - a link to Youtube showing the children how to make a lantern; Slide 39 - a link to a clip about Florence’s life (13 mins);40-46 Hygiene and hand washing and a leaflet activity; 47-49 Florence’s life and a fact sheet for pupil use. Can be used as a one-off lesson or developed into 2-3 lessons using all of the worksheets and activities. Useful to link to topics on ‘Keeping healthy’, ‘People who help us’, ‘Famous people’, ‘Victorians’. Learning objectives To recognise a photograph of Florence Nightingale and explain her job. To describe what hospitals were like during the Crimea War before Florence Nightingale’s visit. To explain the changes Florence made to hospitals and caring for the soldiers. To explain how Florence’s work in the Crimea has changed how nurses work today.

3 Biographies of Nelson Mandela simplified into three differentiated pieces for HA, MA, LA (Versions: 1= HA, 2= MA, 3= LA) aimed at Y2 & KS2. Each simplified biography is up to one page long. Can be used to identify features of biographies, to aid understanding of how to structure a biography and support content understanding. Also, can be used to support historical research when writing a diary, newspaper report, letter.