Spike Milligan’s On the Ning Nang Nong (1958) is one of the ten most popular poems for primary school children. It has often been set to music and is ideal for classes, smaller groups, or individual children. When my daughter was young, I set the poem to a simple tune and sang it to her at bedtime. This setting tries to keep the focus on the words and the rhymes. After the poem /song, there is a short ‘listen & repeat’ exercise to help learn the words. For the classroom, I recommend a) play through the poem sung & stop the audio b) continue audio, asking children listen and repeat to speak each line c) repeat but this time singing each line Finish by singing through the entire poem in unison Try to lead the singing - sing along softly if you don’t feel confident. The children will follow the audio - you can conduct them as a group, or break into parts for harmonies. Above all, don’t worry about your own performance - the kids won’t notice any flubs

(Video) reading with original illustrations, plus teaching notes for presenting The Owl and the Pussycat to young children. Plus text of the complete poem for reference. Try to keep it simple and fun while introducing basic poetic concepts (rhyme scheme etc).

Single page A Christmas Carol resources for quick-reference and/or revision. A Brief Guide to Key Characters - with short quotes and thumbnail images. Key Quotations - organised by character and stave. Includes audio of Stave One conversations between Scrooge and Fred ('Bah Humbug!") and Scrooge and the charity collectors (‘Are there no prisons?’) Ideal for GCSE English. Linked to more resources, including presentations, audio & worksheets here

The War of the Worlds (1899) is an exciting story but a difficult text for new readers. These presentations, worksheets and adapted extracts (text & audio) introduce the central narrative of one of the most influential science fiction novel in all literature. They stay stay close to the original H.G Wellsltext and maintain the same chapter structure. The materials are ideal for GCSE English Literature classes, guided reading, exam preparation or as an introduction to late 19th Century fiction. They are all free to access and include links to the original for cross reference. About me - I write graded reading materials, and my published titles include original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan Readers) & simplified versions of classics like Washington Square, The Secret Garden, Vanity Fair (OUP), Jaws, A Picture of Dorian Gray, A Picture of Dorian Gray & Rainman (Penguin).

Presentation & worksheets introducing young children to the wonderful world of nocturnal animals. The worksheets and the audio/visual materials are at an appropriate language level - also suitable for young second language learners.

In 1872 a deserted ship is found drifting in the Atlantic Ocean. Her captain, his family and seven crew members have disappeared… Mary Celeste resources include presentations, worksheets (with answers), interactive activities etc. Ideal for Years 6/7/8 and for English language learners. Can be adapted to age and level.

Two stand-alone resources for Christmas lessons. 1. Marley was dead - adapted opening from A Christmas Carol, with text and audio, glossary and worksheet. a) Students watch/listen to opening extract b) read text and complete quick check c) complete worksheet 2. A Christmas Ghost? Fred & Rita are college students. They argue about everything. In this story Fred see ‘ghosts’ on his way home from the Christmas party. Fun script and worksheet ideal for end of term classes. More Fred & Rita stories here. More Christmas Carol here

Classic comic ghost story about an American family buying a stately home and defying the tenant: an ancient ghoul . Lesson materials include adapted extracts, audio/video, worksheets (with answers), quizzes & presentations. Linked to complete (adapted) audio version.

A Christmas Carol is a great story but a challenging text for many GCSE students. These materials help establish the key themes in Stave One. Includes presentation glossary and Key Quotations sheet. Linked to more materials here: https://esolepacks.com/christmas-carol/

“A new person had appeared on the sea-front: a lady with a little dog…” Chekhov’s The Lady with the Little Dog (1899) was described by Nabokov as "“one of the greatest short stories ever written” I have abridged & adapted it for audio, staying with the same four section structure as the original. Dmitri Gurov, who had been a week in Yalta, spotted her walking along the promenade: a fair-haired young lady wearing a béret. A white Pomeranian dog was running behind her. My adaptation stays very close to the original Constance Garnett translation — changes are mostly for length and clarity. This opening worksheet contains links to free resources for the compete story. This deals with eternal themes: passion v propriety, romantic love v predatory pursuit, social class etc. I specialise in retelling classic stories for inexperienced readers (including Washington Square (OUP) & The Picture of Dorian Gray (Penguin) [

Establishes the key characters & themes of Chapter 2 in which the animals rebel . Adapted text is aimed at GCSE English Literature students or others new to novel & stays close to the original * Objective To familiarise students with the central story, themes and characters. In Ch2 we first meet those scheming pigs (Snowball, Squealer & Napoleon). Key Features While staying close to the spirit of the original, I have: a) reduced length of the text by about 50%. b) shortened paragraphs and sentences c) replaced reported speech with dialogue where this is feasible. d) reduced the number of words/phrases/references likely be unfamiliar to young readers. e) reduced the use of passive voice and authorial intervention in the narration. f) kept the focus on the story rather than the Russian Revolution parallels. These can be introduced once the central narrative is established. g) encouraged readers continue onto to the original text My background I teach and write graded reading materials for language learners and reluctant readers. My publications include original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan Education) and adaptations of classics like The Picture of Dorian Gray (Penguin Simply Stories) and Washington Square, Vanity Fair and Gulliver’s Travels for OUP.

Key scene in which the second spirit reveals the ‘dark shadow’ over Tiny Tim. Adapted for audio with presentation, worksheets etc. Stays close to the original while simplifying for reluctant readers, second language students etc. CEFr language level: B2. Linked to more resources, including complete adapted version here

Extracts from opening chapters of a adaptation of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson adapted for audio Text and audio close to the original but much shorter. Ideal ‘bridge’ to the original Accompanied by worksheets, presentations, extension activities.

Introduces a) the character of Scrooge b) the ‘pre-story’ of his relationship with Joseph Marley. Linked to more Christmas Carol materials here Suitable for all levels and ideal for GCSE.

Presentation exploring ten key questions: Who claimed Titanic was ‘unsinkable’? What caused the disaster? Was profit put before safety? What was the fatal design flaw? Who sailed on the ship? Was Titanic travelling too fast? Did Captain Smith ignore warnings? Why were some lifeboats only half full? Why did ‘the band play on’? Captain E.J. Smith’s final words? More free resources about Jack Thayler, the teenage survivor and eyewitness here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13222301 Materials can be adapted to age/ level and encourage interest in broader social history topics.

These presentations, reading worksheets and adapted extracts (text & audio) from chapters 1-4 help students to become familiar with the gripping story of Oliver’s early childhood, up until the point where he runs away to London. There is also a summary sheet with a guide to the characters (with key quotations from the original text) and a glossary Ideal as stand alone materials or as a bridge to studying the novel. Would suit GCSE English Literature classes, guided reading, exam preparation or any class dealing with19th Century fiction. About me - I write graded reading materials, and my published titles include original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan Readers) & simplified versions of classics like Washington Square, The Secret Garden, Vanity Fair (OUP), Jaws, A Picture of Dorian Gray, A Picture of Dorian Gray & Rainman (Penguin)

Presentation, with reading & listening worksheets based on the incredible experience of a Titanic survivor. On the night of the 14th April Jack Thayler (17) says goodnight to his parent at around 23.30. As he returns to his cabin he feels the ship sway gently ‘as though she had been gently pushed.’ Moments later the engines stop. Materials based around Thayler’s account. They can be adapted to age/ level and encourage interest in broader social history topics. Linked to my Titanic FAQ resources here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-13222301

Condensed version of Chapter 1 (text & audio) with activities to establish the key characters & themes. Aimed GCSE English Literature students or others new to the novel and its historical context. Aim To familiarise students with the central story before tackling the allegorical connections with the Russian Revolution. Characters be introduced sequentially: Mr Jones, Old Major and other key (non-porcine!) are animals introduced in C1. Those scheming pigs (Snowball, Squealer & Napoleon) do not appear until C2. Once the students have grasped the essentials of the story they can engage more with the original text and its historical sources. Key Features While staying close to the spirit of the original, I have: a) reduced length of the text by about 50%. b) shortened paragraphs and sentences c) replaced used direct speech where this is feasible. d) reduced the number of words/phrases/references likely be unfamiliar to young readers. e) reduced the use of passive voice and authorial intervention in the narration. f) kept the focus on the story rather than the Russian Revolution parallels. These can be introduced once the central narrative is established. g) encouraged readers continue onto to the original text My background I teach and write graded reading materials for language learners and reluctant readers. My publications include original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan Education) and adaptations of classics like The Picture of Dorian Gray (Penguin Simply Stories) and Washington Square, Vanity Fair and Gulliver’s Travels for OUP.

Adapted version takes young learners straight into the heart of the story . Includes, audio, ppt presentations, reading worksheets etc. Guided reading for KS3 & KS4, GCSE English language and Literature etc. Suitable for all secondary - especially#KS3, #KS4, GCSE English I write graded reading materials children/young adults, including original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan Readers) & simplified versions of classics like Washington Square (OUP), The Picture of Dorian Gray, Jaws & Rainman (Penguin).

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is a very entertaining Sherlock Holmes stories set at Christmas. This illustrated worksheet is based on a slightly shortened text from the opening. It includes quick check comprehension & vocabulary questions. Can stand alone or be entry point for the video clip (from vintage BBC production with Peter Cushing). This expands on what Holmes deduces from the ‘seedy felt hat’. The text for the complete original story is available online.

Edited extract from Defoe’s classic account of the Great Plague of London. With presentation, video and worksheet. The Great Plague of London (1665-6) was perhaps the most significant medical emergency in English history. It changed our approach to dealing with infectious diseases and pandemics. In his childhood, Defoe heard many stories about what happened from his Uncle Henry - and the narrator (H.D.) is clearly based on him. So is Diary of the Plague Year fact or fiction? Or a combination of both? A quiz plus free worksheets, presentations etc