Add that extra bit of interest by providing messages, facts or instructions as a top secret code! Works great as a lesson starter or as a breakdown in any part of the lesson. See who is able to decode the message the quickest! Can groups work together to decode it faster than others by working on different parts? You could even encode a riddle or anagram to add an extra layer of difficulty. This little app makes creating secret messages easy by using picture based fonts. Quickly type a message in a readable font and change it to a picture type font such as Wingdings. Give children the chance to enjoy playing detective!

A series of homework projects headed under: Word Smart Science, Maths, ICT Smart Art, Design & Creativity Smart Each activity compliments the children’s study of a topic all about drama called Lights, Camera, Action! It encourages the children to have fun doing them at home, hopefully furthering their passion or interest in the subject. *The included file is a Word Document and every part is fully editable, including the year group logo. *

This mystery trail is designed to be used online as a Google Doc as there are many connected links within. The mystery trail is made up of a ten tricky puzzles to solve. The solution to each puzzle provides one word of the mystery phrase. To add support, and an extra element of detective work, under each puzzle is a clue that can only be revealed by the children highlighting that area, (as the the text is white). It’s worth seeing how easy you are able to solve each puzzle so you can be on hand to provide extra support if needed. Some of my more independent learners in Year 3 were able to do it all on their own in one period. They really enjoyed the variety of puzzles and what they needed to do to figure them out. Very challenging, yet enjoyable puzzle sheet, that quite honestly took me hours to make! I hope you and your children enjoy it too.

1 sheet of blank A4 paper! Here are just some of the benefits you can expect from this awesome download… The white background makes it easy to add text and pictures Can be both landscape and portrait orientation. Print as is to save money on ink. Print as many copies as you want. (Dependent on amount of physical paper available). Easy to resize in Microsoft Word. Why not try it in A3!? (Requires a physical slice of A3 paper). Perfect for making snowflake decorations and making white backgrounds on your classroom wall. These are just a few of the advantages. There are many more! For this reason, we believe this is a very reasonably priced product. Half of each sale will be donated to Action for Children Charity. Coming soon… blank A4 paper with lines! Watch this space.

This is a fully editable A3 board game template which comes in both colour and black and white and also with a set of different sized question cards. Every part of the board game is editable. You can move parts where you like, type in the playing squares, adjust titles etc. All the children need are some dice and counters (which could be anything from a block to a coin). The question cards can be typed up by you or the children or you could print blank ones and they could write their own. The great thing about this game is it’s versatility. We use it to review anything from comprehension questions in literacy to word problems in maths. If a child lands on a question space, they select a question card and if they answer it correctly then they roll again. Also included on the board are snakes (for going down) and ladders (for climbing up). I’ve also included a few other fun ideas like a hospital square and different scenarios for landing on a particular square. Needless to say, the children love playing it and it’s also fun for them to edit it and create their own if there’s enough time.

This is a fully editable template for a break out style activity that I call Code Breaker. Pre-requisites: You will need at least 1 numerical combination lock and one regular lock (the master lock) and a box or even multiple boxes that you can use these locks on. I made my own ‘Mystery Box’ which has 4 latches for 4 numerical locks. Then the whole thing is wrapped up with a chain and locked with the master lock - a key padlock. I mostly use it for reviews in maths but it could be adapted for other subjects. There are so many possibilities with this. It does take a little time to setup but the children go wild for it every time! The Setup: a) Write questions which have a numerical answer. b) Decide on which numbers will be part of the code for that numerical lock. For example, add all the answers together and the last three digits of that result are the code. (This is for a three digit numerical lock). c) Change the code on the numbered lock to match. d) Write a short phrase for the master lock using numbers. Usage: a) Fill the box with random treasures. I usually put in some cool erasers and other stationery as well as several packs of crisps or sweets and a whole bunch of fake money. b) Split the class into teams and provide each with a sheet for a lock. Start the timer. c) Children then solve the code and then and open their particular lock. d) Those that solve their lock first can start working on the master lock phrase. After telling you the correct phrase, you can provide the key. *Sometimes I don’t let them get the master lock sheet until after all the other numerical locks have been opened. * Notes: The master lock page has a large image of a lock on it which obscures parts of the code, thus making it a bit more difficult. Also, each letter has four potential numbers to choose from which also adds to the difficulty in cracking a code. You can also make cracking the codes for the numerical locks more difficult by adding more operations on the end. For example, you could use an equation for the letters of each question and then depending on the result you could say that the code is only made up of odd numbers. You can also make questions which don’t have numerical answers by having a simple text to number cypher. The most basic would be to correlate the letters of the alphabet to the number in which they appear. For example, A=1, B=2 etc. If the answer is say, Holland, you could write a short note saying second letter so the children know what to look for and convert into a number. *I hope my explanations are clear, but if not, please feel free to message me or comment. It’s very worthwhile setting this up and once you have the templates filled in, you can reuse them each year as I do. *

A series of 16 rhyming riddles, with 2 per A4 page. Perfect for team competitions or as an extra when someone has finished work early. The riddles are generally quite easily and mostly involve animals, transport and everyday objects. If you’re interested, take a look at the preview to see examples of some of them. The document is fully editable so you can change them or add your own as you please.

This is a fully editable A4 version of the memory game. The front of the memory cards are all the same pattern and help to obscure what is on the other side. When I use this in class I have those plastic A4 folders that I insert the memory cards into. It helps keep them in one piece and means that you don’t need to print the covers every time, just insert the new words. In fact, I don’t even bother to take the old memory cards out, they’ve just built up in there over time. If you’re not aware of how to play the game, the basic idea is this… Split the class into at least 2 teams. I usually have them sit in a line either side of the grid of cards. That way they can take turns in pairs down the line and other team members can try and remember the location of the previous cards. The pair then turns over two of the cards, leaving them in place, so both teams can see what they are. If they are a pair then they take them with them as one point. If they aren’t a pair, then they turn them over and its the next teams turn. Here are some ideas of how you can use the giant memory game in class: a) Matching words with their definition. b) Joining up parts of a word or sentence. c) Calculations and their answer, for example a particular times table. d) Verbs and their past tense form. e) Labels and their respective picture. *The example I’ve used in this upload is of adult and baby names for different animals. * There are so many ways you can use this game and you don’t even have to limit yourself to pairs. It could be a set of three that has to be found. Like many things, this potential of this game is only limited by the range of your creativity! The children love it and it also helps to reinforce content, encourages teamwork, as well as improving memory and paying attention.

This colourful A3 board game is fully editable. You can change the contents of any of any square on the board. This particular version of the game is called, ‘The End of the Beginning’, as each space either has the start of a word or the end of one. When children land on a space they have to give an example word and spell it. To add difficulty you could also ask them to use it in context. There are so many other ways you an adapt this for different lessons. Here are a few more examples… a) Maths Write calculations in each box for the children to solve b) Reading Write tricky phonics words for children to work on their pronunciation or you could also have the children use the word in context in a sentence or explain its definition etc. c) Science Write questions relating to your topic in the box, or add in question spaces where children have to pick up a card with a question on. You could even get the class to create their own question cards. All you need for the game is a dice and between 2-5 players. Each of the ideas above follow the same style game play. That is, if you are able to solve the problems or read the words in the space you land on, then you are able to remain there. If not, then you go back to where you were before you rolled. You can also get creative and add in your own special spaces such as miss a go or roll again. Or you can get really creative and add in special reasons. For example, you helped a friend in need, move forward four spaces, or you fell off your bike and broke your head, miss a go. etc.

A door sign which encourages children ready their mind-set to accept challenges upon entering the classroom. A fun sort of contractual obligation they should automatically accept upon entrance to the class! I often send children who have given up on a problem to go and read the sign and then come in afresh with renewed determination. It almost serves as a quick, ‘reset and try again’ activity. If you like this free resource, please take a look at some of my other products on Edumacatin’… https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Sherwen

30 general knowledge quiz questions split into three different levels. Suitable for KS1 to KS2. Plenty of riddles with pictures and illustrations used in some questions. Each question takes up one A4 page. Fully editable DOC as well as PDF. I use it mostly for team quizzes and competitions. Check out the preview for examples of some of the questions…

Five fully editable A4 comic book strip templates. Let children choose which one to use for their own short comic strip. I recommend that the students cut and stick coloured speech and/or thought bubbles for added effect.

This is the electronic take on the classic memory game and it’s fully editable! Just add in pairs (or groups) of words for matching up. Best to be projected in front of the class and have two teams compete. There are 24 numbered tiles that reveal the words underneath when clicked on. I’ve also included one click scoring systems (with a max 12 points for each of the two teams) as well as a hide and reveal all button. This is great for reinforcing new vocabulary but can also be used for anything which can be split into two parts. For example, a word cut in half, a word and definition, a word and picture, a verb and its past tense form, synonyms or even a maths calculation and answer. There are so many different possibilities! It’s also good point for introducing locational memory strategies and mnemonics.

Another selection of completely editable templates for making two types of word game. Both activities are useful for reinforcing new vocabulary. Templates vary by grid size/difficulty. 1-4) Word Searches - 4 different templates for creating different word searches. Either add in the letters and words yourself or have the students create their own. 5-6) Crossword - 2 templates for students to add in their own criss-crossed words.

A selection of completely editable templates for making five different word games. Word Maker 1 - A ‘Boggle’ style template with space for 16 letters (no repeating allowed). Includes instructions and points guide. **Word Maker 2 **- Another ‘Boggle’ style template with space for 9 letters (repeating allowed) Includes instructions and points guide. Word Maze - A grid template in which you can create a pathway for words for students to colour in. A pathway of verbs have been created as an example. Once the pathway has been made, the rest of the template needs filled with other words. Create false paths to add difficulty. Anagrams - Table template for adding ten anagrams (plus a bonus) with spaces for writing the answers. Useful for reinforcing key vocabulary in a unit. Three Word Story - Template for students to write a short story by alternating between writing three words each. Makes for some interesting and creative stories.

Easily and quickly make a, ‘match the parts’ worksheet which can be printed and/or projected onto the whiteboard. Included are five different editable templates: Match up… 10 words with their definition using an arrow. 10 words with their definition using a letter (easier to mark). 5 pictures and words using an arrow (horizontally) 4 pictures and words using an arrow (vertically) 12 pictures and words using a letter (easier to mark).

Simple but effective display for teacher-parent meetings to show the main points that the child is doing well and the points they need to work on. Useful for both the teacher and the parents to refer to and a nice consolidation alongside a grade card or if there are no written reports.

In this editable presentation there is a slide for each day of the week (Monday to Friday). On each slide, there is a space for the day and date, information about where the names of the days originate and a space for notices including a riddle of the day. It’s a colourful and fun way to present any school notices to the children at the beginning of each day.