I made this fun booklet for my KS2 pupils to practise maths in a ‘real life’ situation based on planning a Christmas party for 200 KS1 pupils. After completing this task, the children actually did plan a party for KS1! They were amazed at the actual cost of the items and gained a real insight into planning for an event. There are 7 tasks in total with a task summary table for pupils to record their summaries at the end of each task. The pupils have a budget of £400 and must make decisions based upon their budget and costs of items such as food and entertainment. Task 1 Party timetable – working out a timetable around set times. Task 2 Total cost of food for 200 children. Percentage and fraction of children’s votes for a particular buffet type. Cost per head and total costs. Task 3 Total number of tracks for the whole party. Numbers of tracks for the dancing sessions using multiplication and addition skills. Task 4 The cost and name of the cheapest show. Calculating the actual costs of two shows plus extras and deciding on the cheapest option. Task 5 Total drinks cost for 200 children. Options for drinks and total costs. Task 6 The cheapest option for party hats Task 7 Total cost of all prizes.

Mexico today: Series of 6 KS2 power-point Geography lessons. Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, participate in a short quiz, take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare population graphs and weather charts (included on slides), research native animals and use maps and atlases to locate Mexico’s key cities and geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of Mexico as well as simple cultural information such as greetings in Mexican (Spanish) at the beginning and end of lessons. Great to link with cross curricular topics such as ‘Aztecs’, ‘Rainforests’, ‘Weather’, ‘Early civilizations’ etc. Lesson 1 Learning Objectives I must find Mexico in my atlas. I should recognise some of the features of Mexico. I could describe where Mexico is in the world using geographical words. Lesson 2 Learning objectives I must be able to spot the main features of Mexico. I should find and label the features on my map. I could write a description about two features. Lesson 3 Learning Objectives I must describe a tropical climate. I should explain the temperature in different locations. I could interpret the climate data and temperature chart for each month. Lesson 4 Learning objectives: I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’. I should interpret the population table and identify the challenges for living in Mexico. I could compare population graphs for Mexico cities and explain population issues. Lesson 5 Learning Objectives I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’, ‘tropical climate’ and ‘weather’. I must order the ten most populated cities in Mexico. I should explain how the location of Mexican cities affects population size. I could explain how the weather and climate support the life of the Mexican people. Lesson 6 Learning Objectives I must identify some features of natural beauty in Mexico. I should identify and research some of the areas of natural beauty which come from Mexico. OR I should identify and research some of the animal, fish and birds which come from Mexico.

Earth Day KS1 and KS2 Assembly. A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Earth Day which can be used in the days preceding or on 22nd April. A short video link (on last slide) can be easily slotted into the assembly if you chose. Power-point of 24 slides which include: Suggested music, video clip and hymns. Date of Earth Day (22nd April). How Earth Day began and the UN choice of Earth Day as the signing of the Paris Agreement. The issues of waste pollution and the impact on the planet. Earth Day projects and the importance of trees. Fossil fuels and the impact of global warming. What can we do? Some suggestions. An Eco champion – Greta Thunberg. ‘A poem for climate change’ (Can be read aloud) and a link to the ‘paper’ animated version (BBC). Final prayer. Optional video clip of David Attenborough ‘BBC Planet Earth celebration’. Links well with topics on environmental issues, climate change, global warming, people who make a difference, current world climate issues.

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.

The sun and our planet. EYFS/KS1 power-point of 36 slides. This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the sun and how it affects earth. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including a simple riddle, a short youtube clip, paired talk activities, a practical ‘ordering planets’ activity and an assessment challenge to make a booklet about the information learned. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on sun safety, summer, space and planets etc. Learning objectives • To know that the sun is the centre of the solar system. • To know some interesting facts about the sun. • To name the eight planets which orbit the sun. • To organise the planets in order of closeness to the sun. • To explain how the sun affects our planet.

Queen Victoria 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.

KS1&2 Christmas Nativity story sequencing activity. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order. Pupils cut out the boxed images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. Higher Ability (Timeline 1) template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. Middle Ability (Timeline 2) is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. Lower Ability (Timeline 3) order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text. After completing the activity the pupils can retell the story using the timeline sequence as a prompt.

KS1 & 2 Fable planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own fable. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing fables and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting, the moral and the structure of their story. Great to use following an assembly or moral writing lesson /drama. Can also be used with topics : Aesop’s fables, Morals and Dilemmas, Animals.

Tim Peake: Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in the life of the British astronaut, 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.

Fantasy Adventure story template KS1 & 2 fantast adventure story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own fantasy writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing fantasy adventure stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and plan the structure of their story. Great to use following an fantasy adventure writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics : fairytales, space, imaginary worlds.

KS2 Geography – Discover the Arctic Circle power-point lesson of 42 slides. Learning Objectives I must find the Arctic in my atlas. I must recognise the symbols for the points on a compass. I should identify the lines of latitude and longitude on a map or globe. I should explain the term ‘Arctic Circle’. I could describe where the Arctic Circle is in the world using geographical vocabulary and name some places located there. The lesson uses pupil starting points and encourages partner and group discussion. Written tasks are built into each stage of the lesson following a discussion task, map or globe work. The introduction asks pupils to describe the arctic landscape and arctic animals using a selection of photographs. They use this information to build up a picture to guess the place. There are slides which demonstrate the features of the arctic and two linked worksheets for pupils to complete. The lesson moves onto a simple explanation of latitude and longitude and the points on the compass. Pupils will need a map or globe to explore the tasks fully and identify the Arctic Circle and the countries and seas within it. There are 2 YouTube links – a latitude and longitude song (great fun!) and a short clip about Arctic wildlife which could be used as a starter for a follow up lesson. There is an optional assessment task at the end of the lesson.

The Moon. KS2 power-point of 41 slides. This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the Moon and how it affects Earth. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including short youtube clips, NASA clips, paired talk activities, homework moon observation (diary activity) and a challenge to make a quiz about the information learned. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. There are worksheets which support the power-point including: A Moon description activity, Word Mat, Lunar sequencing, Phases of the Moon factsheet, Phases of the Moon sorting cards (make 2 sets and play ‘pairs’ or ‘snap’, a high tide and low tide worksheet, how the Moon causes tides worksheet, Moon Diary template. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Space, Sun and Planets, Space travel, The Sky. Learning objectives • To understand the relationship between the Moon and the Earth. • To recognise and explain the ‘Phases of the Moon’. • To use key scientific vocabulary about the Moon in descriptions and explanations for example: satellite eclipse phases rotation axis orbit • To know that gravity from the Moon and Sun has an effect on Earth.

KS1 and Reception Pack of 30 PE warm up games/activities to develop: Key skills: Familiarisation with space. Awareness of obstacles and other children. Respond to ‘stop’, ‘turn’, ‘change direction’ and simple signals. Travel in different ways. Taking turns. Positional vocabulary. Each game/activity can be used as a lesson starter to warm up the pupils and help them to practise the key skills. A list of resources is listed by each activity where needed. Games included help pupils develop team work, understanding of rules and tactics or simple strategies. I have used these games and activities and have adapted the names of the games to match some of the topics I was teaching at a particular time.

Vincent Van Gogh complete Art lesson for Primary pupils. Learning objectives To learn about the work of the artist Vincent Van Gogh. To look at shapes, colour and lines in Van Gogh’s artwork and talk about what they might represent. To understand how to create movement in a picture by using lines and thickness of paint. To try out Van Gogh’s techniques in my own artwork. To create my own still life composition using shape, colour and lines and evaluate my work. The lesson includes brief information about Van Gogh’s life and how he painted using examples of his paintings. There are opportunities for pupils to work in paired tasks to discuss Van Gogh’s painting techniques and use of pattern and shapes in his paintings to create depth, texture and movement. Art tasks include: Creating pattern using 3 of Van Gogh’s examples (worksheet), using pattern techniques on a blank outline of a tree to create movement (worksheet), warm and cold colours and colour wheel worksheet. There is also an opportunity for the class to use a range of materials (pastels, chalk, paint, crayon) to create their own still life piece inspired by ‘Sunflowers’ with an evaluation sheet for their finished masterpiece! This lesson can be edited and used as suitable for your class and time or space constraints. Can be a stand-alone lesson or linked to topics such as Colour, Famous people/Artists, Art, Famous paintings, Feelings and Emotions.

KS2 Geography – Deserts power-point lesson of 45 slides. Learning Objectives To recognise the features of a desert. To explain the differences and similarities between tropical and polar deserts. To locate deserts on a map. To identify countries where deserts are located. To understand that some plants, animals and humans can survive in the desert. The lesson uses pupil starting points and encourages partner and group discussion, map or atlas work. The introduction asks pupils to describe the desert climate following a simple experiment. The pupils are asked to locate the 10 largest deserts on a world map following a youtube clip. The lesson moves onto a simple explanation of the features of hot deserts and polar deserts with a Venn diagram comparison activity. Pupils will need a map, atlas or globe to explore the tasks fully and identify the desert regions. There is a simple reference to landlocked deserts and more detail about people and animal adaptation in the desert which could be used as a starter for a follow up lesson. There is a simple Google Earth task at the end of the lesson. Lesson works well with topics linked to Adaptation, Weather and climate, Mapwork, and Hot countries.

Harvest Assembly and supporting powerpoint. This assembly is complete but can be mixed or edited according to time limitations or pupil numbers/abilities. There are sufficient parts for 2 classes of KS2 pupils or pupils reading and taking acting/ speaking roles. The Assembly begins with a short introduction and information about harvest traditions and moves onto crops and grains harvested with a harvest Alphabet. The powerpoint has images which support the pupil text if you wish to use it. There are suggestions for well known songs and hymns at key points in the assembly. There is a prayer of thanks in the form of a poem which leads onto thanks to the parents/carers for their harvest donations. A short play depicts the theme of sharing with those who need it and moves onto supporting our planet and the climate issues it faces. (a summary of props is included on the playscript). The assembly ends with a ‘Happy Harvest’ where pupils can show their paintings or pictures as they read out short captions. My class made bread and we inserted pictures of the baking process (including the sticky hands and floury faces!) into the powerpoint. Also, the small recorder group played a short song and we took their photos and inserted them into the powerpoint. The children’s scripts were numbered so they sat in order of speaking (and moved if they had more than one part) and their script cards (their words) were mounted on Autumn pictures or collages made by the children and held up for the audience to see after speaking. I hope you enjoy this assembly and have fun with your children.

New Year 2024 KS1 & 2 Power-point lesson which can be used as a single lesson, assembly or as a stimulus for cross curricular work. 21 slides presented in simple text focusing on New Year greetings (in different languages) and historical information. The lesson encourages pupils to work in small groups of three / four to discuss and explain questions about the images and information presented on the slides. Slides include information on Janus the Roman God of new beginnings, reviewing the previous year and resolutions for the forthcoming year. There are a range of humorous images demonstrating resolutions and prompting ideas for pupils to use. Pupils are encouraged to record their resolutions, refer to them daily and try to stick to them!

Set of 128 fun activity cards for the pupils who always finish before the rest of the class. The activities are easy to organise (just cut out, laminate and put in a lovely box) answers can be written in a jotter, busy book or on activity paper. I put these cards in a box in an ‘Early Bird Tray’ with all of the resources the pupils would need eg. a couple of atlases, a tape measure, dictionary, dice, number spinners and some lined and plain paper. I explained the use of the tray to the whole class and gave a brief ‘10 second slot’ at the end of the day for any pupils to share their answers with the class. It was amazing how many finished their class work to get onto the Early Bird Activities! I have used these cards with Y2,3,4 and lower ability Y5,6.

EYFS /KS1 Christmas Snap matching cards. Set of 20 simple picture cards (10 pairs) for younger pupils. Useful for matching games, stimulating Christmas vocabulary and for memory games (eg Kim’s game/Snap). Cut each picture, laminate or cover and pupils can use the cards more than once. Alternatively, the images can be used for pupils to use as part of a glue/stick activity. Images include simple everyday items and objects associated with Christmas for example: Santa, christmas tree, holly, snowflake etc.

A set of four creepy pictures for pupils to describe using spooky vocabulary and phrases. Useful for writing a single descriptive paragraph rather than a whole story. Great to link to topics on ‘Halloween’, Night and Day, Darkness, Sci-Fi etc