I have been an SLT co-ordinating English, dance, drama and music. I have covered PPA by delivering drama and dance to children from EYFS - Y6. I have delivered INSET on drama, dance and music both in schools and at a county level. I have delivered the drama module for B.Ed students at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.
I write children's poems and have had some published in compilations. I have written drama and dance lessons based on poetry, for Early Years Educator and Scholastic.
I have been an SLT co-ordinating English, dance, drama and music. I have covered PPA by delivering drama and dance to children from EYFS - Y6. I have delivered INSET on drama, dance and music both in schools and at a county level. I have delivered the drama module for B.Ed students at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.
I write children's poems and have had some published in compilations. I have written drama and dance lessons based on poetry, for Early Years Educator and Scholastic.
ENVIRONMENT WHOLE CLASS ASSEMBLY
Included in this pack:
A short play
An original poem (PPT slides and a written version)
I’m An Eco-Warrior, Get Me Into There!
This is a play for a class of 30 children and is about four environmental issues: forests, rivers, ice caps and oceans. Each issue is represented in a game show by an Eco-Warrior. Each issue has a rap to perform and a group of Fact Finders. The Fact Finders each have a short paragraph of facts to say.
Every child has the chance to speak, either with scripted dialogue or through the rap. There are scripted dialogue lines for 22 children and the other children are involved in the raps. You could also add more presenters and share the dialogue out between them.
I have included the script as a word document so changes can be made to accommodate more or less speaking parts. Fact Finders can be added to by sharing the dialogue out more, or cut down by giving each Fact Finder more to say. Rappers can also be added to or cut down. One rapper from each environmental issue also has a single line of dialogue.
As well as the whole play I have included the Fact Finder scripts and raps separately for ease of chopping them up, so you don’t have to give everyone the full script.
Once Upon a Time There Was a Planet… is a 12 stanza non-rhyming poem about the affects we’re having on the environment. It’s presented as a 13 slide power point presentation, with powerful images. There is a written version included too.
The poem is ideal for individual, paired, group or whole class work and would make an excellent addition to your class assembly.
The first half illustrates how wonderful our planet is and the second half illustrates the devastating affect humans are having on the planet.
This is an original poem written for a Y6 leavers’ assembly.
It is made up of 12 four line, rhyming stanzas.
It can be used for individual, paired, group or whole class poetry writing. It is also ideal for using in the end of year leavers’ assembly.
It covers the topic of Y6s leaving primary school, and their hopes and dreams as they look forward to moving to secondary school. It can either be simply recited or acted out.
Included is a 13 slide PPT presentation.
This is a short humorous play initially written for use with my drama club. I then went on to use it in the Year 6 leavers' assembly.
It has seven characters, as well as a chorus that can be as large or as small as you like. The costumes are simply hats, and the list of props is very short and simple.
It appeals to both boys and girls as it contains very obvious humour, as well as over the top characters.
This pack is based on two Greek myths, and each myth has three lessons. Various drama strategies are used as well as individual, paired, group and whole class work. The drama strategies are all explained, and there are also tips for using the pack.
Resource sheets and PPT slides are included where necessary.
Both myths come with an original version of the story.
King Midas and the Golden Touch:
Lesson 1: creating a conversation; improvising, planning and rehearsing an ‘off-stage’ scene
Uses - improvisation and dialogue
Lesson 2: considering what a character should do and what he thinks; creating a conversation
Uses - thought tapping and hot seating
Lesson 3: improvising a group scene; considering what a character should do and what he thinks; creating an ending for the story
Uses - hot seating, improvisation and conscience alley
Theseus and the Minotaur:
Lesson 1: using body language and tone of voice; considering what a character thinks; thinking, speaking and reacting in role
Uses - freeze frames, thought tapping, conscience alley and T.I.R.
Lesson 2: considering a character’s feelings; being in role for a whole class drama; deciding on what will happen next
Uses - hot seating, sculpture, freeze frame and T.I.R.
Lesson 3: choreographing movements; improvising a paired scene, considering a character’s feelings; predicting a character’s actions
Uses - movement, improvisation, hot seating and flash backwards & flash forwards
This bundle contains 25 detailed drama lessons.
KS1: This pack contains 14 drama lessons based on five popular fairy tales. It is accompanied by 22 resource sheets and a PPT presentation. The lessons include individual, paired and group work.
There are full descriptions of the drama strategies used.
The Three Little Pigs: three lessons using mime, freeze frame, hot seating, T.I.R and sculpture.
Hansel and Gretel: three lessons using mime, script work, sculpture and T.I.R
Little Red Riding Hood: three lessons using sculpture, thought circle, mime, hot seating and movement to music
The Enormous Turnip: two lessons using mime, thought circle, hot seating and movement to music
The Three Billy Goats Gruff: three lessons using sculpture, improvisation, script work, hot seating and movement to music
KS2: This pack contains 11 drama lessons based on four popular fairy tales. It is accompanied by 16 resources and a PPT presentation.
There are full descriptions of the drama strategies used.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff - two lessons based on script work. The strategies used are freeze frames, and performing a script as well as creating their own. There is also a short script for the whole story, which could be used for an assembly.
Jack & the Beanstalk - three lessons. The strategies used are: corporate brain, conscience alley, freeze frames, improvisation, movement to music, mime and T.I.R.
Dick Whittington - three lessons. A short version of the story is included. The strategies used are: hot seating, improvisation, freeze frames, mime, scripts and picture whoosh!
Little Red Riding Hood - three lessons. A full, new version of the story is included. The strategies used are: sculpture, improvisation, conscience alley, hot seating, thought circle, freeze frames and moving pictures
This is a 12 stanza, non-rhyming poem about the affects humans are having on the environment. The first half is about the wonderful things on the planet, and the second half is about what’s happening to them now.
It is presented as a 13 slide PPT presentation, with each verse having a powerful image as the background. There is also a written version of the poem.
This poem would be ideal for individual, paired, group or whole class poetry, as well as perfect to support work on the environment.
This unit is ideal for poetry work as well as P.S.H.E. The unit is supported by a 25 slide PPT presentation, as well as resource sheets and five original poems.
The Red Hot Feeling - anger (a four stanza rhyming poem)
I Fear... - fear (a seven stanza non-rhyming poem covering various things a child is scared of eg not being picked, falling out with friends, walking home alone etc)
Please Someone Try to Change It - loneliness (a four stanza non-rhyming poem covering a child with no friends and not understanding why)
Draining Hope Away - sadness (a one stanza non-rhyming poem using similes)
A Cosy Feeling of Warmth - happiness (a four stanza rhyming poem covering various things that make children happy)
There is a list of general activities to use with all of the poems, as well as specific activities for each individual poem.
This is a pack of five poems about transport, for E.Y.F.S. and K.S.1. The poems are all simple and rhyming. A suggested activity for each poem is included.
THE WATER LAPS…: a four stanza rhyming poem describing being on a ship.
BICYCLE, BICYCLE: a seven stanza rhyming poem with a repetitive pattern. Each stanza describes a different part of the bike e.g. wheels, handlebar etc.
HERE COMES THE TRAIN!: an eight stanza rhyming poem describing the journey of a train. It uses onomatopoeia and has a repetitive pattern. Great for adding actions to in P.E.
STRANGE SILVER BIRD: a poem describing a rocket, written as one long stanza. It could also be broken up into six short stanzas. Each line is very short to keep the poem moving along.
THE CAR: a calligram poem using the shape of the car.
ACTIVITIES
THE CAR: There is a template for each mode of transport to be used for calligram poems. There is also the same template but with details added to be used as colouring sheets, if so desired.
The poems BICYCLE, BICYCLE and HERE COMES THE TRAIN! have writing frames for the children to have a go at creating their own stanzas, or full poems. These can then be put together to make a whole class poem or done individually, in pairs or in groups.
STRANGE SILVER BIRD: I have included the poem cut up into stanzas so the children can have a go at putting it back together. I have also included it split into pairs of lines, so the children can put it back together using the rhymes.
THE WATER LAPS…: Read this to the children, or show it on the PPT and ask them to draw what’s being described. Is it a calm picture? Is there a storm? What’s in the picture besides the ship? Is the ship big or small? What shape are the windows? Are the dancing horses actually horses? I have also included some reading comprehension questions to go with this poem.
This is a pack of five lessons for K.S.1 children, based on the weather. Each lesson can stand-alone. Each lesson ends with a whole class dance, which if done with a smaller group of children could easily be used in an assembly.
CLASS DANCE
Each of these lessons culminates in a whole class dance. The movements required for the dance are taught, and built up throughout the lesson. This means that by the end of each lesson you will have a small performance should you choose to use it. A cut down version – using a small group of children - could easily be performed in an assembly.
MUSIC
The pack uses music in every lesson; whether it be simple percussion instruments or recorded music. The suggested recorded music is listed below:
• 'The Snow is Dancing' by Debussy
• 'Summertime' by Gershwin
• CD – BBC Essential Weather Sound Effects - Track 33 'Low - Pitched Wind'
• 'The Planets' by Gustav Holst – 'Mars'
PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:
• Tambour & beater
• Maraca
• Tambourine
• cymbals
Rain: looks at the effect the rain has on a flower. Looks at the movement of the actual rain.
Snow: looks at the movement of snow. Looks at snowdrifts, which the children create in pairs.
Sun: looks at the effect the sun has on our body. Looks at how actions can be turned into movements.
Wind: looks at the effect the wind has on a kite. Looks at the movement of the actual wind.
Storm: looks at the movements of clouds, rain and lightening in a storm
A set of three stand-alone dance lessons based on three different fairy tales. Each lesson culminates in a whole dance.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears - a dance lesson using percussion instruments
The Enormous Turnip - a dance lesson using The Carnival of the Animals - Tortoises
Jack and the Beanstalk - a dance lesson using individual and group work
This is a pack of five dance lessons for K.S.1, based on the theme of Toys. There is also a resource pack and a PPT presentation to support it. Ideally an actual toy should be used for each lesson, but if this isn't possible, the picture resource provided will do.
Each lesson uses music and the two CDs required are:
'The Synthesizer Album' by Project D & 'Children's Games' by Bizet
The pack includes an original poem called 'The Toy Box' which isn't referred to in the lessons, but is there as an extra resource if required. Each verse corresponds to a lesson, and the individual verses are included in the PPT presentation.
Each lesson culminates in a whole class dance, with the movements for the dance being taught in the lesson. This gives you a short performance at the end of each lesson and, if done with a smaller group of children, can be used in an assembly.
Puppet: looks at the jerky movements of a puppet
Rubber Ball: looks at the different movements of a ball
Robotic Toy: looks at the stiff movements of a robotic toy
Kite: looks at the gentle movements of a kite
Rag Doll: looks at the floppy movements of a rag doll. Includes partner work
This is a unit of five dance lessons based on the jungle and rainforest. Each lesson is individual and will stand alone, however I would recommend that you do ‘The Machines are Coming’ after doing either ‘Rainforest’ by Helen Cowcher or ‘Rainforest Dance’ so you won’t have to use time going over the same animals.
Lesson 1: 'The Jungle' - group dances based on a poem
Lesson 2: The Machines are Coming - whole class dance based on the diggers coming into the rainforest. Uses the CD 'The Art of Noise' but any music with a mechanical, heavy beat will do
Lesson 3: 'Where the Forest Meets the Sea' by Jeannie Baker - whole class dance telling the story of the book
Lesson 4: Rainforest Dance - upbeat dance using the movements of the rainforest animals. Uses CD 'One World - A Musical Journey Around the Globe' but any upbeat piece of music will do
Lesson 5: 'Rainforest' by Helen Cowcher - whole class dance telling the story of the book.
This pack is accompanied by a power point presentation of the resources used in the lesson ‘The Jungle’. If you don’t have an IWB in the hall, the resources are also included in the lesson pack for you to print out.
This is a 12 stanza rhyming, story, performance poem about the day the Vikings raided the monastery on Lindisfarne.
The poem is presented as an 11 slide PPT presentation, and accompanied by a written version too. There are also tips for performance poetry included. These tips are also presented as nine PPT slides.
The poem would be great for enhancing your teaching of this historical story. It is succinct and would be perfect for performing.
It would also be ideal for a whole class assembly.
This is a pack of eight original poems to use with various science topics for K.S.2. Included are general activity suggestions for all of the poems, and specific activities for the individual poems.
The poems are supported by a 37 slide PPT presentation.
1) Colours Say...: a non-rhyming poem with a pattern. Each stanza is about a different colour
2) FIZZLE! CRACKLE!: a rhyming poem about electricity. This would be ideal for a rap
3) FIRE! FIRE!: a non-rhyming two stanza poem which describes fire, using two different viewpoints
4) Machine: a rhyming poem about the sounds and movements of a machine. This would make an excellent performance poem, and could also be used for a dance lesson
5) MAGIC ME!: a simple rhyming poem about the five senses. Ideal for an U.K.S.2 class to prepare as a performance for K.S.1 children
6) How Does an Animal Move?: a non-rhyming poem with each stanza looking at the movement of a different animal
7) Sounds Around...: a rhyming poem about the sounds of everyday objects, without actually naming the objects.
8) A Mass of Puzzling Questions: a non-rhyming poem about space
This is a pack of six original poems - spanning both key stages - using autumn as the stimulus.
Autumn - a rhyming poem about the transition from autumn to winter
Yes, Yes, Yes It Is! - a non-rhyming question and answer poem about autumn
Friend or Foe? - a rhyming poem about Halloween which can be written in three different ways
Crackle! Spit! - a rhyming poem with a pattern, about Bonfire Night. There are two accompanying dance lessons for K.S.1 with this poem
Bonfire Night - a non-rhyming poem which can be written in a straightforward way, or as calligrams
We Dare You To! - a rhyming poem about the dangers of playing with fireworks, and also the issue of wanting to fit in. This has an accompanying Y5/6 drama lesson
The pack includes general activities to do with the poems, as well as specific activities for the individual poems.
There is a 40 slide PPT presentation to support the activities.
This is a set of eight original poems all about ME! The poems are all simple and rhyming. They follow a quatrain pattern, vary in length and have a similar rhythm. They are great for using with actions.
Each poem has a worksheet with a writing idea - this can then be turned into the children's own poems.
There is a PPT presentation of the poems included.
Magic Me! - this is about the five senses with a stanza for each sense
I Like... - this is seven stanzas long and looks at some of the things that children typically like
I Don't like... - this is seven stanzas long and looks at some of the things that children typically don't like. It is in the same style as I Like...
How Do I Feel? - this looks at emotions, with a new stanza for each one
I'm Really Rather Complex - this is six stanzas long and looks at what makes us unique, both in how we look and how we behave
Friends - a simple three stanza poem
What Can I Do? - this looks at some of the different things that parts of the body can do, with a new stanza for each body part
Will I Have Some Post Today? - this is six stanzas long and looks at a child waiting for the post, imagining what might be delivered
This is an original poem written to support a theme on food and shopping. It has 13 four line, rhyming stanzas
This pack includes a 14 slide PPT of the poem as well as a written version.
It is ideal for using to inspire the children to write their own list/rhyming poems, or for group/whole class poetry lessons, or to support the class work on shopping.
Three drama lessons based on Michael Morpurgo's beautiful book about a wombat who loses his mother.
He comes across several animals as he looks for his mother, and they are all very quick to tell him how good they are at something. However, when a fire starts is it one of these clever animals that saves the day - or wombat?
The drama lessons require the children to work individually and in groups. They also use basic drama strategies.
This is a dance lesson based on the different movements of a bee, and uses individual and group work. It culminates in a whole dance.
The music used is The Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov.
This is the first in a series of dance lessons using minibeasts as their stimulus.
This pack is simply two poems with no lessons attached.
Robbie Likes to Choose - a story about a little boy who won't listen to his parents when they try to tell him to eat healthily
Grubble and Squeak - two cute characters try to get the children to live their lives like them; one lives a healthy life, the other one lives unhealthily
Included:
- a PDF of the two poems
- a PPT presentation of the two poems plus illustrations