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Spagbag

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A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.

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A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.
A Halloween Special revising adjectives, adverbs and apostrophes.
jlimbjlimb

A Halloween Special revising adjectives, adverbs and apostrophes.

(0)
This animated powerpoint comprises eight slides celebrating the spooky spectacle of Halloween. There are plenty of exercises involving adjectives, adverbs, fronted adverbials and apostrophes as well as poetry which could be used as a starting point for creative writing. This resource would be ideal to use on the run up to half term as a means of revision or as inspiration for writing when trying to conjure up a spooky atmosphere. This resource is intended to be used with pupils from 7 to 14 years.
Pollution: a day at the sea-side
jlimbjlimb

Pollution: a day at the sea-side

(0)
This animated Power point resource describes a day out at the sea-side for the Lute family who think they know all about pollution and yet show that their knowledge is as shallow as the sea lapping up against the litter with which they have decorated their sandcastle. The audience are requested to think how the family could have behaved differently and to question what their own families do on days out at the coast. Included is the famous riddle about St Ives and so the pupils can see how a small problem can be multiplied and that we should be all doing our bit by picking up the plastic one piece at a time. Ideal as a discussion starting point on the effects of pollution especially in a coastal setting and as the Summer holidays approach, a cautionary tale! This resource will stretch reading and comprehension skills as well as providing an opportunity to demonstrate maths skills at the same time… recommended for ages 8+
Newspaper articles
jlimbjlimb

Newspaper articles

(0)
This animated Power Point gives a brief history of the newspaper and its evolution to the present day. Students are alerted to the tricks that publishers resort to in order to maintain their readership. The freedom of the press is something we need to preserve in this day and age and pupils are asked to compare tabloids and broadsheets to note their differences in style and content. User generated content is referenced as modern technology enables us all to act as journalists and report news as it happens. Students are asked to match ten definitions to key terms such as byline and exclusive. Finally, students are given the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice and write their own newspaper article, either about the stabbing of a teenager in a local fast food outlet, or an international affairs event which sees Trump and Putin arm wrestle for ownership of the Arctic Circle. This resource is suitable for ages 12+ and it would be useful for students to have copies of tabloid/broadsheet newspapers to investigate along with highlighter pens to identify features.
Poetry analysis of "What has happened to Lulu?"
jlimbjlimb

Poetry analysis of "What has happened to Lulu?"

(0)
This power point presentation takes apart Charles Causley's poem bit by bit and offers an interpretation of the relationship between Lulu, the mother and the younger sibling and suggests that the rag doll abandoned by Lulu in her hurry to leave, epitomises her own lost childhood as she escapes her mother's over protection. A brief biography of Charles Causley is also included. This resource could be used when studying poetry or for discussion purposes and is suitable for ages 12+
spelling punctuation and grammar revision quiz for SATS
jlimbjlimb

spelling punctuation and grammar revision quiz for SATS

(3)
This Power Point tests knowledge of plurals, the use of commas and apostrophes in contractions. It asks pupils to find the opposite by adding a prefix and alphabetical ordering. Students will meet Joe who loves football but hates homework and who needs a little help with his spelling. This resource is intended as a revision tool and is one of many that can be found in my shop. It can be dropped into a revision session on the run up to SATS or assessment weeks. All answers are provided at the end , so pupils can easily identify their own mistakes without taking up valuable teaching time. Suitable for ages 10+
Seeing the bigger picture
jlimbjlimb

Seeing the bigger picture

(0)
This powerpoint tells the story of six blind men and an elephant. Each man believes he knows best about what an elephant is like, however they end up in an argument. A wise woman explains to them that they each encountered a small part of the creature in the cave and that they need to learn to see the bigger picture and listen better to one another. A useful resource to use in assembly . Suitable for audiences of 5 to 10 years of age.
The Elizabethan World View : Shakespeare in context
jlimbjlimb

The Elizabethan World View : Shakespeare in context

(1)
This animated Powerpoint presentation looks at the major influences and philosophies prevalent in Shakespeare's day, so that students come to a wider understanding of his work , his life and the society in which he lived. The Roman Catholic Church, Science and Astronomy, Voyages of Exploration,The Divine Right of Kings, Humanism and The Renaissance are covered here. The Great Chain of Being, the Zodiac, the Elements and Humours as well as the Wheel of Fortune all feature in this resource. This presentation could be used to provide information, putting Shakespeare into context before going on to examine his work in more detail. Similarly , it could be used to inspire students to go on and explore topics such as humanism in more depth. I include a worksheet which will provide a framework for pupils to do their own independent research about Elizabethan theatre. Suitable for ages 14+
Magical creatures and how to care for them examination
jlimbjlimb

Magical creatures and how to care for them examination

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This resource accompanies a PowerPoint and is presented as an examination paper as if from Hogwarts itself . It is inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Pupils are required to answer questions about various creatures, draw and label diagrams and create their own informative writing about a new breed of werewolf. Some anagrams of mystical creatures’ names are also provided as an extra activity. This is aimed at improving reading and comprehension skills whilst also encouraging wider reading. Suitable for Potter fans of all ages. Answers are included as well as a certificate including a range of scores and feedback such as "your name will be included as an addition to the were-wolf register with immediate effect." The intention of this resource is to alleviate stress when approaching real-life examinations. If you wish to use both the paper exam alongside the Power Point you can find them in my shop in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them Descriptive Writing, or in the Fantastic Beasts Bundle or in the Fantastic Beasts Bundle 2 which contain an array of Potter themed resources. You can find many more Potter themed resources in my shop : []https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/jlimb
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Descriptive Writing
jlimbjlimb

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Descriptive Writing

(0)
This animated Power Point resource presents itself in the format of an Examination straight out of Hogwarts. Students read the descriptions of fantastic creatures such as the Hippogriff, the Basilisk and even the humble Puffskein and then answer questions about the information they have read. Students are required to draw detailed diagrams from the information they have acquired and are asked to compile their own entry to the latest edition of Fantastic Creatures concerning a new breed of werewolf. Answers and feedback are provided in a humorous manner. This resource is ideal to use in any exam period as a means of encouraging descriptive and informative writing whilst also inspiring students to read more widely from the pages of J.K.Rowling. Suitable for Potter fans of all ages.
Formal letter writing (dragon breeds 3)
jlimbjlimb

Formal letter writing (dragon breeds 3)

(0)
This resource is presented as an animated Powerpoint and in word format and takes inspiration from Newt Scamander’s fifty-second edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It showcases the native British breeds of dragon , namely the Common Welsh Green and the Hebridean Black. Pupils scour the information comparing and contrasting the physical attributes of these magnificent creatures in order to answer a series of questions. The answers are provided. Finally, they put their letter writing skills to the test by applying for an apprenticeship as a dragon trainer based in the Outer Hebrides under the auspices of the MacFusty clan.Pupils are reminded of the conventions of formal letter writing. This is an activity which will appeal to Harry Potter fans and is one of three similar resources which can be found in my shop, each with different extended writing options. Suitable for ages 8+
Persuasive speeches Martin Luther King/Barack Obama
jlimbjlimb

Persuasive speeches Martin Luther King/Barack Obama

(1)
This Powerpoint presentation details the life of Martin Luther King and focuses particularly on extracts from his I have a dream speech. This resource will be particularly useful during Black History month when focusing on persuasive writing and speeches that had the power to change the world. The resource includes a brief biography, a timeline of major events in MLK's life as well as a transcript of Obama's Yes We Can speech. The resource is intended to inspire pupils and make them think about how they can become better citizens by learning about Martin Luther King as a positive role model. Included is an extract from Barack Obama's Yes We Can speech so that pupils can see how King became a role model for future Presidents who utilised their powers of speech in a public arena. Echoes of Martin Luther King can be heard in Obama's words. Suitable for all ages.
Ten key themes in Victorian Literature
jlimbjlimb

Ten key themes in Victorian Literature

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This animated power point presentation identifies ten key themes in Victorian literature and provides a broad brush stroke to context related questions. Big ideas are explained simply and pictorially to provide students with a starting point when studying Dickens et al. This resource will prove useful when discussing historical background and context questions with any Victorian novelist or poet. Suitable for audiences of 14 years+
How to write a persuasive speech
jlimbjlimb

How to write a persuasive speech

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This animated Powerpoint gives advice on how to make a persuasive speech by following five simple steps. The AFOREST acronym is used to remind students of the features of persuasive writing.Pupils are required to write speeches of their own , putting themselves forward for election as head boy or head girl in the form of Ronald Dump who wants to build a wall in the school gym or , alternatively, as Angela Smirkle who advocates an open door policy. This resource is ideal for revising persuasive writing techniques in light of the current political shananigans and is suitable for students aged 11 to 16.
Gothic Horror Genre
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Gothic Horror Genre

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This animated power point outlines in a simplistic way the features of a Gothic novel and explains the use of pathetic fallacy as a tool used by the author to create unease. An extract from Susan Hill's ghost story Woman in Black is used as a starting point for discussion about literary techniques to create a sense of immediacy and of being enveloped by the landscape. I include a further resource where pupils can discuss and highlight examples of pathetic fallacy within extracts taken from Woman in Black, A Monster Calls and Frankenstein. This resource is suitable for ages 11-16.
Informative writing
jlimbjlimb

Informative writing

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This animated Power Point is about writing to inform and explain. Students are asked to think about the structure of their writing, how to organise it logically with sub-headings or bullet points, how to include facts and statistics and how to maintain a formal tone throughout. Finally students are requested to write a piece of their own and may choose to write a report to the head teacher about an accident in the science lab, a leaflet to eleven year olds explaining how to cope with an asthma attack in PE or explain how to make a healthy meal from scratch to people with no previous cooking experience. This resource is suitable for ages 10+
Alliteration and onomatopoeia
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Alliteration and onomatopoeia

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This animated Power Point discusses alliteration and onomatopoeia and asks pupils to identify these techniques within extracts from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as well as other sources. Pupils are given phrases which they need to sort and also decide on an example which shows both these devices. Students learn that writers will try to appeal to different senses in descriptive passages and this resource focuses particularly on the sense of sound. Students are given a provocative image and are required to describe it using both techniques. This resource will be useful when encouraging descriptive writing and identifying techniques authors use to build characters and settings. Suitable for ages 10+
news reports, articles and informative writing
jlimbjlimb

news reports, articles and informative writing

5 Resources
I have bundled together five resources which should prove useful when learning about writing articles for different audiences. Students learn that an awareness of audience is key plus how to spot features. There is plenty here to inspire students to write some informative pieces of their own and some guidance on how to improve their spelling and grammar in the process. Suitable for ages 10+
Punctuation practice with Potter
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Punctuation practice with Potter

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This Power Point takes extracts from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, removes all traces of punctuation and asks readers to re-write Rowling's words adding the necessary capital letters etc The intention is that students will have to focus carefully on the passages and use their knowledge and understanding of punctuation to bring the extracts back to life. The correct versions will magically appear. Comprehension questions based on the extracts follow and opportunities for further reading and creative writing are provided. This activity will appeal to Potter fans and give a novel twist to revision.
Elizabethan and Modern  Shakespeare audience comparison
jlimbjlimb

Elizabethan and Modern Shakespeare audience comparison

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This resource draws comparisons between an Elizabethan audience and a contemporary audience of a Shakespeare play. Comparisons are made between the size of an average audience, the age, the cost per ticket, the social class, their expectations of a play and their behaviour as audience members. In formation is given about the role of the fool, boy actors and the hierarchical nature of the performers within an acting company. This information is relevant particularly to Shakespeare and the Globe. Suitable for ages 12+
Mindfulness:a tool to build resilience
jlimbjlimb

Mindfulness:a tool to build resilience

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This animated Power Point resource looks at anxiety issues facing young teenagers today and shares tips on how to cope. Mindfulness is one tool to cope with anxiety as are talking therapies and artistic pursuits . A poem called “the room inside” is displayed which could be used as a starting point to a discussion about mental health. Students are asked to consider volunteering and doing something positive with their time once exams are over. An extract from Eleanor Morgan’s book “Anxiety for Beginners” is given and six plot ideas are given which relate to anxiety. Pupils are asked to select one of these to write about. Students are asked to think about the saying “every cloud has a silver lining” and to share strategies for developing resilience. A Power Point on mindfulness and how to deal with difficult and troubling emotions is included which could be used when problems and anxieties surface within a group situation. Especially useful at this time of year when the pressure of exams on the horizon is beginning to mount. Suitable for ages 12+