KS1 & 2 Power-point lesson which can be used as a single lesson or as a stimulus for cross curricular work. 22 slides presented in simple text focusing on Valentine’s Day traditions, historical information and traditions. The lesson encourages pupils to work with a partner or small group of three to discuss and explain questions about the images and information presented on the slides. Slides include brief information on Cupid, Venus, St.Valentine, Tudor traditions and Valentine symbols. Pupils are encouraged to record their responses on a shared paper.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ fact sheet. Page 1 Includes key events and important stages in the play broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and images. Page 2 Includes interesting facts about the text, well known quotes and character information. I have used this with pupils in Years 3-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a text 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.

William Shakespeare Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in his life, broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 3-6 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 A fun Pirate themed powerpoint lesson. Secret Agent Academy is a lesson (s) set in a ‘real’ stolen goods context where pupils are ‘trained’ for a special mission to catch a pirate villain. They create Agent Code Names and numbers, work as part of an Agent Cell, and take an oath of secrecy. Their mission consists of 4 main tasks which include cracking reverse alphabet and number codes, Maths number problem solving challenges and a geography map/flag challenge. Slides 2-9 include a simple introduction to ‘what is a code?’ followed by a chance to practise cracking simple words using a reverse alphabet code before pupils enter the Secret Agent Academy. Slides 10-16 focus on creating their own secret agent cell (decided by equivalent numbers maths task), creating code names, handshakes and taking the Agent’s promise etc Learning Objectives Solve an important mission for the Prime Minister by: • Using number, reasoning and geographical skills to resolve a ‘real life’ situation. • Deciphering messages using simple codes. • Working out problems and puzzles to track and catch a pirate! Slides 17-20 setting out the mission. Slides 21-24 Mission 1: Crack a number coded message. Slides 25-30 Information about Edward Teach/Blackbeard in preparation for Mission 2. Slide 31 Label the pirate ship worksheet. Pupil template and answers provided. Slide 32 Mission 2: Create a Wanted Poster (template provided) Slide 33-38 Mission 3: Island geography of the Caribbean Islands. Pupil worksheets provided. Slides 39-43: Identifying the Blackbeard’s hideout from the clues covered. Worksheet and answers provided. Slides 44- 51: Solving number puzzles to track Bluebeard through underground caves. Pupil worksheet and answers provided. Slides 52 A message from the King for returning the treasure. There is a template for pupils to use at the end of each mission to record their Agent cell report plus spare code grids in case the children catch the code bug and want to make up their own coded messages!

Speech bubble cards. Set of 21 cards. Can be used with all ages and abilities. Each card has a fun picture of an animal in winter with a speech bubble. Each card has a simple question to prompt pupil imagination to think of a response for the animal on the card. Pupils can be as sensible, humorous or as Zany as they want! I laminated each card and use them as a fun class quick fire round at the end of lessons. Also can be used as a lesson starter/plenary or small group activity when covering conversation topics, speech bubbles and thought showers.

KS1/2 New Year 2023 Resolution fun worksheet : Blank information template. A simple template for pupils to complete to share facts and information about themselves in the written form of New Year Resolutions. The prompts encourage the pupils to think and reflect on their hopes and wishes (as well as challenges) for the New Year 2023, plus a space to draw a self -portrait or stick on a photo. Great to use in January at the start of the new term as an ice breaker or warm up after the holidays.

Grace Darling 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 and KS2 Christmas jumper design templates. Have fun planning and creating a design for a novelty Christmas jumper! There are three different blank jumper templates for pupils to use and a design planning template to complete before starting the task. I have included a prompt sheet with ideas for the pupils to consider eg style of the jumper (neckline, sleeves), pattern or plain, colours and embellishments etc. There is a post design task on the design template where pupils ask for feedback from three other class members (simple questions are provided on the template) and revise their designs in the light of the feedback. A great activity for incorporating DT/Art into a Christmas theme.

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.

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.

KS2 Y6 Christmas powerpoint lesson of 39 slides. Secret Agent Academy is a lesson (s) set in a ‘real’ Christmas context where pupils are ‘trained’ for a special mission to catch a villain. They create Agent Code Names and numbers, work as part of an Agent Cell, take an oath of secrecy and create common experiences eg a secret handshake. Their mission consists of 4 tasks which include cracking Substitution and Caesar codes linked to Maths problem solving challenges (equivalent numbers, comparing fractions with different denominators, sequences, missing numbers and ordering, patterns and calculations). Slides 2-9 include an introduction to cracking codes and a go at deciphering a real code sent by Mary Queen of Scots before pupils enter the Secret Agent Academy. The Maths challenge resources are included on the slides as well as information for further teaching resource websites on Codes and Ciphers. Learning Objectives To save Christmas by: Using Maths to solve problems in a real-life situation. Appling a simple Substitution Code and Caesar Cipher to solve messages. Solving problems using missing numbers, equivalent numbers, number facts and place value. Applying operations and inverses using Substitution codes. Identifying specific knowledge of English Grammar such as high frequency letters, consonants, patterns and clusters of letters, short words and frequent pre/suffixes.

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!

Y 5 & 6 KS2 Christmas Maths Booklet I made this booklet based upon similar Level 4 SATs questions but with a Christmas theme. It is targeted at Years 5 & 6 for practise in the areas below. There are 50 questions altogether in the booklet. Each topic has a learning objective for pupils to match against their targets. The questions are set out in a simple format with spaces for pupils to write answers and show workings and calculations. Christmas pictures are included alongside the questions which are practical and fun. Answer sheet provided at the end of the booklet. Pages 1 &2: Proportion and Ratio. 12 questions. Learning objective: I can solve ratio and proportion questions by working out the relationships between numbers. Page 3: Checking the cost of Christmas (calculations). 3 questions. Learning objective: I can check a calculation. Page 4: Factors and Multiples. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply pairs of factors to make a given number. Page 5: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use times tables. Page 6: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply and divide by 10 or 100. Page 7: Using a calculator. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use a calculator to work out calculations and solve problems. Page 8: Christmas Maths: Measurement. 5 questions. Learning objective: I know which units of measurement to use for length, mass and capacity. Page 9: Tables and charts. 2 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 10: Tables and charts. 3 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 11: Number Patterns. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can recognise patterns in numbers and can explain the pattern.

Christmas comprehension cards. Set of 20. KS1/lower KS2. Each card includes a simple description about a Christmas related tradition, food or object and four questions for pupils to retrieve from the text. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each subject on the card. Can also be used without the comprehension questions as a reference resource for pupils to research a Christmas topic independently. Comprehension card topics: Snow, reindeer, Christmas tree, Christmas pudding, presents, Father Christmas, holly, robin, Christmas stocking, Christmas pyjamas, mistletoe, mince pies, crackers, pantomime, Christmas cards, Christmas cake, lights, Christmas dinner.

Bonfire night and the Gunpowder Plot Y2 & KS2 power-point lesson of 39 slides. The power-point can be divided into separate sections depending on how you want to follow up some of the aspects/features depending on your class. Each set of slides includes paired discussion or individual/ paired written follow up tasks or worksheets. There are a range of strategies to keep the content interesting and interactive. Slides 1-5 introduce the topic with a 3-clue riddle, slides 6&7 focus on a sentence starter activity and worksheet about Bonfire Night. Slides 9&10 focus on names of fireworks and a youtube clip. Slides 11-14 introduce Guy Fawkes followed by a worksheet with a simple maths calculation to work out the age of GF when he died and a geography map activity to label his birthplace. Slides 15-17: ‘Remember, remember’ rhyme and dictionary activity. Slides 18-31 focus on the story of the Gunpowder Plot plus 2 worksheet activities (identify the plotters from a source and give advice to GF about the ‘weaknesses’ of his plot. Slide 32: Speech bubbles conversation worksheet. Slide 33-35: Guy Fawkes punishment and a ‘was it fair?’ written task. Slides 36-39: A brief introduction to Onomatopoeia and a firework scene task.

Famous artists and paintings cards. Set of 60 cards with a painting by a range of inspirational and well-known artists. The cards can be used to encourage recognition of the most well-known artists and their work. I have included a few examples of sculpture, stained glass, pottery, design. The images I have chosen range from 11th to 20th century from worldwide artists. Pupils can use them as a paired or group ‘guessing game’. Can be placed in the class library area or the ‘Early Finisher’ box/tray. I have used these to help pupils develop work on or research about a famous piece of artwork that they like by finding images of other work by the same artist or derivatives of that style, writing a descriptive piece about the work or a subjective paragraph about what the work means to them. Can be used by Y2 -Y6. Useful for topics on Art, Famous Paintings/Artists, using art as a starting point for writing or historical reference.

Bats KS1 Weekly planning grid This is two-week (could be stretched to three weeks depending on the depth of study) cross curricular plan for a KS1 topic based on the subject of ‘Bats’. I have used this plan as a run up to Halloween. It has been planned to include all the learning objectives and ideas for two weeks of teaching and includes differentiated planning in Literacy and Numeracy for HA, MA and LA groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary and linked learning activities in all subjects. Links well with topics on ‘Animals’, ‘Halloween’, ‘Conservation’ and ‘Day and Night or Nocturnal Animals.’

Bats fact sheet. Includes information about bat anatomy, habitats, Micro and Megabats and echolocation broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. A great topic which can be linked to Halloween, animal topics and conservation. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about bats in different genres (science report, 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.

A simple scaffolded template for pupils to write their own witch spell for Halloween.