‘All about the sun’ factsheet template. KS1 blank factsheet template about the topic of the sun. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own ideas for a non-fiction factsheet or booklet. There are heading prompts to help pupils develop ideas. Great to use following Science /sun safety/space lesson or drama. Can also be reused with most topics: My family, heroes, current or historical characters, explorers, travel, Halloween, etc.

Improving memory skills. Power-point of 54 slides. There are 36 one-a-day memory activities to practise with pupils to improve visual and auditory memory skills. The activities are structured week by week to gradually challenge whilst providing practise. For individual pupils or a small group working with an adult. I have used these activities with children of all ages who struggle to remember/recognise alphabet, phonics, HFW and basic numbers. The activities need to be carried out daily to enable the children to practise and improve. Useful for a TA or SEN TA supporting a group in the classroom. Week 1 & 2: There are six individual picture games (for each week) to help pupils practise retelling a story with picture prompts or from memory. Pupil record grid (for adult use) is included to enable the adult to see the visual memory progress of each child and identify any issues or areas for further practise. Week 3: There are six picture sequence/list activities for pupils to retell a short story with or without picture clues. Week 4: Number sequence recall. Six activities for the adult to use with a child or small group to improve auditory memory skills. Recording sheet for pupil use is provided. Week 5: Colour sequence recall. Six activities for the adult to use with a child or small group to improve auditory memory skills. Recording sheet for pupil use is provided. Week 6: Listen and draw sequence activities. Full instructions for the adult are provided plus a pupil record sheet for adult assessment of pupil progress.

3 Biographies of Nelson Mandela simplified into three differentiated pieces for HA, MA, LA (Versions: 1= HA, 2= MA, 3= LA) aimed at Y2 & KS2. Each simplified biography is up to one page long. Can be used to identify features of biographies, to aid understanding of how to structure a biography and support content understanding. Also, can be used to support historical research when writing a diary, newspaper report, letter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge. Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson. Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 14 and 15 to help shape the debate session. Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross. The pupils will need green activity paper or card and glue. Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’ (naming the disciples and finding out their responses to Jesus). Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading into the Resurrection. A template on slide 35 can be printed for pupil recording. Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task. Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster. The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant). I have also included a blank easter egg colouring template and an easter bunny and chick colouring template.

Australian Animals fact cards. Set of 36 cards depicting an animal, bird, reptile or fish found in Australia and a beautiful photographic image. Each card includes a few key facts about the animal on the card. There are also 12 key word definition cards (predator, poisonous, marsupial, nocturnal, amphibious, carnivore etc) The cards can be used to encourage recognition of the animals and their features/characteristics. Pupils can use them as a sorting exercise or as a paired or group game to sort the cards under the definition words (make a Venn diagram, sort into a list, identify common features between animals.) Can be placed in the class library area or the ‘Early Finisher’ box/tray. A double set of cards (laminated) can offer pupils opportunities for fun games such as Snap and Pairs. I have used these to help pupils develop work on animals and their characteristics eg: writing a factual or descriptive piece about a particular animal or shared features of two animals or a researched paragraph about current issues relating to specific animal eg protected species. Can be used by Y2 -Y6 upwards. Useful for topics on Australia, Animals, Camouflage, Habitats etc.

KS2 Eco-Warrior News. A newspaper style page focusing on the important eco issue of rewilding the environment through the reintroduction of beavers into the countryside and the benefits they can bring to humans and wildlife. I made this resource to enable pupils to read a newspaper style article about beaver rewilding, to identify features of a newspaper, genre style and language as well as learning about the topic of wildlife and eco systems. Can be used as a factsheet, comprehension, guided reading passage or the basis for developing a class newspaper. Useful linked to topics about Wildlife, Ecosystems, Beavers, Rivers and Waterways, Animals that help us.

Maths Scaling cards Y5 and 6. Set of 6. Set of 6 problem solving scaling cards for practising ratio and proportion using recipe ingredients and changing quantities for different sized groups. I use these cards for small group practise and consolidation after initial teaching input.

Summer holiday reading challenge. This activity is aimed at KS1 and KS2 pupils as a reading challenge for 20 days over the summer holiday break to encourage them read a variety of texts and reading materials to keep up their reading skills while they are away from school. The 20 activities are fun and varied and children can share their experiences when they return to school in September. I gave a certificate and small rewards for number of challenges completed eg 1 challenge – sticker, 2-5 challenges – bookmark, 6-10 challenges – badge, 11-15 challenges – pencil and notepad, 16-20 challenges – frisbee or small game.

Transition Y6 End of year reflection activity to help pupils think about their time in Y6 and their next school. Can be linked to a range of year end activities including a stimulus for a Leavers Assembly, a diary extract or PSHE discussion.

End of Term One a day countdown fun. Have fun with your class in the last weeks of term with this list of exciting activities and rewards. Pupils vote for the following day’s activity from the list each day. The activity with the most votes is the class activity choice. Work through the activities and practice voting and democracy at the same time!

EYFS/KS1 summer picnic activity sheet. Learning objective : I can choose and name at least 8 things to put in a picnic basket. A simple observation and identification activity for pupils before undertaking an out of school visit (to the beach, woods, park). Pupils draw what they will need for a picnic. There is a simple picture/word key at the bottom of the worksheet to help pupils identify 8 common items found in a picnic basket. Can be used as a follow up activity for topic work on ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’, seaside, summer, ‘We’re going on a picnic!’ by Pat Hutchins etc.

EYFS/KS1 Beachcombing activity sheet. Learning objective : I can find and name at least 8 things found on a beach. A simple observation and identification activity for pupils while on a visit to the beach. Pupils draw what they find in the empty bucket. There is a simple picture/word key at the bottom of the worksheet to help pupils identify 8 common items found on a beach.

KS1 & 2 Horror story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own horror writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing horror stories and spaces for pupils to develop descriptive words and phrases, scary setting , cliff-hangers and the structure of their story. Great to use following a horror writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics : Halloween, Night, Feelings.

KS1 & 2 Science Fiction story planning template. A writing Science Fiction stories and spaces for pupils to develop descriptive words and phrases, space setting , problems, themed vocabulary and the structure of their story. Can be used with topics : Space, Adventures, Explorers, Planets.

Knights and castles story template KS1 Historical story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own ‘Knights and castles’ story writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing historical stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and ideas for the structure of their story. Great to use following a History writing lesson, a visit to a castle or topic related drama lesson. Can also be adapted for most History topics eg: Norman Castles, Explorers, Travel, Romans, Egypt, Saxon Britain etc.