Colourful, fun activities for children to apply their knowledge of digraphs wh and ph. Activities include search, read, write the classroom and roll the die games.

I found it difficult to find any simple comprehension practice activities for my struggling readers, so I designed 5 very simple activities which involve children reading CVC words like pig, mop, bat and then colouring in the matching picture. The children then read a sentence, for example, The cat is in the red box. Finally, they answer 2 simple multiple choice questions, for example, What is in the box?

Simple activity for introducing plurals. Cut out the 10 cards and laminate. Children spend time adding the correct ending to make the noun plural to match the pictures using e or es (5 of each). Children can then record the singular word and plural word on the recording sheet next to the corresponding picture.

I have struggled to find simple comprehension activities which allow children to read a sentence independently and respond by answering simple questions. I feel this is important as many Year 1 children are now required to complete comprehension tests, so it is important they have experience of this as early as possible. Here are 6 simple comprehension activities which are suitable for children who are working within phase 3 phonics. Each activity involves reading a sentence, drawing a picture, and answering 2 simple questions related to the question. An example of a sentence is 'It is fun to go to the zoo'. An example of a question is 'Where is it fun to go?'

Two fun reading challenges to encourage children to read at home. Give each child a reading challenge sheet (these are editable so you can adapt as desired). Children complete the challenges on their bingo boards, for example, read a book whilst wearing a hat. When all the challenges are complete, they return to their teacher. I give my children a golden ticket to post in a box (piece of gold card with golden ticket written on). At the end of each half term we have a prize draw and children receive a small prize if their ticket is picked out. Parents and children love them!

My children loved these activities. Ideally, you will need access to a woodland area. We began by visiting the 'Wise Tree' in the wood. The children sat around the tree and waited for it to whisper their names. They approached the tree and chose a name from each bag. This became their woodland name, for example Creeping Blackberry or Misty Willow. The children loved these names and we ended up using them in our daily register! The children then used their senses to describe the woods. On Day 2, the children wrote a description of the woods using their senses and exciting adjectives. On Day 3 we began to question whether or not the wood is enchanted! The children looked for clues in the woods before making their decision. For example, is it just a flower or is it a fairy's umbrella? On Day 4 the children wrote a description of what they found. For example, Walking in the enchanted wood I see an icy, frozen troll's tear. This can then be made into a shape poem on Day 5. This was a wonderful week of activities, loved by boys and girls alike. Enjoy!!

Multi-sensory Differentiated Weekly planning for Phase 2 Phonics New Teaching - ck, e, u, r, and tricky word the Based on Letters and Sounds, with Jolly Phonic resources to support (action, song, stories)

This is 2 days Literacy planning based on the beautiful story 'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney, and would be particularly suitable for days running up to, and including, Valentines Day. Planning could be adapted for Year 1 children. Activities include differentiated guided reading and writing activities, along with a Valentines card idea, and a TA intervention/booster activity based on reading and spelling words from the story. Enjoy!

Fun, colourful phonic activities with shark in the park theme. Five activities for children to apply their phonic knowledge for 'ar'. Activities include a read/write the classroom; I have, who has?; roll the die, move and read the word; roll the die, read and colour the word; roll the die and read the sentences. All fully editable if you want to change font or words.

Fun, colourful phonic activities with bright fireflies theme. Six activities for children to apply their phonic knowledge for ie, i-e and igh. Activities include a phoneme spotter firefly story; catch the firefly words and sort into the correct jar; roll the die, move and read the word; roll the die, read and colour the word; use the words in the jar to complete the sentences; roll the die and read the sentences. All fully editable if you want to change font or words.

Phase 4 first week's phonics planning for Year 1 or able EYFS children. Planning introduces reading and spelling of CVCC/CCVC words and key words. Also included is a variety of resources named in the planning, including:- Revisit/Review power point, CVCC Buried Treasure Game, CVCC Magic Squares Game, Kim's Game, Roll, Read and Colour the CCVC words game, Tricky Word Bingo.

Multi-sensory Differentiated Weekly planning for Phase 2 Phonics New Teaching - i n m d Based on Letters and Sounds, with Jolly Phonic resources to support (action, song, stories)

A 2 day English plan to start off a new year. Written for Year 1, the plan introduces the idea of lists and captions through getting to know the children and the children getting to know their new classroom. Includes a template for 'Where did my shoes take me this summer?'.

Creative English Plan aimed at Year 1. It uses the story of It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G Shaw to encourage children to explore pictures in clouds. A favourite childhood pastime of my own! Can be used without the story. Encourages speaking, listening, sentence writing and the use of conjunctions.

This resource includes a detailed weekly plan focused on teaching the vowel digraph 'ow' through fun multisensory clown themed activities. Friday looks at teaching the alphabet. Each day has 4 clearly differentiated activities to support children working within phase 2 and 3 phonics. Some resources are included although most can be found in the classroom or online. Have fun!

Multi-sensory Differentiated Weekly planning for Phase 2 Phonics New Teaching - g o c k and tricky word I Based on Letters and Sounds, with Jolly Phonic resources to support (action, song, stories)

A detailed weekly phonics plan with 4 clearly differentiated activities each day. The weekly objective is to teach vowel digraph oa and tricky word are. There are also plenty of opportunities to revisit prior learning. Activities are multisensory to engage young children and include tricky word splat, mirror mirror tricky words and goat in a boat phoneme spotter story. Some resources are included, others I already have or are available online/in the classroom. Resources are provided in black and white, and can be printed on coloured paper to save ink. Have fun!

This resource includes a detailed weekly phonics plan to teach vowel digraphs er and ur; and also a day on the alphabet. It also provides opportunities to revisit prior learning. Each day has 4 clearly differentiated activities aimed at children in the early years. I have also included all the resources I made to go with the planning. Any other resources can be found in the classroom or online.

Detailed English planning for Year 1 based on the story of Stick Man by Julia Donaldson. Activities are differentiated as appropriate. There are plenty of opportunities for speaking and listening, along with peer work. Day 1 focuses on working together to make a list of different ways to use a stick. Day 2 encourages children to answer the question 'What is the most dangerous thing about being a stick man?' Children are invited to take on the point of view of Stick Man, arguing their view point and justifying their decision. Day 3 invites children to pretend they are Stick Man and recount the story to their family at dinner. Day 4 focuses on Stick Man's feelings and emotions throughout the story. Day 5 invites children to write postcards and letters from Stick Man’s point of view back to his family about one of his adventures.

Weekly planning based on The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. On Day 1 children listen to and retell the story through story maps. On Day 2 children use adjectives to change the opening sentence of the story. On Day 3 they explore woodland creatures and introduce a new character into the story. On Day 4 children use adjectives to describe the Gruffalo. On Day 5 children create their own terrible creature and describe him/her. This planning could easily be adapted/extended, so that children write their own version of The Gruffalo.