This works as an introduction to Shakespeare’s characters and stories for young children. It also gives older pupils the experience of working with Shakespeare&'s raw materials of character, motive and props. This makes them think about how he wrote for the stage: crucial for gaining marks in Shakespeare exams! Please read Lesson Notes to understand how it works. I have provided two of the sheets in a version with cartoons: Characters and Props. Useful if you are doing this in an MFL. The other sheets would probably need a translation on the back. Have fun! - Also, check out my YouTube Channel, “pavertutor”, for my Shakespeare Puppet videos!

To encourage pupils of all ages to find things out for themselves, and to make links between different subjects, this labelled cartoon dinosaur can be displayed on classroom walls, in libraries. It can also be photocopied and given to classes to stimulate discussion about what we mean by 'independent learning&'.

You can give this sheet to pupils and let them read all the words on the witch's cloak. They can then draw or write in words around her, to give her some things to fly over. Or give them the Page of Nouns, too, for lots suggestions! Finally, they can take one word on her cloak and partner it with one word that names a thing, eg &'The Ancient Tree&';, 'The Empty House&', &';The Secret Road' Later, use this in a grammar lesson (see my GRAMMAR OCTOPUS) - all the words on the witch&'s cloak are adjectives.

This song aims to calm, encourage and uplift the listener in difficult times. We can be very hard on ourselves and feel dissatisfied with how we haven't done enough. You can play it in assembly to exam classes, play it in lessons about dealing with stress, teach it to young children to encourage being kind to yourself, especially when you&'re trying very hard at something. Enjoy using the song in lessons and concerts! This is my own song & recording so I own the copyright. See base of lyric sheet for details.

The pupils’ activity is simply the lyrics for the song ‘When This Lousy War Is Over’, with guitar chords. The MP3 is a recording of a female voice. Also find the song on YouTube from the film, ‘Oh What A Lovely War’, with male voice choir - the link is included here. The other website has lyrics for the same song and a few others.

This song suits a final assembly for a year group that is leaving, and end-of-year song for the whole school. When under pressure we tend to look forward, anxious about what is yet to be tackled. This song is about fortifying yourself with a look back at what you have achieved: 'look back and see how far you&'ve come&';. I wrote it for a class of Matric students in South Africa for their Matric Dance (like the School Prom). So I own the copyright. You can use this song and the recording in lessons, assemblies & school events!