Year 3. This resource includes the lesson plan and the relevant accompanying worksheet. It provides the children with the opportunity to “explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form, and function” (DfE, 2014). They have the opportunity explore an artist who paints with the Rainforest as inspiration linking directly with the theme. Using their sketchbooks to develop their ideas and create a final piece is appropriate for KS2 children and contributes to their Art subject objectives (DfE, 2013). The specific activities and resources provide opportunities for the children to develop their skills, thought processes and evaluation abilities, which are valued across the curriculum. This resource is designed to be used alongside the cross-curricular links to both Music and Drama also through the Rainforest theme. Having a theme such as the Rainforest can give children a broad concept to work with so that they have the opportunity to explore the theme in a way that suits their learning style. To get the most from this lesson plan you will need to create the PowerPoint listed in the resources.

Year 3. This resource includes the lesson plan and the relevant accompanying worksheet. This lesson can involve the children in the production of music for a particular setting and can give the use of instruments an ‘enjoyable, challenging and also achievable” context for KS2 (DfE, 2011). Allowing the children to listen to and identify sounds can encourage “active and passive listening” and the playing of instruments, “tuned and un-tuned percussions” as the basis of this lesson also satisfies the music curriculum (DfE, 2011). Providing an activity whereby group activity through music is a key feature can at KS2 contribute to the children’s social skills (DfE, 2011). The lesson provides a wealth of opportunities for the children to express their creativity in terms of music through their performances, choices of instrument, and interpretation. This resource is designed to be used alongside the cross-curricular links to both Art and Drama also through the Rainforest theme. Having a theme such as the Rainforest can give children a broad concept to work with so that they have the opportunity to explore the theme in a way that suits their learning style. To get the most from this lesson plan you will need to create the PowerPoint listed in the resources.

Easter Crossword with questions relating to the Christian traditions with separate answer sheet.

PowerPoint to aid a lesson around the meaning and importance of Easter. Includes the relevance of: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Includes a link to an Easter hymn with lyrics.

Sending cards home for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is lovely and incredibly touching, but I’ve found that newspaper articles dedicated to them by their children have an equally strong impact whilst benefiting the children at the same time. There are 2 templates, the first being generic and empty (the title, picture, and caption can easily be deleted if you want the children to come up with these on their own). The second also has a few starting sentences to give the children an idea of the expectations. Included in this resource is also a quick Mother’s Day and Father’s Day PowerPoint to reiterate to the children the reasons behind it, and the acknowledgment that it does not have to be a biological mum/dad, woman/man etc, and that we do not have to buy gifts. This template was designed and used in a Year 4 class, however it can be used and be adapted to be used in almost any year group. I would also recommend changing the award to ‘International Parent Award’ or ‘International Women’s Award’ for those looked after children or whose family dynamics are a little different. There is a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day version that can be saved for a later date.