I have over 30 years experience in the classroom and as a school leader, and specialize in writing and developing arts based and creative curriculums. Over the years I have run courses throughout the UK, written regularly for the TES and had a number of resource books published. I have set up this shop to share lessons and schemes of work that children enjoy, and teachers enjoy teaching. Hope you find them useful!
I have over 30 years experience in the classroom and as a school leader, and specialize in writing and developing arts based and creative curriculums. Over the years I have run courses throughout the UK, written regularly for the TES and had a number of resource books published. I have set up this shop to share lessons and schemes of work that children enjoy, and teachers enjoy teaching. Hope you find them useful!
This one-off poetry lesson for KS2 uses a poem called ‘The Spell.’ A PowerPoint presentation leads the children through the poem - analysing each verse through a series of carefully staged inference and deduction questions.
The contents of the spell referred to in the poem is never revealed - but the children will form their own ideas as they analyse the poem in more detail.
They are encouraged to justify their ideas by referring back to the poem.
After gaining a deeper understanding of the poem, the children are given the task of writing what they believe the spell was.
Word banks and lists of synonyms are provided to help include the correct kind of language in their work.
This lesson is perfect for small group and paired work - where the children can perform or chant their spells back to the class.
Turn the lights off and light a candle for added atmosphere! If you’re feeling adventurous - provide a variety of percussion instruments so the children can add sound effects while they read out loud!
What caused the fall of the Mayan civilization?
This KS2 history lesson explores possible scenarios and causes.
Children work in ‘Time Teams’ to discuss and formulate ideas.
A clear and informative PowerPoint is used to introduce the lesson.
Print off a set of ‘Clue Cards’ for each Time Team.
Use the printable worksheet so the children can record and explain their ideas.
Everything you need for the lesson, simply download, print and away you go!
KS2 Maths - Designed for Year 6 pupils
Extension Activities and for Greater Depth pupils
A Set of over 30 Worksheets
Covering most areas in the Year 6 Maths National Curriculum
Perfect for SATS Revision
Use for Starter Activities or for Keeping Skills Sharp
Can also be used as One-off Starter Activities
Perfect for Check-Up Assessments and One-off Maths Quizzes
Easy to follow PowerPoint art lesson for KS2
Perfect for Years 5 and 6
Lots of images and easy to follow explanations and examples
The lesson covers the following points…
What is Anglo-Saxon Art?
What examples of Anglo-Saxon Art are there?
Where can I find Anglo-Saxon Art?
What are the features of Anglo-Saxon Art?
The children are then challenged to design their own Anglo-Saxon sword handle.
Resource sheets with hand drawn examplesof the key features are provided.
The PowerPoint guides the children and teacher through the design process - step by step - with hand drawn illustrated examples for each slide.
Everything you need for a successful lesson!
This Unit of work on Symbolism in Art is suitable for both KS2 and KS3.
There is a wealth of information and resources laid out in chronological order – simply decide on how long you wish to spend on each aspect of the topic.
During the project we look at:
What are Symbols: We look at what symbols are and how they are used in art. Pupils then analyse Holbein’s ‘The Ambassadors’ and investigate the symbols found within the painting. Many fascinating and intriguing stories are hidden within this painting. Unpick the stories by interpreting the symbols.
Sketching & Drawing: The children are challenged to invent their own symbols for a number of abstract nouns.
Investigating Colour: The children learn that colours can be used as symbols too.
Using colours as symbols is introduced through a matching game, then applied to their own symbols.
Telling Stories with Symbols: Pupils use symbols and colours to illustrate a story from their own life.
Resources: Great PowerPoint packed with dozens of clear, visual information that leads the children through the topic. Print of a set of resources and information sheets for the children – including a small booklet packed with examples of signs and symbols.
This PowerPoint and lesson is designed to contextualise the Industrial Revolution, and set the scene for the changes it brought about.
It outlines what life was like in England in the early 1700’s before the Industrial Revolution. It spends some time examining how the lower classes lived and worked at this time.
We look at how some new inventions started to change life for these people, and how towns and cities rapidly grew alongside canals and railways.
Children are shown how these changes had both positive and negative impacts and brought about vast contrasts for people living in the countryside and those in the cities.
Challenge the children to predict the impact of the changes through a series of carefully structured prompts.
Finally we look at the impact on social class the Industrial Revolution had, and how a new class – the middle class – sprang up as a result.
A great lesson to set the scene before tackling the Industrial Revolution in more detail.
This PowerPoint introduces children to Kennings through a fun and stimulating set of slides – including a Kenning Quiz – before the children produce kenning poetry of their own.
This Poetry lesson for Key Stage 2 children introduces pupils to kennings, explaining their history and how they can be used in both everyday life and in creative writing.
• The lesson models how to write and present a kenning poem – touching on the key features and how to generate ideas.
• Examples of alliteration and rhyming pattern are highlighted during this process.
• The children are then challenged to take part in a ‘Kenning Quiz’ – where they have to guess what each kenning poem is about.
• Key features and examples of good practice are highlighted through the quiz.
• The children are then challenged to create their own kenning poems.
• Tips and suggested themes are included for those children who require further guidance.
This is a fun and engaging lesson that children across the age range can access and enjoy.
A perfect time filler if you want a calm and relaxing afternoon in your class
An independent art activity for children aged 7-16
This lesson is fully resourced for a class of 32
Simply spend 5 minutes going through the introductory PowerPoint
Print out the set of 32 animal zentangle designs and a resource sheet for each child, give them a black felt tip or fine liner, play some relaxing music and you’re away
I have seen this lesson calm the fussiest of classes - the children love it and are totally absorbed for the afternoon
Try one yourself, it’s addictive!
This lesson is best suited for KS2 children.
The lesson is organised into a number of parts and can be taught in one go or split into units.
All information, organisation and examples are included in the PowerPoint slides which guide you through the lesson/s.
The additional resources you need can be downloaded as pdf’s and printed off.
The structure of the lesson is as follows:
Powerpoint slide show introducing surrealism and prominent surrealist artists.
Children select 5 ideas cards - these need printing off and arranging in sets. They are colour coded to make it easier. Children must select one card randomly from each set, keeping them in the correct order. This provides them with a title for their surrealist art work.
Print off a set of Clue Cards for the class – these cards have examples of illustrations and images for some of the more obscure subjects – ensuring no one will get stuck.
Print off a selection of heads – the children then sketch their ideas in and around the head in order to create their piece of art work. Select media that suits you – I have found pencils, fine liners and watercolour paints work well for this activity.
Cut out and mount the finished pieces with their titles for a quirky and humorous display!
Everything you need for a one-off Art & Design lesson based on treasure maps of lost worlds and abandoned civilizations.
A PowerPoint is provided to guide the teacher and children through the lesson.
The children are introduced to the concept, then can watch a custom made video packed with amazing images of lost worlds and abandoned places.
The children are tasked with producing a map of a lost world.
They are introduced to 5 imaginary settings - along with notes and stimulating ideas for each imagined place.
Children can select their favourite setting - printable map backgrounds are provided for each.
The PowerPoint contains a series of beautifully drawn hints and tips for producing a successful map.
KS2 ART LESSON – Inspired by the classic animation Howl’s Moving Castle!
Children love the film, and will love this lesson.
The PowerPoint is a step-by-step guide to designing and drawing your own incredible moving machines.
Over 50 slides, with hand drawn illustrations introduce the children to new drawing techniques - allowing them to build up a design of their own in small steps.
It is perfect for teachers who lack confidence in teaching art as all the techniques and stages are demonstrated clearly for you. All the teacher need do is dictate the pace of the lesson.
The simple and clear guides allow the children to producing stunning illustrations - each one unique.
This lesson is a real favourite with the children - I adapted it so I could teach it online during lockdown and it worked a treat.
Download the lesson and try something new - I’ve taught variations on this lesson for years and each group of children are inspired by it - the drawing becomes addictive!
28 pages of ideas to promote drawing and doodling - ideal for KS2 and children of all ages and abilities.
Ideal for one-off art lessons and time fillers, or use for Golden Time rewards and free time.
Download and print the PDF pages to make a 28 page sketchbook.
Simply staple them together and they’re good to go.
Each page has a new idea or technique for the children to experiment with.
The tasks don’t require any teacher input - simple instructions and demonstration sketches are found on each page.
I usually print off a book for each child and let them keep them in their desks or drawers, they also work well as part of a homework pack to send home in the holidays.
Everything you need in one place to teach KS2 children about the artist, Miro.
Learn about his painting style and ways of working.
Experiment with new techniques to produce your own version of one of his paintings.
Beautiful, bright and eye-catching images can be produced in an afternoon, or over a series of lessons if you’d prefer.
Everything you need is incorporated into one PowerPoint - includes teachers notes, demonstrations and examples of work.
Simple stage by stage instructions and information guides you through the process.
An easy lesson with great results - perfect for the non-specialist.
This PowerPoint introduces children to the work of William Heath Robinson – guiding them through the stages needed in order to draw an illustrated design of their own.
This Art & Design lesson for Key Stage 2 children introduces pupils to the work of William Heath Robinson. Famed for his elaborate and overly complicated machines, Heath Robinson’s contraptions transformed mundane everyday tasks into ridiculous and often hilarious rituals.
Children of all ages love his absurd ideas and intricate drawings – and are always eager to produce designs and ideas of their own. This process can be more complex than first thought, and this step by step PowerPoint presentation is packed with images and original illustrations that guide the children through the various stages needed in order to produce something truly distinctive.
• The resource introduces the artist, and gives some background to Heath Robinson’s work
• The children are invited to study and interpret some of his best known designs
• Children are guided through the design process – initially being shown how to use a series of sketches and annotation to clarify ideas
• Guidance and further visual examples then illustrate how their initial design sketches can be transformed into a finished piece of art work.
• Further ideas and useful tips are provided to get the children started
This comprehensive and unique lesson will inspire and amuse children, giving them the motivation to design and illustrate their own imaginative ideas in the style of William Heath Robinson.
Fits with Year 5 Spring Term Units
Revision PowerPoint covering:
Km to metres
cm to metres
Kg to grams
REASONING PROBLEM SOLVING
Perfect for pre-assessment revision & Post-Unit Assessments
Guided Reading Lesson - Fully Resourced.
Based around text from Carrie’s War.
Perfect for using as part of a WWII History Topic, or just as a stand alone guided reading lesson.
Use the printed resources, or work from the PowerPoint - recommended.
This contextualizes the text - images and explanations about air raids and evacuation of children during the war.
We then join Carrie and her brother as they are ‘chosen’ after being evacuated to Wales.
All key question types are addressed though the lesson, with highlighted sections of text leading the children to the appropriate sections of text.
A fascinating insight into life as an evacuee - children are enthralled by the experiences highlighted here - a great lesson.
Printable texts and questions so you can adapt the lesson as you see fit.
Designed for Year 5 in the Autumn Term - as a revision memory jogger before they did a formal end of term assessment test.
Revision PowerPoint covering:
Place Value
Negative Numbers
Roman Numerals
Rounding Numbers
Number Lines
Greater than, less than
Perfect for pre-assessment revision
Year 6 Maths resources for Greater Depth pupils
Co-ordinates - and working out missing co-ordinates
PowerPoint Slides
Printable Worksheets for pupils to use alongside the presentation
Printable Extension Activity
A clear, clean set of resources that make the teaching of the lesson easy.
Create Your Own 1950’s Designs!
In this unit of work we investigate classic and iconic 1950’s designs and create designs in the same style.
Putting it in context: We look at the post- war years, the effects of rationing and the influence of American pop culture.
Sketching & Drawing: Children are challenged to develop their ideas using a variety of drawing techniques including continuous line drawing.
Developing a Design: Through a series of carefully planned stages, the children develop their sketch work into a 1950’s design for a plate.
Fully Resourced: Unit of work is divided into three main lessons. Each lesson has accompanying PowerPoint slides, printable worksheets and examples.
Suitable for both KS2 and KS3
KS2 Maths – Year 5 and Year 6
Fully resourced lesson:
PowerPoint and Printable Worksheets
All instructions on PowerPoint
Find Area, Perimeter & Missing Measurements of rectangles, squares and compound shapes
Clear, concise set of resources