A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.
A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.
This bundle of four Power Point presentations aims to build confidence in spelling, punctuation and grammar within the wider context of caring for the environment. A quiz tests knowledge of plurals, prefixes, apostrophes and commas.
Informative texts highlight the problem of plastic waste in our seas and oceans.One of the resources focuses on the albatross and makes reference to Sir David Attenborough’s attempt to shine a light on the problem of pollution in our seas and oceans. The intent is to open up debate and discussion and to promote independent research into environmental issues whilst also honing fundamental writing skills. Answers are provided to quizzes to ensure ease of marking.
Suitable for ages 8+
This bundle of four Power Point presentations aims to build confidence in spelling, punctuation and grammar.Emphasis is placed on homophones and using prefixes to form opposites.Pupils are given advice on how to structure a story with paragraphs and how to develop descriptive writing techniques.One of the resources focuses on the use of awesome adjectives and nouns. Answers are provided to quizzes for ease of marking, saving valuable teaching time.
This is one of a series of bundles which can be found within my shop which focus on different aspects of English language learning.
Suitable for ages 8+
This collection of Harry Potter inspired Power Point resources includes ten presentations which will support the learning of different aspects of spelling, punctuation and grammar whilst also encouraging further reading and investigation of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books. Answers to quizzes will magically appear thanks to the animations within these resources. There is something here for a wide range of ages and abilities from 10 years +
This bundle of Power Point resources contains nineteen Harry Potter themed reading and writing activities. The individual resources focus on different skills such as letter writing, descriptive and persuasive writing. Many of these resources focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar but all with that added sprinkle of Potter magic to inspire any reluctant readers you might have within the group.
These resources are suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities from 10+ years
This bundle of four Power Point presentations aims to build confidence in spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is one of a series of bundles to be found within my shop which focus on different aspects of English language learning. This bundle places emphasis on letter writing skills and gives opportunities for both informal and formal letter writing activities. The dragon breeds presentation and the address and letter writing resources take inspiration from J K Rowling and will appeal to Harry Potter fans in particular.
Suitable for ages 8+
This bundle of eight Power Point resources includes a host of comprehensions on various topics ranging from hamsters to hoodies and even outer space. You will find puzzles such as crosswords in many of them which will enhance learning and make the lesson more fun, or could be printed off as extension/homework tasks. The comprehensions will suit a wide range of abilities and ages: there is something for everyone here.
Suitable for ages 7+
This bundle of four Power point resources allows students to think about the impact of their words upon others whist also honing their writing and grammatical skills. There are comprehensions, quizzes and suggestions for how to deal with anger issues.There is a resource about mindfulness and how, with practice, students can learn how to cope with difficult and powerful emotions which can distract them from their studies.
This is one in a series of bundles to be found in my shop which focus on different aspects of building confident, independent learners and creative thinkers.
Suitable for ages 10+
This animated Power Point resource tells a ghost story in the Gothic tradition. It is set in a grave-yard at midnight and uses such devices as owls hooting, wind howling and trees scratching against the window panes of a creepy church in order to make your blood run cold.Students are encouraged to see setting as character within the tale.The story is one of tragic loss: William Blythe is one of the thousands of young boys who lost their lives in a corner of a foreign field during the Great War. Sarah, his sister, remembers a happier time when they played as children on a warm summer’s day.
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is included as reference to a Victorian novel which could be classed as a famous ghost story and the character of Scrooge is brought to life with descriptive writing.Images are included of ghostly hands and tree silhouettes which could be used to inspire discussion and independent learning.
This resource could be used to inspire creative writing or as a means to revise devices used by authors to create a ghostly atmosphere. The story reveals that William lost his life at Passchendaele and could be used to support studies of the effects of war on the family members left behind. As we look back over a hundred years of history, we are reminded of the sense of loss felt by the wider family left at home. Sarah is subjected to some of the same horrors that her brother would have endured on the battlefield.Opportunities for further reading and study are given. This resource could be used to support the study of novels by Dickens, Mary Shelley or Edgar Allan Poe.
Suitable for ages 10+
This Power Point uses the techniques of mindfulness as a tool to combat anxiety. The audience is encouraged to observe their troublesome thoughts and deal with them, clarifying the mind and freeing it up for more reasoned thinking.Different scenarios are presented which evoke the senses and help the students focus on their breathing whilst thoughts and feelings are observed and compartmentalised. The purpose of this resource is to assist pupils at times of pressure and anxiety such as exam periods or when stress levels are running high.I include ideas for creative writing about anxiety attacks as a way of dealing with powerful emotions which can sabotage our best efforts. This resource is suitable for all ages but is most relevant to those aged 12+
Other resources regarding anger issues and mindfulness can be found in my shop.
This animated PowerPoint uses five extracts from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as a focus for punctuation. Pupils have to insert the missing punctuation and make sense of the passages which are chosen to highlight such things as the use of proper nouns and apostrophes, a letter format, dramatic dialogue, colloquialisms and dialect, questions and exclamations and much, much more. The answers will magically appear and will inspire further discussion on how Rowling uses punctuation effectively to create tension and drama and a sense of character in her writing.
Pupils are required to answer questions about each extract at the end in a short quiz.
This is a fun way to check pupils' understanding of punctuation which will also encourage further reading and discussion. Similar resources based on the series of Harry Potter books can be found in my shop.
This resource is suitable for ages 10+
This animated Power Point takes three extracts from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and asks pupils to spot deliberate spelling errors. The spellings are common words but are set in inspiring passages by J.K.Rowling, so as the pupils hunt for the mistakes they are also learning about informal letters, sports reviews and character descriptions. Pupils are required to demonstrate they know how to use homophones such as witch/which and aloud/allowed. They are required to make muggle words out of enchantments to stretch their powers. Finally they are asked to write a piece of their own : an informal letter from Sirius Black to Harry or an exciting review of a Quidditch match.
This resource will make spelling activities more fun and will inspire further reading and writing in one fell swoop. Included is a resource about the development of the racing broom for Quidditch enthusiasts.
Suitable for ages 10+
This animated Power Point asks pupils to examine extracts taken from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and try to spot deliberate spelling mistakes. Pupils split into houses as if in Hogwarts and answer questions from the extracts. Finally they choose between two writing challenges. One is to invent their own recipe for Butterbeer and write instructions on how to make it. The other is to write a descriptive piece , explaining how to make a spell using Neville's mimbulus mimbletonia, a sinister looking cactus-plant whose stinksap smells of rancid manure.
This resource is intended to be used to encourage further reading, whilst also revising spelling. The extracts chosen will inspire pupils to write their own descriptive pieces.
Other Potter based resources can be found in my shop.
Suitable for ages 10+
This animated Power Point comprises a fun quiz where the audience choose between three options as to how to help a friend in a tricky situation. A short story follows about Amy who struggles to make friends at school. Comprehension questions are included which ask the students to think about Amy's words and actions and what she could have done differently. Students are asked to think about a time when they have responded well in a challenging situation. Finally the students are required to choose between two options to write about: what qualities do they look for in a friend? Is there a member of staff they admire and who has given them some good advice when trying to solve a problem at school?
This resource could be used all year round but would be particularly useful during anti-bullying week and would and help pupils to consider how we are all different and yet all equal.
Words which have -ie in the spelling are included and pupils are required to put them in sentences to show their meaning.
This resource would be ideal to use if friendship problems are an issue and could be used as a starting point for wider discussion. I include a supporting word document which could be used as a homework task or alongside the Powerpoint.
Suitable for ages 7+
This animated Power Point is based on extracts taken from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Pupils are asked to re-write passages inserting the necessary punctuation and missing capital letters. The correctly punctuated passages will magically appear, once they have made an attempt to recreate Rowling's work. Two of the passages take the form of letters; one formal and one informal. The other extracts take the form of dialogues so that pupils will need to insert speech marks and question marks and remember to begin a new line when a different character starts to speak.
Students are asked to write their own letters and have the choice whether to select a formal or informal tone for their writing.
Students are required to form as many Muggle words of their own out of the letters contained within some of the principal characters' names.
This resource is intended to be used when revising formal and informal letters as well as when revising punctuation in general. Other Harry Potter themed resources can be found in my shop.
This resource is suitable for ages 10+
This quiz is based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Two possible answers are provided to each question. If the wrong answer is selected a mysterious forfeit is revealed. If the correct answer is selected then that leaves more precious reading time . Included is an information text about ancient broom-stick games from around the world where pupils are required to compare and contrast the evolution of various hilarious games and will be inspired to invent their own gaming broomstick perhaps.
This resource will complement the reading of J.K.Rowling's book but will also appeal to Potter fans in general. This is ideal to use as a post SATS brain teaser and will encourage further reading at the same time...
Suitable for ages 8+
This resource accompanies a Power Point presentation which can be found in my shop but could also be used without it. It tests pupils' knowledge about the firefly squid and their understanding of bioluminescence including photophore cells. It gives pupils the opportunity to unscramble key words from the text and to go further with their own research about oceans with specific reference to Japan.
This resource would be useful for World Oceans Day but could also be used for any investigation into sea-life and ocean phenomena.
Suitable for ages 10+
I have bundled together three resources which I think will be useful when dealing with anger issues . This resource will be appropriate to use at any time of year but particularly in anti-bullying week or during stressful exam periods. Stories are told which will promote wider discussion and will help to address the issue of how we are all different and yet all equal. We should learn to celebrate what makes us all different and show empathy and understanding when faced with others’ emotional outbursts. We all make mistakes but a mistake is a learning opportunity. Techniques are suggested which channel energy into creative pursuits and help to turn any negativity into a more positive outcome.
Suitable for ages 10+
This resource tells the story of the boy who was taught a valuable lesson by his father about the damage he was causing to his loved ones by using unkind words. Pupils will reflect upon times when they have used words to hurt others or have themselves been hurt by what other people have said about them. An activity is suggested which will result in a display of hands which when put together with others will form a heart-shape. This resource could be used all year round but would be particularly appropriate to use during anti-bullying week or during exam periods. Talking therapies and mindfulness meditation are suggested as tools for dealing with mental health issues rather than medication. Especially topical as we approach Father’s Day and consider what we can learn from our elders.
This resource is presented both in word format and as a Powerpoint presentation.
Suitable for ages 10+
This resource accompanies a PowerPoint and is presented as an examination paper as if from Hogwarts itself . It is inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Pupils are required to answer questions about various creatures, draw and label diagrams and create their own informative writing about a new breed of werewolf. Some anagrams of mystical creatures’ names are also provided as an extra activity.
This is aimed at improving reading and comprehension skills whilst also encouraging wider reading.
Suitable for Potter fans of all ages. Answers are included as well as a certificate including a range of scores and feedback such as "your name will be included as an addition to the were-wolf register with immediate effect."
The intention of this resource is to alleviate stress when approaching real-life examinations.
If you wish to use both the paper exam alongside the Power Point you can find them in my shop in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them Descriptive Writing, or in the Fantastic Beasts Bundle or in the Fantastic Beasts Bundle 2 which contain an array of Potter themed resources. You can find many more Potter themed resources in my shop :
[]https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/jlimb
I have bundled together three resources which I think will be useful when revising speeches and persuasive writing techniques. One of the resources takes Martin Luther King as its inspiration, another looks at Barack Obama's Yes We Can speech.
Suitable for ages 11+