Theseus and the Minotaur Diary example with 24 KS2 comprehension questions. Set in pre 40AD, Theseus writes about his observations as he travels on his quest to slay the Minotaur. The diary is written in the first person and is separated into two main sections (Part 1: The quest to slay the Minotaur/ Part 2 : The return to Athens). Each part is broken into smaller, readable sections based upon location as Theseus travels through the myth. This recount demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a continuous recount of the event including Theseus’s personal feelings and points of view. Can be used as a stimulus for Myths and Legends, creative writing and to identify the features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity. Also attached are two sets of 12 comprehension questions relating to each of the two parts of the text. Comprehension Learning Objectives: I can respond to a range of texts. I can locate ideas and use information. I can refer to the text when explaining a view or reason. I can deduce and infer ideas from the text. I can select sentences or phrases to support my answers. Can be used in cross curricular topics English -Myths and Legends/ writing a diary or recount, History – The Greeks/ Greek Gods and Goddesses, Mythical Beasts, Geography – Greece. **

KS1 powerpoint lesson : How to write a party invitation with a Halloween focus. A KS1 power-point of 14 slides which can be used as one lesson or extended over a longer period. There is a warm up, two activities and a final writing task. Included are examples of 2 invitations (birthday and Halloween party) for pupils to use in the lesson to spot the key features and help Lei correct his invitation (because no one has replied!). There are key questions to promote discussion and paired work. Also included is a simple invitation template for pupil use. Pupils can also use the important information/checklist to give paired feedback after writing their own invitation.

KS1 & 2 play script planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own play. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing playscripts and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting, the problem and the structure of their play. Great to use following a drama or speaking and listening lesson. Can also be used with the majority of topics involving stories and characters (real and fictional).

KS 1 & 2 Library Treasure hunt grid A simple ‘treasure hunt’ to introduce or develop pupil understanding of a library or book area. Pupils find the treasure and write their answers in the box.

A KS2 power-point of 19 slides which can be used as one lesson or extended over a longer period. Included are examples of 2 short horror stories (not too scary!) for pupils to use in the lesson to analyse against a Horror story features checklist. There are key questions to promote discussion and paired work. Also included is a simple planning and drafting grid. Pupils can use the grids to give paired feedback to improve their work prior to writing the final story. The lesson culminates in a spooky story reading presentation.

KS2 Battle of Hastings Diary example. Set in October 1066, a Norman Knight writes about his observations before, during and after the Battle of Hastings. This example demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a recount of the event including personal feelings and points of view. Useful in the lesson for pupils to use to identify features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity. Can be used in cross curricular History topic on Norman life, Castles or Knights.

KS2 powerpoint of 27 slides which can be used as a complete lesson or divided into a series of lessons. The slides include group and paired questions to explore and define the life of a highwayman, their target victims and the reasons for particular types of robbery. There is a focus on the life of Dick Turpin who has written a Facebook page and a historical account of his crimes leading to his arrest. Includes an opportunity to learn the game ‘Hangman’ and look at historical documents eg Christening record, Trial poster . Final task is the design of a ‘Wanted ’poster for the King.

KS2 set of 2 differentiated Geography physical features of the Arctic worksheets. Worksheet 1 – Match the key physical feature vocabulary (ocean, coastline, sea ice, river, mountain, glacier, iceberg) to the photographs. Worksheet 2- Cut out and stick physical descriptions (as worksheet 1) next to the photographs. Useful for Geography topics on ‘Water’, ‘Glaciers’, ‘Explorers’, ‘Arctic’.

KS2 Diamond Ranking activity: Planning for a Mountain Expedition. Blank diamond ranking template and four different sets of activity cards for pupils to discuss in groups of three or pairs. Set 1 What are the most important survival items to pack for a mountain expedition? Set 2 What is the most important equipment to pack for a mountain expedition? Set 3 What are the most important clothes to pack for a mountain expedition? Set 4 What are the most important health items to pack for a mountain expedition? Pupils discuss the merits of each item in a set and rank them from most to least important by sticking them on the blank template. Can be used to develop understanding and promote key vocabulary in Geography or History topics on ‘Explorers’, ‘Everest’ , ‘Antarctica’, ‘Mountains of the world’ etc.

(Versions: 1= HA, 2= MA, 3= LA) in KS2. Each simplified biography is up to one page long. Can be used to identify features of biographies, to aid understanding of how to structure a biography and support content understanding. Also can be used to support historical research.

Blank template book for pupils to use to think of information to describe a character. There is space in each box for one or two short facts. The information on each flap (box) can be structured according to the topic focus eg 1. describe the face 2. describe the eyes with an adjective or simile etc. when all of the boxes are opened they reveal the identity. Can be used for biographies, historical figures, characters in stories, animals, science facts, numbers etc.

Playtime: A series of four complete power-point lessons (52 slides) for pupils in KS1. Each lesson focuses on playtime and toys from the past including Roman, Elizabethan, Victorian times and present day. The lessons are interactive and include opportunities for the pupils to work in pairs or a small group to extract information from sources (photographs, paintings, video clips) ask questions, compare and record findings. Children will learn to play a range of playground games, small group games and role play games from each of the periods studied which they can transfer to their own playtime in school and teach their friends. Opportunities to extend the lessons with ideas for creative cross curricular links eg How to make a Victorian Thalmatrope optical illusion.. There is an initial assessment in lesson one, recap in the following lessons and a simple final assessment in lesson four.

KS1&2 Christmas Nativity story sequencing activity. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order. Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order. Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.

KS1 & 2 Historical story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own historical story writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing historical stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and ideas for the structure of their story. Great to use following a History writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with most History topics : Norman Castles, Explorers, Travel, Halloween, Romans, Egypt, Saxon Britain etc.

Powerpoint Poem about the colour ORANGE. EYFS/KS1. Simple rhyming acrostic poem which I wrote myself to introduce a topic on colour recognition, help pupils learn the colour orange and identify orange objects around them. Lots of ‘orange’ photos and an easy to follow acrostic pattern. Links with cross curricular topics on ‘Colour’, ‘Rainbows’, ‘All around me’ and Literacy ‘Poetry’.

Powerpoint Poem about the colour BLUE. EYFS/KS1. Simple rhyming couplets which I wrote myself to introduce a topic on colour recognition, help pupils learn the colour blue and identify blue objects around them. Lots of ‘blue’ photos and an easy to learn ‘I love blue…’ repetition pattern. Links with cross curricular topics on ‘Colour’, ‘Rainbows’, ‘All around me’ and Literacy ‘Poetry’.

This power-point can be used as a full lesson or as a guideline for active learning for a whole day focus on The Gunpowder Plot. It consists of a range of interactive cross curricular activities which begin using pupil knowledge of Bonfire Night and develop into the historical account of the Gunpowder Plot. Learning includes: Understanding the link between Bonfire Night celebrations and the Gunpowder Plot, developing historical vocabulary, and using historical documents to extract and interpret information. The power-point promotes collaboration, discussion and information sharing in a historical, geographical and mathematical context.

KS1 & 2 Set of 5 Easter instructions. Learning Objectives: To read and follow the instructions accurately and in the correct sequence/order. To recognise the features of instructions (What materials are needed, method, using an imperative (bossy) verb, sequencing actions and numbering each stage in order, using diagrams and pictures). Five DT activities for pupils to read, understand and make. The activities include : Paste egg bunny, Easter basket, spring daffodil, Easter nests, pompom chick. Use as an introduction to work on instructions to encourage pupils to observe the features in a fun way or as a format to help pupils scaffold their own instructional writing.

KS2 Geographical features : Bridges of Britain fact sheets. Includes 10 iconic ,interesting and very different types of British Bridges including Clifton Suspension, Tyne Bridge, Forth Bridge, Tees Transporter, Gateshead Millenneum Bridge, Tower Bridge, Severn Bridge, Menai Suspension, Tarr Steps Bridge and Infinity Bridge. Each fact sheet includes information on the different structure of the bridges, simple dimensions, brief historical information and interesting related facts. The layout is accessible and easy to use to extract information or make comparisons between the bridges. Useful to link to DT topic on bridges or non-fiction writing reference material.