Formal and Informal English Learning Materials
These materials consist of 3 sets of worksheets and flashcards to help primary school students learn the difference between formal and informal English.
Worksheet Activities (3 levels):
Students practice formalizing informal phrases and matching formal and informal equivalents.
• Transform colloquial expressions into formal language
• Write out formal versions of informal phrases
• Match informal phrases to their formal counterparts
Flashcard Activities:
Sets of formal and informal phrase flashcards for matching and speaking practice.
Students match informal cards with their formal counterparts and vice versa.
Flashcards can also be used for speaking and role-play activities where students practice changing between formal and informal language.
The activities are designed to:
• Develop vocabulary around formal vs informal language
• Foster an awareness of context and audience in language choice
• Provide differentiated practice to suit a range of learning levels
Discover the fascinating origins, history, and traditions of one of the world’s most celebrated holidays with this Saint Patrick’s Day reading comprehension resource.
The engaging and informative double-sided text begins by introducing the legendary figure of Saint Patrick, exploring the tales associated with him, including the mythical banishment of snakes from Ireland. It then delves into the symbols and customs associated with the holiday, such as the iconic shamrock and the popular tradition of wearing green.
Moreover, the text delves into the challenges Saint Patrick encountered in his mission to convert the Irish people to Christianity, and how the diverse cultural influences of Ireland have shaped the modern celebration of the holiday. Includes a Saint Patrick’s Day fun facts box.
Resource includes three levels of differentiated questions, with answers included, designed to cater to learners of all abilities. Questions for each level come in two formats, a lined answer sheet and a list of questions to glue into a notebook.
Ultimately, this informative and engaging text not only offers insights into the cultural significance of Saint Patrick’s Day but also provides a deeper understanding of contemporary Irish culture. Perfect for learners of all ages, this Saint Patrick’s Day reading comprehension resource is a must-have for the holiday season!
Noun mats (noun scaffolds) and matching noun worksheets.
Differentiated versions uploaded.
Blank version also uploaded for children to make their own examples.
Use these writing frames to help Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 students write stories.
8 story idea writing frames with suggested words to help students write interesting stories. Appropriate possible word choices for characters, and setting and a selection of appropriate key phrases, adjectives and verbs which writers could incorporate into their stories. All or just a few of the words can be used. Although it may seem to a teacher or tutor that the plot is predetermined by the word selection children can write a multitude of different stories by selecting fewer or more words, putting words in different orders and by adding their own extra words and information to create a different story each time. (Differentiation by outcome)
Designed to help young writers expand their vocabulary and have fun writing.
Valentine’s Day Reading Worksheet: to teach children about the history, significance, and customs of Valentine’s Day with differentiated reading comprehension for higher, middle, and lower level students, including EAL learners. Each level of the worksheet includes a “sweet facts” box and “Glossary” of different facts and words to enhance understanding and engagement. The worksheets also include differentiated questions for all three levels with answers provided for easy assessment and self-reflection. Worksheets can be single sided or printed with fact box and glossary on the reverse.
Amenhotep III, Ancient Egypt Pharaoh Reading Comprehension Worksheets
This download includes differentiated biographies of Amenhotep III, an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled during the 18th dynasty. He was born in Thebes, Egypt, in the year 1388 BC and became king when he was just 12 years old. Amenhotep III ruled for 38 years and was one of the most successful and powerful pharaohs in Egyptian history.
The biographies are split into two levels, with approximately 500 words and 10 questions in the higher level and approximately 350 words and 8 questions in the lower level. Both levels follow the same structure and cover similar information and facts.
Answer sheets are included in two styles: A4 with lines and A5 to print, cut, glue in books, and answer below.
These worksheets are suitable for teaching biographies and ancient Egyptians for KS2 and KS3.
The Legend of Saint Nicholas and the Three Sisters - Differentiated Christmas Reading & Comprehension Activities
Bring the magic of Christmas and the spirit of generosity into your classroom with this beautifully differentiated reading resource! Perfect for learners of varying reading abilities, The Legend of Saint Nicholas and the Three Sisters retells a heartwarming story of kindness and hope, rooted in the traditions of St. Nicholas and the origins of Christmas.
This resource includes two levels of the same captivating story to ensure accessibility for all learners. Each text version is paired with engaging and varied activities to reinforce comprehension and extend learning.
What’s Included:
Two Levels of Text:
Higher Level Text: Approximate Lexile level 750L–900L, recommended for Years 5–7. It features richer vocabulary and sentence complexity for fluent readers.
Lower Level Text: Approximate Lexile level 550L–700L, recommended for Years 3–5. It includes simplified language and structure to support developing readers and an exclusive cloze summary activity.
Supporting Activities for Both Texts:
Multiple Choice Quiz
Traditional Written Response Questions
Two Christmas-Themed Crosswords (4 in total)
True or False Question Sheet
Fun Mixed-Style Written Response Sheets: Includes sequencing, vocabulary matching, and mini cloze activities.
Perfect for Christmas and St. Nicholas Day!
Inspire your students with the story of St. Nicholas, the real-life figure behind Santa Claus, while building essential reading and comprehension skills. Ideal for festive lesson plans or a thoughtful seasonal activity.
Extend the Learning:
Pair this resource with my related Saint Nicholas biographies for a deeper exploration of the historical figure behind Santa Claus:
Single-Sided Biography: Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus
Double-Sided Biography: Saint Nicholas - In-Depth Reading Resource
These biographies are perfect companions to enhance your students’ understanding of the legacy of Saint Nicholas and the traditions surrounding Christmas.
Looking for more holiday reading resources? Check out my other Christmas reading resources:
Night Before Christmas Poem Comprehension
Little Match Girl Christmas Story
Little Fir Tree Christmas Reading
The Nutcracker Christmas Worksheets
Non-Fiction
Christingles Fun Reading Activities
History of the Christmas Tree Reading
Uncover the inspiring story of Saint Nicholas with this engaging mini-biography, perfect for Christmas-themed lessons. This single-sided text explores the legend of Saint Nicholas, his generosity, and his connection to modern traditions like Santa Claus and hanging stockings.
Includes:
A concise timeline of Saint Nicholas’s life and legacy
Links to modern Christmas traditions such as Santa Claus and hanging stockings
A summary of Saint Nicholas’s acts of generosity
Contextual insights into the evolution of his legend
Activities:
Multiple-choice quiz
Written response sheets
True/False activity
Crossword puzzles
Cloze summaries
Ideal for KS2 & KS3 learners, this resource makes a fantastic addition to your holiday curriculum, combining history with festive fun!
Looking for a more detailed biography? Explore the extended version here: Discover Santa’s Origins: Reading Resource Or grab it as part Saint Nicholas Christmas Readings Bundle. for even more festive learning!
Looking for more holiday reading resources? Check out my other Christmas reading resources:
Night Before Christmas Poem Comprehension
Little Match Girl Christmas Story
Little Fir Tree Christmas Reading
The Nutcracker Christmas Worksheets
Non-Fiction
Christingles Fun Reading Activities
History of the Christmas Tree Reading
Looking for more Christian Saint Resources:
Saint Patrick
St Andrew: Scotland’s Saint
Saint David: Wales’ Saint
St. George’s Day
Unwrap the Story of Santa Claus: A Reading Comprehension Resource
Introduce your students to the fascinating origin of Santa Claus with this engaging reading comprehension resource, perfect for St. Nicholas Day (6th December) and the Christmas season!
Students will explore how a generous boy named Nicholas from 3rd century Turkey became Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. They’ll learn about his secret acts of kindness, including the legendary tale of the three sisters and the gold coins - laying the foundation for the Christmas stocking tradition. Follow his transformation from charitable bishop to “Sinterklaas” and, eventually, the modern Santa Claus, through a historical timeline spanning 270 AD to today.
What’s Included:
This biographical text (Lexile 800L-1000L), enriched with historical details and captivating illustrations, features:
A clear timeline tracing Saint Nicholas’s life and legacy
Connections to modern Christmas traditions
9 Differentiated Activities for Deeper Learning:
✓ Multiple-choice quiz (double-sided)
✓ Two varied question worksheets for written responses
✓ Traditional written response sheet
✓ True/False activity
✓ Two crossword puzzles
✓ Two summary cloze activities
✓ Complete answer keys
Ideal for:
St. Nicholas Day celebrations
Christmas season lessons
Reading comprehension practice
Holiday-themed activities
Cultural studies
Character education
Differentiated instruction
Aligned with reading comprehension standards, this resource encourages students to analyse biographical texts while uncovering the inspiring story behind one of the most cherished holiday figures. Perfect for enriching your festive curriculum!
Looking for more holiday reading resources? Check out my other Christmas reading resources:
Night Before Christmas Poem Comprehension
Little Match Girl Christmas Story
Little Fir Tree Christmas Reading
The Nutcracker Christmas Worksheets
Non-Fiction
Christingles Fun Reading Activities
History of the Christmas Tree Reading
Looking for more Christian Saint Resources:
Saint Patrick
St Andrew: Scotland’s Saint
Saint David: Wales’ Saint
St. George’s Day
Zahi Hawass Reading Comprehension Worksheets
This download includes differentiated biographies of Zahi Hawass, a well-known Egyptian archaeologist and egyptologist, a prominent figure in modern Egyptian history and culture. The biographies are split into two levels, with approximately 500 words and 10 questions in the higher level, and approximately 350 words and 8 questions in the lower level. Both levels follow the same structure and cover similar information and facts.
Answer sheets in two styles: A4 with lines and A5 to print, cut, glue in books and answer below.
Includes answer sheets.
Suitable for teaching biographies and modern-day Egyptians for KS2 and KS3.
Charles Dickens biography reading comprehension.
Charles Dickens novel summary comprehension.
Differentiated three ways. Lots of Charles Dickens facts.
The biographies have glossaries to help at each level.
Differentiated questions with answer sheets provided.
Suitable for KS2 & KS3.
/igh/ trigraph labeling worksheets.
Using 12 extra clear, black and white, clip-art images.
Differentiated with and without workbank, and wordbank with and without sound buttons.
Immerse your students in one of the most powerful and transformative stories in Jewish history!
Moses and the Burning Bush is the biblical account of God calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Though raised as an Egyptian prince, Moses never forgot his Israelite roots. After killing an Egyptian for beating a slave, Moses fled to Midian where he became a shepherd. One day in the wilderness, Moses encountered a burning bush that was not consumed by the flames. God spoke to him from the bush, revealing his plan for Moses to demand Pharaoh free the Israelites and guide them to the Promised Land.
Despite humble beginnings as a baby set adrift in a basket to avoid being killed, Moses was prepared through divine providence to become a great leader. Though initially reluctant, feeling inadequate for such a mighty task, Moses ultimately embraced his calling to liberate his people with faith in God’s guiding hand. The story of Moses and the Burning Bush is a seminal event in Jewish history and is recounted in the Hebrew Bible as a testament to faith, leadership, and divine providence
A variety of engaging comprehension activities reinforce key details and higher-order thinking skills:
33-question multiple-choice quiz,
Two levels of story summary cloze passages,
17 written response questions with a variety of engaging question types (double-sided),
6 classic-style written response questions (single-sided for easy printing),
2 versions of a crossword puzzle,
Answer sheets for all activities.
Exploring this pivotal event develops cultural literacy about the ancestral origins and formative experiences that shaped Jewish identity, ethics, and traditions.
David and Goliath
Moses & Exodus of Egypt
Moses in the Bulrushes
Joseph and His Brothers
Queen Esther’s Story of Purim
Story of Creation
Story of Hanukkah
Judaism Information Text
Immerse your students in one of the most powerful and transformative stories in Jewish history!
Joseph and His Brothers is the biblical account of Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. Though favored by his father, Joseph faced hardship and betrayal when his brothers stripped him of his special coat and threw him into a pit, eventually selling him to passing merchants.
Taken to Egypt, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams led him to the court of Pharaoh, where he became a trusted advisor and governor, responsible for preparing the nation for a prophesied famine. When Joseph’s brothers later came to Egypt to buy food, he tested them to see if they had changed before revealing his identity and forgiving them.
The story of Joseph and His Brothers is a seminal event in Jewish history recounted in the Hebrew Bible as a testament to faith, forgiveness, and divine providence. Despite humble beginnings and tumultuous trials, Joseph’s life was guided by God’s plan, leading him to a position of power where he could ultimately save his family.
A variety of engaging comprehension activities reinforce key details and higher-order thinking skills in this
2 levels of multiple-choice, SAT-style quizzes (2-page and 3-page versions)
2 levels of story summary cloze passages
2 levels of written response worksheets (a double-sided version with 15 mixed style question types, and a single-sided version with 8 essential written response questions)
2 versions of vocabulary-building crossword puzzles
Answer sheets for all activities
Exploring this pivotal narrative develops cultural literacy about the ancestral origins and formative experiences that shaped Jewish identity, ethics, and traditions.
David and Goliath
Moses & Exodus of Egypt
Moses & The Burning Bush
Moses in the Bulrushes
Queen Esther’s Story of Purim
Story of Creation
Story of Hanukkah
Judaism Information Text
This reading activity resource explores the seminal story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt in the 13th century BCE, under the leadership of Moses.
This defining event laid the foundations for the development of Judaism and the Jewish people’s national identity. After enduring oppression and harsh labor under an unbending Pharaoh, God unleashed ten devastating plagues upon Egypt. When the final plague killed all firstborn sons, Pharaoh finally relented and expelled the Israelites. However, he soon regretted this decision and pursued them with his army. Through divine intervention, the Israelites crossed the parted Red Sea to escape, while the Egyptian forces drowned.
The Israelites then wandered the wilderness for forty years, ceremonially receiving the Ten Commandments from God at Mount Sinai. This code of laws and ethics bounded their covenant as God’s chosen people destined for the Promised Land of Canaan after tribulations tested their faith.
The Exodus story is told in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and is commemorated in the Jewish holiday of Passover.
A variety of engaging comprehension activities reinforce key details and higher-order thinking skills:
• 42-question multiple-choice quiz
• Summary cloze passage with word bank
• 17 written response questions, with a variety of engaging question types, for higher middle school learners
• 18 written response questions, with a variety of engaging question types, for upper elementary learners
• 42 Question True or False worksheet
• 2 versions of crossword
• Answer sheets for all activities
Jewish holidays like Passover’s Seder meal incorporating symbolic foods further connect the narrative to religious observances. Exploring this pivotal event develops cultural literacy about the ancestral origins and formative experiences that shaped Jewish identity, ethics, and traditions.
David and Goliath
Moses & The Burning Bush
Moses in the Bulrushes
Joseph and His Brothers
Queen Esther’s Story of Purim
Story of Creation
Story of Hanukkah
Judaism Information Text
Engage your students with the captivating Jewish account of the origins of the universe and life on Earth, as beautifully depicted in retelling of the biblical story of Creation.
The Story of Creation is the foundational narrative in the Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) that describes God’s formation of the heavens, Earth, and all living things over a period of six days, followed by a seventh day of rest and blessing. This powerful cosmological story establishes core Jewish beliefs about the divine source of all existence and the sanctity of the seventh day of the week.
The story portrays God methodically creating light, sky, land, vegetation, celestial bodies, aquatic creatures, animals, and ultimately human beings - fashioned in God’s own image and given stewardship over the Earth. Despite its ancient roots, the creation story remains a seminal text exploring timeless concepts of the universe’s beginnings, humanity’s place in the world, and our sacred responsibility as ethical caretakers.
A variety of differentiated, engaging comprehension activities reinforce key details and higher-order thinking skills in this resource:
3 levels of multiple-choice, SAT-style quizzes
2 levels of story summary cloze passages
2 levels of written response worksheets with fun & engaging mixed-style questions
2 levels of true or false question sheets
2 version of Story of Creation crossword
Answer keys for all activities
Exploring this formative narrative develops cultural literacy about the ancestral beliefs and wisdom that shaped Jewish spirituality, ethics, and traditions like Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat.
David and Goliath
Moses & Exodus of Egypt
Moses & The Burning Bush
Moses in the Bulrushes
Joseph and His Brothers
Queen Esther’s Story of Purim
Story of Hanukkah
Judaism Information Text
Engage Your Students with the Captivating Story of Moses’ Birth and Its Enduring Legacy
The story of Moses being hidden in the bulrushes to escape Pharaoh’s cruel edict is a foundational narrative in Jewish history and Scripture. This comprehensive resource invites your students to immerse themselves in this pivotal moment and explore its profound significance.
Key Learning Opportunities:
- Preservation of a Leader: Discover how the miraculous survival of the infant Moses foreshadowed his future role as a transformative leader of the Israelites.
- Divine Intervention: Analyze how the events surrounding Moses’ birth are seen as acts of divine providence, shaping students’ understanding of Jewish faith and theology.
- Cultural Identity: Examine how Moses’ upbringing as an Egyptian prince, yet maintenance of his Israelite roots, underscores the importance of cultural heritage and self-discovery.
- Foreshadowing of Liberation: Explore how this story sets the stage for the Israelites’ Exodus from Egyptian slavery, a pivotal event in Jewish history.
- Faith and Trust in God: Consider how the faithfulness of Moses’ mother and the protection of the child highlight core themes of trust in God’s plan.
Comprehensive Activities Foster Deep Engagement:
28-question multiple-choice quiz
Two levels of story summary cloze passages
16 varied written response questions (double-sided)
8 classic-style written response questions (single-sided)
2 versions of a crossword puzzle
Answer keys for all activities
This resource empowers students to develop cultural literacy about the origins and formative experiences that have shaped Jewish identity, ethics, and traditions.
David and Goliath
Moses & Exodus of Egypt
Moses & The Burning Bush
Joseph and His Brothers
Queen Esther’s Story of Purim
Story of Creation
Story of Hanukkah
Judaism Information Text
Adverb mats & adverb posters.
Differentiated adverb scaffolds. Some with more adverbs, some with less adverbs. Plus adverbs of manner place mat.
Adverb mats are A4. Adverb posters are A3.
/ea/ phonics phase 5 worksheets, flashcards and matching memory game.
30 /ea/ phonics words with clear clip-art.
4 differentiated worksheets
3 sets of flashcards (1 illustrated, 1 with sound buttons, 1 only text)
Match illustration to word memory game (match word card with picture card)
Phase 5 Phonics Table Mat
/ew/ Phase 5 Phonics Activities