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.
Differentiated Worksheets for Subtracting Across Tens in Three-Digit Numbers
Help your Year 3 students confidently subtract across tens in three-digit numbers with this set of differentiated worksheets. Aligned with the White Rose Maths scheme (Year 3 | Autumn term | Block 2 – Addition and subtraction | Step 8: Subtract 1s across a 10), these worksheets are perfect for supporting a structured learning progression with mental subtraction.
This resource includes:
6 progressive levels of worksheets, each level designed with 2 A4 sheets.
Part-whole models and number lines included to provide structured visual support.
Levels are cleverly designed to gradually reduce visual aids, encouraging independent mental maths subtraction thinking.
Versions with and without chilli pepper level indicators for flexible use.
Ideal for students needing support at different levels of understanding, these worksheets will help build confidence and fluency in subtraction.
Follows on from: Add tens across a hundred
and Add ones across a ten
Next Step Subtract 10s across a 100 Worksheets
Differentiated Worksheets for Subtracting Tens Across Hundreds in Three-Digit Numbers
Boost your Year 3 students’ confidence in subtracting across hundreds with this comprehensive set of differentiated worksheets. Aligned with the White Rose Maths scheme (Year 3 | Autumn term | Block 2 – Addition and subtraction | Step 9 / Subtract 10s across a 100), these resources support structured learning progression in mental subtraction.
Key Features:
8 progressive difficulty levels, each with 2 A4 worksheets
Visual aids including part-whole models and number lines with and without jumps shown
Gradual reduction of visual support to encourage independent mental math skills
Versions with and without chilli pepper difficulty indicators for flexible use
This resource pack includes:
16 worksheets (2 per level) designed to build skills systematically
2 BONUS Worksheets - number track subtracting by tens - 2 levels
Ideal for:
Differentiated instruction in whole-class settings
Small group interventions
Independent practice or homework assignments
Help your students develop confidence and fluency in subtraction across hundreds while catering to diverse learning needs. Perfect for classroom use, homeschooling, or additional practice.
Related White Rose Maths Steps practice worksheets:
Step 6: Add 1s across a 10 resource
Step 7: Add 10s across a 100 worksheets
Step 8: Subtract 1s across a 10 worksheets
This differentiated number line addition worksheet pack supports
*White Rose Year 3 | Autumn Term | Block 2 – Addition and Subtraction | Step 7: Add 10s across a 10. *
The set includes 8 worksheets at 4 carefully scaffolded levels (2 per level), helping children progress from simpler to more challenging problems/independent mental maths. Learners will practise adding multiples of 10 to three-digit numbers, reinforcing their understanding of number patterns and place value.
The pack also includes a version with chilli peppers marking each level (1 chilli = easy, 4 chillies = hard),
These worksheets can also be used for number line addition practice and recording mental maths thinking, making them versatile for guided work, independent practice, or extra support at home.
Perfect for differentiated learning.
Follows on from (White Rose Step 6) Add 1s across a 10 Worksheets
Differentiated worksheets designed to assist learners with the mental addition strategy of partitioning ones into helpful parts to reach and bridge a three-digit number. The worksheets utilize the part-part-whole model to partition the ones, allowing students to discover the number bond to ten, which in turn helps them arrive at the next ten. By adding the remaining part, students can find the final answer.
The worksheets are differentiated into four levels, (I use them with my year 3 class) catering to learners’ varying abilities. Additionally, each set includes five large sheets, ideal for small group teaching.
Next Step: Add 10s across a 100 Number Line Worksheets
Immerse students in a key Buddhist narrative with this rich retelling of The Four Sights. Follow Siddhartha Gautama as he leaves behind his sheltered palace life and confronts the hard truths of old age, illness, death, and asceticism. After attaining enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree, he became known as the Buddha. This accessible text presents the story at a middle school level, supplemented by vivid illustrations and illuminating Buddha quotes. Check comprehension through the varied activities catered to different abilities:
A 39-question multiple choice quiz to evaluate understanding
A cloze exercise focused on summarizing key details
A higher-order 13-question written response activity
A 9-question essential understanding worksheet
Answer sheets
Use this as a Buddhism lesson for RE or a literacy lesson analyzing this influential short story. Through an immersive experience of The Four Sights, pupils will gain insight into the Buddha’s life and spiritual awakening.
Complements my Buddhism Introduction information text
Bring science to life with this engaging lesson on living and nonliving things! This comprehensive package includes everything you need to teach students how to classify objects as living, nonliving, or once living using the helpful MRS GREN mnemonic device.
The lesson begins by having students participate in a lively RoundRobin cooperative activity where they sort 75 thought-provoking images into living, nonliving, and once living categories. An informative PowerPoint presentation guides the lesson, reinforcing key concepts and introducing the MRS GREN mnemonic to help students remember the characteristics of living things.
Students then solidify their knowledge by completing illustrated MRS GREN Quiz-Quiz-Trade cards, engaging all members of the class in defining terms, building vocabulary, and deepening understanding. Targeted vocabulary worksheets allow students to dive deeper into each MRS GREN term. Finally, leveled worksheets provide practice classifying objects as living/nonliving or living/nonliving/once living.
With ample visuals, hands-on activities, and differentiated materials, this lesson bundle makes it easy and enjoyable for students to grasp the difference between living and nonliving things. They will love learning classification with MRS GREN!
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
Explore the rich tapestry of Judaism with this comprehensive introductory resource!
This download includes a double-sided colour and an ink-saving black and white version of a carefully written “An Introduction to Judaism” (2 pages, approx. 1400 words), which covers the following key aspects of the Jewish faith:
Fundamental beliefs, including the covenant with God and the anticipation of the Messiah
Significance of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, and the Ten Commandments
Important festivals like Passover (Pesach), Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur
Ceremonies and traditions such as Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and the Sabbath
Dietary laws and the concept of kosher food
The history of the Jewish people, including their exile and the establishment of the modern state of Israel
The two main groups within Judaism: Orthodox and Reform
Symbols and practices that remind Jews of their faith and connection with God
Equip your students with an overview of Judaism through diverse activities that appeal to different learning styles and cater to various abilities. This resource includes:
2 Levels of Multiple-Choice Quizzes (a higher level 2-page version and an easier lower level 3-page version)
Differentiated Written Response Sheets: Accommodating various learning levels, these sheets include a variety of question types
2 Crossword Puzzles utilising key learnings from the texts
True or False question sheet
Answer sheets for all activities
The text provides a comprehensive overview of the Jewish religion, its rich traditions, and its profound impact on humanity, fostering understanding and appreciation for this significant Abrahamic faith.
Download this resource now to enrich your teaching and captivate your students’ interest in the rich tapestry of Jewish culture and beliefs.
Ideal for Key Stage 2 & 3 (Years 6-9).
My Jewish story reading comprehension worksheets:
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 Creation
Story of Hanukkah