History of Christmas Trees: Differentiated Reading Comprehension Pack
Explore the captivating history of Christmas trees with this detailed reading comprehension pack, ideal for December reading sessions or holiday-themed history lessons.
TWO DIFFERENTIATED READING LEVELS:
• Years 3-5: Clear, accessible text with age-appropriate vocabulary
• Years 6-10: Rich, detailed content with advanced language and deeper historical insights
Journey through the evolution of Christmas trees, from ancient civilizations’ use of evergreens to contemporary festivities. Discover how evergreen branches featured in ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Celtic winter celebrations, Saint Boniface’s famed oak tree, and the development of the tradition by German families. Learn about Martin Luther’s role in adorning trees, Queen Victoria’s influence on its global popularity, and the progression from simple candles to today’s electric lights. The text also addresses the rise of artificial trees, environmental aspects of tree farming, and notable displays like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
INCLUDES 8 RESOURCES FOR EACH LEVEL:
• Engaging informational text on Christmas tree traditions
• Comprehension quiz with multiple-choice questions
• Double-sided traditional written response sheets
• Interactive mixed-style question sheets, including:
Sequence of events
Vocabulary exercises
True/False questions
Multiple choice questions
Written responses
Fill-in-the-blanks
• True/False quiz sheets
• Missing word cloze summary activities
• Two distinct crossword puzzles
• Answer keys for all activities
Enhance your holiday lessons with this comprehensive pack on the history of Christmas trees!
Higher Text - Estimated Lexile Level: 900-1100L (suitable for upper primary to secondary readers).
Lower Text - Estimated Lexile Level: 500-700L (suitable for lower primary readers).
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
Christingles Fun Reading Activities
The Nativity Story Comprehension Pack – A Festive Resource for Primary Learners
Engage your students this Christmas season with The Nativity Story Comprehension Pack, designed for Key Stages 2 and KS3. This carefully crafted resource offers two differentiated reading levels (Lexile 500L–700L for younger learners and 800L–1000L for older pupils) to make the story of the Nativity accessible, inspiring, and educational for all abilities. The resource includes a variety of engaging and thoughtfully designed activities to challenge and captivate learners while building essential reading skills. An advanced level version is also available
What’s Inside:
For each level, you’ll find:
Mixed-Style Activity Sheets: Including vocabulary matching, sequencing, cloze passages, true/false questions, and written response tasks.
Two Multiple Choice Quizzes: Perfect for reinforcing comprehension in an interactive way.
Cloze Summary Exercises: Strengthen vocabulary and recall key details.
Two Crossword Puzzles: Fun and engaging practice for every learner.
Traditional Written Comprehension Sheets: Encourage reflective responses to the text.
Answer Keys Included: Save time with complete answers provided for all activities.
This resource is ideal for differentiated instruction, festive homework, Advent lessons, or quiet independent work. Beautifully illustrated and expertly written, this pack brings the Nativity story to life while supporting comprehension skills.
Extend the Learning:
Pair this resource with my other Christmas reading resources to bring even more learning to your classroom:
Christmas Fiction
Little Match Girl Reading Worksheets Christmas Story
Night Before Christmas: A Visit From St Nicholas, Christmas Poem
Little Fir Tree Christmas Reading Comprehension Worksheets
The Elves and the Shoemaker Reading Comprehension
Legend of Saint Nicholas Christmas Story
The Nutcracker Reading Worksheets
Christmas Non-Fiction
Short Biography: Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus - Single Page
Long Biography: Saint Nicholas - Double-Sided Reading Comprehension
History of the Christmas Tree Reading Activities 2 Levels
Christingles Reading Text + Fun Supporting Activities
Engage your students with the timeless lessons of kindness, generosity, and the magic of Christmas. Download now and make the holidays meaningful!
Engage EAL newcomer learners with this interactive, fun, social-based vocabulary activity.
“Ask Around: Essential Verbs” is designed to make learning English enjoyable and effective for EAL students. This activity encourages children to walk around the classroom, engaging with their peers by asking and answering essential, repetitive questions. This method incorporates key grammar and vocabulary building, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Key Features:
Interactive Learning: Children interact with classmates, asking and answering questions to build social and academic vocabulary.
Balanced Development: Combines social English and academic classroom English for accelerated learning, as research shows EAL social English develops faster.
Comprehensive Grammar Coverage: Each set of verb sheets covers essential verb tenses in both asking and answering formats:
Simple present tense third person singular (What does he do? He verbs or +es)
Simple present tense with the modal verb can (What can she do? She can verb)
Present continuous tense (+ing form) (What is he doing? She is verb+ing)
Simple future tense using auxiliary will (What will she do tomorrow? Tomorrow, she will verb)
Simple past tense (What did he do yesterday? Yesterday, he verb+ed)
Present perfect tense 1st & 2nd person with auxiliary have/h (Have you ever verb? Yes, I have verb)
Identifying and articulating V1 (base form), V2 (simple past), and V3 (past participle)
Blank version with just clipart for additional questions or usage
Matching flashcards
Progressive Levels:
6 sets of question sheets, each with 15 verbs and 9 different verb tense practice versions.
Labeled and Unlabeled Versions: Each sheet comes in both labeled (with words) and unlabeled versions for learners to either write themselves or try to remember without reading.
Flashcards Included: Includes 100 matching flashcards for both direct teaching and various flashcard games, perfect for EAL specialist teachers, class teachers, or classroom assistants.
Versatile Usage: Ideal for primary school level grammar lessons in the Kagan “Find Someone Who” format.
Why Choose “Ask Around: Essential Verbs”?
This resource seamlessly integrates essential verb practice with social English, creating a dynamic learning environment. By focusing on verbs and progressing through levels, students gain a solid foundation in English while enjoying the process. Additionally, this activity helps new EAL children make friends and feel a sense of belonging. Once familiar with the format, EAL learners can engage independently, allowing others to continue their grade-level work. Perfect for EAL specialists, classroom teachers, and assistants, this versatile tool supports EAL students effectively.
Also see
EAL Newcomer Classroom Nouns and Verbs
And phonics vocabulary workbook
Captivate Your Students with the Inspirational Story of Hanukkah
Ignite your students’ curiosity and develop their cultural literacy with this engaging resource centered around the powerful story of Hanukkah. This ancient Jewish narrative recounts the Maccabees’ courageous rebellion and unwavering faith during the Greeks’ religious persecution in the 2nd century BCE.
As the villainous Greek-Syrian ruler Antiochus IV outlawed Judaism and ordered worship of Greek gods, the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons took a stand. After Mattathias’s death, his son Judah led their small rebel army to numerous improbable victories over Antiochus’s vastly larger forces. They ultimately reclaimed the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem.
When it came time to relight the Temple’s menorah, only one day’s supply of consecrated olive oil remained - yet it miraculously burned for eight nights until new sanctified oil could be prepared. This astounding miracle highlighting the triumph of faith over persecution is joyously celebrated each year during the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Through this powerful narrative of Jewish resilience, your students will gain invaluable insights into the ancestral foundations that shaped Jewish spirituality, ethics, and beloved traditions like the festival of lights.
Differentiated activities reinforce comprehension:
2 levels of multiple-choice quizzes
2 levels of summary cloze worksheets
2 levels of written response sheets with a variety of engaging question types including multiple choice, true/false, cloze sentences, sequencing, short answer, open-ended response, textual evidence questions, and analysis prompts
2 levels of true/false questions
2 Hanukkah story crosswords
Answer keys provided
Celebrate the eternal lights of faith and hope with this inspirational Hanukkah resource.
Other Jewish 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
Judaism Information Text
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
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
This Sikhism reading comprehension resource includes two differentiated informational texts and engaging activities suited for KS3 and KS4.
It includes two Sikhism overview informational texts at basic and advanced reading levels. Both texts provide an overview of Sikhism divided into sections on Sikh Beliefs, What is a Gurdwara?, Who is a Granthi? The Ten Gurus, The Guru Granth Sahib, Prayers and Karah Parshad, The Five Ks, Sikh Festivals, The Golden Temple and more.
Also included are:
3 Multiple-choice quizzes at varying lengths and difficulty levels to assess comprehension
4 versions of differentiated written response sheets with short answer and longer responses
True or false worksheets
Two crossword puzzles using key vocabulary and concepts
Two word searches
2 summary cloze activities with missing words for students to fill in
Answer sheets for all worksheets
With differentiated reading passages, quizzes, and activity sheets, this comprehensive package is ideal for world religions, social studies, and ELA classes. The varied activities aim to engage students and reinforce Sikh learning. Pick up this useful resource to teach your learners about the history, beliefs and practices of Sikhism!
To further enrich your learners’ understanding of Sikhism, explore Sikh Traditional Stories PACK A, and PACK B curated collections of engaging tales highlighting key values, historical events, and the teachings of Sikhism. These stories can serve as a wonderful supplementary resource to deepen cultural and historical insights.
Differentiated Worksheets for Dividing 2-Digit Numbers by 1-Digit Numbers
This set of worksheets provides scaffolded practice for students learning to divide 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers without regrouping. The worksheets are organized into 2 lessons/steps:
Step 1 - Divide a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number - no exchange
Step 2 - Divide a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number - flexible partitioning
The worksheets in each step use part-whole models, and are differentiated into 3 levels (with chili peppers):
Completely partitioned
Partially partitioned
Unpartitioned
This differentiation allows students to progress from more structured practice to independent partitioning as their division skills develop.
The 16 worksheets focus on familiar divisors like 2, 3, 4, and 8. These worksheets are ideal for building 2-digit division skills in Year 3. The scaffolding and progression help meet the needs of learners at various levels.
Another great year 3 resource for the next step in division: Divide a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number - with remainders
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
Old and Modern Bear activities.
Labeling worksheets with 4 bears - 2 old and 2 modern.
Old / New Features draw a line to link worksheet.
Quiz-Quiz-Trade activity Cards with Key differentiating features of old and modern bears.
Photos of bears to sort into old/new groups
Key differentiating features labeled;
Old bears with glass eyes, movable joints, long limbs, real fur, pointed muzzles etc. making them appear ‘lifelike’
Modern bears with plastic eyes, no movable joints, short limbs, fabric fur, rounded muzzles etc. making them appear ‘cute’
66 differentiate phonics worksheets for phase 3 (weeks 3 and 4)
Consonant digraphs ch, sh, th, ng Vowel digraphs ai, ee, oa, long oo, short oo
Each digraph has:
A variety of differentiated labeling/spelling worksheets (LA / MA / HA).
Choose the word from three words reading worksheet.
‘Find the word’ reading and writing worksheet.
All worksheets designed with reference to the Letters and Sounds Word List.
e.g. All the example /ng/ words use only graphemes taught previously (i.e. during earlier weeks of phase 3 and during phase 2). Therefore all the words used should be fully decodable for the learner.
Very clear black and white clip-art used.
I often photocopy and enlarge to A3 for whole class teaching and modelling of the worksheet
Phonics cooperative partner activity
Phase 3 Set 1 Worksheets
Phase 3 Set 3 Worksheets
Spelling Mats Phase 3 and Phase 5
Celebrate and understand Sikh Diwali with this engaging story reading and comprehension activity. Learn about the origins of the Sikh festival that commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind and 52 Hindu princes from unjust imprisonment by the Mughal emperor.
The story highlights the triumph of truth over injustice, light over darkness, and law over persecution. Accompanying worksheets reinforce comprehension and provide opportunities for written response and analysis.
This resource offers a culturally relevant way to teach reading skills while promoting understanding of the Sikh faith’s values of equality, justice, and religious freedom.
Includes:
Single sided retelling of Guru Hargobind & the 52 princes release from prison
Double-sided 37 question multiple-choice quiz with various question types
Story summary cloze activity
2 reading comprehension written response worksheets - one single sided version and a double sided version
Answer sheets
A great supplement to my Diwali information text worksheets
Reading comprehension for the traditional tale 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin’
Bring this classic folktale to life for students of all reading levels! This differentiated reading comprehension pack includes:
3 leveled reading passages with rich vocabulary and vivid imagery to suit varying reading abilities. The higher level passage (4 pages) uses literary devices to tell the fairy tale in detail. The middle passage (2 pages) balances accessibility with rich language. The beginner passage (1 page) covers key plot points using simpler vocabulary.
30 skill-building activity sheets to check comprehension and build literacy skills. With various difficulty levels, these worksheets allow students to engage with the text in unique ways. Activities include SAT-style multiple choice questions, short answer questions, vocabulary exercises, sequencing activities, cause and effect charts, cloze passages, crosswords, and more.
Perfect for assessing and improving reading skills and literary analysis abilities. Perfect for upper Key Stage 2 and 3. Simplified English and versions are also included to support EAL and lower level learners. Bring this timeless legend to students of all levels with this differentiated reading pack!
6-way differentiated reading comprehension, suitable for readers aged 6 to 12 years, for the fairy tale ‘Cinderella’.
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, more details, some extra literary devices. It has a larger word count and consists of 3 illustrated A4 pages. It includes four versions of comprehension questions:
➊A classic worksheet with 20 questions (wherein students write answers on lines below the questions)
➋A classic worksheet with 16 questions
➌A classic worksheet with 10 questions with higher-level SAT style questions
➍A multiple-choice SAT style version with 27 questions and 3 answer choices.
The middle and lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading whilst keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact. It is single sided. This version includes two sets of questions:
➎A classic worksheet with 17 questions with some vocabulary and author’s purpose questions.
➏A classic worksheet with 12 questions.
All levels of worksheets come with answer sheets.
More princess fairy tale reading worksheets:
Sleeping Beauty
Snow White and Rose Red
The Princess and the Pea
Differentiated reading comprehension for a faithful retelling of the traditional tale Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, suitable for readers aged 6 to 13 years.
This differentiated reading comprehension pack includes:
➼3 leveled reading passages: A higher and medium level text using rich vocabulary and literary devices to tell the fairy tale (higher 3 pages in length, middle 2 pages), and a simplified, easier-to read version covering the key plot points (2 pages)
➼11 differentiated question sheets to check comprehension and skills mastery at every reading level
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs additional literary devices. It spans 3 A4 pages in length and is accompanied by three versions of differentiated comprehension questions:
A classic 17 question worksheet, using mainly compound retrieval/factual questions, some inference and author’s purpose questions.
A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 47 Multiple-Choice SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 4 answer choices.
A 9 event sequence, 8 question written response, and 13 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 22 mixed question format).
The middle text is a more concise version of the higher level text, using simpler language and fewer descriptive techniques. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes three sets of differentiated question sheets:
A classic 16 question worksheet, using mainly compound retrieval/factual questions
A 9 event sequence, 7 question written response, and 15 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 23 mixed question format).
A multiple-choice SAT style version with 31 SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 4 answer choices.
The lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using simple, decodable words, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact, it has a slightly larger font size, spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes five sets of differentiated question sheets.
A 7 event sequencing and 14 essential written response comprehension question sheet.
A 30 ‘True or False?’ question sheet
A classic 13 question worksheet, with 9 essential, straightforward easy to answer questions.
A matching multiple choice 3 answer choices version, using the same 13 questions as the above version.
A multiple-choice SAT style version with 35 SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 3 answer choices.
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
This comprehensive resource offers a thoughtfully researched information text about Harvest Festival, accompanied by 8 differentiated, engaging supporting worksheets, including crosswords and multiple choice quiz.
The download includes:
Two Differentiated information texts about the Harvest Festival
➼ Two levels of text: a lower level ideal for years 4 and 5, and a higher level with more ambitious vocabulary and a few extra details for years 6 and 7
The carefully researched Harvest Festival information text covers key aspects including:
The history and significance of harvest festivals in Britain
Ancient harvest celebrations and mythology
Traditional harvest customs like Lammas Day and Harvest Home
Folklore and traditions such as corn dollies and the Harvest of the Sea
Modern church-based harvest festivals and their practices
The American Thanksgiving holiday and its origins
Global harvest celebrations, including examples from Europe, Australia, China, and Africa
The importance of these festivals in honoring agricultural traditions and promoting environmental stewardship
Engage your students with diverse activities catering to different learning styles and abilities:
• 39 Question SAT-style Multiple-Choice Quiz
• 4 Versions of Written Response Sheets:
➼ 2 Classic style single-sided 5-question sheets (2 difficulty levels)
➼ 2 Mixed question type sheets (2 difficulty levels) including written response, multiple choice, vocabulary matching, cloze, and true/false questions
• 2 Themed Crossword Puzzles
• True or False Question Sheet (41 questions)
• Answer Keys for all activities
This resource provides a thorough introduction to the Harvest Festival, its practices, and its profound significance in British culture, promoting cultural awareness and understanding of agricultural traditions.
Unravel the rich history of the Harvest Festival and ignite curiosity in your classroom! Perfect for years 4-7.
The fascinating text and fun activities will engage your students and help them appreciate the importance of harvest celebrations.
This resource includes a double-sided, KS3 introductory text ‘Photosynthesis: Earth’s Vital Process’ and 13 supporting worksheets.
The well-researched text explores Earth’s unique habitability, processes sustaining life, and the pivotal role of photosynthesis. It examines the evolution of plants from ocean to land, plants’ diverse structures and functions. The text also details photosynthesis - the components involved, the importance of leaves, stems and roots. It discusses the broader impacts like food chains, energy transfer, and the interconnectedness of life, emphasizing plants’ vital role in producing food and oxygen.
Supporting worksheets include:
Double sided multiple-choice quiz with 32 questions
3 levels of written response sheets
2 cloze summary sheets
True/False with 42 questions
4 differentiated crosswords using key vocabulary
2 word searches
Answer sheets included
On the left simple sentences with irregular past tense verbs.
On the right simple sentences with either present or future tense verb sentences.
Students have to;
1) Link the similar sentences.
2) Underline or highlight the verbs.
25/25 sentences in total. double sided.
one more than. one less than. number before. number after. up. down. shake it all about.
Simple worksheet: write the number that comes before and after inside the circle, triangle or hearts.