Reading Riddle provides ideas, resources, information and experiences related to reading and history. The aim is to share materials that encourage children to read and bring interactive experiences into the classroom. I am a qualified teacher with 10 years of working in London schools. I write and publish stories packed with historical facts which give hooks to engage children and stimulate their learning and writing.
Reading Riddle provides ideas, resources, information and experiences related to reading and history. The aim is to share materials that encourage children to read and bring interactive experiences into the classroom. I am a qualified teacher with 10 years of working in London schools. I write and publish stories packed with historical facts which give hooks to engage children and stimulate their learning and writing.
This Teacher’s Guide gives you the history, context and curriculum links you need for the topic of Romans. It is a companion book to the picture book Vlad and the Roman Triumph and is suitable for KS1 and KS2 (the picture book is available from all the usual book buying outlets).
Vlad and the Roman Triumph encapsulates what it was like to be a Roman, from the ceremonial parade of the Emperor to the daily life of ordinary Romans, it shares it through story and detailed pictures. The information is historically accurate and researched.
In turn this Guide takes you through the story, revealing the source of information and how it can be drawn out, what key vocabulary is on each page, and questions to check understanding, deduction and inference.
The Guide has 32 pages and has the following content:
history curriculum objectives
timeline of events
social structure of Roman society and daily life of a Roman
Britain before the Romans
Roman invasion and its impact on Britain
Sources of further information
Big questions: Ideas and discussion points to deepen understanding
It aims to give a grounding in understanding the topic, to be able to teach it, and support using the picture book. There are further free resources including lesson plans for history and literacy available to download separately on TES or on the Reading Riddle website.
This is part of the Vlad flea picture book series, which aims to bring history to life through stories, and support teachers by providing resources. To get the latest information about new resources, events and books you can sign up to our newsletter on the website.
Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb is a story about Kel the tomb artist and the rush to prepare Tutankhamun’s tomb after his sudden and unexpected death.
The illustrations show the methods and materials the artists used and this plan explains this and helps children understand some of the logistic and artistic challenges to painting the tombs. There are activities including the resources to recreate an illustration from the book and produce a large scale mural for the classroom wall.
Finally, there is information about copyright - what it means, how to check it in a book and crediting artists and understanding that this is their livelihood.
This is a set of history plans for the topic of Ancient Egypt. They are linked to Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb picture book, and show how to use the story and facts in this in the lessons.
All linked resources (powerpoints, information sheets are available to download for free on the Teacher resource section of the Reading Riddle website
Further activities and plans can be found on the shop and on our YouTube channel.
This resource accompanies Vlad and the First World War picture book.
This guide has been written by the author of the Vlad picture book. It shares the research behind the book and gives a detailed summary of the history before, during and after the war. In addition it contains page by page guidance to the images in the original book and useful questions.
If you are teaching this topic it will give you the key information on the history, context and curriculum learning.
There are Big Questions that test both deeper factual knowledge and critical thinking, and ideas about where to look for visits and other activities.
It contains all the information you need to teach the topic to a greater depth, whether it is the first time or if you want to refresh your knowledge and find out some fun facts to keep the subject lively.
Contents:
• Extending knowledge of events in modern history
• Timeline of events
• The start of the First World War
The British colonies
• Vlad and the First World War explained
• After the War
• Places to visit in person and online
• Big Questions
• Other Vlad resources
This is one of the resources for the Great Fire of London topic - although any work needing to observe and collect fire words could use it.
The full free planning and other linked resources are available to download on the Reading Riddle website in the Free Resources section.
With illustrations and vocabulary from the book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb this word mat is one of the resources created for the ancient Egypt topic. There are many more free resources including planning and lesson resources.
The picture book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb is a many layered story that was written to engage, trigger ideas, discussion and help children visualise life for a ancient Egyptian worker. The linked resources help understand the research behind the story.
More information about the books, resources and school visits can be found on the Reading Riddle website
This is a free recorded session that I made for the Wandsworth Heritage Festival 2021. I have confirmed that they intend to leave the session up so have linked it on here so it can continue to be used.
In the video I compare a Tudor house, which would have been the common structure during the Great Fire of London as much of the housing stock was old and dated from that period. I discuss how houses were built, heated, lit and supplied with water. There is a demonstration of the house Sam Cunningham created especially for this event. A free template is available to download and make from the Reading Riddle website
This is a great session to help children understand how very different life was around 350 years ago and how much our homes have changed since then.
This step-by-step video shows how to make an Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus or coffin from cardboard and salt dough. It can be adapted to make without the salt dough. The video is quite long but gives a detailed description of each stage and could be shown in parts at each stage of the make if preferred.
It can be used as a creative part of the history topic on ancient Egypt and has been made in connection with the book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb.
The book is a story about the artists who were responsible for creating the decorations and art that was discovered in the tomb and is a great starting point for generating vocabulary and thinking about the contrast between the wealth of the pharaohs and the life of ordinary Egyptians.
To find out about this and other Flea in History books go to the Reading Riddle website
Further planning and ideas are available on the shop and through the website.
Other books include Great Fire of London, Florence Nightingale, First World War and Space.
Linked to Vlad and the First World War this is an activity to make a version of Crsip VC the carrier pigeon, that can then zoom down his own zip wire!
Lot’s of possibilities to carry out an investigation such as:
how fast does he travel? (and how do we measure this accurately?)
does the length of the string affect his speed?
does the difference in height, from start to finish, affect his speed?
does the size/weight of Crisp VC affect his speed?
does the type of string affect his speed?
The video has step-by-step instructions on creating the mechanism.
For more activities and ideas for this and the other books go to the Reading Riddle website.
Vlad and the First World War introduces many of the real people caught up in the conflict, such as 2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull, Dr Phoebe Chapple, Captain Thomas Crisp, the Red Baron, the Chinese Workers Corps and the Indian Cavalry. From this children can research, write and dig deeper into a wider range of international experience.
Also in the series: Vlad and the Great Fire of London, Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb, Vlad and the Space Race, Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure.
A craft activity to make a light linked to the topic of Great Fire of London and a resource by Kate Cunningham, author of Vlad and the Great Fire of London and the other Flea in History series.
This video demonstrates step-by-step how to make the light.
Resources needed include jar/bottle, battery operated tea light, cellophane/tissue paper, scissors, glue, pencil and ruler.
Go to the Reading Riddle website for information about the other books, visits and resources.
Other books include First World War, Tutankhamun, Space and Florence Nightingale.
A vocabulary sheet/word mat using images from the picture book Vlad and the Space Race. Linked free lesson plans and resources are available on the Reading Riddle website.
The picture book Vlad and the Space Race is available from the Reading Riddle website, Amazon, or any bookshop.
Further information about all the Vlad flea books and my schools visits is available on this website too.
This is a set of 6 lesson space plans with objectives and links. They are in a word document so fully editable so you can alter or reformat them.
All supporting resources marked in the planning are available to download from the Reading Riddle website (including a space timeline activity, powerpoint about satellites and space wordmat).
The lessons cover:
What is space?
A timeline of space achievement.
What does it take to be an astronaut/cosmonaut?
Designing a spacesuit and how design has changed over time.
Our Solar System - what have we discovered and what will happen in the future?
The lessons link to Vlad and the Space Race, which is part of the Vlad flea history picture books. You can use them without this book but the reason I wrote it was to bring history into the classroom through historically accurate stories as I believe that engages the children.
For further information about the books, school visits and resources visit the website.
Thank you ,
Kate Cunningham
This resource accompanies Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure picture book.
This guide has been written by the author of the Vlad picture book. It shares the research behind the book and gives a detailed summary of the history before, during and after her time in Scutari Hospital. In addition it contains page by page guidance to the images in the original book and useful questions.
If you are teaching a topic about Florence Nightingale this will give you the key information on the history, context and curriculum learning.
There are Big Questions that test both deeper factual knowledge and critical thinking, and ideas about where to look for visits and other activities.
It contains all the information you need to teach the topic to a greater depth, whether it is the first time or if you want to refresh your knowledge and find out some fun facts to keep the subject lively.
Contents:
• Why is Florence Nightingale’s work important?
• Timeline of events
• Florence Nightingale’s early life
• Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure explained
• After Scutari Hospital
• Places to visit in person and online
• Big Questions
• Other Vlad resources
Florence Nightingale demonstrates how to wash hands effectively and uses a song to remember the different stages to ensure your hands are clean.
2020 is the UN Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Handwashing is essential practice to health professionals but should also be important to all of us if we want to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs and diseases.
These two films show how to clean hands well using the NHS guidelines on the different steps and a song written by Kate Cunningham to remember them.
Film 1 shows why a quick rinse under the tap is not enough, followed by the song.
Film 2 is the short version with just the song.
Kate is the author of Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure picture book and more information about the books, visits and events can be found on the Reading Riddle website
This classroom activity looks at war memorials and considers who they are for, what they are made from and what images are used. Children then use this to design a memorial of their own.
Through this activity the children think about why we have memorials and the wide range of people and animals who are being remembered.
For further information about the Vlad flea books visit the Reading Riddle website.
This resource accompanies Vlad and the Great Fire of London picture book.
This guide has been written by the author of the Vlad picture book. It shares the research behind the book and gives a detailed summary of the history before, during and after the fire. In addition it contains page by page guidance to the images in the original book and useful questions.
If you are teaching the Great Fire of London this will give you the key information on the history, context and curriculum learning for this topic.
There are Big Questions that test both deeper factual knowledge and critical thinking, and ideas about where to look for visits and other activities.
It contains all the information you need to teach the topic to a greater depth, whether it is the first time or if you want to refresh your knowledge and find out some fun facts to keep the subject lively.
Contents:
• Why is the Great Fire of London a significant event?
• Timeline of events
• Before the fire
• Vlad and the Great Fire of London explained
• After the fire
• Places to visit in person and online
• Big Questions
• Other Vlad resources
This is a pdf version of my printed book,* Vlad and the First World War Activity Book *which is also available for sale from my website and Amazon. It is linked to (but can be used separately from) the picture book Vlad and the First World War.
This is not a lesson resource book, but was written as a fun activity book, which could be used as homework - the contents are listed below and the attached video demonstrates some of the activities.
I am uploading it here for easy, printable purchase, but please note the same copyright applies as if you bought the bound book. It was created so teachers could use the resources in class and this version would be easier to copy for your own use, in your class.
It is a black and white book (to reduce cost and allow for colouring-in!) and includes the following pages:
Cryptography - 3 different types of code writing to try
Make a biplane - instructions on how to make a WW1 paper aircraft
Make a periscopes - instructions and template to make a periscope
First World War facts
Wordsearch
Battleships - can you complete the grid?
Military Badges - information on 4 genuine cap badges to inspire designing one yourself
Draw Crisp VC the carrier pigeon
Trench Maze -find your way through
Crossword
Answers
This is a pdf version of my printed book, Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Activity Book which is also available for sale from my website and Amazon. It is linked to (but can be used separately from) the picture book Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure.
This is not a lesson resource book, but was written as a fun activity book, which could be used as homework - the contents are listed below and the interior can be seen on the attached video.
I am uploading it here for easy, printable purchase, but please note the same copyright applies as if you bought the bound book. It was created so teachers could use the resources in class and this version would be easier to copy for your own use, in your class.
It is a black and white book (to reduce cost and allow for colouring-in!) and includes the following pages:
What did Florence Nightingale do for us? - pick the correct 5 words to complete the facts (reading/comprehension)
Colouring in
First Aid - 3 tips on how to treat bleeding, choking and burns
Crossword
Tortoise shell maze
Simple letter sudoku
Crutches and Bandages board game - based on snakes and ladders
Florence facts - with multiple choice answers
Word search
Label the map - where are the countries linked to the Crimean War
Instructions on how to make a lantern for Florence
This is a lesson plan linked to the Florence Nightingale plan but can be used as a stand-alone lesson.
The objectives of this lesson are for children to learn a first aid skill and to be able to write instructions on this skill.
For further free resources see my TES shop or the Reading Riddle website
There is also further information on the other Vlad books and author visits on the Reading Riddle website.
This lesson can be used in connection with the larger Florence Nightingale plan or as a stand alone lesson.
Create a poster persuading people to wash their hands properly. Linked to the science investigation on hygiene the aim of this lesson is to produce text for a poster.
For other free lesson plans and resources see my TES shop or the Reading Riddle website
The website also includes information on the books and author visits.