This resource comprises a picture-poem frame and a one-page guide for the teacher’s use. The black-and-white picture-poem offers creative writing and colouring opportunities for young children, with a snail as the subject. The huge, hand-drawn snail allows plenty of room for describing words, to follow from the given phrase above, ‘This snail is’. They can be written inside the curls of the shell or anywhere else in or around the picture, except on the line below. Below, the starter word ‘He’ invites further description, statements or even a story. The activity helps children to process any recent learning about ‘creepy crawlies’ , ‘mini-beasts’ or their natural environment, while developing literacy skills, fine motor skills and artistic expression. The accompanying guidance notes (or ‘Guide’) lists suggested words and phrases to prompt for. There are also a few notes about the colouring aspect.

This resource comprises a picture-poem frame sheet and a one-page guide for teachers. The hand-drawn butterfly picture-poem is a Literature resource for young children. Its opening phrase invites describing words for butterflies, which can be written on the short, clear lines around the picture. There is also a simile to complete: 'They are as colourful as - ’ , and space for further ideas. There is plenty of scope for colouring too. The guidance notes (or Guide) offers word and simile suggestions to prompt for, and thoughts about the colouring aspect, as well as ideas for preparing children for the activity as a whole. The resource supports several aspects of the EYFS curriculum - Literacy, Expressive Arts & Design and Understanding the World, also providing opportunities for reading, spelling, fine motor skills and more.

These two poetry frame sheets have lively, idea-triggering illustrations, and are designed to be fun and accessible to use. Both invite creative input, in terms of ideas and choice of words. ‘Watch Out for the Giant’ is easier, being shorter and simpler, with the chief focus on description and some giant meal possibilities at the end - suitable for Yr2-3, or as a starter-sheet for older writers to build ideas. ‘The Giant Went…’ sheet is more challenging, though clearly structured, requiring action-words and accompanying similes, as well as description and settings. Onomatopoeias, alliteration, rhymes within lines, and other poetic techniques can also be employed, and there is scope for all sorts of crazy, giant-themed possibilities in each frame. The Examples for Use (one sheet per poetry frame) provide whole-poem examples for teachers’ and pupils’ guidance. Suggestions for extending the activities are provided at the end of each.

These larger-than-life spider pictures are fun to write on, and the Guide offers word prompt ideas for each section. Both writing sheets invite describing words and action words for spiders, though the pictures are different. On the ‘Spider’ sheet, words can be written on the eight legs; on the ‘Speeding Spider’ sheet, they can be written along the zigzag line of its route over the… floor/grass/path/step? That’s for the child to decide. The first offers colouring opportunities; the second, space for imaginative drawing or shading. Both sheets are hand-drawn and home-produced, and have been successfully tried out in my workshops.

Older children and teens can explore feelings - their own and those of others - by completing this thought-provoking poetry frame, ‘Fragile Feelings’. The sheet, which comes with an example completed version, is designed to help youngsters understand that other people have feelings like theirs, and that they are vulnerable and easily hurt, likewise. It will help develop awareness and empathy, while also providing reassurance that they are not alone in feeling down or upset sometimes. The sheet invites description and similes for feelings, starter lines for suggestions of when care is needed, and a free line and space for further writing. Will support anti-bullying drives and other social problems, individually and for the whole class.

Young children love colouring, and these ready-started sheets inspire critical and creative thinking as they work. The light dabs of colour provide spurs and guidance, drawing attention to detail, shape, pattern and colour-scope, as well as the interesting picture itself. The 3 sheets represent natural summer themes: a blooming, buzzing meadow, a beautiful butterfly, and a sailing boat on a wavy, fishy sea. Recommended for ages 4-7.

This dramatically illustrated writing sheet invites onomatopoeias (or ‘sound words’) and nose-linked verbs. Suggestions for these are listed on the Guide sheet, along with suggestions for embellishments and developments. It is best suited to Yrs 3-6, as a starter sheet for a poem or story on the theme. The humour and drama depicted in the illustrations, and the chaotically scattered writing lines, will motivate children to have a go. Thinking up sound words and how to spell them can be tricky, so for best results, build a word bank together first, and prompt as necessary as they write. The Guide will provide plenty of ideas. This is a home-produced sheet with hand-drawn illustrations, and has been successfully tried and tested in my poetry workshops. Both sheets are black-and-white, in PDFs format.

A lively, familiar town scene, with mum, child and dog, for young children to colour. The varied items in the picture are clearly represented and outlined, and will engage your Early Years or KS1 class. It also encourages critical thinking about colour choices and helps develop fine motor skills. Will support cross-curricular topics to do with the environment, family, transport, houses and more.

This serene scene will appeal to your children’s imagination, as they put themselves in the place of the happily gliding children. With the ocean, palm trees and setting sun below, and the soft, clear sky around them, this fantastical image will inspire your class to write, draw, discuss or enact the concepts conveyed. It could be used in combination with my magic mat poetry-writing sheet, for instance, available in my shop here. It will also brighten up a dark corner, of course!

An imaginary castle can be any sort you like - fairy-tale pink or iron grey, for instance, so your children can have fun with this sheet, thinking what their castle could be like as well as thinking up effective similes for them. The two blank lines at the end are for totally free expression. Some children might like to add further similes, others might like to add a warning, or a comment about the castle’s inhabitants, or a rounding-off rhyme, or even a metaphor (the castle is a …). The example sheet can be read out to demonstrate the simile concept and trigger ideas. Recommended for lower juniors, and older writers as a starting point for individual poem-crafting.

These four funny, punchy rhymes are about animals (elephants, monkeys and slugs) + a witch. Easy and fun to read, building confidence and nurturing the invaluable habit of reading for pleasure. Great for reading alone or out loud, for listening to, sharing and discussing. Develops rhyme and rhythm sense and encourages writing of rhymes too. For more, see my others with similar covers.

Young children will enjoy colouring in this rabbit picture, including the grass, sun, bird and flowers in the scene. The activity promotes fine motor skills, colour differentiation, design skills, creativity, and an understanding of the natural world. The picture also offers a focus for discussion.

Four more daft, comical rhymes for school children, each 4 lines long, with punchy rhymes and familiar, popular topics. They offer reading incentives to able and struggling readers alike, promoting all-round literacy. They also raise spirits and encourage communication and sharing. For more, see my others with similar cover design, including 3-for-2 bundle: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/12-funny-rhymes-12289724

This attractive colouring sheet features a boat on a wavy sea, with a waving sailor (female), beautiful fish below, plus shells, seaweed, birds, clouds, sun and kite. A cheerful, stimulating and informative picture, with wide scope for colouring and discussion. Supports study of seaside, ocean, seabed, seasons, holidays, travel, colour and more. Develops fine motor skills and colour differentiation. **SEE ALSO: ** - Yr 1 Phonics - UNDER the SEA https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/yr-1-phonics-under-the-sea-11912400, UNDER THE SEA graded picture frames - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/under-the-sea-picture-poem-frames-ey-ks1-11927198, POND COLOURING SHEET - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pond-colouring-sheet-12047603 , + SEASIDE WRITING + COLOURING SHEET - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seaside-writing-colouring-sheet-simple-12099515 .

Four funny, punchy, 4-line rhymes by the author. These four are all about supernatural creatures: aliens, giants and fairies. Easy, fun and cheerful reading material, encouraging children to read, and to write their own rhymes too. For more rhymes in this style, see: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/4-funny-rhymes-12289613 and https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/funny-rhymes-2-12289686