KS1&2 Christmas Nativity story sequencing activity. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order. Pupils cut out the boxed images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. Higher Ability (Timeline 1) template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. Middle Ability (Timeline 2) is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. Lower Ability (Timeline 3) order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text. After completing the activity the pupils can retell the story using the timeline sequence as a prompt.

Powerpoint of the most well-known of Aesop’s proverbs. KS2. 20 slides of images for pupils to work out the proverb. Each slide stimulates discussion to help pupils understand the meaning of Aesop’s messages. The full powerpoint can be used as a stimulus for a lesson exploring proverbs or specific slides can be selected to focus on proverbs or meanings linked to a specific lesson or topic eg RE, History, PE.

Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge. Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson. Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 14 and 15 to help shape the debate session. Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross. The pupils will need green activity paper or card and glue. Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’ (naming the disciples and finding out their responses to Jesus). Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading into the Resurrection. A template on slide 35 can be printed for pupil recording. Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task. Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster. The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant). I have also included a blank easter egg colouring template and an easter bunny and chick colouring template.

Easter Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets). This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how Easter is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, short youtube clips, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities and worksheets. Easter traditions covered are: Easter eggs and links to the Saxon Goddess Eostre, egg rolling and paste eggs, Easter bunny, baskets and egg hunting, card giving (and the Victorian tradition), food (hot cross buns, Simnel cake, roast dinner), Easter clothes and bonnets, traditional egg and Morris dancing (my class love the dancing activity at the end and performed at a class assembly). Learning objectives To know the origins of Easter traditions in the United Kingdom and the link to Christianity. To compare Easter traditions today with traditions in the past. To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Easter traditions. Introductory activity: What do you know? Worksheet mind map to prompt ideas. Class Poll 1: Easter eggs. Shared talk activities: Links to Christianity and youtube clip ‘The Easter Story’. Pair activity: Pace egging. Worksheets: 3 patterned egg templates to colour and 1 blank egg template for own design. Youtube clip: Egg rolling. Class task: Solve a short riddle. Book task: About Easter cards Blank template with a Victorian border for Easter message Blank templates x 3 to design an Easter card. Class Poll 2: Hot cross buns. Book task: dictionary activity, supporting worksheet and recipe for hot cross buns. Musical link to rhyme ‘Hot cross buns’ Worksheet: Lent and hot cross buns written tasks. Talk partners: Simnel cake Worksheet: Write about and draw traditional easter roast dinner and your Easter dinner. Book task: Dictionary activity and structured worksheet (2) to design and evaluate a bonnet. Paired task: interpret a simple traditional rhyme about new Easter clothes. Class challenge: Watch and follow a simple Morris dance youtube clip. Learn and perform for an audience. Evaluation worksheet: Easter traditions blank writing summary for each tradition. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Easter, celebrations, Spring, entertainment, Victorians.

KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity. A simplified exercise to help pupils understand the order of the Easter Story which can be quite complicated to understand and remember. Learning objective: To sequence pictures and statements and retell the Easter story in correct order. Set of 12 images and descriptions of The Easter Story which can be organised in sequential order onto a storyboard template. There are three templates included which support differentiation and reading levels. Template 1 (Higher ability) is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. Template 2 (Middle ability) is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. Template 3 (Lower Ability) order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key phrases which they can match to the main text. Pupils can then use their completed templates to read as a group or class or talk to their partners about the Easter Story. Useful with topics: Easter, Jesus and the Disciples, New Life, Spring, Romans.