This CPD session is designed to enable teachers and learning support to facilitate highly engaging and motivating lesson openings. The session is interactive, rooted in educational theory, and contains video/collaborative resources to encourage staff participation. Participants learn to: - Understand the key features of meaningful engaged learning; - Identify and analyse these features in video examples of lesson starters; - Discuss/evaluate these concepts with regards to their own practices/settings; - Design, plan, and implement their own engaging lesson starters, using the provided handy prompts and planning materials; Provided in this pack is: - Visually-engaging presentation with embedded videos. - Engaging Starters checklist; - Planning sheet for engaging starters; -Teacher/Trainer guidance. NB: Internet connection needed for embedded videos. Bibliography/further reading on last slide.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising Imtiaz Dharker’s power and conflict poem 'Tissue.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Line-by-Line Analysis; Poetic Devices/ Language Devices; Themes; Form/Structure; Poems for Comparison; The Poet’s Influences. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening chapter of Lisa Thompson’s ‘The Small Things.’ The resource pack includes the extract and all of the activities for the session, which the class are guided through via a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in lower KS2. I originally used this with Year 3-4 children, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups. The session is also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of 'Michael Rosen’s ‘Big Book of Bad Things.’ The resource pack includes the extract needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 3-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about Emmeline Pankhurst, particularly those completing a history study of ‘Significant Individuals.’ It contains comprehensive sections entitled: Overview; Times in Her Life; Important Vocabulary; Emmeline Pankhurst Timeline; Answers to the Important Questions; Top Ten Facts. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use.

In this engaging lesson, students develop their understanding of Moses, through learning about the ten plagues of Egypt. They are encouraged to think deeply about the meanings that can be taken from the story, and consider ideas such as punishment and God’s power. The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey: -Knowledge recall - gauging children’s prior knowledge of Judaism - including Jewish persecution in Egypt and Moses’ early life; -Watching an engaging, age-appropriate video about the ten plagues, and attempting to recall them all ; -Considering the severity of each of the plagues, and discussing some of the moral and ethical implications of the story; -Considering their own attitudes towards the ideas presented in the story; -Writing a newspaper report about the plagues from the perspective of an imaginary Egyptian journalist, using the provided newspaper template; -Completing a plenary to assess their understanding. This resource pack contains a comprehensive 16-slide Powerpoint, the hyperlinked video and the newspaper template (in both Word and PDF). In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with curriculum expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. All images are licensed for commercial use.

In this engaging lesson, students are introduced to the Buddha and the key concepts of Buddhism. They learn about how the Buddha proposed that people should live their lives and consider the different spokes on the ‘Eightfold Path’ wheel. The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey: -Recalling their prior learning about how Christians live; -Reflecting upon an image of the Buddha, and thinking about what the different features in the image show people about how to live; -Learn key facts about the Buddha and how he suggested that people should live their lives, including following the ‘Eightfold Path.’ -Considering how they could apply some of the principles of the Eightfold Path to their own lives. -Comparing and contrasting some of the key teachings of Christianity and Buddhism; -Self-reflecting on the extent to which they feel they have met the learning objectives. This resource pack includes the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation (16 slides) and the worksheet needed for the Eightfold Path task (in both Word and PDF). There is everything that you need here to teach the lesson. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 1 - the key learning is aligned with curriculum expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. All images are licensed for commercial use.

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students revising knowledge relating to rivers, as a part of their study of physical geography. It contains comprehensive sections on: Overview; Diagram and Terminology; Notable Rivers; Important Facts; World’s Longest Rivers; Key Vocabulary. The organiser is designed to help children to learn the relevant physical geography knowledge from the KS2 Geography National Curriculum, however it can be adapted for other age groups if necessary. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to make insightful and developed interpretations regarding the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol.’ In particular, they explore how his character is originally introduced, and then developed throughout the appearances of the three ghosts. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Reading and understanding the selected extracts to determine the key traits of Scrooge's character at different points in the text; - Noticing trends in Scrooge's character throughout the text, observing how he has developed from the opening of the text through completion of a 'Character Arc.' - Analysing Dickens' intentions in developing the character of Scrooge throughout the text; - Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Selected extracts demonstrating Scrooge's development; - Character Arc template; - Analysis template with success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to mixed ability year 10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students revising knowledge relating to Germany, as a part of their study of place, human and physical geography. It contains comprehensive sections on: Overview and Maps; Physical Geography; Human Geography; Comparison with the United Kingdom; Germany Timeline; Key Vocabulary. The organiser is designed to help children to learn the relevant place, human and physical geography knowledge from the KS2 Geography National Curriculum: -‘understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom and a region in a European country’ -‘physical geography, including: climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes’ -‘human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy.’ The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging, in-depth lesson enables students to understand how plot and language are utilised to introduce and develop the character of Don John in Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing.’ The lesson places a particular focus upon how quotations by and about Don John, in addition to his position as an 'illegitimate' or outsider, help to clarify and develop his role as a villain. Students also critically analyse how his behaviour develops over the course of the text. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which students learn through: - Taking part in a fun team quiz to secure understanding of Don Pedro; - Understanding his role in catalysing the events of the play; - Identifying and analysing quotations by Don Pedro to understand how his character is introduced; - Finding quotations to show how Don Pedro is involved in the confusion and chaos of the plot events; - Completing an essay style response in which they consider how the character of Don Pedro is introduced and developed; - Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and detailed - just download and teach from it! - Introduction to Don John worksheet; - Development of Don John worksheet; - Analysis template with success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to higher ability year 9 and 10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising William Blake’s power and conflict poem 'London.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Line-by-Line Analysis; Poetic Devices/ Language Devices; Themes; Form/Structure; Poems for Comparison; The Poet’s Influences. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning about the artist Vincent van Gogh, as a part of their art and design study. It contains comprehensive sections on: -Biography of the Artist; -Styles and Techniques; -Vincent van Gogh Timeline; -Significant Works; -Key Vocabulary; -How do I create art like van Gogh? This resource can be adapted for all ages, but was originally designed for KS2 and KS3 children. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning about the artist Claude Monet, as a part of their art and design study. It contains comprehensive sections on: -Biography of the Artist; -Styles and Techniques; -Monet Timeline; -Significant Works; -Key Vocabulary; -How do I paint like Monet? This resource can be adapted for all ages, but was originally designed for KS2 and KS3 children. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning about the artist Georgia O’Keeffe, as a part of their art and design study. It contains comprehensive sections on: -Biography of the Artist; -Styles and Techniques; -O’Keeffe Timeline; -Significant Works; -Key Vocabulary; -How do I paint like O’Keeffe? This resource can be adapted for all ages, but was originally designed for KS2 and KS3 children. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising Emily Dickinson’s poem 'There’s A Certain Slant of Light.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Line-by-Line Analysis; Poetic Devices/ Language Devices; Themes; Form/Structure; Poems for Comparison; Links to Wider Reading. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the prologue and opening chapter of Abi Elphinstone’s ‘Sky Song.’ The resource pack includes the extract and all of the activities for the session, which the class are guided through via a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in Years 4-6, but it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups. The session is also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s fluency and comprehension skills, whilst enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of climate change, through reading an informative and age-appropriate non-fiction text. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The age-appropriate reading text is produced by NASA kids - it has been downloaded as a PDF and is included in the resource pack, and the link for the source is also provided on the first slide of the PowerPoint presentation. The session is best suited for children in KS2 (particularly years 3-4), although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.