This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Contact.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This 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 2-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Malorie Blackman’s ‘A Dangerous Game.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This 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 2-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This 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 2-3, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This KS1 whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through the reading of an original non-fiction text about the history of Easter eggs. 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 1-3, 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 students learning or revising knowledge relating to the British Empire. There are comprehensive sections on: -British Empire Overview; -British Empire Map; -Major Events/ Stages; -Timeline; -Countries/ Territories in the British Empire; -Key Vocabulary; -Top Ten British Empire Facts. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3 or A4, 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). It is most suitable for students in lower KS3/ upper KS2.

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about The Crusades. The organiser provides an overview of the main European Christian Crusades between 1096 and 1396 (the First to Seventh Crusades, the Children’s Crusade and the Final Crusade). It contains comprehensive sections entitled: Overview; Major Events (breakdown of each Crusade); Important Vocabulary; Crusades 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.

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 whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Hana Tooke’s ‘The Unadoptables.’ 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. A vocabulary check helps to secure children’s understanding of any new or unfamiliar 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, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Michael Rosen’s ‘Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads.’ 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. 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 3-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Michael Rosen’s ‘What is Poetry?’ 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. 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, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s reading comprehension skills, whilst simultaneously building their understanding of Colchester Castle. The resource pack includes the full text (adapted from a ‘Primary Facts’ article) 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 text 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 2-3, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly older or younger year groups. This resource is suitable for home/ remote learning. These resources are also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s fluency and comprehension skills through reading Julia Donaldson’s ‘The Paper Dolls.’ 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 1-2, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s fluency and comprehension skills through reading Mini Grey’s ‘Toys in Space.’ 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 1-2, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s reading comprehension skills, whilst simultaneously building their understanding of the Amundsen/ Scott race to the South Pole. The resource pack includes the full text (adapted from an internet information article for kids) 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 text 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, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly older or younger year groups. This resource is suitable for home/ remote learning. These resources are also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising David Almond’s ‘Skellig’. It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Chapter by Chapter Summary (with quotes); Main Characters; Themes; Almond’s Language Devices; Almond’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 detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising R.J. Palacio’s ‘Wonder.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Section by Section Summary (with quotes); Main Characters; Themes; Palacio’s Literary Devices; The Narrative Point of View. All key words and ideas are compartmentalised 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). It is suitable for all students, but was originally made for those between years 5-8.

This 16-page resource booklet contains a wide range of challenging and engaging comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Sujata Bhatt’s poem 'Search for My Tongue.’ They are perfect for aiding the progress of students learning poetry either in KS3 and KS4 in preparation for poetry/unseen poetry at GCSE, as the tasks draw on English Literature assessment objectives - suitable for all examining bodies - it is clearly highlighted within each task regarding which assessment strands the task is designed to demonstrate. The booklet is provided in both Word (to allow for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure for consistency of formatting between computers). Activities within the booklet include (amongst many others): ‘Analysing Context’ - helping students to ‘Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.’ ‘Analysing Subject Matter, Language and Structure’ - to help students to ‘Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.’ ‘Diary Entry’ - to help students to ‘Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. Make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.’ ‘The Speaker’ - to help students to ‘Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to: maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.’

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand the role that Via Pullman plays in R.J. Palacio’s ‘Wonder.’ In particular, students consider how Via fits the role of the ‘Helper’ in the novel, whilst also managing to traverse her own issues and difficulties. After reading and analysing how Via meets each of the features of the ‘Helper’ role, students consider Palacio’s intentions for including a character like Via, before designing their own appropriate and imaginative Helpers for the novel. There is easily enough content for at least 2 lessons here, following a step-by-step learning journey. Children learn through: -Comprehending how each of the characters in ‘Wonder’ corresponds to Vladimir Propp’s character types, including Via as ‘The Helper’; -Comprehending further details about Via’s character, through close reading and understanding of identified extracts in Wonder; -Analysing how Via meets the role of the Helper in the text, whilst also considering J.P Palacio’s intentions in her characterisation of Via; -Creating their own additional ‘Helper’ characters for the text, using their imaginations, and the understanding of character type that they have gathered over the course of the lesson; -Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Via as the Helper worksheet Character profile template; Comprehensive lesson plan. All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). Word documents are in the zip file. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a year 6 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 8 with only minor adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This 16-page resource booklet contains a wide range of challenging and engaging comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Simon Armitage’s love and relationships poem ‘Mother, Any Distance.’ Teachers have found the activities particularly useful throughout teaching, or for exam revision or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of students towards meeting the key English Literature assessment objectives - suitable for all examining bodies. Students have found these resources extremely engaging, and it is clearly highlighted within each task regarding which assessment strands the task is designed to demonstrate. It is provided in both Word (to allow for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure for consistency of formatting between computers). Activities within the booklet include (amongst many others): ‘Analysing Context’ - helping students to ‘Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.’ ‘Analysing Subject Matter, Language and Structure’ - to help students to ‘Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.’ ‘Diary Entry’ - to help students to ‘Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. Make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.’ ‘The Speaker’ - to help students to ‘Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to: maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.’

This engaging and detailed lesson aids students’ ability to understand and explain the structural style of limericks, understand the topics and content used in limericks, and create their own interesting and appropriate limericks. Students follow a clear and logical learning journey, in which they: -Define and identify the key structural features of limericks; -Read limericks, answering questions about the content and use of language and structure; -Hone their rhyming skills through a fun and interactive game; -Create a success criteria for effective limerick writing (a ready-made success criteria is included) -Write their own limericks, using the techniques that they have learnt; -Peer/self-assess their learning attempts. There are enough resources here for two lessons, including: -Visually engaging whole-lesson PowerPoint; -Two interesting, imaginative, and well-presented worksheets; -Detailed success criteria; -Step-by-step lesson plan. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final page of the slide.