We are a team of two sisters who specialise in primary education. We are determined to create resources of the highest standard that can be used without further preparation. Our lessons and assemblies have been designed to challenge children of all levels within a creative, engaging and inspiring context. Explore our shop to find lesson packs for languages, art and religious education, plans for assemblies and numerous high-quality resources to help you teach phonics, mathematics and literacy
We are a team of two sisters who specialise in primary education. We are determined to create resources of the highest standard that can be used without further preparation. Our lessons and assemblies have been designed to challenge children of all levels within a creative, engaging and inspiring context. Explore our shop to find lesson packs for languages, art and religious education, plans for assemblies and numerous high-quality resources to help you teach phonics, mathematics and literacy
This resource is a poetry comprehension activity for year 2. The poem explores the different sights and sounds of the beach, using repetition of verbs and adverbs to describe the setting.
The resource includes 3 differentiated levels of booklet, which use different layouts and slightly altered content and questions to make them suitable for a whole range of abilities.
The middle ability booklet is laid out in a similar way to the KS1 SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short verses to read and 3-4 questions per page. There are a range of ‘what,’ ‘where’ and ‘why’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers.
Answers are included.
A great way to bring the seaside into your classroom this summer!
PDF file format.
This resource is a poetry comprehension activity for year 2. The poem explores the different places you find water in the summer, such as the garden and the beach.
The resource includes 3 differentiated levels of booklet, which use different layouts and slightly altered content and questions to make them suitable for a whole range of abilities.
The middle ability booklet is laid out in a similar way to the KS1 SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short verses to read and 3-4 questions per page. There are a range of ‘what,’ ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers.
Answers are included.
A great way to bring the summer into your classroom this summer!
PDF file format.
This resource is an interactive lesson aimed at whole class or group phonics. It is a 42 slide Powerpoint presentation that allows children to revise phonemes and learn or revisit the alternative ‘ow’ sound. It covers the alternative ‘ow’ sound as in ‘grow’ and takes 15-20 minutes.
This non-editable PowerPoint is split into different sections:
Revision of phase 5 phonemes in a random order
Introduction to the ‘ow’ sound and opportunity to trace the shape of the sound
Spotting the odd one out (the picture with a different ‘ow’ sound)
Segmenting and blending sounds in ‘ow’ words
Phoneme counting
Phoneme spotting in sentences
Writing words with the ‘ow’ sound
Writing a sentence with the ‘ow’ sound
(Click ‘Read Only’ to open the PowerPoint.)
This is a 5 lesson Literacy unit all about Florence Nightingale. The plan is aimed at year 2 and gives details of the year 2 curriculum objectives covered. The children develop reading comprehension, writing, editing and SPaG skills during the unit.
All five lessons include a SPaG starter which is always linked to Florence Nightingale.
The main activity in lesson 1 is a non-fiction reading comprehension, which helps children to learn about Florence Nightingale. It is laid out in a SATs style format, containing similar questions to a SATs paper and is differentiated 3 ways.
The main activity in lesson 2 is a fictional diary reading comprehension, written from the point of view of Florence Nightingale. Again it is in a SATs style and is again differentiated 3 ways.
Lesson 3 allows children to gather vocabulary through drama and written activities. Lessons 4 and 5 allow children to write and edit their own diary accounts as Florence Nightingale.
All resources are included that will be needed for the lessons. They are in 3 zip files.
The following documents are included:
A 12 page detailed plan for 5 lessons (PDF);
A 5 slide PowerPoint presentation with Florence Nightingale themed SPaG starters (This is not editable. Click the ‘Read Only’ button to open.);
A 7 slide PowerPoint presentation covering Florence’s childhood, early career, work during the Crimean War and ongoing legacy. (This is not editable. Click the ‘Read Only’ button to open.);
Differentiated Comprehensions about Florence Nightingale. Each of the three levels contains four pages of text followed by questions (PDF);
Differentiated comprehensions on a diary entry written by Florence Nightingale. Each of the three levels contains four pages of text followed by questions (PDF);
(The presentation and comprehensions are also available separately from my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/florence-nightingale-history-presentation-11900339
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/year-2-sats-style-comprehension-florence-nightingale-history-11511636
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/florence-nightingale-s-diary-year-2-sats-style-comprehension-history-11538559)
This interactive PowerPoint quiz is perfect for using in the 2024 Australian CBCA Book Week. It contains 54 questions. The first 48 questions cover famous books from Australia and around the world. The theme this year is ‘Reading is Magic’ and so I have chosen books that have a magical element or are from the fantasy genre. These are followed by one question on each of the books in the CBCA 2024 short list for ages 7-12.
You can use this as a starter, an assembly, a filler or a main activity. All questions are multiple choice and focus on popular modern books as well as classics. After you have chosen an answer for each question, click again and the correct answer changes colour. The PowerPoint is not editable. Please click ‘read only’ to open. Some of the images are only revealed when the PowerPoint is played as a slideshow with the animations.
Example questions include:
What is Matilda’s third and final miracle? Making a glass tip over, Writing on the chalkboard or Making a child fly
What are Mildred Hubble’s best friends called? Ethel and Margot, Maud and Enid or Esmerelda and Mirabelle
In Enid Blyton’s book, what do you climb to find different worlds at the top? The Distant Bush, The Magical Moon or The Faraway Tree
Who are the Pudding Thieves who are trying to steal The Magic Pudding? A kangaroo and an alligator, A possum and a wombat or A platypus and a dingo
A separate answer sheet is also included. The quiz and the answers are in the zip file.
No further preparation needed.
This resource is a non-fiction comprehension activity for year 2. It is based on the KS1 SATs reading paper and includes 3 differentiated levels.
The booklet is all about L.S. Lowry. Perfect to use as part of a KS1 history or art topic or just for general interest for comprehension practice.
There are a range of 'what,' 'when,' 'where' and 'why' questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity is also laid out in a similar way to the SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page.
Answers are also included.
PDF file format.
This resource is a comprehension booklet aimed at Lower Key Stage 2 (7-9 yrs). It is a story adapted from Shakespeare’s play of Macbeth. The story is a tragedy and covers the themes of ambition, fate and guilt among others. The story has been adapted so that is is suitable for ages 7-9.
There are three differentiated booklets. The higher ability booklet has three pages of text for the children to read before they complete a range of questions based on a mixture of the KS1 and KS2 SATs.
The middle and lower ability booklets have the text split into separate pages with questions on each page.
Perfect for using during** Shakespeare Week** (12th March) or for a Shakespeare or playwriting topic.
PDF file format.
This resource is a non-fiction comprehension activity for year 2, based on the KS1 SATs reading paper.
The booklet is about what humans need to survive - air, food and water. Perfect for cross-curricular learning, covering the literacy and science curriculum at the same time.
There are 3 differentiated levels, which include a range of ‘what,’ ‘how,’ ‘where’ and ‘why’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity is also laid out in a similar way to the SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page.
PDF file format and editable Microsoft word format included in the price.
A set of 10 PowerPoints to help your class practise all phonemes on a daily basis.
Each of the 10 PowerPoints contain every phoneme from phases 2 to 5, with one phoneme per slide.
The phonemes are shown in a random order on each PowerPoint. Get the whole class to call out or choose certain children for targeted sounds.
Perfect for using instead of flashcards, as it ensures the whole class can definitely see the graphemes.
This set of PowerPoints uses an alien theme. Look out for other themes coming soon to Blossoming Minds’ shop.
This resource is a non-fiction comprehension activity for year 2, based on the KS1 SATs reading paper.
The booklet explains how we know if something is alive, has once been alive or has never been alive. Perfect for cross-curricular learning, covering the literacy and science curriculum at the same time.
There are 3 differentiated levels, which include a range of ‘what,’ ‘how,’ ‘which’ and ‘why’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity is also laid out in a similar way to the SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page.
PDF file format and editable Microsoft word format included in the price.
A selection of 6 presentations and an assembly, perfect for using during Black History Month.
The slideshows cover prominent figures who have had a variety of roles in history.
Included are:
Benjamin Zephaniah
Mary Seacole
Mo Farah
Nelson Mandela
Rosa Parks
Serena Williams
The assembly is designed to be used as an introduction to Black History Month. It is a 16 page presentation and accompanying plan and covers prehistory, ancient civilizations, 18th and 19th century Britain and an introduction to the figures mentioned above.
A great pack for introducing the topic of black history to KS2, KS3 or KS4.
This resource is a comprehension activity for year 2, perfect for using on or around Good Friday or Easter. There are three differentiated sets of instructions on how to make hot cross buns, with differentiated questions.
I have also included colour and black & white versions of each of the booklets which contain some cute clip art of kids cooking! A sample of one of the pages from the middle ability booklet is shown in the preview.
Each booklet is based on the KS1 SATs reading paper.
There are a range of ‘what’ and ‘how’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity is also laid out in a similar way to the SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page.
PDF file format.
This resource is a non-fiction comprehension activity for year 3 or 4. It is based on a combination of the KS1 and KS2 SATs reading papers and includes 3 differentiated levels.
There are a range of 'what,' 'why' 'how' and 'who' questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity contains five pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page. Answers are also included.
This comprehension is based on the Jewish festival of Purim. It tells the story of Queen Esther and describes how Jewish people celebrate her bravery now with the festival of Purim.
There is a colour and black & white version of each of the booklets. The preview pages show the title page and one other page from each of the middle ability booklets. PDF file format.
This resource is a comprehension activity based on the year 6 reading comprehension SATs paper.
The theme is the story of Palm Sunday, which I have rewritten to resemble the style of the reading paper. There is a reading booklet and an accompanying question booklet, which contains a range of questions based on last year’s paper. Answers are also included.
I have included 3 differentiated levels. The Higher Ability level (801 words) is similar to the SATs paper, whilst the Middle Ability (741 words) and Lower Ability (615 words) use slightly simplified wording in the reading and question booklet.
PDF file format. Colour and Black & White versions are included in the price.
You might also be interested in:
KS1 Easter RE Lesson Pack - Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Lesson Plan and PowerPoint - KS2 (Easter)
Palm Sunday Story Powerpoint
Easter Assembly Plan - Palm Sunday
A collection of non-fiction comprehension activities for year 2 about European countries. Each booklet comes in 3 differentiated levels. They are all based on the reading SATs paper, containing a similar style of questions. They are also laid out in the same way as a SATs booklet to provide the children with greater experience.
These are the 3 different countries explored in the comprehensions:
France
Germany
Spain
PDF file format and editable Microsoft word format included in the price.
This resource is a non-fiction comprehension activity for year 2. It is all about what changes occur in the spring. It covers daylight hours, weather, plants and animals. It includes 3 differentiated levels.
There are a range of ‘what’ and ‘how’ questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity includes four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page.
(The Preview pages show the title page and one of the other pages from the middle ability booklet.)
PDF file format.
This selection of fully differentiated resources is designed to use with year 2 children in preparation for the SPaG SATs. The activities allow children to practise missing punctuation problems, a topic which came up a number of times in past SPaG papers. The main focus is full stops, question marks and exclamation marks, but each activity is differentiated 3 ways, so the higher ability children will also cover speech marks.
There are 3 different activities, all based on the SATs questions:
The first activity asks children to add the correct punctuation to the end of a sentence. There are 5 different worksheets.
The second activity asks children to tick which punctuation is missing from the end of a sentence. There are 18 questions.
The third activity asks children to look at where the arrow is pointing and tick which type of punctuation is missing. There are 18 questions.
Answers are included.
PDF file format. ECO version also now included due to popular demand.
This resource is designed to use with year 2 children in preparation for the SPaG SATs. The activity allows children to practise past and present tense problems; a topic which came up a number of times in past papers.
There are 3 different activities, all based on the SATs questions:
One activity asks children to tick which word they think fits correctly in the sentence, encouraging them to think abut tense/verb agreement. There are 18 questions.
One activity asks children to tick whether sentences are past or present tense. There are three sets of 8 questions.
One activity asks children to change words from the present to the past tense within a context. There are 5 sheets, each with 6 - 8 words to adapt.
Answers are included.
This resource is designed to use with year 2 children in preparation for the SPaG SATs. The activity allows children to practise spelling problems; in particular suffixes, contractions and plurals, all of which came up in past SPaG papers.
There are 3 different activities, all based on the SATs questions:
One activity asks children to add the correct suffix within a sentence. There are 6 questions on 3 different sheets.
One activity asks children to match words to the contracted form and then write the contractions within some sentences. e.g. do not becomes don’t. There are 3 sheets.
One activity asks children to add either s or es to the ends of words. There is 1 sheet.
Answers are included.
This resource is a fictional comprehension activity for year 2. It is a fictional diary entry written in character as Florence Nightingale. It is based on the KS1 SATs reading paper and includes 3 differentiated levels.
There are a range of 'what' 'where' and 'how' questions, some multiple choice tick questions and some that require more detailed answers. The activity is also laid out in a similar way to the SATs booklets, with four pages of pictures and short written extracts to read and 2-3 questions per page. Answers are also included.
PDF file format.
These comprehensions are also available as part of the Year 2 five lesson literacy plan:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/florence-nightingale-year-2-literacy-5-day-plan-history-12199874