Fiona, the founder of Teachers Telling Tales, has taught in the UK and international schools, trained teachers and worked as environmental educator. She is currently studying graphic design.
Teachers Telling Tales is a means to share this experience through creating high quality and affordable resources. While most are targeted at the primary age range, the aim is to provide versatile and adaptable resources to suit a range of ages and abilities. Many are inspired by stories to engage learners.
Fiona, the founder of Teachers Telling Tales, has taught in the UK and international schools, trained teachers and worked as environmental educator. She is currently studying graphic design.
Teachers Telling Tales is a means to share this experience through creating high quality and affordable resources. While most are targeted at the primary age range, the aim is to provide versatile and adaptable resources to suit a range of ages and abilities. Many are inspired by stories to engage learners.
Having a set of stages to work through is a really useful support for students when solving problems. There are lots of acronyms used to help remember stages, this resource features four of the most popular. While some schools or classes adopt one, they can be even more meaningful when a student has selected the one they find most useful to them.
A lesson comparing and evaluating different strategies is helpful in getting to know students’ preferred learning style, for example, using visuals like drawing or underlining. It also encourages students to think more deeply about essential steps such as checking answers. Investigate whether different strategies work better for different kinds of problems.
Contents:
4 small pictures to compare and contrast / stick in books.
4 large posters to display.
4 bookmarks, useful for maths exercise books.
This multi step maths game is excellent for consolidating square numbers knowledge. It features square numbers and square roots and familiarises students with the mathematical symbols.
The cute bees, flowers and hive design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There are colour and ink saving versions, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a bee each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included.
The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over.
There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/climb-the-trees-multistep-maths-games-12521644
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/cross-the-pond-multistep-maths-games-12521614
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/climb-the-branch-multistep-maths-games-12521653
Robot, Monster and Ogre get confused with tens and ones, can you help them?
Great starter activities for online and classroom sessions.
Count and create 2 digit numbers. Say which is most / least, double numbers, add one more and correct common mistakes.
A presentation with six problems to solve using tens and ones blocks and candles on cakes… Use the templates to create many more based on your students’ needs.
For more early counting activities check out
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/count-the-coins-treasure-chest-challenges-12563480
Creating these cute ice lolly characters is a fun activity for learning about symmetry. The challenge is to draw the missing side of the picture so it is the same on both sides. A grid over the image helps with drawing shapes and placing details in the correct place. You could also use a mirror, place it along the middle line to check in the reflection. There are 3 character designs to complete, two ice lolly shapes with no detail and a blank grid for creating your own designs. Colour and ink saving versions included.
Children love to create a name for their finished lolly and for an extra challenge can design the wrapper using the blank grid.
Check out the ice cream symmetry resources and other ice lolly activities by Teachers Telling Tales for summer topics or parties.
This resource can also be purchased as part of the ‘Ice Ice Bundle’.
A compilation of thirty dice games, presented in an easy to follow document with suggestions for adaptations to meet learners’ needs. The document can be trimmed to produce cards featuring simple instructions, perfect for support staff working with small groups.
Mathematics skills covered include: calculation using all four operations, comparing numbers, place value, doubling, odd and even numbers, times tables, square numbers, number bonds, probability, rounding, power of 10, negative numbers, fractions, sequences, area and perimeter.
A cool creative pack of ice cream goodies, ideal for summer topics or parties. Contains 3 activities:
Ice cream cone symmetry. complete the pictures so the delicious dessert is the same on both sides (3 designs).
‘I dream of ice cream’ design your perfect ice cream template, single and double cone versions.
Ice cream creative colouring sheets (4 designs).
Great for talking about colours, flavours, toppings, preferences.
There are similar symmetry resources featuring ice lollies in the Teachers Telling Tales shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ice-lolly-symmetry-12355898
You can also purchase this resource with other ice lolly resources as part of the ‘Ice Ice Bundle’.
Using all four operations, these multi step maths games are excellent for consolidating calculation skills.
This pack contains three variations with different times tables, doubling and halving and multiples of 100. There are two games with 2 digit numbers and one with 4 digit numbers.
The cute caterpillars and branch design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There is a colour and ink saving version, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a caterpillar each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included.
The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over.
There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.
Sudoku is a fun way to develop concentration and reasoning skills. The challenge is to enter numbers (or in this case pictures) into grids so none are repeated in each row or column. These games feature pirate themed pictures, students cut and paste to complete the grids. This gives them the option of moving the pictures around before sticking them down.
There are 3 by 3 and 4 by 4 grids and three levels of challenge: easy, tricky and deadly. As well as improving thinking skills, the games are good for consolidating pirate topic vocabulary.
Logic and reasoning skills with a minibeasts theme. Featuring cute cartoon creepy crawlies, these activities are a fun way to develop thinking skills. Students cut and paste pictures to complete the sequences and sudoku squares.
Easy, medium and hard versions for different levels of challenge.
Ink saving variations included (different puzzles to the colour ones).
Perfect for a minibeasts topic, a challenge for early finishers or a discrete lesson in problem solving.
For related minibeasts resources, check out the Teachers Telling Tales shop, there are bundle and save options.
Using all four operations, these multi step maths games are excellent for consolidating calculation skills.
This pack contains three variations with different times tables, power of 10 and some doubling and halving too. They have a combination of 2 and 3 digit numbers.
The cute frogs and pond design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There is a colour and ink saving version, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a frog each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included.
The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over.
There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.
Using all four operations, these multi step maths games are excellent for consolidating calculation skills.
This pack contains three variations with different times tables, power of 10, some doubling and halving and square numbers too. They have a combination of 2 and 3 digit numbers.
The cute chimps and palm trees design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There is a colour and ink saving version, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a chimp each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included.
The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over.
There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.
This cute and colourful presentation is designed to engage even the most reluctant mathematicians! With 4 different scenarios involving ice lollies and ice creams, there are word problems involving mixed operations and multi-steps.
In Powerpoint presentation so easy to adapt, however with a UK and US version and three levels for each problem, you should not need to spend time on preparation. Includes a guide and answers in the notes for each slide.
Suitable for classroom and distance / home learning.
Works well as a whole class starter when projected or small group activity when printed.
For more ice cream / ice lolly themed resources check out https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ice-ice-bundle-12355950 or ‘Delicious Description’, a complete lesson with a creative challenge.
Contents:
Spots and Stripes worksheets and printable socks for games, templates for colouring.
Cute patterned socks matching pairs card game.
Teacher’s guide with instructions for games and ideas for activities.
These resources are great for awareness days:
#oddsocksday November 16th (part of Anti-bullying Week)
#LotsOfSocksDay 21st March (World Down Syndrome Day)
Read more ideas for sock topics here https://teacherstellingtales.com/socks-rock/
Related resources are available from Teachers Telling Tales, including sock-topus counting activities, repeat patterns and Fantastic Footwear which includes templates for socks and a variety of shoes and themed design challenge task cards.
Get them all in a bundle at a discounted price.
Fun pirate-themed activities to consolidate positional language / introduce pirate topic vocabulary. Great for English language learners.
Starter - Spot the difference posters to get students talking and using positional language.
The same poster but in outline so students can add the objects in the correct place and colour their completed picture.
Instructions are provided in picture and text form. making the activity accessible to a range of ages and abilities.
A guide to using the resource with vocabulary lists is included.
Updated March 2021 to correct a typo on the written instruction sheet and add resources for remote teaching: PNG images to click and drag to complete the picture instead of drawing with updated instructions.
Related Resources A free pirate vocabulary anagrams sheet can be downloaded here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirate-anagrams-12322262 There are pirate-themed mazes, sudoku and phonics games in the Teachers telling Tales shop with options to bundle and save. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/talk-like-a-pirate-phonics-bundle-12403177
An animated presentation, perfect for starter activities. Students pick which treasure chest they think will have the most money, then, as each is revealed they count the coins to see if they were correct.
As it’s a game of luck, everyone has an equal chance of winning. All get to practise the calculation, which could be addition or counting in multiples of 2, 5 or 10. The more challenging quests have mixed coins. This is a good way to demonstrate how different values of coins can make the same amount, e.g. 10 ones and 1 ten.
There are 5 sections, each with 3 games; however, variations can easily be created by duplicating slides and rearranging the coins.
Sections:
Count in 5s
Count in 10s
10s and 1s
1s and 2s
10, 5, 2 and 1
The coins are inspired by UK money, however, as they are a simple design with a large number, no familiarity with UK money is required for the games so they are suitable for use in any location.
Answers and extension ideas are included in the notes.
The pack includes 2 versions: use ppsx to avoid changes in layout/formatting or pptx if you want to change or adapt the presentations. My students loved this and I ended up creating many variations by simply changing the coins.
You may also like the pirate-themed resources in the Teachers Telling Tales shop, including positional language, sudoku and phonics, for example, https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirates-pack-12183976.
More maths packs will be added shortly.
International Sudoku Day is September 9th, but any day of the year is a great time to use logic and reasoning skills to complete these puzzles! Through the process of elimination children also develop language skills, enhanced with this pack through using a range of themes including:
colour (primary, secondary, rainbow, black, grey, white)
directions (left, right, up, down or North, South, East, West if you prefer!)
stars with differing numbers of points
playing cards (heart, diamond, club, spade)
dice (dots representing numbers 1-6)
The pack has a range of challenges including 3 x 3, 4 x 4, 6 x 6, 7 x 7 and 9 x 9 grids with different amounts of squares missing.
Answer sheets included.
Variations include UK and US English spellings (colour/color), ink saving, cut and stick or draw and colour.
If your children enjoyed these check out these other sudoku packs from Teachers Telling Tales:
Minibeasts www.tes.com/teaching-resource/minibeasts-patterns-sudoku-and-sequences-12340235
Pirates www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirate-sudoku-games-12322372
PowerPoint / PDF with 16 pages. Guidance, answers and ideas in notes.
5 engaging games featuring cute monsters and balloons and a range of number facts and skills. Alternative versions of games and editable presentation, so the possibilities are endless!
Perfect for lesson starters, plenaries and fill in activities. Initially created as a remote teaching activity, suitable for distance learning.
Includes printable pages for follow-up consolidation.
Skills: 2 digit numbers, place value, one more / less, addition and subtraction, 2, 5 and 10 x tables, odd and even, doubles, number bonds.
Games: Who has the winning balloon? Pop the Balloons, Colour the Balloons, Multiplication Monsters, Make 10 Monsters.
UK spelling (colour) and US (color) versions.
You may also like the Teachers Telling Tales My Amazing Monster Literacy Lesson https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/my-amazing-monster-literacy-lesson-12564858 and Monster Balloon Party https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/monster-balloon-party-maths-games-12564895 for older / more able students. Buy two packs together as a bundle with a discount.
PowerPoint / PDF with 19 pages. Guidance, answers and ideas in notes.
5 engaging games featuring cute monsters and balloons and a range of number facts and skills. Alternative versions of games and editable so the possibilities are endless!
Perfect for lesson starters, plenaries and fill in activities. Initially created as a remote teaching activity, suitable for distance learning.
Includes printable pages for follow-up consolidation.
Skills: addition and subtraction, times tables, fractions of amounts, rounding to nearest 10, double and half, number bonds
Vocabulary: multiple, factor, square number, square root, prime, odd and even, dozen, score, gross, sum, product
Games: Who has the winning balloon? Pop the Balloons, Colour the Balloons, Vocabulary Monsters, Make 100 Monsters.
UK spelling (colour) and US (color) versions.
You may also like the Teachers Telling Tales My Amazing Monster Literacy Lesson https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/my-amazing-monster-literacy-lesson-12564858 and Little Monster Balloon Party for younger / less able students. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/little-monster-balloon-party-maths-games-12564875
Buy two packs together as a bundle with a discount.
A cool collection of ice lolly and ice cream themed activities. Includes craft, colouring and design. Inspire creative ideas and develop vocabulary related to flavours, colours, toppings and discussion of preferences and opinions. Explore symmetry through completing pictures and creating designs.
Perfect for summer, holiday and food topics, parties or play dates.
Introduce Pirates vocabulary and consolidate positional language through Spot-the-Difference activity and draw and colour activity (with text or pictorial instructions). Great for differing abilities, students with EAL. Consolidate vocabulary with anagrams worksheet. Deepen thinking skills with pirate themed sudoku, cut and paste the pictures with three levels of challenge. Fun mazes to keep early finishers engaged.