Exciting words-in-picture writing challenge for Fireworks or related topic, or Literacy starter sheet before extended writing. GUIDANCE SHEET included, with tips for helping students think up words and phrases of different kinds to fill the gaps, e.g. describing words, verbs, onomatopoeia, simile, kenning, with examples of each. Fires enthusiasm for writing, stretches active vocabulary, builds confidence in self-expression and literacy, and helps children focus minds on specific concepts. Use across year groups, from Yr2-Y6, adapting challenge levels as appropriate, e.g. describing words for youngest and kennings for oldest. Extra tip: similes can be reduced to metaphors (Yr 5+) by removing ‘as…as’ or ‘like a…’. Can also be inverted, e.g. ‘hot as lava’ = ‘laver-hot’. See my other Firework sheets, too; also, my other gap-filling activities.

Robin writing sheets in 4 grades (4 sheets, 1 file), with teacher’s guide, for young, emergent writers - Reception to Yr 2. Descriptive language and imagery are invited, plus words for flying (gliding, flapping, darting?), and for the sky. Pictures to colour, hand-drawn by author. Topics addressed: garden birds, flight, movement, spring, animals, colour and more. The Guide gives word suggestions for each line, for quick reference when providing examples to the children.

Castle writing and vocabulary-stretching fun is offered in this attractive picture-writing frame. Independent and emergent writers will love thinking up words, similes and phrases to fill the ten gaps in and around this atmospheric photo of historic Caerphilly Castle, Wales. The GUIDE sheet supplies teachers with handy ideas for words and similes to give as prompts and examples, at all levels. The gap-free version of the picture, also included, will inspire pupils to think up their own words too. Uses: poetry-writing preparation, vocabulary stretching, writing confidence, castle topic enhancement, story-writing starter and more. Also useful as a gap-filler, any time, any class from around Yr 2-6. See my other topical pictures with word gaps too.

Pond picture for colouring and writing, with lines for five describing words and a longer line below for a simile. Also a spare curvy line for an extra thought. Lots of idea-triggering details in the picture, with space for more contributions. You could prompt for: splashy, green, busy, smooth, reflecting, wet, sprinkly, brown, muddy, fun, peaceful, deep, quiet, ploppy, cool or calm, perhaps, and as smooth as silk, velvet, milk, ink, skin, feathers or satin, perhaps. See also harder and easier versions, and colouring-only pond for Early Years, and Pond Writing + Colouring Bundle for all. This resource supports outdoor projects, writing skill development, creativity, colouring skills and nature appreciation.

Literacy boost, celebrating nature. Beautiful butterfly image with 10 gaps for words + space below for similes, with Guide Sheet / Word + Simile Bank for teacher reference. Clear picture also provided, for inspiration. A fun, meaningful activity that engages children instantly, stretching vocabulary, firing ideas for creative writing, and enthusing them in butterflies and the natural world. Supports Literacy and Nature topics together. Other themes in this gap-filling picture series so far: Dragons, Space, Meadow (free), Sea and Under Sea. Jungle + more coming soon.

Beautiful pictures linking with ‘b’ and ‘s’ letters to write over: bee, butterfly, spider, snail, bat, bird and snake. Early years and KS1 children will enjoy identifying the creatures, saying the words and writing over the softely coloured letters that they start with - b and s. An attractive, engaging way to help children connect letters to words and real things. Brings meaning to phonics.

This funny, lively space rhyme supports all-round literacy. It’s simple, four-line verse can be varied to allow for different ideas, and each can be enacted or expressed with gestures, sounds or mime. Children will enjoy its catchy rhythm and be interested in the rhyme (space/face), also finding the tone cheerful and humorous. The resource offers embellishment for space topics, too, and encourages physical movement and expression. The tips below the rhyme include handy prompts for enacting, line by line, and also for eliciting alternative alien features. Using a simple, familiar tune, this verse could also be set to music.

Poetry in haiku form, with trees as the theme, is taught here with an introduction to haiku and six examples to complete. Tips for preparation are also given. Trees are familiar to all children, but each child will bring their own experiences, observations, thoughts and feelings to their writing. Trees are fascinating things, providing us with a wealth of glories, services and vital resources. They offer ever-varying colours, shapes, sounds, expressions, silhouettes, textures, fruits, flowers, leaf patterns, and more. They mark the seasons for us, offering summer shade and winter shelter; they inspire us with their noble, statuesque figures against the ever-changing sky; they house wildlife, secure and enrich the soil, and feed the atmosphere with vital elements. Yet around the world, they are being chopped down and uprooted. What will your children decide to say about them, and how, in their 17 syllables? Recommended for upper juniors and higher. 1 A4 page, black and white. Includes 3 haiku frames with gaps to fill, and 3 starter lines/phrases.

Shells writing + colouring sheet, with link to supporting, inspiring video. Shells can be… describing words are invited around the shell pictures on this attractive sheet. Similes also called for: as … as …, and one for the sea on the wavy line - The sea is as sparkly as… SUPPORTING VIDEO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9 See my easier version here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/shells-can-be-illustrated-writing-frame-guide-sheet-12099487

A punchy, 4-verse rhyme about shells, with guidance notes for presentation and development, for use with young children. Can be chanted with hand gestures, with scope for more verses using children’s volunteered alternative describing words for shells. Supports speaking and listening skills, drama, presentation, self-confidence, seaside topics and more. The four rhyming verses describe sea shells in different ways, drawing attention to different types and their varying features, and the beauty and jewel-like quality of underwater shells, too. Video: Here’s me talking about shells, showing some, and reciting the poem, at a make-believe seaside: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9 . Here’s a writing/colouring sheet to follow on with: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/shells-can-be-illustrated-writing-frame-guide-sheet-12099487

This lively action-rhyme consists of four couplets. Each tells of a spider’s movements, dangling, landing (on your head), running round your hair… running everywhere. The notes below it provide tips for acting out these different stages. The rhyme supports all-round literacy, including vocabulary, speaking and listening, expressive and creative presentation, and rhythm and rhyme development. It also teaches children about spiders and helps them to appreciate these delicate mini creatures, reducing any fears they may have of them. Tapping or shaking the beat will add to the punch and fun of this rhyme, while acting out provides an alternative approach. Perhaps do both by turn.

This two-verse ladybird rhyme has rhythm, rhyme and word fun. There’s ample scope for acting out, too, and the notes below the text provide a few tips for this. The rhyme supports all-round literacy, including vocabulary, rhyme and imagery (red as a poppy). It also develops awareness of insects and appreciation of their tiny, delicate features. Enacting the verses will encourage creative, expressive movement, and the cheerful tone will support mental wellbeing, too. You may also like my spider rhyme: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/rhyme-spider-12304548

A royal crown, in black and white, to colour in. For young children to celebrate royal birthdays, such as that of the British Queen on June 13th, and also to support learning about kings and queens through history, and associated topics. Children will enjoy choosing bright, beautiful colours to shade in the various shapes presented on this crown. They will also develop skills, such as fine motor control, colour differentiation and designing.

Butterfly-themed haiku poems: frames and guidance. A teacher’s resource sheet, containing: haiku frames (3), starter lines (3), haiku guidelines, syllable clarification, using names to demonstrate, warm-up tips, and a list of butterfly marvels to discuss and write about. For more haiku themes, see my other sheets. Trees, birds, dragons - and more to come! Haiku look simple, but are surprisingly challenging to create, with syllables to count and concepts to convey within three short lines. Children enjoy the mix of theme, words and counting, and the brevity of the poem, visually. A series of these pocket-sized poems can be stunning to listen to in quick succession. Enjoy!

The climate change crisis, global warming, the greenhouse effect - these are key phrases in today’s heated global debate about the future of our planet. This word bank supports climate emergency discussion in the classroom with words for all aspects: causes - fossil fuels, carbon emissions, deforestation… , cattle-breeding, to effects - melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather, damaged ecosystem, broken food chain…, and goals - cleaner air, renewable energy sources, alternative lifestyles. The double column of words will help teachers and students alike, in group chats, debates, writing tasks and research projects. Rather than offer a vast maze of terms, it offers a broad selection, each potentially spurring further concepts and word choices.

Simple writing and colouring autumn leaf sheet for emergent and newly independent writers. Children can either write on the lines (leaf veins), turning the paper round as need be, which is fun to do, or they can write their words in the gaps or round the outside of the picture. Suggested words to prompt for: yellow, brown, red, golden, curly, floaty, light, colourful, soft, thin, old, torn, spotty, pretty, flappy, delicate, crispy.

Bring your dinosaurs topic alive with this fun, punchy, crazy, rhyming poem about a school child sighting a dinosaur. As a published children’s poet, I wrote this specially for TES users, for this purpose. It can also be used as reading material, an example of rhyme or rhythm, or just a great way to start the day and put a smile on everyone’s face. But DID the dinosaur cheat in the spelling test, as the narrator suspects? What’s the verdict in your classroom.

Pirate treasure from the sea bed could be beautiful, mouldy or smashed to bits. It could be flamboyant or faded, delicate or dangerous, and you might find it floating and drifting or submerged and water-logged. It’ll probably be secret, too - stolen, smuggled and concealed. All these words and many more are listed in this mind-stretching word bank. Either read out from it yourself or copy and distribute it around your class, for selecting and trying out, or to trigger other ideas. Encourage some of these words in conversation too. VIDEO SUPPORT: me reading my published poem, ‘Treasure Chest Mystery’ - details on my website, poemsforfun.wordpress.com : https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMarEm9uVBDEGPTykSlkAfT6jdVArKlPen6X5lk1le7dqUc89gEztNjSO7V6qsxUQ?key=X0hIWmdaV1M0Q2lHYURKbDdIVFFPMTVBTWRUdkhn SEE ALSO: **Under the Sea **poem frame: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/under-the-sea-poem-frame-example-y2-4-11922054 , Seabed Rhymes Y2-4: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-seabed-rhymes-fun-rhyming-couplet-frames-ks2-11892578 . Seabed Mystery Poem Frame KS2: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seabed-mystery-poem-frame-ks2-guide-11892739 and Treasure Map alliteration game: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/treasure-map-alliteration-game-yr1-6-guide-for-use-11887395

Sea life and a scattering of treasure fill this lively picture, with patterned fish, a graceful seahorse, a playful dolphin, various types of shell, seaweed and other details, plus sailing boat, kite, gulls and summer sky. Ideal for bright, varied, detailed colouring, teaching children about the world as they draw. See also my simpler colouring sheet: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/boat-on-sea-colouring-sheet-12096606 Supporting video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9

Get your reluctant writers dashing down ideas on this crazy-fun writing sheet! Supporting video (2nd half): https://youtu.be/sITQrMuDrfg What would a Martian, or alien, like to eat? Star dust salad? Rocket roast? Soup served on a flying saucer? The starter words spur ideas to fill up the lines, with desserts and drinks included! Accompanying Ideas Sheet offers teacher-support for prompting and guiding. Supports space study, literacy and food science, all in one! **SEE ALSO: Funny Space Rhymes: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/funny-space-rhymes-12051967. ** Also many space poetry resources to read, write and build together, at my TES shop, .e.g. on page 2: ces/shop/katewilliams_poetry?p=2 .