Bring fun and laughter into your space studies with this two-page, quick-fire roll of crazy, snappy rhymes about aliens, rockets, stars and more! Most are couplets, with a few 4-line verses too, and all are bonkers! They’ll inspire variations and brand new rhymes from your class, boosting their literacy skills. The rhymes are my own, and I’ve used some in my space poetry sessions. TIPS for class rhymes - I recommend starting with “space”, eliciting a list of single words that rhyme with it to write below. Then fill up the line leading up to “space”, e.g. I saw an alien up in space, and finally think up a line to end with your rhyming word, e.g. She was doing up her lace. Have fun! **SEE ALSO ** - PLANET poetry frame (Yrs 2-4) - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/planet-poetry-frame-ys-2-4-12018025 + Planet picture-poem frame (KS2) - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/planet-picture-poem-frame-ks2-guidance-sheet-11886984

This haiku-writing support on the theme of the Coronavirus offers a complete lesson plan for poetry development. It includes 6 haiku frames with gaps to fill, 2 example poems written by this writer (published poet), tips for preparation, guidance and development, and (at the start) key information about haiku and how they work. This thorough and clearly presented teacher resource will support poetry, literacy, PSHE, pandemic and lockdown discussion, current affairs discussions, and even maths (syllable counting)! Haiku are fun for older children, being short and offering the syllable number challenge. See my other haiku frames here for more.

A fun, attractive, seasonal writing and colouring sheet for creative expression and language-stretching, celebrating autumn leaves - their movements and colours. Similes, action words and description are invited on the lines, which wave like the floating leaves. Preparation: let children watch leaves flying and falling, and gather some to inspect and spin. Discuss the leaves’ movements through the air - gliding, floating, darting, whooshing, dancing, skipping, cartwheeling, etc. Also discuss the colours, eliciting exotic ones - lemon yellow, crimson, bronze… Think up similes together too, before handing out the sheets. See also my easier versions, and other leaf and tree writing resources, for a wide range.

Phonic short ‘a’, shown here in ‘cat’, with some extra little a’s to write over, too. Your emergent writers will enjoy writing over the pale orange letters to make the word ‘cat’ twice over, and on the three extra 'a’s in their attractive red loops. They’ll love colouring in the charming, black/white cat picture, too. For more, similar phonics activities, see my Phonic ‘o’ reading/writing sheets and my many other resources for sound/letter recognition and writing practice.

This writing sheet features the letter and phonic ‘e’ in ‘hen’ and ‘red hens’, with attractive pictures to illustrate and enhance understanding. Children can colour in the white hen, and also count the 3, adding the ‘1’ and ‘2’ given. Supports phonics, handwriting, reading, spelling, numbers, adding, and also nature and animal studies. The colour red is also highlighted, supporting colour work, and fine motor skills are developed in the colouring. If you like this sheet, see my others for different vowels, in my catalogue/shop. Click ‘newest’.

p, f and d are shown next to familiar pictures starting with their letters: pig, fish, dog. The words are not written out, but just brought to mind, with meaningful association. Extra copies of the letters follow the pictures, reinforcing the link. Children can write over all the pale letters. Help them sound them out as they go. See my other phonics sheets for young children, all attractively illustrated, some free.

Halloween fun! A sheet of magic spell rhyming couplets to complete - all guided towards happy, innocent wishes. Four couplet frames + two blank lines for an independent one. Example: Wind, rain, snow and sun - Let today be __ and fun! PS: See my new Poetry How-To Videos, featuring Fireworks, Dragons & Space - so far: Kate Williams - YouTube

This is a punchy, fun, rhyming poem that raises awareness of, and concern about, the climate crisis. I wrote it with schools in mind and am offering it free, as with all my climate crisis poems. (More to come.)

This 61-word, springtime story is easy to read. Newly independent readers will enjoy the little tale unaided, while those on the brink may need a little support as they sound out the words or make semi-informed guesses from the context. See my other stories for more confidence-building reading practice.

This funny 60-word story is easy to read. Newly independent readers will enjoy reading it alone, while those on the brink will benefit from adult support as they sound out the words or make wise guesses. The text offers a wide range of phonics and familiar words, while keeping the reader engaged. See my other stories for more reading practice.

A woodland poem example, featuring description, presented over a colourful autumn wood photo. Writing frame also included. Repetition of the opening line also features in this simple format. **Offers a framework and idea spurs **for KS2 writers, and for KS1 verbal contributions. Warm-up: go outside to experience trees (and woods?) with all the senses. Then discuss - what did the children notice? What creatures might live there, and what are they like? How would the trees be in different seasons? What might they be like on Halloween night? Enact trees together, then pretend you’re walking through a wood, finding “treasures”. You’ll find more poem guides and poetry themes here at my TES shop.

This 60-word story is fun and simple to read. It tells the story of Waggy the dog’s happy lifestyle, from playing ball with his owner, Emma, to rolling in mud and chasing birds. Ideal for newly independent readers, and, with guidance, those on the verge of reading. Assorted phonics, spellings, grammar and punctuation included, and a range of simple, familiar vocabulary. See my other stories too, for variety.

A beautiful, calming snow scene to write on, following the snow’s gentle curves. The starter phrases invite describing words and similes.

This short, simple story is fun to read. Ideal for newly independent and emergent readers. The zoo animals that Jack sees are vividly described in a few, simple words. The funny monkey offers humour too. Plenty to discuss and follow up. There’s also a little space at the bottom for an extra illustration. See my other simple stories too, for variety.

This is a simple, 53-word story for young readers and almost-readers. It’s fun and meaningful to read, with supportive illustrations. The central character, Jack, features in other stories in the series too. The story features the dentist’s chair, and its exciting movements up and down. In the story, the dentist inspects Jack’s teeth and mends one, and Jack thanks him. This little reading resource is engaging and relevant to children’s lives. It also encourages tooth care and dental visits. See my other simple stories in the series, e.g. Ball in the Tree: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/story-ball-in-the-tree-simple-reading-12493185

“Lockdown” is the word for this acrostic poem idea, with a line of suggestions for each letter down the page. Teacher tips are provided at the bottom of this one-sheet resource, with advice for preparing students for the task with wide-reaching discussion, for ensuring privacy in case of sensitive issues, and for follow-on artwork. Literacy, PSHE and current affairs are all addressed in this resource, with scope for taking in different directions through follow-on activities. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown experiences will be prominent in students’ minds, so this literacy activity offers an outlet for processing feelings and thoughts on the subject, while also stretching literacy and poetic skills.

This 14-line poem inspires confidence in beating Covid and its effects. It points out that, while tiring, it’s inspiring - making us stir and think outside the box, warning the virus to be prepared for a battering. Offers support for students suffering from mental health issues at this time, and opens doors to discussion, writing and general artistic expression. Recommended for Year 6 upwards. Written by this author - a published poet.