A lively little story brings meaning to grammar here. When to write “it’s” and when to leave out the apostrophe and just put “its”? That’s the burning question in this fun activity. The plentiful illustrations, the large, soft-blue script and the engaging narrative all add to the appeal, and the key words stand out bright and clear in bold red for simplicity. A summary of the grammar rule involved is given at the top of the two-sheet resource, with example phrases for both “it’s” and “its”. A few answers and tips are also given at the end for extra guidance. Children are then invited to compose two sentences of their own (lines provided), to illustrate “it’s” and “its”, to consolidate the concept. Best for Yrs 5 and 6 and able Yr 4s. Story: Rashid’s robot has gone crazy, but Ella finds a solution - recharging it! Seeing the robot enjoying its “tea”, they go off to have their own - including ice cream sundae!

The ocean bed is a mysterious place, and this light-touch poetry frame invites children to dream about the possibilities, and describe their imaginings as they wish. The given structure, meanwhile, helps to focus minds and get pens rolling. The two-page resource includes a page of guidance notes for the teacher’s reference, with an example poem to share with the class. The poetry frame promotes creative writing, and literacy generally, while also drawing attention to the wonders of the sea.

This is an exciting, fascinating picture-poem frame, in 3 variations of graded difficulty. It will inspire your 5-7 year-olds to get dreaming and writing, drawing on passive vocabulary to express their buzzing imagination. Their castle might be dark, damp and gloomy, or grand, golden and magical, or ancient, crumbling and haunted. It’s as old as …, and as [__] as __ . What will you find inside? Treasure? A sword? A secret message? Who lives there? A lonely ghost? A fiery dragon? A bossy king? And what does he/she like to do? There’s scope for drama, humour and mystery here. Recommended for Yrs 1-2. Supports Poetry, Literacy and History. See my other Castle-themed resources too.

Phonics reading + writing sheet, illustrated, featuring ‘e’ in ‘egg’ and ‘eggs’, with extra ‘e’ letters below. Pastel shades to write over, with clearly presented letters. One of the 2 pictures can be coloured or decorated; the 2nd pic. shows pretty blue eggs in natural nest setting. Space for child to draw their own egg too. Also included, a photo of a fallen bird egg, with ‘egg’ label. If you like the writing sheet, see my others in this series at my shop. (Click ‘recent’ option.)

This richly illustrated creative writing sheet will engage your Reception and Year 1 emergent writers, triggering ideas about what could be under the sea, and encouraging adventurous descriptive language. See differentiated versions too - same price. See my inspiring videos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9 reading of published poem - ‘Treasure Chest Mystery’ - https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMarEm9uVBDEGPTykSlkAfT6jdVArKlPen6X5lk1le7dqUc89gEztNjSO7V6qsxUQ?key=X0hIWmdaV1M0Q2lHYURKbDdIVFFPMTVBTWRUdkhn Warm your class to the subject first, building ideas of what could be under the sea, and words for describing those items, including fish - the only given item here. Fish might be various colours and patterns (stripy, spotty), fast or slow, darting, dashing or twitching, scaly, shiny, twinkly, shimmering, or even quiet, peaceful, friendly or gentle.

This home-made creative writing frame is in the form of a snake, in a jungle setting. The starter phrase, ‘This snake is’, invites describing words on the line through the snake. The task could be presented as poetry-writing or just as a description. WARM-UP - Motivate and inform your group first through other snake- and jungle-themed activities, such as pretending to be making your way through a jungle, encountering creatures, fallen trees, swamps and other hazards, and discussing pictures of snakes. WORD IDEAS - Elicit words that could be used in this writing activity, such as ‘long’, ‘twisty’, ‘scaly’, ‘fast’, ‘dry’, ‘slimy’, ‘twirly’, ‘poisonous’, ‘shy’, ‘hungry’, ‘loopy’, ‘curly’ and ‘hissing’. SEE ALSO - Harder version **- https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/snake-picture-poem-frame-yr-2-11885186 JUNGLE writing + colouring sheet - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/jungle-writing-colouring-sheet-1-line-12045631 .

This serene scene will appeal to your children’s imagination, as they put themselves in the place of the happily gliding children. With the ocean, palm trees and setting sun below, and the soft, clear sky around them, this fantastical image will inspire your class to write, draw, discuss or enact the concepts conveyed. It could be used in combination with my magic mat poetry-writing sheet, for instance, available in my shop here. It will also brighten up a dark corner, of course!

This attractive colouring sheet features a boat on a wavy sea, with a waving sailor (female), beautiful fish below, plus shells, seaweed, birds, clouds, sun and kite. A cheerful, stimulating and informative picture, with wide scope for colouring and discussion. Supports study of seaside, ocean, seabed, seasons, holidays, travel, colour and more. Develops fine motor skills and colour differentiation. **SEE ALSO: ** - Yr 1 Phonics - UNDER the SEA https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/yr-1-phonics-under-the-sea-11912400, UNDER THE SEA graded picture frames - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/under-the-sea-picture-poem-frames-ey-ks1-11927198, POND COLOURING SHEET - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pond-colouring-sheet-12047603 , + SEASIDE WRITING + COLOURING SHEET - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seaside-writing-colouring-sheet-simple-12099515 .

This lively picture will engage young children, with its interesting details and colouring scope. The resource supports autumn, nature, animals, movement and colour studies, as well as developing fine motor skills and artistic expression. See my Hedgehog and Leaf colouring sheets and squirrels/woods writing frames for more autumn wood activities.

Young children will enjoy thinking up a word or more to complete the given phrase - I can see… , and having a go at sounding it out and writing it on the line provided. They can then be rewarded with colouring fun, shading in this fascinating picture. For the writing, encourage children to study the picture and identify some of its features first, then let them choose their favourite one or few to write. Examples to prompt for if needed - a snail, a bird, flowers, grass, leaves, sky, the sun, a ladybird. Able writers could be encouraged to add a describing word or other embellishment. The resource promotes literacy, fine motor control, colour and shape awareness and an appreciation of the natural world.

Seasonal fun activity to stretch language and creativity! Beautiful autumn leaf picture to write on, with prompts and writing lines. Colouring potential too. Great for wall display. Let children gather, inspect and play with leaves, then write these sheets freely. Prompt for colour words, textures, movements - gliding, spinning, twirling through the sky. (What sort of sky?) Similes invited. Lots of poetic and expressive scope. Promotes calm and joy.

Mental wellbeing, inclusiveness, self respect and confidence are supported in this poem, besides literacy and performance skills. Boost students’ self-esteem and motivation with this upbeat rhyme and its positive message about individualism. Through simple words, rhymes and rhythm, it celebrates the fact that everyone is different, just like the leaves of a tree. Written specifically as a PSHE resource by myself - a well-published children’s poet, after seeing the need for confidence boosts in children of all backgrounds.

My poem, ‘My Town at Night’ is exciting and atmospheric, stretching imaginations and language, and offering a spur for creative writing. I’ve used it very successfully with Year 3 classes upwards, together with pictures and discussion of the colours, shapes and mysteries of lit-up streets. Now on YouTube with sound & pictures! https://youtu.be/BNzvD31flwo The poem has been published twice over by https://theschoolmagazine.com.au/The School Magazine, Australia - .

This lively seaside picture has two wavy line spaces for describing words for the sea: “The sea is … and …”, and there’s a whole line below for further ideas. Young children will enjoy thinking up two words or more to describe the sea and having a go at writing them, before colouring in the waves, sea creatures, sand, bucket and spade and more. Children in my poetry workshops use the sheet with enthusiasm, for both writing and colouring. See my two harder versions too, plus Shells writing sheet: - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seaside-writing-frame-r-y1-12099509, https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seaside-writing-frame-y2-3-12099502 (free) and https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/shells-can-be-illustrated-writing-frame-guide-sheet-12099487 . Video (looking at shells) https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9

An inspiring seascape with gaps to write words and phrases in, for Yrs 2-6, as a starter sheet for poetry or creative writing, or a picture poem in its own right, use adaptable for different aims, ages and abilities. Also provided: the picture free from word gaps; guide sheet for teachers. The 15 white writing slots in and around this inviting scene offer scope for expressive describing words, similes and phrases. GUIDE: the accompanying teacher’s guide sheet provides a comprehensive list of word and simile ideas for use as spurs and examples for students. USES: Literacy - building vocabulary, simile-writing, preparing for poetry or descriptive writing; Topic enhancement: a simple, effective way to enthuse pupils in topics, e.g. seaside, ocean, seasons, weather, water, coastlines, sea pollution or global warming, while also enhancing literacy. Time filler: offers learning through fun for any spare 10 minutes. See my other words-in-gaps sheets too.

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 colourful phonics writing sheet, with wording: “lots of lego”, in large, clear, pale blue letters for over-writing, and a line below for copying again. 3 Lego pieces to colour in below, and a photo of Lego above. Attractive, engaging activity for EYFS + Y1, bringing meaning to letters and their sounds and developing handwriting skills. Many other fun phonics sheets in my catalogue too.

This simple, two-verse rhyme celebrates the colour red, listing some attractive and exciting red items. The tips below include ideas for more red things to prompt for, besides other developments. The rhyme introduces children to rhythm, rhyme and the concept of poetry, also stretching vocabulary and developing colour awareness. It can be chanted, clapped to a tambourine or drum beat, and even set to music with a simple tune. The items mentioned can also be shaped with hands or, in some cases, enacted. There is also a cheerful, lively tone to the rhyme, supporting mental wellbeing. Rhythm and rhyme themselves offer a pleasing, reassuring sense of security and order, so this resource also supports PSHE.

Letters a-d and their phonics are linked to familiar pictures for sounding out and over-writing activities. The letters and words also offer rhythm and pattern for clapping and chanting: a a apple, b b ball, c c cat, d d dog. Fun and meaningful way to learn sounds and practise writing.

Phonic short o, in ‘on’ and ‘off’, recognition, reading and writing practice, illustrated. Young children will instantly connect with the pictures and familiar, simple words - on and off, and enjoy writing over the pale, coloured letters, twice over. See my other short ‘o’ phonic resources and other sound practice sheets too, for more phonic teaching support.