I am an experienced Primary school teacher with over twenty years experience in EYFS, KS1 and KS2. I have made and used all of the interactive topic based lesson plans, power-points and resources in this shop with my classes. I hope you enjoy using them with your classes too.
I am an experienced Primary school teacher with over twenty years experience in EYFS, KS1 and KS2. I have made and used all of the interactive topic based lesson plans, power-points and resources in this shop with my classes. I hope you enjoy using them with your classes too.
Mae Carol Jemison Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in her life as a US scientist and astronaut, broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 2-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.
Links well to topics: Space, Astronauts, The Solar System, Planets, Women in History.
The Solar System. KS2 power-point of 31 slides (including worksheets).
This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the Solar System and the planets. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including a short youtube clip, paired talk activities, 7 worksheets.
Learning objectives
• To know that the sun is the centre of the solar system.
• To know some interesting facts about the sun.
• To name the eight planets which orbit the sun.
• To organise the planets in order of closeness to the sun.
• To know the names of other cosmic bodies in the solar system.
Worksheet 1: Facts about the Sun.
Worksheet 2: Ordering the planets mnemonic.
Worksheet 3: Ordering the planets cut and stick activity.
Worksheet 4: Labelling the planets.
Worksheet 5: Cosmic objects in the Solar System.
Resource 6: Planets fact cards.
Worksheet 7: Planets research activity grid.
Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points.
Useful alongside lessons or topics on sun safety, summer, space and planets etc.
Chinese New Year KS1 and KS2 Assembly.
A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Chinese New Year which can be used in the days preceding or during the 15 day celebration starting on 10th -25th February. Chinese dragon music can be easily slotted into the assembly where you chose (link included). Colourful images on each slide help to engage the children.
Power-point of 37 slides which include:
Suggested music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns.
Date of Chinese New Year (10th – 25th February 2024).
Geographical information about China’s location in the world on a map, land and sea borders, population.
Brief information about the Lunar calendar, Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year celebrations and traditions including Days 1 – 5 of the New Year and the Lantern festival.
Poem ‘Chinese New Year’ by Wendy Larmont.
A short prayer.
Chinese New Year Animals of the zodiac KS1 and KS2 Assembly.
A simply written whole school assembly in the form of a story which tells of how the 12 animals were chosen to represent the years on the Chinese Calendar. Chinese dragon music can be easily slotted into the assembly where you chose (links to royalty free music included). Colourful images on each slide help to engage the children.
Power-point of 27 slides which include:
Suggested music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns.
The Jade Emperor’s race and the animals who enter it.
The 12 animals and their final positions in the race.
A zodiac wheel showing the dates and the animals which represent the dates.
Image 2024 and the year of the dragon.
Animal personality traits/characteristics and 12 animal cards to use in the classroom.
A short prayer.
Chinese New Year Bundle
Powerpoint 1: KS1 and KS2 Assembly/Lesson.
A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Chinese New Year . Can be used as a stand-alone lesson. Music can be easily slotted in (link included). 37 slides include:
Music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns.
Geographical information about China’s location in the world .
Lunar calendar, Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year celebrations and traditions, Lantern festival.
Poem ‘Chinese New Year’ by Wendy Larmont.
A short prayer.
Powerpoint 2: Animals of the zodiac KS1 and KS2 Assembly/ Lesson.
A story of how the 12 animals were chosen to represent the years on the Chinese Calendar. Can be used as a stand- alone lesson. Links to royalty free music included.
27 slides include:
Links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music and hymns.
The Jade Emperor’s race and the animals who enter it.
Zodiac wheel and animals which represent the dates.
A short prayer.
Resource 1 : Glossary workbook
A stand- alone lesson on glossaries or part of topic on Chinese New Year.
Activities are organised into a short workbook.
Learning objectives:
To know that a glossary is an alphabetical list of words with definitions found in a non-fiction book.
To put words in alphabetical order.
To match words about Chinese New Year to the correct definitions.
Page 1. An information page about Chinese New Year.
Page 2. Vocabulary relating to Chinese New Year. 4 words to order alphabetically and set out as a glossary.
Page 3. Questions about vocabulary.
Page 4. Alphabetical order guide for pupils.
Page 5. Create 3 questions from the information text to ask a partner to include words from the glossary cards.
Set of 16 ‘Chinese New Year’ glossary cards for pupils to cut out and order into alphabetical order.
Page 6. Answers - alphabetical order.
Resource 2. Picture writing descriptions (paragraphs).
Four images to stimulate language and descriptive paragraph writing.
Resource 3. Three different worksheets with 3 different images (9 images in total) with key vocabulary for each image to support writing.
Resource 4. Set of 12 Chinese animal zodiac cards with picture of the animal and their personality/ characteristics.
Resource 5. What is your Chinese zodiac sign? Pupils can work out their animal year and write it in Chinese letters.
Resource 6 Write your name in Chinese characters. Not an exact match but will give children an idea of how the Chinese alphabet is structured.
Resource 7. Chinese zodiac animal code breaking maths (20 questions in total to practice place value and rounding 10, 100. Multiplication and division using 2 and3 digit numbers. Decimal multiplication. Answers included.
Resource 8. Instructions make a simple fortune cookie.
Resource 9 The traditional tale of Nian the Lion the basis for the traditions of Chinese New Year. Can be read aloud, small group guided reading or as a factsheet or comprehension text or Drama starting point.
Africa today: Series of 6 KS2 power-point Geography lessons.
Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, participate in a short quiz, take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare population graphs and weather charts (included on slides), research native animals and use maps and atlases to locate Africa’s countries and geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of Africa as well as simple information such as greetings flags of countries in the different regions at the beginning of lessons.
Great to link with cross curricular topics such as Continents, Deserts, Weather, Animals, Tourism etc.
Lesson 1 There are 4 supporting pupil worksheets with this lesson.
Learning Objectives
I must find Africa in my atlas.
I should recognise some of the countries and features of Africa.
I could describe where Africa is in the world using geographical words
Lesson 2 Two supporting worksheets and a short class warm up quiz.
Learning objectives
I can explain the 5 main areas of Africa.
I should find and label some of the countries from each region on my map.
I can shade a map showing the features of Africa.
Lesson 3 There are 2 supporting pupil worksheets with this lesson.
Learning Objectives
To identify the different climate zones in Africa.
To describe and explain the climate found in each zone.
To explain the temperature in different locations.
To interpret a climate data and temperature chart.
Lesson 4 : 1 pupil worksheet and mapwork
Learning objectives:
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’.
I should interpret the population table and identify the challenges for living in Egypt.
I could compare population graphs for Egyptian cities and explain population issues.
Lesson 5: 1 pupil worksheet and discussion activities.
Learning Objectives
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’, ‘desert climate’ and ‘weather’.
I should explain how the geography of Africa determines where people settle.
I must be able to say how Africa’s natural resources helps people make a living.
I should explain how tourism supports the African people.
I could name important African exports.
Lesson 6
Learning Objectives One pupil worksheet. Research task with grid and quiz task.
I must identify some features of natural beauty in Africa.
I should identify and research some of the areas of natural beauty which come from Africa.
OR
I should identify and research some of the animal, fish and birds which come from Africa.
St. Nicholas. Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important legends in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 2-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about Saint Nicholas in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.
Useful to link to topics on Christmas, Christianity, World celebrations, Giving and sharing, Being Kind.
Victorian Christmas Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets).
This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how a Victorian Christmas is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, a short youtube clip, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities, 11 worksheets. Christmas traditions covered are: Tree, decorating the tree and the home, presents, crackers, cards, dinner, entertainment and games.
Learning objectives
• To know the origins of Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom.
• To compare Christmas traditions today with Victorian Christmas traditions.
• To express opinions and views about Victorian Christmas and compare what it was like for rich people and poor people.
• To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Christmas traditions.
Worksheet 1: Matching task. Victorian and present-day Christmas tree decorations.
Worksheet 2: Venn diagram – rich and poor Victorian Christmas.
Book activity: Label the evergreen decorations.
Worksheet 3: Write a message / joke for a cracker.
Worksheet 4. Follow Instructions. How to make a Christmas cracker.
Book activities: Christmas cards.
Worksheets 5,6,7: 3 blank templates with a Victorian border for Christmas card designs.
Worksheet 8: Work out the Figgy Pudding recipe used by the Victorians but written in old English.
Worksheet 9: Blank plate templates for a Victorian and present-day Christmas dinner.
Worksheet 10: 6 Victorian Parlour games on cards.
Worksheet 11: Victorian traditions blank writing summary for each tradition.
Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points.
Useful alongside lessons or topics on Christmas, celebrations, Winter, entertainment, Victorians.
The Moon. KS2 power-point of 41 slides.
This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the Moon and how it affects Earth. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including short youtube clips, NASA clips, paired talk activities, homework moon observation (diary activity) and a challenge to make a quiz about the information learned. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points.
There are worksheets which support the power-point including: A Moon description activity, Word Mat, Lunar sequencing, Phases of the Moon factsheet, Phases of the Moon sorting cards (make 2 sets and play ‘pairs’ or ‘snap’, a high tide and low tide worksheet, how the Moon causes tides worksheet, Moon Diary template.
Useful alongside lessons or topics on Space, Sun and Planets, Space travel, The Sky.
Learning objectives
• To understand the relationship between the Moon and the Earth.
• To recognise and explain the ‘Phases of the Moon’.
• To use key scientific vocabulary about the Moon in descriptions and explanations for example:
satellite eclipse phases rotation axis orbit
• To know that gravity from the Moon and Sun has an effect on Earth.
Easter Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets).
This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how Easter is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, short youtube clips, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities and worksheets. Easter traditions covered are: Easter eggs and links to the Saxon Goddess Eostre, egg rolling and paste eggs, Easter bunny, baskets and egg hunting, card giving (and the Victorian tradition), food (hot cross buns, Simnel cake, roast dinner), Easter clothes and bonnets, traditional egg and Morris dancing (my class love the dancing activity at the end and performed at a class assembly).
Learning objectives
To know the origins of Easter traditions in the United Kingdom and the link to Christianity.
To compare Easter traditions today with traditions in the past.
To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Easter traditions.
Introductory activity: What do you know? Worksheet mind map to prompt ideas.
Class Poll 1: Easter eggs.
Shared talk activities: Links to Christianity and youtube clip ‘The Easter Story’.
Pair activity: Pace egging.
Worksheets: 3 patterned egg templates to colour and 1 blank egg template for own design.
Youtube clip: Egg rolling.
Class task: Solve a short riddle.
Book task: About Easter cards
Blank template with a Victorian border for Easter message
Blank templates x 3 to design an Easter card.
Class Poll 2: Hot cross buns.
Book task: dictionary activity, supporting worksheet and recipe for hot cross buns.
Musical link to rhyme ‘Hot cross buns’
Worksheet: Lent and hot cross buns written tasks.
Talk partners: Simnel cake
Worksheet: Write about and draw traditional easter roast dinner and your Easter dinner.
Book task: Dictionary activity and structured worksheet (2) to design and evaluate a bonnet.
Paired task: interpret a simple traditional rhyme about new Easter clothes.
Class challenge: Watch and follow a simple Morris dance youtube clip. Learn and perform for an audience.
Evaluation worksheet: Easter traditions blank writing summary for each tradition.
Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points.
Useful alongside lessons or topics on Easter, celebrations, Spring, entertainment, Victorians.
Earth Day KS1 and KS2 Assembly.
A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Earth Day which can be used in the days preceding or on 22nd April. A short video link (on last slide) can be easily slotted into the assembly if you chose.
Power-point of 24 slides which include:
Suggested music, video clip and hymns.
Date of Earth Day (22nd April).
How Earth Day began and the UN choice of Earth Day as the signing of the Paris Agreement.
The issues of waste pollution and the impact on the planet.
Earth Day projects and the importance of trees.
Fossil fuels and the impact of global warming.
What can we do? Some suggestions.
An Eco champion – Greta Thunberg.
‘A poem for climate change’ (Can be read aloud) and a link to the ‘paper’ animated version (BBC).
Final prayer.
Optional video clip of David Attenborough ‘BBC Planet Earth celebration’.
Links well with topics on environmental issues, climate change, global warming, people who make a difference, current world climate issues.
KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity.
A simplified exercise to help pupils understand the order of the Easter Story which can be quite complicated to understand and remember.
Learning objective: To sequence pictures and statements and retell the Easter story in correct order.
Set of 12 images and descriptions of The Easter Story which can be organised in sequential order onto a storyboard template. There are three templates included which support differentiation and reading levels.
Template 1 (Higher ability) is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. Template 2 (Middle ability) is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes.
Template 3 (Lower Ability) order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key phrases which they can match to the main text.
Pupils can then use their completed templates to read as a group or class or talk to their partners about the Easter Story.
Useful with topics: Easter, Jesus and the Disciples, New Life, Spring, Romans.
Barack Obama Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 3-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise.
Also links with topics: USA, Leaders, Democracy, Black History
Wassily Kandinsky complete Art lesson for Primary pupils.
Learning objectives
• To learn about the work of the artist Wassily Kandinsky.
• To look at shapes, colour and lines in Kandinsky’s artwork and talk about what they might represent.
• To understand an example of abstract art.
• To experience the link between art and sounds when creating my own artwork.
• To create my own composition using shape, colour and lines and explain my work to my partner.
The lesson includes brief information about Kandinsky’s life and how he painted using examples of his paintings and a simple explanation of abstract art. There are opportunities for pupils to work in paired tasks to discuss abstract composition and emotional interpretation.
Art task includes: 12 squared-grid (included) for drawing Kandinsky style concentric circles. Pupils are encouraged to collect recycled plastic lids or bottle tops for a group task to make a large collaborative Kandinsky circle picture. There is a short-paired task to reinforce primary and secondary colour mixing and a Primary colours ‘design’ activity (worksheet). There is also an opportunity for the class to use a range of materials (pastels, chalk, paint, crayon) to create their own abstract piece inspired by music (own or teacher’s choice) with an evaluation sheet for their finished masterpiece!
This lesson can be edited and used as suitable for your class and time or space constraints. Can be a stand-alone lesson or linked to topics such as Colour, Famous people/Artists, Abstract Art, Famous paintings, Feelings and Emotions.
Vincent Van Gogh complete Art lesson for Primary pupils.
Learning objectives
To learn about the work of the artist Vincent Van Gogh.
To look at shapes, colour and lines in Van Gogh’s artwork and talk about what they might represent.
To understand how to create movement in a picture by using lines and thickness of paint.
To try out Van Gogh’s techniques in my own artwork.
To create my own still life composition using shape, colour and lines and evaluate my work.
The lesson includes brief information about Van Gogh’s life and how he painted using examples of his paintings. There are opportunities for pupils to work in paired tasks to discuss Van Gogh’s painting techniques and use of pattern and shapes in his paintings to create depth, texture and movement.
Art tasks include: Creating pattern using 3 of Van Gogh’s examples (worksheet), using pattern techniques on a blank outline of a tree to create movement (worksheet), warm and cold colours and colour wheel worksheet.
There is also an opportunity for the class to use a range of materials (pastels, chalk, paint, crayon) to create their own still life piece inspired by ‘Sunflowers’ with an evaluation sheet for their finished masterpiece!
This lesson can be edited and used as suitable for your class and time or space constraints. Can be a stand-alone lesson or linked to topics such as Colour, Famous people/Artists, Art, Famous paintings, Feelings and Emotions.
Australia today: Series of 6 KS2 power-point Geography lessons.
Each lesson is broken into short focused activities with supporting worksheets and maps. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, participate in a short quiz, take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare population graphs and weather charts (included on slides), research native animals and use maps and atlases to locate Australia’s key cities and geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of Australia as well as simple cultural information such as greetings in at the beginning and end of lessons.
Great to link with cross curricular topics such as ‘Indigenous people’, ‘Rainforests’, ‘Weather’, ‘Deserts’ etc.
Lesson 1
Learning Objectives
I must find Australia in my atlas.
I should recognise some of the features of Australia.
I could describe where Australia is in the world using geographical words.
Lesson 2
Learning objectives
I must be able to spot the main features of Australia.
I should find and label the features on my map.
I could write a description about two features.
Lesson 3
Learning Objectives
I must describe a tropical climate.
I should explain the temperature in different locations.
I could interpret the climate data and temperature chart for each month.
Lesson 4
Learning objectives:
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’.
I should interpret the population table and identify the challenges for living in Australia.
I could compare population graphs for Australian cities and explain population issues.
Lesson 5
Learning Objectives
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’, ‘tropical climate’ and ‘weather’.
I must order the ten most populated cities in Australia.
I should explain how the location of Australian cities affects population size.
I could explain how the weather and climate support the life of the Australian people.
Lesson 6
Learning Objectives
I must identify some features of natural beauty in Australia.
I should identify and research some of the areas of natural beauty which come from Australia.
OR
I should identify and research some of the animal, fish and birds which come from Australia.
Features of seaside towns: Set of 2 KS2/3 power-point Geography lessons.
Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, watch a youtube clip (hyperlink), and identify geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of the seaside. Includes 5 pupil worksheets, paired activities, short written tasks.
Great to link with cross curricular topic such as Maps and Plans, Seaside, Holidays, All about me, Local Study.
Lesson 1
Learning objectives
I can identify and describe physical features in the environment.
I can identify and describe human features in the environment.
I can identify and describe the geographical features of the seaside.
I can use key vocabulary to describe the seaside features for example:
body of water coastline harbour pier landform.
I can apply my knowledge when talking about Scarborough.
Lesson 2
Learning objectives
I can explain how land is used in a seaside town.
I can describe how seaside towns attract tourists.
I can explain the difference between seasonal and non-seasonal jobs at the seaside.
I can use key vocabulary to describe the three types of jobs people have for example:
primary jobs secondary jobs tertiary jobs.
I can use my knowledge of a seaside town to explain some of the problems that are caused by tourism.
Seaside Geography bundle.
Bundle of cross curricular resources to support a topic on the seaside. Most of the pupil worksheets are aimed at KS2 and the research is for higher ability Y5/6. Intended to be used as a compliment to lessons on the seaside.
Includes
Two A4 factsheets about seaside towns of Brighton and Blackpool.
Set of 24 Geographical features cards: includes bay, beach, cave coastline, pier, island dunes, promenade, stack, arch, causeway, headland, fun fair, gift shop, arcade etc.
Blank postcard template.
Features of Scarborough – label the features worksheet
Features of Ilfracombe – label the features worksheet
Human geographical features in Scarborough – Venn diagram activity decide which features are for tourists/locals/both.
Identify and categorise jobs into primary, secondary, tertiary worksheet.
Research template of seaside and inland town.
Seaside survey – a worksheet for a trip to the beach.
Seaside word mat.
Seasonal and non-seasonal jobs worksheet.
Label the lighthouse (external).
Sports Day KS1 and KS2 Assembly.
A simply written whole school assembly or short lesson to cover the main aspects of Sports Day which can be used in the days preceding or on the day itself.
Power-point of 33 slides which include:
Suggested music, video clip and hymns.
Pupil perceptions of Sports Day (exciting, worrying, confident etc).
Brief bio of two world famous Jamaican sprinters – Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce.
The first ever Jamaican 4-man bobsled team who competed in 1988 winter Olympics. Includes information on bobsledding, the course and the challenges faced by the Jamaican team. Short youtube clip of the bobsled team and the crash which prevented them qualifying but didn’t stop them competing again, an inspiration to others and what we can learn from all the Jamaican athletes.
5 slides structured for you to input information about your own sports day (where, when, kit, prizes etc)
Ideas for the pupils: kind things to say after the race/events.
Final prayer for sports day.
Links well with topics on Olympics, Sporting-heroes, Going for gold, Feelings, Coping with challenges.
End of year certificates. Set of 30 individual awards with fun and interesting curriculum titles and encouraging comments:
You are a (see list below) Superhero:
Number
Writing
Reading
Technology
Sporty
Dancing
Science
Small World
Construction
Gardening
Talking
Geography
Energetic
Have a go
Singing
Class organiser
Playtime
Role play
Painting
Class busy bee
Book
Enthusiastic
Helper
Laughter
Happiness and joy
Friendship
Computer
Super listener
Baking
Animal