Dinosaur fact cards. Set of 12 KS1/KS2. Can be used as a game to help pupils learn the names and characteristics of the individual dinosaurs. Use also as a reference resource for research work on Dinosaur topic, Science /non-fiction writing. Each card has a brief fact about location, date, appearance, teeth, fun fact and a general information section. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each dinosaur. Dinosaurs included: Triceratops, Stegosaurus, T-Rex, Diplodocus, Velociraptor, Brontosaurus, Pterosaur, Parasaurolophus, Nodosaur, Iguanodon, Spinosaurus, Scutellosaurus.

How to write a party invitation with a Christmas focus. A KS1/lower KS2 power-point of 12 slides (including learning objectives) which can be used as one complete lesson or extended over a longer period. There is a warm up, two activities and a final writing task (to write an invitation to the school Christmas party). Included are examples of 2 invitations (birthday and Christmas party) for pupils to use in the lesson to spot the key features and help Tan correct his invitation (because no one has replied!). There are key questions to promote discussion and paired work. Also included is a simple invitation template for pupil use and a features checklist. Which pupils can also use to give paired feedback after writing their own invitation.

Christmas comprehension cards. Set of 20. KS1/lower KS2. Each card includes a simple description about a Christmas related tradition, food or object and four questions for pupils to retrieve from the text. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each subject on the card. Can also be used without the comprehension questions as a reference resource for pupils to research a Christmas topic independently. Comprehension card topics: Snow, reindeer, Christmas tree, Christmas pudding, presents, Father Christmas, holly, robin, Christmas stocking, Christmas pyjamas, mistletoe, mince pies, crackers, pantomime, Christmas cards, Christmas cake, lights, Christmas dinner.

Creative Writing. How to make an Ethiopian wish scroll. This factsheet tells pupils about the ancient African wish scrolls which are carried on a person (in a bag or tube around the neck or on a belt) after they have written a personal prayer, wish, affirmation, charm or talisman. There are simple instructions on how to make the scroll and some fun facts about the tradition. A great way to make writing meaningful and fun. Useful with KS1 and KS1 topics on Africa, Mental Health, Goal setting and Affirmations, Families.

Summer holiday reading challenge. This activity is aimed at KS1 and KS2 pupils as a reading challenge for 20 days over the summer holiday break to encourage them read a variety of texts and reading materials to keep up their reading skills while they are away from school. The 20 activities are fun and varied and children can share their experiences when they return to school in September. I gave a certificate and small rewards for number of challenges completed eg 1 challenge – sticker, 2-5 challenges – bookmark, 6-10 challenges – badge, 11-15 challenges – pencil and notepad, 16-20 challenges – frisbee or small game.

Knights and castles story template KS1 Historical story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own ‘Knights and castles’ story writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing historical stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and ideas for the structure of their story. Great to use following a History writing lesson, a visit to a castle or topic related drama lesson. Can also be adapted for most History topics eg: Norman Castles, Explorers, Travel, Romans, Egypt, Saxon Britain etc.

‘Nouns’ games. 36 quick starter activities to introduce or revise the use of nouns. Pupils can use the grid to choose a coloured shape which takes them to a linked starter. Activities include: memory games, alphabet lists, labelling, alliteration, cascades etc to help pupils understand common, proper, singular, plural, compound nouns. Can be used with or without an adult depending on whether you want to complete a class or filler task. The activities are varies and include talk partners and written exercises which require paper, pencils, post its, a beanbag (for pupils to throw and catch). The grids/tables on the slides can be printed for pupil use. I prepared all of the slide grids that I wanted to use in advance and put them in a numbered folder so they would be ready when the pupils chose the slide.

Rosa Parks Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.

Elizabeth Fry Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.

Greek Gods and Goddesses comprehension cards. Set of 18. KS2. Each card includes information about a God/Goddess and up to eight questions for pupils to retrieve answers from the text. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each subject on the card. Can also be used without the comprehension questions as a reference resource for pupils to research a God/Goddess independently.

KS1 & 2 Poetry review blank template. A quick review resource template for pupils to use to comment on poems they have read in class and as part of World Book Day or library events. Space to write a short summary, identify key vocabulary, repetition, rhyme and a space to rate/recommend the poem. Great to use in a class library for pupils to share ideas about their favourite poems and poets.

KS1&2 The Great Fire of London story and sequencing activity. Learning objective: To sequence and retell the story of the Great Fire of London in order. Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key times when events took place from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA pupils can order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.

Picture cards to stimulate speaking and listening. Set of 30 individual cards with unusual subjects to encourage pupils to talk about the context, descriptions, similar situations, feelings and parallels. The pictures are unusual, amusing and surprising to encourage children to use their imaginations and explore ideas that may be stimulated. Eg Picture 1: A sausage in a banana skin – my class found this picture really interesting and surprising. They asked a lot of questions about how a sausage banana could be grown and what it may taste like. One response was: Are we the same on the inside as we seem on the outside? It stimulated a discussion about inner/outer selves and judging others. Pictures include: Reflections in water, lockers, a giant straw tractor, spaceships, hot air balloons, telephone boxes, animals, viaducts, a tree with a face, a dog reading a newspaper, fairy homes, camouflage etc I have included 11 question prompts to stimulate discussion about initial thoughts, feelings, description, mood photographer intention, likes/dislikes, prediction, message, what can we learn from each picture. Useful to help children of most ages and abilities develop language use and articulation, prediction and inference using a fun visual prompt.

Stories that raise issues template KS1 & 2 Raising issues story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own story with issues writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing issue stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and plan the structure of their story. Great to use following an class writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics which relate to familiar issues: Anti-bullying, friendship problems, school problems, family dynamics, crime, money.

Conversation in a story template KS1 & 2 Conversation story writing template. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing a conversation and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and plan the structure of their story. Great to use following an writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics eg: Famous people, Explorers, Samuel Pepys, Me and my family…

Comedy story template KS1 & 2 Comedy story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own humorous writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing stories with humour and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and plan the structure of their story. Great to use following an writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics : Celebrations (eg April Fool’s Day) Famous People, Feelings and emotions.

Stories with a Dilemma template KS1 & 2 Dilemma story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own dilemma story. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing dilemma stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and plan the structure of their story. Great to use following a writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with topics : Adventure, Explorers, Feelings.

A KS1/lower KS2 power-point of 16 slides which can be used as one lesson or extended over a longer period. Learning Objectives To know *what an invitation looks like. *what information needs to be included in an invitation. *how to set out an invitation There is a warm up – different types of invitations and celebrations, partner activities and a final writing task. Included are examples of 2 invitations (Christmas and Halloween party) for pupils to use in the lesson to spot the key features and help Jojo correct her invitation (because no one has replied!). There are key questions to promote discussion and paired work. Also included is a simple invitation template for pupil use. Final task: write an invitation for a school Halloween fancy dress party. Pupils can also use the important information/checklist to give paired feedback after writing their own invitation. Slides 15(black and white version) and 16(colour version) are a Halloween invitation template for pupils to complete.