Biography of Roald Dahl simplified into three differentiated pieces for HA, MA, LA in Y5/6. Each simplified biography is up to one page long. Can be used to identify features of biographies, to aid understanding of how to structure a biography and support content understanding.
Three differentiated biographies about Walt Disney, simplified into three levels for HA, MA, LA Y5/Y6 pupils. Use for identifying the content and features of biographies or for use in non-fiction text study.
KS2 Battle of Hastings Diary example.
Set in October 1066, a Norman Knight writes about his observations before, during and after the Battle of Hastings. This example demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a recount of the event including personal feelings and points of view.
Useful in the lesson for pupils to use to identify features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity.
Can be used in cross curricular History topic on Norman life, Castles or Knights.
KS2 Y6 powerpoint lesson of 39 slides. Secret Agent Academy is a lesson (s) set in a ‘real’ context where pupils are ‘trained’ for a special mission to catch a villain. They create Agent Code Names and numbers, work as part of an Agent Cell, take an oath of secrecy and create common experiences eg a secret handshake. Their mission consists of 4 tasks which include cracking Substitution and Caesar codes linked to Maths problem solving challenges (equivalent numbers, comparing fractions with different denominators, sequences, missing numbers and ordering, patterns and calculations).
Slides 2-9 include an introduction to cracking codes and a go at deciphering a real code sent by Mary Queen of Scots before y pupils enter the Secret Agent Academy (slide 10 onwards). The Maths challenge resources are included on the slides at the end of the PP as well as information for further teaching resource websites on Codes and Ciphers.
Learning Objectives
Use Maths to solve problems in a real life situation.
Apply a simple Substitution Code and Caesar Cipher to solve messages.
To solve problems using missing numbers, equivalent numbers, number facts and place value.
To apply operations and inverses using Substitution codes
To identify specific knowledge of English Grammar such as high frequency letters, consonants, patterns and clusters of letters, short words and frequent pre/suffixes.
KS1 & 2 RE : A Christening Mystery. A powerpoint lesson beginning with twelve clues of images, a sound bite and questions which build up into a Christening celebration. Pupils work in small groups of three and four and are guided through the problem solving slides via key questions and discussion/written tasks to try to help Lewis solve which celebration has taken place using the clues from the mystery box found in his attic. Pupils are encouraged to learn key vocabulary (font, Holy water, pew, aisle etc) and discuss the celebration possibilities giving reasons for their thoughts as the clues emerge.
Slides 20-23 offer simple factual information about Christenings and include a painting of ‘The Baptism of Christ’ (Da Vinci) and images of stained glass windows. The final slide offers a simple photocopiable activity for pupils to complete on what three wishes they would give to a baby and an opportunity to write about/find out about how they were named – a class or homework follow up task.
Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge.
Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson.
Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 10,11 and 12 to help shape the debate session.
Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross.
Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’. Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading onto the Resurrection. A template on slide 27 can be printed for pupil recording.
Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task.
Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster.
The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. ( I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant).
A structured power-point lesson to introduce collective nouns for pupils in Y2 and KS2. The lesson includes paired and group discussion opportunities and activities to enable pupils to understand the definition of collective nouns and their contextual use. This power-point can be used as a one off discrete lesson or a stimulus for further work.
KS1 & 2 (2 A4 pages) Eye witness recount /diary account of Russian Astronaut ,Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space and the first to orbit Earth. Links to cross curricular History topics on Famous People, Space or Journeys
Set in real time on 12th April 1961, Yuri Gagarin, writes about his observations and feelings during the course of the 108 minute journey into space from launch to landing. This example demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a recount of the event including personal feelings, quotes and points of view.
Useful in the lesson for pupils to use to identify features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity.
Can be used in cross curricular History topics on Famous People, Space or Journeys.
15 cards which can be used in a variety of activities. Each card has a photographic image and simple description of an Australian related item including animals, buildings or landmarks, the capital, the flag etc. Useful for enabling pupils to research their own information for projects. Pupils can devise their own games or quiz using the information. Promotes speaking and listening and co-operative group work.
KS2 Diamond Ranking activity: Planning for a Mountain Expedition. Blank diamond ranking template and four different sets of activity cards for pupils to discuss in groups of three or pairs.
Set 1 What are the most important survival items to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 2 What is the most important equipment to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 3 What are the most important clothes to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 4 What are the most important health items to pack for a mountain expedition?
Pupils discuss the merits of each item in a set and rank them from most to least important by sticking them on the blank template. Can be used to develop understanding and promote key vocabulary in Geography or History topics on ‘Explorers’, ‘Everest’ , ‘Antarctica’, ‘Mountains of the world’ etc.
Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge.
Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson.
Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 10,11 and 12 to help shape the debate session.
Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross.
Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’. Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading onto the Resurrection. A template on slide 27 can be printed for pupil recording.
Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task.
Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster.
The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. ( I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant).
KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Easter story 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 words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
KS1 & 2 Set of 5 Easter instructions.
Learning Objectives:
To read and follow the instructions accurately and in the correct sequence/order.
To recognise the features of instructions (What materials are needed, method, using an imperative (bossy) verb, sequencing actions and numbering each stage in order, using diagrams and pictures).
Five DT activities for pupils to read, understand and make. The activities include : Paste egg bunny, Easter basket, spring daffodil, Easter nests, pompom chick.
Use as an introduction to work on instructions to encourage pupils to observe the features in a fun way or as a format to help pupils scaffold their own instructional writing.