Updated for Spring 2018! Download our five-lesson literacy unit of poetry planning for Years 1 and 2, based on performing Spring poetry and built around the KS1 new curriculum literacy objectives. In this unit, pupils will read a classic Spring poem about a fast white bunny and they will consider how the sounds and language patterns come alive when the poem is read aloud, particularly reflecting on the use of verbs and similes. Children will work towards creating their version of the Easter poem and turning it into an effective performance. The aims of the unit for pupils are: • To listen to a classic Spring poem being read aloud • To identify verbs and similes • To prepare a poetry performance including actions • To perform a poem to an audience The PDF file contains 5 full literacy lesson plans, copies of the poem and all accompanying pupil resources. You may also like our other KS1 packs: Going to Sea Poetry Pack Summer Performance Poetry Pack

Lesson 4. Time to Worship: What were the religious beliefs of the Shang Dynasty? In this lesson pupils will find out about the different gods that Shang people worshipped. They will investigate how people responded to different situations by feasting, worshipping or making sacrifices. Pupils will have a chance to create storyboards of different worship scenarios. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and three pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

6. How to Rule a Dynasty: What did the rulers of the Shang Dynasty do? In this lesson pupils will be introduced to the story of the first king of the Shang Dynasty, King Tang of Shang. They will work in groups to prepare dramas based on his story. Pupils will then consider the arguments for and against Shang kings taking prisoners of war and they will write and deliver a persuasive argument to support or oppose this practice. The PDF file includes the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

Lesson 6. Off to Work we Go!: What did ordinary people do for jobs in the Kingdom of Benin? In this lesson pupils will study what jobs there were for ordinary people in the Kingdom of Benin. They will discover how the high quality of its produce helped Benin Kingdom to thrive. Pupils will find out what the main crops grown by famers were and then will have the chance to make and test recipes using two of Benin's main crops: yams and plantains. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

This worksheet allows pupils to research the context of Charge of the Light Brigade by using the web to retrieve and record information about the Crimean War.

This lesson invites pupils to consider the problems faced by people in early Shang settlements. Pupils will use the cards to match up the problems faced by early inhabitants with their potential solutions.

A bundle of resources based on Walter de la Mare's classic poem 'Some One', including a two lesson plans, a printable poem, a research activity and a worksheet.

This is an activity designed to help pupils to recognise the literary conventions of hero myths and to identify how they are demonstrated in the story of Beowulf.

This Christmas Present Riddles lesson will make a fun English activity for the festive season! We ho-ho-hope you will love making these lift-the-flap Christmas riddles! Uh-oh! There has been a mix-up in Santa’s workshop and the cheeky elves have left clues about the presents instead of labelling them correctly! In this lesson, pupils will help Santa to solve the elves’ riddles and then they will write their own riddles about Christmas presents. Follow the instructions to turn the riddles into fun lift-the-flap Christmas presents, perfect for a festive classroom display! The Powerpoint provided guides you though the full lesson, including time to discuss ideas and vocabulary. Then pupils can use the templates provided to plan their riddles and turn them into fun lift-the-flap pictures. This resource includes: - A full lesson powerpoint - A resource pack including teacher instructions and templates for the activity. This is a fun activity easily adapted for KS1 or KS2. Please note that due to terms of use in the images used, the Powerpoint file is not editable.

Lesson 3. Let it Grow! Let it grow!: How did Shang farmers provide food for their society? This lesson addresses the question of how farmers were able to irrigate their crops to provide enough food. Pupils will be introduced to the legend of Yu the Great and will consider his influence on the Shang Dynasty. They will learn what kind of food people ate in Shang times and try out a Shang recipe for Ginger Millet Porridge. The PDF file includes the full lesson plan and two pupil activities including the story of Yu the Great and a recipe for Shang porridge. For Upper KS2.

Lesson 5. Obey the Oba!: What were the rulers of Benin Kingdom like? In this lesson pupils will use the Benin Bronze Plaques as historical sources to find out about the 'Obas' who ruled Benin Kingdom. Pupils will use their online research skills to discover more information and then use what they have learned to design their own bronze plaque depicting a powerful Oba. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

This is a really useful sheet to use with pupils when they are editing their writing. They colour in each piece of the puzzle as they edit their work. Designed for Year 3 & 4, but could also be used with other year groups.

1. Introduction: What was the Kingdom of Benin? This lesson introduces the Kingdom of Benin. Pupils will use atlases to find out where the Kingdom of Benin used to be located. Then they will set this period into the wider context of British and World History and make their own timelines. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

Lesson 2. Settling Down: What was it like in settlements around the Yellow River Plain? This lesson invites pupils to consider the problems faced by people in early Shang settlements. Pupils will discover how Shang people overcame issues of flooding and irrigation problems and they will find out how Shang cities were organised, with an opportunity to design their own Shang city. This PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For upper KS2.

Lesson 1. Introduction: What was the Shang Dynasty? This lesson introduces the Shang Dynasty and encourages pupils to generate research questions about their new topic. Pupils will make a factfile after researching key facts to set the Shang Dynasty into its wider context of world history. This PDF includes the full lesson plan and two pupil worksheets. For Upper KS2

A template for pupils to plan their own storyboard.

This activity invites pupils to learn about some of the ways that the early kingdom protected itself so well through the famous Benin moat. Pupils will use the worksheet to help to focus their research and then they can use it as a planning template for a report.

This activity allows pupils to set the period of Benin Kingdom 900-1300 AD into the wider context of British and World History by making their own timelines. The PDF file contains two pupil activity sheets.

This activity allows pupils to read a recount of the British Invasion of Benin and then sort the statements into arguments for and against the invasion. This activity would be good preparation for a class debate or for planning a written argument.