Developed to get KS1 and LKS2 children thinking about key historical questions - why, when, where, what, who, how, can - here is a lesson plan and resources to get you going on any investigation into the past. Any inquiry is about detection, so frame the whole exercise like one of adventure and discovery, and it can be fun for everyone. The lesson plan is clear and easy to use, including aims and success criteria, detailed hints about how to carry out the activities, and lists of resources and follow-up tasks. I’d love to know how you get on with these resources, so please leave a review or follow me on twitter @EmmisStories

Here are lots of activities based on the full text of the tale of Hansel and Gretel from the collection made by the Grimm brothers. There’s loads of ideas for both indoors and outdoors, with plenty to keep children’s minds and hands busy and active as they explore and learn, while interacting with one of Europe’s oldest folk tales. There is a full introduction to the text used, with a brief historical notes on the context of the setting. I have included an approach to how to bring the text to children, either as a read story or a performed oral tale. Following that, there are fun activities designed for warm-up games for concentration or drama, creative activities indoors or outdoors, at Forest School or outdoor learning areas. Tasks include: carving, cookery, puppetry, making and following pathways, fire safety, hot chocolate and bread, having a feast, drama, problem solving, art and design, science (light and dark), poetry and understanding texts. I have included a recommended background reading for teachers interested in the history of the Grimms Tales and the darker versions of the stories than the norm… Most of the activities are suitable for EYFS or Key Stage 1, but Lower Key Stage 2 would probably benefit from them too.

A creative and fun set of lesson plans linked by the theme of a Treasure Chest. Relevant to the EYFS and the National Curriculum, any teacher, supply teacher or NQT can pick up and use these lesson plans. All resources or their alternatives should be easily found in teaching bases, and there is a good mix of teacher- and child-led activities. Each plan has carefully constructed aims and success criteria, learning sequences and relevant key words, lists of requirements and resources, and additional notes to help you have great lessons. The lessons include: list writing, counting and addition, drawing and painting, designing and making, music and drama, sorting and classifying. Differentiation at three levels in built in to the plans, and there is ample opportunity for extension or ideas to develop into bigger projects. Worksheets are included were applicable, but these are here to give you an idea of what could be added to workbooks or to inspire your own alternatives. ****NEW! Revised and new lesson plans now included and extra resources added, including Learning Objectives on the sheets ready to use or edit. **** PDF versions also included to prevent any problems with format when downloaded (hopefully). Please see https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirates-galore-6013941 for my FREE pirate resources I’d love to hear how you get on, so leave a message in the review section or contact me via twitter @EmmisStories

A PowerPoint explaining how Anthony Browne put his pictures together in Willy’s Pictures to tell stories, by looking at the work of other famous artists. Anthony Browne was a past Children’s Laurette and is a leading illustrator and author. His picture books are literate and, often, contain a darkly humourous subtext. Willy’s Pictures uses famous paintings to create a sketch book of stories, with surreal images of Willy from the Willy the Wimp series of books. You can use this power point as a way of exploring the pictures in the book and the famous art it refers to, as well as the way pictures are composed and are used as a method of expression. Honestly, though, it’s not as boring as it sounds…!

Piratey project stuff… there are resources here about famous pirates, pirate flags, pirate ships, what pirates ate and drank, piratey words and much, much more! There’s even a chance to design your own pirate flag. All resources have been reviewed and renewed for their eleventh successful year! Please enjoy them and share how you’ve got on with them on #edutwitter, if you have had fun! Follow me on twitter @EmmisStories to find out more resources and activities, and story related work

Piratey project stuff, just as broadcast! How cool is that? Everything you need (minus a bit that you probably you need as well, but this is a start) for project work on pirates in the Caribbean - who they were, what there flags were like (if you believe the rumours), what they are and drank (with recipes), and what their ships were like. The information is provided via recently reviewed and renewed PowerPoints and a newly updated wordcard. Good sailing me hearties! Follow me on twitter @EmmisStories

A word mat of pirate words and a power point presentation on legends of pirates. It is made available here in both editable and PDF form for your free use.