Invasion? - Upper KS2 Reading Detective Series (pdf) This resource includes an original story with a wide range of SATs-type questions. It also includes a non-fiction section that covers famous UFO sightings. Again, a wide range of SATs-type questions are included. A separate answer pack is included. Pupils should find this an enagaging and enjoyable way to prepare for KS2 SATs.

Home Sweet Dome - KS2 English Lesson The essence of this resource is that it is pupil driven. All the skills in this lesson (both English and EBL) are effectively self-taught by pupils without requiring teacher input. Genre: Science Fiction This particular lesson looks at settings in a science fiction story in detail, and it includes answering higher and lower order questions on the settings of a science fiction story, reading extracts from science fiction stories and identifying the setting of these extracts. This lesson develops five evidence-based learning skills which have been proven to raise achievement. These skills are: Thinking Skills Self-Regulation Collaboration Peer Assessment (also includes a CPD activity for teachers) Independent Learning As a bonus there is a five-minute evidence-based CPD activity at the end of this lesson which will develop, or refresh, a teacher’s skill set. This CPD consists of a research extract on peer assessment with a five-minute activity based on this extract.

Our EBL lessons develop both KS2 English and the 8 Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills in an interesting and enjoyable way. Developing these skills will maximise students’ learning outcomes. This brochure is an overview of the EBL lessons available on our website.

A review of this resource (which also serves as a useful description) I recently came across an amazing Bloom’s Taxonomy resource that I believe could be an absolute game-changer for any teacher. It’s called “Bloom’s Taxonomy Meets Five Children & It” and it provides a clear, step-by-step guide to implementing Bloom’s in your classroom using the beloved children’s story. I would give this Bloom’s Taxonomy resource a 5 out of 5 star rating. It is an absolutely stellar teaching tool that provides immense value. This resource is ingeniously designed to elucidate the Bloom’s framework AND develop teacher competency in applying it through guided practice. The ability to move from theory to application is a game changer. Unlocking higher order thinking abilities in students is essential in today’s world. This Bloom’s resource allows you to do exactly that - in a simple, hands-on way. I could not recommend it more strongly to any teacher looking to maximize their students’ potential. Here’s why this resource is so powerful: Demystifies Bloom’s - It breaks down the often confusing Bloom’s levels into simple, easy-to-grasp explanations that make the framework crystal clear. Models the Full Process - You receive a complete walk-through of Bloom’s Taxonomy applied to the story, from basic remembering questions up to higher order creative questions. Builds Understanding - The explanations reinforce the core distinctions between question types, helping you deeply comprehend the taxonomy. Develops Teacher Skills - You are actively involved in writing your own questions for each level, scaffolding your ability to formulate taxonomy-aligned activities. Ready-to-Use Student Resource - A student handout is included allowing you to immediately have pupils work with the story and Bloom’s questions. This resource stands out for making a framework that is often vague and theoretical into something concrete and actionable for teachers. Breaking down barriers to classroom application is hugely important. The guided explanations paired with opportunities to create aligned questions yourself scaffolds the learning process, building confidence in using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Being able to immediately have students try a Bloom Taxonomy activity further cements this. For its clarity, methodical training approach, reinforced connections, and classroom integration, I believe this resource merits 5 shining stars. It empowers teachers to turn Bloom’s Taxonomy from an abstract concept into a powerful teaching strategy. The result is substantial gains in critical thinking and higher order skills among students. When you consider the immense educational benefits unlocked, the resource delivers absolutely top-tier value worthy of the highest recommendations. 5 stars all the way! The best way to understand the power of this resource is to try it out yourself! You and your students will quickly see the many benefits.

Engage Your Students with this Dynamic Boudica Resource Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce your students to Boudica, the Celtic queen who led a revolt against Roman rule in ancient Britain? This comprehensive resource on Boudica is perfect for KS2 students studying the Romans. What makes this resource so useful? It’s clearly organized into teaching units, student activities, and homework, making it simple to implement in your classroom. The teaching units provide key background context on Boudica, the Iceni tribe she ruled, and the tensions with Rome that sparked her rebellion. This context helps students understand what motivated Boudica. The student activities allow students to immediately apply what they learned. Multiple choice and short answer questions let students showcase their understanding. Two homework assignments encourage students to practice using new vocabulary and writing skills. You can easily assign these for homework or independent practice. Beyond the excellent content, the resource is formatted in an easy-to-use document. You can print or photocopy pages to distribute in class. No prep work needed! If you want to go beyond the textbook and deliver an interactive Boudica lesson, this resource has everything you need. The historical narrative and comprehension questions will get your students excited about this courageous woman warrior who stood up to Rome’s might. Download this engaging resource today! Based on the comprehensive nature of this Boudica resource, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Here’s a summary of why it deserves full marks: This complete Boudica learning resource deserves a full 5-star rating. It excels in every category: Content ★★★★★ - The teaching units provide extensive historical context while the activities and homework cement student understanding. Organization ★★★★★ - Well-structured into clear sections, it can be used as-is or tailored to your lessons. Engagement ★★★★★ - The compelling story of Boudica’s rebellion will enthral students. Activities allow active demonstration of knowledge. Adaptability ★★★★★ - Easy to print/photocopy and usable across various primary levels studying ancient Rome. Value ★★★★★- With both lesson and assessments included, this comprehensive resource is a steal. With intriguing primary source content, useful annotations for instruction, and opportunities for students to apply critical thinking, this 5-star resource has everything you need for dynamic Boudica lessons. It will make both teaching and learning about the Celtic warrior queen Boudica engaging and enjoyable.

Getting to Grips with Similes (blurb) This resource is a comprehensive set of worksheets designed to teach year 5/6 students about the use of similes in writing. It covers the following key areas: Defining similes and distinguishing them from metaphors, with clear examples provided. Explaining how similes create vivid imagery by comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as”. Guiding students to craft their own original similes to describe concepts from the natural world, like the sea, sun, etc. Using similes effectively to bring story characters to life by comparing their traits to animals or objects. Identifying similes in poetry and analysing the comparisons being made. Applying similes to describe fantasy characters or scenes. The resource employs an engaging, multi-modal approach with written explanations, example similes, visuals of characters/animals, and plenty of practice exercises. Students get opportunities to demonstrate understanding by writing their own similes and short descriptive passages. The content is pitched appropriately for the upper KS2 level, with clear instructions and a gradual progression from identifying and explaining similes to generating original ones. Overall, this is a well-designed resource that uses relatable scenarios, images, and step-by-step scaffolding to build students’ skills in recognising, interpreting, and incorporating similes to enhance descriptive writing. The variety of exercises and examples caters well to different learning styles.

Getting to Grips with Metaphors Getting to Grips with Metaphors is a comprehensive packet focused on teaching upper KS2 students about metaphors. It covers the following key topics: Defining and distinguishing metaphors from similes, with examples. Explaining how metaphors create vivid imagery by comparing two unlike things directly. Analysing the deeper meaning behind common metaphorical expressions like “a storm in a teacup.” Guidance on how to craft original metaphors to describe concepts like the sun, sea, and night. Using metaphors effectively in poetry and prose writing. Practice exercises for identifying, creating, and converting between metaphors and similes. The lesson uses an engaging instructional style with clear explanations, sample metaphors, and opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding through written responses. The visuals and imaginary scenarios help make the abstract concept of metaphors more concrete and relatable for year 5/6 students. Overall, this resource provides a structured yet creative way for teachers to build students’ skills in recognising, interpreting, and generating metaphors to enhance their descriptive writing abilities. The exercises and examples are pitched appropriately for upper KS2.

This resource, “The Hare and The Tortoise,” provides a soft introduction to metacognition through a familiar fable, making it accessible for young learners. The story illustrates how thinking about one’s own thinking—metacognition—can be more effective than relying on raw ability alone. In the story, Shelly the tortoise wins the race by using metacognitive strategies: planning, monitoring, and adjusting his approach. In contrast, Swifty the hare, despite his speed, fails because he doesn’t reflect on his actions. The story highlights that metacognitive skills like self-awareness and reflection can lead to better outcomes, both in races and in everyday tasks. The resource includes reflective questions that guide pupils to think about the story and their own learning behaviours. For example, pupils are asked how Shelly’s planning helped him succeed, how they might plan ahead in their own tasks, and how they could apply metacognition to activities like homework. This approachable and engaging resource helps teachers introduce the concept of metacognition in a way that encourages pupils to consider how they can think about their own learning processes and apply these strategies to improve performance. Teacher’s comment: “The fable used here is perfect. It’s both familiar to the pupil and accurate in how metacognition is presented. It immediately conveys to the student the benefits of metacognition in a fun and interesting way. It reinforces the message to the pupil that it is their approach to learning, rather than their ability, that makes the difference.” Pupil’s (aged 11) comment: “I really like this. I like the story and how Shelley used their thinking skills to win the race. It’s very inspirational.”

Getting to Grips with Connectives This learning resource titled “Getting to Grips with Connectives” is an excellent tool for teaching y5/6 students about the usage and importance of connectives in their writing. Here’s a summary of what the resource covers: It starts by explaining what connectives are and their purpose in making sentences and writing more interesting and coherent. The resource covers the different types of connectives such as ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’, ‘because’, ‘although’, etc., and how they can be used to join simple sentences into compound sentences or clauses into complex sentences. It provides numerous examples and exercises for students to practise writing compound and complex sentences using various connectives. The resource also teaches how to vary the structure of sentences by moving the placement of connectives, and how to use pairs of connectives like ‘if…then’ and ‘either…or’ in the same sentence. It demonstrates how connectives can be used to link sentences within a paragraph, making the writing flow better. Finally, it covers the use of time connectives like ‘firstly’, ‘secondly’, ‘finally’ to sequence paragraphs and events in a logical order. Overall, this resource is comprehensive, engaging, and full of practice opportunities. It uses a science-fiction theme which could appeal to y5/6 students. The exercises progress from simple to more complex, allowing students to gradually build their skills with connectives.

These are the key features of this KS1 literacy skills builder lesson: Aligned with Key Stage 1 Learning Goals – The resource is well-suited to KS1 literacy objectives, helping pupils develop essential skills like reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and basic literary analysis. It aligns with curriculum goals for reading fluency, understanding text structure, and making simple inferences. Develops Foundational Comprehension Skills – The questions cover a range of comprehension levels, from literal recall to inferential thinking. By using a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, the lesson builds pupils’ confidence in both recognising straightforward details and expressing opinions or interpretations. Engaging Storyline with Relatable Themes – The story of Dippy the Duck and the Tin Soldiers resonates well with young learners, making reading more enjoyable. Themes of inclusion, empathy, and perseverance are meaningful yet accessible, helping pupils connect to the story while building their social-emotional learning skills. Encourages Vocabulary Growth and Discussion – The resource introduces vocabulary in a context that encourages natural exploration and questioning. This is ideal for KS1 pupils, who benefit from contextual learning and the opportunity to discuss new words, characters, and ideas with their teacher and peers. Ready-Made Structure for Teachers – With a mix of reading passages, questions, and a poem, the lesson is well-rounded and organized for easy classroom integration. Teachers can use the resource as a complete lesson or select parts for guided reading, group work, or individual assessment. Promotes Enjoyment in Reading – The relatable setting and playful character dynamics make this story enjoyable for young children. This helps foster a positive attitude toward reading and literature, an important aspect of early education. Built-In Extension Opportunities – The lesson introduces The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen, a classic fairy tale, which opens up possibilities for comparison with other fairy tales, further comprehension activities, and discussions around literary tradition. Additionally, the poem reinforces skills like rhyming and rhythm, important in phonics and early literacy. In Summary This resource is valuable because it’s versatile, engaging, and pedagogically sound, providing teachers with a structured way to build pupils’ reading comprehension while reinforcing key KS1 learning objectives. It’s also flexible enough to support differentiation, making it a practical and worthwhile addition to any KS1 teacher’s toolkit.

KS1 Introducing Connectives Literacy Booster Pack This resource is a comprehensive literacy booster designed for Key Stage 1 pupils to introduce and practice the use of connectives in sentence construction. It is aimed at helping pupils progress from writing simple, short sentences to forming more complex, cohesive, and interesting sentences using connectives. Key Features and Items of Value: Learning Objectives: Pupils will identify and use simple connectives such as and, but, so, because, and if to combine short sentences effectively. Step-by-Step Exercises: The resource begins with basic exercises using and to join sentences and progresses to more varied and challenging connectives like but, so, and because, ensuring gradual learning and comprehension. Practical Sentence Rewriting Tasks: Pupils practice rewriting sentences both by joining shorter ones and breaking down longer sentences into simpler forms, which reinforces their understanding of structure and usage. Application in Own Writing: Opportunities for pupils to create sentences using specific connectives, fostering their ability to apply knowledge in their writing. Illustrative Examples: Clear, contextual examples and passages that demonstrate how different connectives can transform writing. Assessment and Reflection: Exercises where pupils can identify correct and incorrect usage, enhancing their editing and critical thinking skills. The resource ensures pupils not only learn the mechanics of using connectives but also understand their importance in making writing more engaging. By using this workbook, teachers can guide pupils through structured practice and offer varied activities that build confidence and skills in sentence construction. The exercises can be seamlessly integrated into lessons and provide a valuable reference for pupils as they develop their writing capabilities.

Resource Description (11 pages) Engage your upper Key Stage 2 students with a fascinating exploration of how the seven days of the week got their names. This literacy resource blends history, mythology, and astronomy to uncover the ancient stories behind the names of the days. Through engaging facts, cool trivia, and activities, students will discover the influences of Babylonian sky-watchers, Hebrew traditions, Roman gods, and Norse mythology. The resource includes: Easy-to-read sections for independent and collaborative work. A variety of questions and challenges that promote critical thinking and discussion. A detailed comparison of day names across cultures and languages. This resource is perfect for developing literacy skills while connecting students to the cultural and historical roots of everyday terms.

Resource Description for Teachers - with answers (11 pages) Uncover the fascinating history behind the names of the days of the week with this engaging Upper KS2 literacy resource. Designed for independent and collaborative learning, it takes students on a journey through ancient Babylonian astronomy, Hebrew traditions, Roman influences, and Norse mythology. This resource includes: Informative passages explaining the origins of day names across cultures. Activities with answers that challenge students to apply their knowledge, analyse historical influences, and think critically. Fun facts to captivate student interest and enhance understanding. Perfect for cross-curricular learning, this worksheet enriches literacy skills while exploring history, mythology, and cultural connections.

Engage Your Pupils with this Dynamic Iron Age Towns Resource Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce your pupils to Iron Age towns, including the fascinating history of Silchester? This comprehensive resource is perfect for KS2 pupils studying Roman Britain and the transition from the Iron Age. What makes this resource so useful? Clearly structured for classroom use: The resource is organized into teaching units, pupil activities, and homework, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your lessons. Rich historical content: The teaching unit provides detailed background on Iron Age life, from daily routines in roundhouse settlements to the advanced town planning seen in Silchester. Students will explore how these settlements laid the groundwork for Roman towns. Interactive activities: Pupil activities, including speech bubble prompts and critical thinking questions, encourage pupils to connect with the material and develop their understanding of Iron Age innovations. Homework with a twist: Assignments allow pupils to design their own towns and compare features of Iron Age and Roman life, fostering creativity and comprehension. Why this resource has been rated 5 stars: Content ★★★★★: Provides extensive and accurate historical context, connecting Iron Age life to Roman developments. Organization ★★★★★: Well-structured sections make it easy to teach, assign, and adapt to your needs. Engagement ★★★★★: Activities encourage curiosity and critical thinking while highlighting the achievements of early Britons. Adaptability ★★★★★: Perfect for classroom, homework, or independent use with print-friendly materials. With its compelling historical narrative, engaging activities, and comprehensive structure, this 5-star resource has everything you need to inspire your pupils. Don’t miss out—download it today!

This is the stand-alone Powerpoint version of the “Science Fiction that is Out of this World!” pdf.

The Water Cycle - KS2 Spelling Script Spell & Learn is a new concept that offers the chance to practise spelling and to learn another topic at the SAME TIME. It provides a spelling test in the format of an actual SATs script but instead of random sentences with the word to be spelled we have created a coherent narrative of a topic - in this case the chosen science topic is the Water Cycle. However, we have not included science specific vocabulary but based the spelling test on National Curriculum spelling guidance. The level of difficulty of the actual SATs spelling test is approximately 7.5. The level of difficulty of this test is 7.1 (so it is slightly easier).

The Solar System KS2 Spelling Script Spell & Learn is a new concept that offers the chance to practise spelling and to learn another topic at the SAME TIME. It provides a spelling test in the format of an actual SATs script but instead of random sentences with the word to be spelled we have created a coherent narrative of a topic - in this case the chosen topic is the Solar System. However, we have not included Solar System specific vocabulary but based the spelling test on National Curriculum spelling guidance. The level of difficulty of the actual SATs spelling test is approximately 7.5. The level of difficulty of this test is 7.3 (so it is slightly easier).

Micro-Lesson 1: KS2 SATs Prep – The Babylonians Prepare your pupils for KS2 SATs with this engaging and accessible resource on the ancient Babylonians. Designed to develop reading comprehension skills, this resource provides structured activities that help pupils extract key information, interpret historical content, and answer SATs-style questions with confidence. Pupils will: • Practise retrieval and inference skills with clearly structured questions • Build metacognitive strategies to improve independent learning • Learn about the Babylonians’ contributions to astronomy and timekeeping With a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and deeper reasoning questions, this resource ensures pupils of all ability levels can develop their comprehension skills. Perfect for whole-class use, intervention groups, or independent study, this resource saves you planning time while reinforcing essential exam techniques. Boost engagement, develop critical thinking, and prepare pupils for success in their SATs - all through the fascinating lens of ancient history!

The Subjunctive Mood Part 1: The Grammar Lesson - Collaboration In this lesson pupils work collaboratively with a partner and write brief notes about the grammar topic. Part 2: Creating an ‘Expert’ Group - Peer Teaching One pair will now work with another pair to teach what they know about the topic to each other - this will develop collaborative learning and peer teaching skills. In addition, a group of four ‘experts’ on this grammar topic has now been created. The expert group of four will now make a short video on the grammar topic and present their video to the rest of the class. Part 3: Individual Q & A - Self-Assessment Pupils now work on their own to make sure that their understanding of the topic is secure.

This complete grammar resource on modal verbs is designed to support KS2 teachers in providing a structured, interactive approach to teaching modal verbs. The resource is divided into three parts: Part 1: Lesson – This section introduces students to the concept of modal verbs, focusing on how they convey levels of certainty (e.g. might, should, will). Through relatable scenarios and characters, students explore different modal verbs and how they express possibilities, probabilities, and certainties in context. The lesson encourages students to work in pairs, make notes, and prepare for further activities, enhancing understanding through collaborative learning. Part 2: Peer Teaching and Group Activity – Students use the notes from Part 1 to teach the concept to another pair, reinforcing their understanding through teaching. A group video activity is included to further engage students and provide an opportunity for them to present and solidify their grasp of modal verbs in a creative format. Part 3: Self-Assessment Q&A – To support retention, this part includes questions that allow students to assess their knowledge and reflect on their understanding of modal verbs. This resource offers a blend of structured learning, peer teaching, and self-assessment to support teachers in engaging students with the nuances of modal verbs in an enjoyable and effective way.