A fun, creative activity that is adaptable to different ages and abilities. Can be used as speaking and listening or to encourage writing on the theme of conversation and dialogue. The phone format motivates students and keeps them engaged. The activity begins with reading examples and using inference to deduct who the phone belongs to then builds to completing the speech bubbles before inviting students to create their own dialogue using a blank template. A guide is included for the adult and there is also a student guide to support step by step with inspiration for further exploration. Although this resources is based on fairy tales it can be used for any fictional characters or real people. It can be used to assess recall of speech or imaginatively to create speech. The activity is presented in Word format with PNG images so it can be adapted. Students can work on the document on a computer or it can be printed out. (Instructions provided for both).

Read the poem and colour the pictures. Good for reading comprehension, EAL, extending colours and animals vocabulary. This poem is fantastic for introducing new colour words like ‘lavender’, ‘turquoise’, ‘lilac’. It gives students the opportunity to explore blending colours and creating lighter and darker shades using different pressure. The worksheets with the poem allow teachers to assess students’ understanding. The blank sheet (with just the pictures) allows students to use their imagination and be encouraged to record their ideas by writing their own descriptions. A resource guide gives suggestions for use and differentiation. The worksheets are provided in PDF and Word (editable) formats. Dyslexia-friendly versions are included.

Guess the minibeasts in a quiz (PowerPoint presentation), make up your own quiz then create a mini book. Through describing and guessing, children develop their knowledge about minibeasts and vocabulary related to colours, patterns, parts of the body, ways of moving, prepositions, habitats. For more of a challenge students can engage in research to find out more (links to suggested websites included). Instructions and templates for differing abilities are included for making origami books, a ‘mini mystery minibeast’ book! The teacher’s guide has all the information, the quiz questions and screenshots for easy reference. Check out the other minibeasts themed resources in the Teachers Telling Tales shop with bundle and save options.

Using all four operations, these multi step maths games are excellent for consolidating calculation skills. This pack contains three variations with different times tables, power of 10 and some doubling and halving too. They have a combination of 2 and 3 digit numbers. The cute frogs and pond design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There is a colour and ink saving version, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a frog each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included. The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over. There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.

Using all four operations, these multi step maths games are excellent for consolidating calculation skills. This pack contains three variations with different times tables, power of 10, some doubling and halving and square numbers too. They have a combination of 2 and 3 digit numbers. The cute chimps and palm trees design also features on blank sheets to add your own numbers and questions, or for students to create their own as an extension activity. There is a colour and ink saving version, (that students can colour themselves). If working with a partner students can pick a chimp each, see who gets the highest answer and check each other’s answers. It also works well as an individual activity. Answers and guide included. The game can be printed, projected on a screen or completed digitally. as students record their answers on paper or a whiteboard, the game can be used over and over. There are similar packs available from Teachers Telling Tales with different designs and skills and the option to bundle and save.

This cute and colourful presentation is designed to engage even the most reluctant mathematicians! With 4 different scenarios involving ice lollies and ice creams, there are word problems involving mixed operations and multi-steps. In Powerpoint presentation so easy to adapt, however with a UK and US version and three levels for each problem, you should not need to spend time on preparation. Includes a guide and answers in the notes for each slide. Suitable for classroom and distance / home learning. Works well as a whole class starter when projected or small group activity when printed. For more ice cream / ice lolly themed resources check out https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ice-ice-bundle-12355950 or ‘Delicious Description’, a complete lesson with a creative challenge.

A complete lesson in a Powerpoint presentation, easily adaptable. Includes a starter activity to engage students and draw out vocabulary, group activities to describe ice lollies using adjectives, comparatives and superlatives and analysing features of advertising. Students then apply what they have learned in creating their own advertisement for a ice lolly of their choice. A suggested lesson plan provides guidance to educators and two printable word mats support students with inspiration and spelling. This lesson is suitable for classroom or distance / home learning. I have a range of creative resources on the ice lolly / ice cream theme you can check out here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ice-ice-bundle-12355950 and will be uploading some word problems on the same themes shortly.

Skills: These activities are good for counting with 1-1 correspondence, beginning to count in twos, beginning to notice patterns (doubles and halves). Pointing to each foot or sock will help with accuracy and children can also circle or cross off objects when they count to help keep track. Contents: Worksheets worksheets ‘Animals Love Socks’ and ‘If Minibeasts Wore Socks’ (colour and ink saving versions included) Colouring pages, sock-topus and incey wincey spider for designing socks. Teacher’s Guide These resources are great for awareness days: #oddsocksday November 16th (part of Anti-bullying Week) #LotsOfSocksDay 21st March (World Down Syndrome Day) Related resources are available from Teachers Telling Tales, including an Odd Socks pack, sock-themed repeat patterns and Fantastic Footwear which includes templates for socks and a variety of shoes and themed design challenge task cards. You can purchase a bundle at a discounted price.

A collection of lessons / activities in the form of a presentation with slides to inspire, instruct and guide through each activity. This unit uses well known fairy tale stories and characters to explore story and citizenship themes through a fairy tale crime topic. The activities are designed to build from one another and can be followed consecutively, or used as a stand-alone lesson or activity in any order. Teachers notes are included in the presentation and a document with screen shots of each slide, notes and links. This presentation can be bought as part of a bundle which includes lots of supplementary materials such as templates to enhance the lessons. These resources are optional and linked to specific lessons so you may prefer not to use them or to purchase individually. Key ideas, concepts and questions explored Good and bad deeds What is a crime? Victim or Villain? Viewpoints and motivation, do two wrongs make a right? Mitigating circumstances. Truth, Lie or Excuse? Consider complexity moving from black and white to shades of grey. Perspectives and Persuasion, considering, expressing and explaining a viewpoint. Investigation. Questions: who, what, why, when, where. Fact and Opinion, looking at evidence. Critical Thinking Skills Focus Reasoning Expressing an opinion Considering differing viewpoints Explanation Persuasion Ways of Working Discussion Drama (hot seating, role play) Writing (different genres and styles – forms, reports, statements, social media posts, case files, persuasive, factual). Drawing Contents Introduction (assess prior knowledge). Police line-up of fairy tale characters Right, Wrong or Crime? Discussion, vocabulary. Right, Wrong or Crime? Write a list. Share and compare with classmates. Victim or Villain. Consider case of Jack and the Giant. Truth, Lie (or excuse) show and share your opinion. Arrest or Release (or keep for further questioning) show and share your opinion. Criminal Case File. Record personal details, crimes, witnesses, defence. Present your Case (drama) take turns to be the accused and questioners and have a discus about your case. (Questioners in role as witness / victim / law enforcement etc.). Perspectives and Persuasion Writing Prompts. Four styles to choose from – police report, lawyer case notes, reporter article and suspect/victim social media post. Detective Evidence gathering. In small forensics teams collect the evidence from a scene. Photograph, bag and label each item. Special Agent Investigation Board. Examine a sample investigation board then apply the questions (what, when, why, who, where) and different aspects (crime scene, suspect, witness, evidence, victim) to assigned case. Create investigation board. Magic Mirror. Draw a portrait of the meanest, guiltiest or biggest villain from the fairy tale world in the magic mirror frame. Explain your choice. Who would be the kindest or most heroic of them all?

Contents: Spots and Stripes worksheets and printable socks for games, templates for colouring. Cute patterned socks matching pairs card game. Teacher’s guide with instructions for games and ideas for activities. These resources are great for awareness days: #oddsocksday November 16th (part of Anti-bullying Week) #LotsOfSocksDay 21st March (World Down Syndrome Day) Read more ideas for sock topics here https://teacherstellingtales.com/socks-rock/ Related resources are available from Teachers Telling Tales, including sock-topus counting activities, repeat patterns and Fantastic Footwear which includes templates for socks and a variety of shoes and themed design challenge task cards. Get them all in a bundle at a discounted price.

An activity pack with garden themed games inspired by Nature Trail, a poem by Benjamin Zephaniah. A range of activities for different ages, abilities and literacy skills. Good for living things, habitats, garden, animals and minibeasts themes. Read or listen to the poem and remember or find all the creatures living in the garden. Scavenger hunt, bingo, matching and list variations using pictures and words. Dyslexia friendly font version of poem. Draw the garden or design your own including habitats for living things. Create your own nature trail.

Featuring the beloved little fish and his mum from the story by Lucy Cousins, these activities explore the rhyming words: tiny and spiny, hairy and scary, carrot and parrot, lime and time, heart and dart. This pack contains sets of picture, silhouette and word cards, Bingo cards and simple worksheets with three levels of challenge. There are greyscale versions of resources for those who want to save ink or include colouring as part of the activity. Themes: rhyming words, fish, under the sea Skills: shape recognition, cut and sticking, colouring, beginning reading and writing skills. A guide is enclosed with the pack which includes ideas for card games. These activities are a great springboard for creative work, inventing new rhyming fish. This resource is part of a Teachers Telling Tales series inspired by the Hooray for Fish story and can also be purchased as part of a bundle.

Fun pirate-themed activities to consolidate positional language / introduce pirate topic vocabulary. Great for English language learners. Starter - Spot the difference posters to get students talking and using positional language. The same poster but in outline so students can add the objects in the correct place and colour their completed picture. Instructions are provided in picture and text form. making the activity accessible to a range of ages and abilities. A guide to using the resource with vocabulary lists is included. Updated March 2021 to correct a typo on the written instruction sheet and add resources for remote teaching: PNG images to click and drag to complete the picture instead of drawing with updated instructions. Related Resources A free pirate vocabulary anagrams sheet can be downloaded here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirate-anagrams-12322262 There are pirate-themed mazes, sudoku and phonics games in the Teachers telling Tales shop with options to bundle and save. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/talk-like-a-pirate-phonics-bundle-12403177

Activities to accompany ‘Flyaway Katie’ by Polly Dunbar Good for: Getting to know each other. Talking about feelings. Students learning English as an additional language. Topics: feelings, colours, clothes, shapes, patterns. Contents Lesson plan with ideas for children to talk about what makes them happy. Read and Record Sharing Sheet Blank to enlarge for teacher to record children’s responses. Editable version for students to record with words or pictures. Flyaway Self Portraits Templates, blanks and with simple outline drawings to choose from. Display ideas.

Lots of fun activities to explore where minibeasts are found. Good for learning new vocabulary related to insects and small creatures, the natural world and prepositions. Can be used for games and classroom display. Contains a set of habitat cards and minibeast cards for sorting and matching activities. which way home activity, choose and follow the lines tracing lines, great for emerging writing and fine motor skills mazes for more of a challenge The minibeasts cards are perfect for creating class pictographs, of favourite minibeasts. Try sorting minibeasts into groups, e.g. things that fly, nocturnal, etc. Check out the other minbeasts resources in the Teachers Telling Tales shop, you can bundle and save.

Good for spelling and vocabulary. Can be used in class or for online teaching / home learning. These presentations feature twenty pairs of homophones, split over two quiz PowerPoints, suitable for two lessons. The Lesson Starter: a fun tongue twister activity Main: Quiz Choose from the two versions with differing levels: • Label (students drag or cut and paste correct spelling to picture) • Annotate (students type/write words next to pictures) Follow up activity: create a mnemonic to remember how to spell tricky words. Examples are shown and a worksheet is included for this. A lesson plan is included and presentations have notes as guidance. To further consolidate homophones try the Teachers Telling Tales Pairs or Pears Games. Receive a discount if you buy both resource packs as a bundle.

An animated presentation, perfect for starter activities. Students pick which treasure chest they think will have the most money, then, as each is revealed they count the coins to see if they were correct. As it’s a game of luck, everyone has an equal chance of winning. All get to practise the calculation, which could be addition or counting in multiples of 2, 5 or 10. The more challenging quests have mixed coins. This is a good way to demonstrate how different values of coins can make the same amount, e.g. 10 ones and 1 ten. There are 5 sections, each with 3 games; however, variations can easily be created by duplicating slides and rearranging the coins. Sections: Count in 5s Count in 10s 10s and 1s 1s and 2s 10, 5, 2 and 1 The coins are inspired by UK money, however, as they are a simple design with a large number, no familiarity with UK money is required for the games so they are suitable for use in any location. Answers and extension ideas are included in the notes. The pack includes 2 versions: use ppsx to avoid changes in layout/formatting or pptx if you want to change or adapt the presentations. My students loved this and I ended up creating many variations by simply changing the coins. You may also like the pirate-themed resources in the Teachers Telling Tales shop, including positional language, sudoku and phonics, for example, https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirates-pack-12183976. More maths packs will be added shortly.

Complete Literacy Lesson PowerPoint / PDF with 14 pages. Guidance, answers and ideas in notes. Spot the Difference (three activities) Descriptive language: draw out vocabulary for body parts, colours etc. Monster Names (Three levels of difficulty.) Phonics: Roll a die to select beginning, middle and end sounds, combine to make a monster name. Can be completed as class / individual activity. Record sheets are provided with 8 monsters. The ink-saving version can be coloured by students. Make a Monster Roll a die to select colour, pattern/texture, body parts, home and food for a monster. Annotate on screen or print, place in plastic envelope and use a dry wipe pen. Say sentences about the monster created – the second version has sentence starters to support. My Monster Writing Frame Write sentences about the monster created using the ‘make a monster’ activity or your imagination. Draw the monster. Follow up ideas: Create a class book of all the monsters. Create large paintings, collages or models of monsters for a class display. You may also like the Teachers Telling Tales Little Monster Balloon Party numeracy games. Buy both together as a bundle with a discount.

International Sudoku Day is September 9th, but any day of the year is a great time to use logic and reasoning skills to complete these puzzles! Through the process of elimination children also develop language skills, enhanced with this pack through using a range of themes including: colour (primary, secondary, rainbow, black, grey, white) directions (left, right, up, down or North, South, East, West if you prefer!) stars with differing numbers of points playing cards (heart, diamond, club, spade) dice (dots representing numbers 1-6) The pack has a range of challenges including 3 x 3, 4 x 4, 6 x 6, 7 x 7 and 9 x 9 grids with different amounts of squares missing. Answer sheets included. Variations include UK and US English spellings (colour/color), ink saving, cut and stick or draw and colour. If your children enjoyed these check out these other sudoku packs from Teachers Telling Tales: Minibeasts www.tes.com/teaching-resource/minibeasts-patterns-sudoku-and-sequences-12340235 Pirates www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirate-sudoku-games-12322372