Fascinating creative opportunity for older/more able writers, depicting the sea as different entities or things. Format and starter lines for a sequence of verses are provided, with quality sample poem, written by myself (published poet) for the purpose. Tip: build up to metaphors by (1) discussing sea in different weathers, climates, times and seasons, enacting and sounding out; (2) elicit words and similes for the variations; (3) invite pupils to try taking out the ‘as… as’ or ‘like’ from their similes to form metaphors (e.g. ‘the sea IS a mirror’; (4) read the sample poem; (5) give out the frames and scrap paper for independent writers and let them write their own, personal versions. See also my many other sea poetry frames in my catalogue, with sub-topics such as sea monsters, seabed mysteries, summer’s day sea, stormy sea and a pirate’s treasure map.

An imaginary castle can be any sort you like - fairy-tale pink or iron grey, for instance, so your children can have fun with this sheet, thinking what their castle could be like as well as thinking up effective similes for them. The two blank lines at the end are for totally free expression. Some children might like to add further similes, others might like to add a warning, or a comment about the castle’s inhabitants, or a rounding-off rhyme, or even a metaphor (the castle is a …). The example sheet can be read out to demonstrate the simile concept and trigger ideas. Recommended for lower juniors, and older writers as a starting point for individual poem-crafting.

Bring fun and laughter into your space studies with this two-page, quick-fire roll of crazy, snappy rhymes about aliens, rockets, stars and more! Most are couplets, with a few 4-line verses too, and all are bonkers! They’ll inspire variations and brand new rhymes from your class, boosting their literacy skills. The rhymes are my own, and I’ve used some in my space poetry sessions. TIPS for class rhymes - I recommend starting with “space”, eliciting a list of single words that rhyme with it to write below. Then fill up the line leading up to “space”, e.g. I saw an alien up in space, and finally think up a line to end with your rhyming word, e.g. She was doing up her lace. Have fun! **SEE ALSO ** - PLANET poetry frame (Yrs 2-4) - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/planet-poetry-frame-ys-2-4-12018025 + Planet picture-poem frame (KS2) - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/planet-picture-poem-frame-ks2-guidance-sheet-11886984

This simple, punchy poem clarifies and celebrates the main colours - blue, red, green, yellow, orange, silver and gold, black and white, grey and brown. Pink can be added as a class contribution, following the poem’s pattern. It can be clapped, chanted, and presented with a display of colours, to help young children learn them. Here’s a fun colour riddle for your class to watch and hear (also by me): ‘What Colour am I?’ https://youtu.be/JGKvOUDyXmk

Pirate treasure from the sea bed could be beautiful, mouldy or smashed to bits. It could be flamboyant or faded, delicate or dangerous, and you might find it floating and drifting or submerged and water-logged. It’ll probably be secret, too - stolen, smuggled and concealed. All these words and many more are listed in this mind-stretching word bank. Either read out from it yourself or copy and distribute it around your class, for selecting and trying out, or to trigger other ideas. Encourage some of these words in conversation too. VIDEO SUPPORT: me reading my published poem, ‘Treasure Chest Mystery’ - details on my website, poemsforfun.wordpress.com : https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMarEm9uVBDEGPTykSlkAfT6jdVArKlPen6X5lk1le7dqUc89gEztNjSO7V6qsxUQ?key=X0hIWmdaV1M0Q2lHYURKbDdIVFFPMTVBTWRUdkhn SEE ALSO: **Under the Sea **poem frame: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/under-the-sea-poem-frame-example-y2-4-11922054 , Seabed Rhymes Y2-4: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-seabed-rhymes-fun-rhyming-couplet-frames-ks2-11892578 . Seabed Mystery Poem Frame KS2: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/seabed-mystery-poem-frame-ks2-guide-11892739 and Treasure Map alliteration game: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/treasure-map-alliteration-game-yr1-6-guide-for-use-11887395

This large and varied list of rhyming words will provide the backing you need for class dragon poems. See video for extra ideas + song! Select your favourite words, or those best suited to your group, and read out some of the example verses on the next page, to build your class poem, or help children concoct their own, in pairs or individually. These words and examples offer funny, exciting, mysterious and crazy possibilities, opening up the potential for inspired creativity. Your pupils will love this activity. Watch your reluctant writers and hesitant speakers come alive as the activity takes off! With young children, make up your own, leaving a word gap for contributions, or concoct a simple couplet together. Clap the beat to ensure a punchy rhythm. Now, how about some illustrations?

A class rhyme about space will bring your lesson to life. This list of relevant rhyming words, together with the example rhyming couplets on the next page, will provide all the back-up you need. There are plenty of other rhyming words (and near-rhyming ones) to think up too, and any number of ways to write your verses, but these suggestions will provide a solid starting point to branch out from. Recommended: read out some of the verses first, to give your class an idea of what rhyming couplets are like and how fun and varied they can be. Then read out and write up a selection of the rhyming words, inviting others too, to spur and guide ideas. Next, read out one of the first lines offered, and either invite word alternatives for variation, or ask for a different second line from the one given here. Try some more together, drawing on these resources as need be, then let your class have a go independently, or in pairs or groups, with help as needed.

These healthy eating word lists can be drawn from, built on and referred to in class discussion and writing. There are two full-page lists, one comprising descriptive words, e.g. Nutritious; the other listing food and drink examples, e.g. Unsalted nuts. Handy for prompts and inspiration throughout your healthy eating topic work. Recommended for Years 2-6 (age 6-11 approx.).

Lead your class into the wonderful, wild woods with this rich and varied array of descriptive words, similes and creature references. Draw from it for your own use and to prompt more suggestions from your students. This comprehensive list provides for every sort of wood, from damp and soggy to misty and mysterious, sparkling and scented, and twitching with animal life. The last column lists hints of creature and plant activity - squawks, squeaks, prickles and stings… Let your young writers roam this absorbing concept-bank to build their own ideas for creative writing, drama, art, music or speaking.

Literacy and castle studies are brought alive by these attractive sheets and their fascinating writing opportunities. There are two versions of this illustrated “CASTLE” acrostic frame, one with short lines for single words (describing words recommended), and one with longer lines for phrases, sentences or extended descriptions and similes. The Examples sheet provides suggestions to prompt for, for each version. Perhaps read some out to fire other ideas. The sheets allow room for a castle sketch below. Suitable for all juniors, with support as needed.

This intriguingly illustrated sheet sets children dreaming, and the simple line starters prompt them to think up words for their thoughts. Extra-keen writers can add further description about the sea - and anything else related - on the wavy lines below. An example version, showing just one of the infinite ways the poem could be written, is supplied on a separate sheet. Easier versions also available, same price. Prepare your class by studying and discussing sea flora and fauna, treasure and detritus, mythical creatures and characters, and sounds, shapes and colours, too. Consider caves, sand and rocks, the rusty remains of ancient shipwrecks, picnic items washed away, bubbles, echoes - all sorts! Build up banks of describing words, imagery, action words and onomatopoeias as you go, but informally, keeping the atmosphere as free as the sea. Alliteration might crop up too (e.g. shimmery and shiny), but let individual creativity flow. SEE ALSO - TREASURE MAP alliteration game (popular) - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/treasure-map-alliteration-game-yr1-6-guide-for-use-11887395 .

Exciting words-in-picture writing challenge for Fireworks or related topic, or Literacy starter sheet before extended writing. GUIDANCE SHEET included, with tips for helping students think up words and phrases of different kinds to fill the gaps, e.g. describing words, verbs, onomatopoeia, simile, kenning, with examples of each. Fires enthusiasm for writing, stretches active vocabulary, builds confidence in self-expression and literacy, and helps children focus minds on specific concepts. Use across year groups, from Yr2-Y6, adapting challenge levels as appropriate, e.g. describing words for youngest and kennings for oldest. Extra tip: similes can be reduced to metaphors (Yr 5+) by removing ‘as…as’ or ‘like a…’. Can also be inverted, e.g. ‘hot as lava’ = ‘laver-hot’. See my other Firework sheets, too; also, my other gap-filling activities.

Peeping, creeping; chattering, pattering; barging, charging; flapping, snapping - these are a few of the 24 rhyming action verbs suggested here for rainforest or jungle poems. Examples of completed couplets are also provided. Select, build and edit with your pupils, to create your own vibrant, action-packed class poem! It’ll bring your topic to life, enhancing literacy skills along the way.

Teachers on Toast or Catastrophe Curry? What delicious, disgusting, dangerous, dreadful dishes will your class place on this alliteration-focused menu? Don’t worry, though, it’s for dragons only: humans aren’t allowed in dragon cafes - except on plates, possibly. A great end-of-term slot-filler, combining fun with literacy development, creativity, humour and the promotion of class-harmony.

Creative writing flows with a fun picture-poem frame, so your 5-7 year-old will be keen to think up words and similes to fill this fluffy cloud and the lines below. Prompt suggestions are provided on the Guide sheet, and your warm-up activities and real-life observations will inspire them further. See my Sun + Cloud resource for simpler writing and sunshine focus; also my Rain Rhymes resource. YouTube recording of my poem ‘What is a Cloud?’ https://youtu.be/EOKVIktMh10

Sea similes and free style creative writing are invited on this wavy-sea picture poem, entitled “Summer’s Day Sea”. Children in my workshops are keen to write on the waves, thinking up their own similes for the sea and sand, and details to follow ‘It goes…’ and ‘You may find…’ IDEAS: The sea might be as blue as the fresh, summer sky, as refreshing as a dripping, mouthwatering, mint ice lolly, and as lacy as a bride’s frilly wedding dress. Or it might be as curly as hair rollers, as fun as your dream birthday party, or as reflecting as a gleaming, polished mirror. Perhaps start children off with similes for sparkly, e.g. as a whirl of precious diamonds, as silver glitter on a Christmas card, or as the twinkling stars in the night sky. SEE ALSO Stormy Sea simile sheet:**** https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/stormy-sea-poetry-frame-guide-12043779**** and Treasure Map alliteration fun: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/treasure-map-alliteration-game-yr1-6-guide-for-use-11887395 - both very popular!

Dragon Haiku Haiku poems are fun to write. This 2-page haiku-writing guide is dragon-themed, for open-ended creativity. It contains a handy GUIDE - for teacher, pupils or both - and a** SHEET** of partly written haiku with gaps to complete. Your class will then be ready to compose their own, in groups, pairs or individually. Dragons can be whatever the writers likes - fierce, brave, crazy, funny, mysterious… Share ideas first. They can move in a myriad different ways too - prowling, pouncing, leaping, flying, dancing… The scope for dragon imagery is boundless too, but fitting a concept into a 17-syllable haiku can be tricky!

“Lockdown” is the word for this acrostic poem idea, with a line of suggestions for each letter down the page. Teacher tips are provided at the bottom of this one-sheet resource, with advice for preparing students for the task with wide-reaching discussion, for ensuring privacy in case of sensitive issues, and for follow-on artwork. Literacy, PSHE and current affairs are all addressed in this resource, with scope for taking in different directions through follow-on activities. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown experiences will be prominent in students’ minds, so this literacy activity offers an outlet for processing feelings and thoughts on the subject, while also stretching literacy and poetic skills.

8 outdoor-classroom literacy ideas. Outdoor learning addresses obesity, fitness, mental wellbeing, brainpower, and pupil attitude, inspiring and stimulating through fun, fresh air and free movement. The change of setting from the classroom, and the sensual stimuli of outside influences brings learning alive for children. This ideas list for Literacy lessons will help you maximize use of your school grounds and environment for reading, writing, creativity and performance skills, motivating and stretching students of all abilities and ages.

Space studies and writing practice are both brought to life with these fun acrostic poem frames. Give the easier, shorter-line version to younger/less able writers, and the long-line version for confident writers. With the first, ask for a single describing word to tie in with each letter down the page; for the second, ask for a phrase or sentence on each line, again tying in with the letters down the page. See Examples sheet for ideas to prompt for - supplied for each version. There’s space for an extra letter below each. Perhaps suggest making PLANET into PLANETS, for a line starting with S, or suggest they give their planet a letter name, e.g. Planet G or Planet H. Then they can think of a word/phrase starting with that letter too. Space is provided on each version for student’s own illustration. Supports Literacy (vocabulary, phonics, creative writing, poetry, hand-writing and presentation), and Space studies.