Easter Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets). This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how Easter is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, short youtube clips, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities and worksheets. Easter traditions covered are: Easter eggs and links to the Saxon Goddess Eostre, egg rolling and paste eggs, Easter bunny, baskets and egg hunting, card giving (and the Victorian tradition), food (hot cross buns, Simnel cake, roast dinner), Easter clothes and bonnets, traditional egg and Morris dancing (my class love the dancing activity at the end and performed at a class assembly). Learning objectives To know the origins of Easter traditions in the United Kingdom and the link to Christianity. To compare Easter traditions today with traditions in the past. To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Easter traditions. Introductory activity: What do you know? Worksheet mind map to prompt ideas. Class Poll 1: Easter eggs. Shared talk activities: Links to Christianity and youtube clip ‘The Easter Story’. Pair activity: Pace egging. Worksheets: 3 patterned egg templates to colour and 1 blank egg template for own design. Youtube clip: Egg rolling. Class task: Solve a short riddle. Book task: About Easter cards Blank template with a Victorian border for Easter message Blank templates x 3 to design an Easter card. Class Poll 2: Hot cross buns. Book task: dictionary activity, supporting worksheet and recipe for hot cross buns. Musical link to rhyme ‘Hot cross buns’ Worksheet: Lent and hot cross buns written tasks. Talk partners: Simnel cake Worksheet: Write about and draw traditional easter roast dinner and your Easter dinner. Book task: Dictionary activity and structured worksheet (2) to design and evaluate a bonnet. Paired task: interpret a simple traditional rhyme about new Easter clothes. Class challenge: Watch and follow a simple Morris dance youtube clip. Learn and perform for an audience. Evaluation worksheet: Easter traditions blank writing summary for each tradition. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Easter, celebrations, Spring, entertainment, Victorians.

The Moon. KS2 power-point of 41 slides. This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the Moon and how it affects Earth. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including short youtube clips, NASA clips, paired talk activities, homework moon observation (diary activity) and a challenge to make a quiz about the information learned. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. There are worksheets which support the power-point including: A Moon description activity, Word Mat, Lunar sequencing, Phases of the Moon factsheet, Phases of the Moon sorting cards (make 2 sets and play ‘pairs’ or ‘snap’, a high tide and low tide worksheet, how the Moon causes tides worksheet, Moon Diary template. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Space, Sun and Planets, Space travel, The Sky. Learning objectives • To understand the relationship between the Moon and the Earth. • To recognise and explain the ‘Phases of the Moon’. • To use key scientific vocabulary about the Moon in descriptions and explanations for example: satellite eclipse phases rotation axis orbit • To know that gravity from the Moon and Sun has an effect on Earth.

Barack Obama Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 3-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise. Also links with topics: USA, Leaders, Democracy, Black History

Africa today: Series of 6 KS2 power-point Geography lessons. Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, participate in a short quiz, take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare population graphs and weather charts (included on slides), research native animals and use maps and atlases to locate Africa’s countries and geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of Africa as well as simple information such as greetings flags of countries in the different regions at the beginning of lessons. Great to link with cross curricular topics such as Continents, Deserts, Weather, Animals, Tourism etc. Lesson 1 There are 4 supporting pupil worksheets with this lesson. Learning Objectives I must find Africa in my atlas. I should recognise some of the countries and features of Africa. I could describe where Africa is in the world using geographical words Lesson 2 Two supporting worksheets and a short class warm up quiz. Learning objectives I can explain the 5 main areas of Africa. I should find and label some of the countries from each region on my map. I can shade a map showing the features of Africa. Lesson 3 There are 2 supporting pupil worksheets with this lesson. Learning Objectives To identify the different climate zones in Africa. To describe and explain the climate found in each zone. To explain the temperature in different locations. To interpret a climate data and temperature chart. Lesson 4 : 1 pupil worksheet and mapwork Learning objectives: I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’. I should interpret the population table and identify the challenges for living in Egypt. I could compare population graphs for Egyptian cities and explain population issues. Lesson 5: 1 pupil worksheet and discussion activities. Learning Objectives I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’, ‘desert climate’ and ‘weather’. I should explain how the geography of Africa determines where people settle. I must be able to say how Africa’s natural resources helps people make a living. I should explain how tourism supports the African people. I could name important African exports. Lesson 6 Learning Objectives One pupil worksheet. Research task with grid and quiz task. I must identify some features of natural beauty in Africa. I should identify and research some of the areas of natural beauty which come from Africa. OR I should identify and research some of the animal, fish and birds which come from Africa.

Chinese New Year Bundle Powerpoint 1: KS1 and KS2 Assembly/Lesson. A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Chinese New Year . Can be used as a stand-alone lesson. Music can be easily slotted in (link included). 37 slides include: Music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns. Geographical information about China’s location in the world . Lunar calendar, Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year celebrations and traditions, Lantern festival. Poem ‘Chinese New Year’ by Wendy Larmont. A short prayer. Powerpoint 2: Animals of the zodiac KS1 and KS2 Assembly/ Lesson. A story of how the 12 animals were chosen to represent the years on the Chinese Calendar. Can be used as a stand- alone lesson. Links to royalty free music included. 27 slides include: Links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music and hymns. The Jade Emperor’s race and the animals who enter it. Zodiac wheel and animals which represent the dates. A short prayer. Resource 1 : Glossary workbook A stand- alone lesson on glossaries or part of topic on Chinese New Year. Activities are organised into a short workbook. Learning objectives: To know that a glossary is an alphabetical list of words with definitions found in a non-fiction book. To put words in alphabetical order. To match words about Chinese New Year to the correct definitions. Page 1. An information page about Chinese New Year. Page 2. Vocabulary relating to Chinese New Year. 4 words to order alphabetically and set out as a glossary. Page 3. Questions about vocabulary. Page 4. Alphabetical order guide for pupils. Page 5. Create 3 questions from the information text to ask a partner to include words from the glossary cards. Set of 16 ‘Chinese New Year’ glossary cards for pupils to cut out and order into alphabetical order. Page 6. Answers - alphabetical order. Resource 2. Picture writing descriptions (paragraphs). Four images to stimulate language and descriptive paragraph writing. Resource 3. Three different worksheets with 3 different images (9 images in total) with key vocabulary for each image to support writing. Resource 4. Set of 12 Chinese animal zodiac cards with picture of the animal and their personality/ characteristics. Resource 5. What is your Chinese zodiac sign? Pupils can work out their animal year and write it in Chinese letters. Resource 6 Write your name in Chinese characters. Not an exact match but will give children an idea of how the Chinese alphabet is structured. Resource 7. Chinese zodiac animal code breaking maths (20 questions in total to practice place value and rounding 10, 100. Multiplication and division using 2 and3 digit numbers. Decimal multiplication. Answers included. Resource 8. Instructions make a simple fortune cookie. Resource 9 The traditional tale of Nian the Lion the basis for the traditions of Chinese New Year. Can be read aloud, small group guided reading or as a factsheet or comprehension text or Drama starting point.

Chinese New Year Animals of the zodiac KS1 and KS2 Assembly. A simply written whole school assembly in the form of a story which tells of how the 12 animals were chosen to represent the years on the Chinese Calendar. Chinese dragon music can be easily slotted into the assembly where you chose (links to royalty free music included). Colourful images on each slide help to engage the children. Power-point of 27 slides which include: Suggested music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns. The Jade Emperor’s race and the animals who enter it. The 12 animals and their final positions in the race. A zodiac wheel showing the dates and the animals which represent the dates. Image 2024 and the year of the dragon. Animal personality traits/characteristics and 12 animal cards to use in the classroom. A short prayer.

Chinese New Year KS1 and KS2 Assembly. A simply written whole school assembly to cover the main aspects of Chinese New Year which can be used in the days preceding or during the 15 day celebration starting on 10th -25th February. Chinese dragon music can be easily slotted into the assembly where you chose (link included). Colourful images on each slide help to engage the children. Power-point of 37 slides which include: Suggested music (links to Chinese Dragon Dance, Festival music) and hymns. Date of Chinese New Year (10th – 25th February 2024). Geographical information about China’s location in the world on a map, land and sea borders, population. Brief information about the Lunar calendar, Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year celebrations and traditions including Days 1 – 5 of the New Year and the Lantern festival. Poem ‘Chinese New Year’ by Wendy Larmont. A short prayer.

Victorian Christmas Traditions. KS1 and 2 power-point of 58 slides (including worksheets). This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson which can be edited into topic sections or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about how a Victorian Christmas is celebrated and how the traditions we know today originated. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, and lots of additional fun linked activities including a quick dictionary definition exercise, a short youtube clip, book exercises (written tasks), paired talk activities, 11 worksheets. Christmas traditions covered are: Tree, decorating the tree and the home, presents, crackers, cards, dinner, entertainment and games. Learning objectives • To know the origins of Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom. • To compare Christmas traditions today with Victorian Christmas traditions. • To express opinions and views about Victorian Christmas and compare what it was like for rich people and poor people. • To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Christmas traditions. Worksheet 1: Matching task. Victorian and present-day Christmas tree decorations. Worksheet 2: Venn diagram – rich and poor Victorian Christmas. Book activity: Label the evergreen decorations. Worksheet 3: Write a message / joke for a cracker. Worksheet 4. Follow Instructions. How to make a Christmas cracker. Book activities: Christmas cards. Worksheets 5,6,7: 3 blank templates with a Victorian border for Christmas card designs. Worksheet 8: Work out the Figgy Pudding recipe used by the Victorians but written in old English. Worksheet 9: Blank plate templates for a Victorian and present-day Christmas dinner. Worksheet 10: 6 Victorian Parlour games on cards. Worksheet 11: Victorian traditions blank writing summary for each tradition. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Christmas, celebrations, Winter, entertainment, Victorians.

St. Nicholas. Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important legends in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 2-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about Saint Nicholas in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise. Useful to link to topics on Christmas, Christianity, World celebrations, Giving and sharing, Being Kind.

Mae Carol Jemison Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in her life as a US scientist and astronaut, broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 2-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise. Links well to topics: Space, Astronauts, The Solar System, Planets, Women in History.

The Solar System. KS2 power-point of 31 slides (including worksheets). This power-point can be used as a complete stand-alone lesson or as an additional spin off to related topics which encourage the pupils to think about the Solar System and the planets. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides and activities including a short youtube clip, paired talk activities, 7 worksheets. Learning objectives • To know that the sun is the centre of the solar system. • To know some interesting facts about the sun. • To name the eight planets which orbit the sun. • To organise the planets in order of closeness to the sun. • To know the names of other cosmic bodies in the solar system. Worksheet 1: Facts about the Sun. Worksheet 2: Ordering the planets mnemonic. Worksheet 3: Ordering the planets cut and stick activity. Worksheet 4: Labelling the planets. Worksheet 5: Cosmic objects in the Solar System. Resource 6: Planets fact cards. Worksheet 7: Planets research activity grid. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on sun safety, summer, space and planets etc.

Brazil today: Series of 4 KS2 power-point Geography lessons. Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, participate in a short quiz, take notes from a YouTube clip, scrutinise and compare population graphs and weather charts (included on slides), research native animals and use maps and atlases to locate Brazil’s key cities and geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of Brazil as well as simple cultural information such as greetings in Brazilian (Portuguese) at the beginning and end of lessons. Great to link with cross curricular topics such as ‘South America’, ‘Rainforests’, ‘Weather’, ‘The Amazon’. Lesson 1 Learning Objectives I must find Brazil in my atlas. I should recognise some of the features of Brazil. I could describe where Brazil is in the world using geographical words. Lesson 2 Learning objectives I must be able to spot the main features of Brazil. I should find and label the features on my map. I could write a description about two features. Lesson 3 Learning Objectives To identify the different climate zones in Brazil. To describe and explain the climate found in each zone. Geographical vocabulary (northern hemisphere, southern hemisphere, equator, Tropic Cancer/Capricorn). To explain the temperature in different locations. To interpret a climate data and temperature chart. Lesson 4 Learning objectives: I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’. I should interpret the population table and suggest reasons for how the physical features affect where people live in Brazil. I could compare population information and explain how the population has changed in Brazil over 50 years.

Roald Dahl Famous person fact sheet. Includes key events and important stages in his life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. I have used this with pupils in Years 1-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a famous person in a range of genres (newspaper report, biography, letter or diary writing, fiction, non-fiction etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the topic followed up with a written comprehension exercise. Useful for topics: Roald Dahl, Roald Dahl Day (13th September), Fiction books, Famous people, Biographies, Topics based around a Roald Dahl book eg ‘The Witches’, ‘The BFG’.

Harvest Assembly and supporting powerpoint. This assembly is complete but can be mixed or edited according to time limitations or pupil numbers/abilities. There are sufficient parts for 2 classes of KS2 pupils or pupils reading and taking acting/ speaking roles. The Assembly begins with a short introduction and information about harvest traditions and moves onto crops and grains harvested with a harvest Alphabet. The powerpoint has images which support the pupil text if you wish to use it. There are suggestions for well known songs and hymns at key points in the assembly. There is a prayer of thanks in the form of a poem which leads onto thanks to the parents/carers for their harvest donations. A short play depicts the theme of sharing with those who need it and moves onto supporting our planet and the climate issues it faces. (a summary of props is included on the playscript). The assembly ends with a ‘Happy Harvest’ where pupils can show their paintings or pictures as they read out short captions. My class made bread and we inserted pictures of the baking process (including the sticky hands and floury faces!) into the powerpoint. Also, the small recorder group played a short song and we took their photos and inserted them into the powerpoint. The children’s scripts were numbered so they sat in order of speaking (and moved if they had more than one part) and their script cards (their words) were mounted on Autumn pictures or collages made by the children and held up for the audience to see after speaking. I hope you enjoy this assembly and have fun with your children.

EY/KS1 Signs of Autumn Powerpoint Four lessons. Learning Objectives: Lesson 1 To know the names of the Autumn months. To recognise the signs of Autumn around me. Lesson 2 To describe weather changes in the Autumn season. To explain how the autumn weather affects some animals. To know what the word ‘hibernate’ means. To list animals that hibernate. Lesson 3 To name the grains which grow at Autumn time. To name some foods which are made with grains. To sequence the stages of making bread. Lesson 4 To be able to name different autumn fruit and vegetables and say where they grow. The slides include photographs of animals which hibernate (dormouse, bat, frog, grass snake etc) and do not hibernate but sleep at Autumn/Winter (squirrels, badgers, rabbits/hares). At specific points there are short paired talk activities and simple class activities with worksheets (and answers) for each lesson. There are BBC links – making bread and a survey worksheet for an Autumn walk. Cross curricular KOW /Science work on topics of ‘Seasons’, ‘Autumn’, ‘Animals’, ‘Nature’.

This Autumn bundle has 10 worksheets for KS1 pupils: Autumn acrostic poem templates. Autumn Acrostic poetry templates. Four blank templates with the headings Autumn, Scarecrow, Leaf and Farmer. Each poem has a corresponding word mat of Autumn words help pupils start a new line of their poem. The shorter poem templates can be used with younger or SEN pupils. Autumn months sentence work and an Autumn label to decorate. Fruit and vegetables. Matching to labels and saying where the vegetable grows (ground, tree, bush, hedge, field). Autumn survey for an autumn walk Autumn clothes ordering the clothes in the correct boxes (Autumn or Summer). The journey of bread. Picture sequencing. Grain foods. Listing food made from wheat, oats and corn (labelled image to help). Breadmaking ordering the statements. Hibernating animals. Dictionary definition work and cut and stick animals into categories. Activity mat. Fun mat with jumbled autumn words, a maze, symmetrical drawing, wordsearch. Useful to build into a lesson or for early finishers.

Pirate knowledge board game. For 2 players. KS1. Learning Objective To practise and remember important words (vocabulary) about Pirates. To work with my partner to remember facts and information about pirate life. To test my own knowledge. Learning objective and rules included. Pupils need a dice or a spinner and a counter each. This is a traditional style board game where the children work their way around a trail from start to finish answering the pirate general knowledge questions as they go. Correct answer wins 1 square forward, incorrect answer wins 1 square backwards. The first person to reach the finish square is the Pirate Champion! I laminated this game for durability and its increased size when I wanted to include up to 4 pupils in the game with an adult to support younger pupils. Useful as an assessment activity or a fun way of developing knowledge in a Pirates topic.

Close up picture quiz. Set of 20. Have fun identifying close up and cropped pictures of everyday objects, food and creatures which will challenge visual perception and creativity. Suitable for KS1 and KS2 as an individual, paired or group activity or competition. Do your pupils have an eagle eye?

End of Term One a day countdown fun. Have fun with your class in the last weeks of term with this list of exciting activities and rewards. Pupils vote for the following day’s activity from the list each day. The activity with the most votes is the class activity choice. Work through the activities and practice voting and democracy at the same time!

Transition Y6 End of year reflection activity to help pupils think about their time in Y6 and their next school. Can be linked to a range of year end activities including a stimulus for a Leavers Assembly, a diary extract or PSHE discussion.