I am an experienced Primary school teacher with over twenty years experience in EYFS, KS1 and KS2. I have made and used all of the interactive topic based lesson plans, power-points and resources in this shop with my classes. I hope you enjoy using them with your classes too.
I am an experienced Primary school teacher with over twenty years experience in EYFS, KS1 and KS2. I have made and used all of the interactive topic based lesson plans, power-points and resources in this shop with my classes. I hope you enjoy using them with your classes too.
India fact sheet.
Includes locational information and geographical features broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a country in a range of genres (newspaper report, non-fiction report, weather report or information text etc). I have also used it with a guided reading group and a set of questions linked to the country followed up with a written comprehension exercise.
In geography lessons I have used this factsheet with a small group and asked the pupils to compare the physical and geographical features of India with the UK.
Anne Bonny and Mary Read – Female pirates. Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.
Linked topics: Pirates, Famous people, Ships and the Sea.
Queen Victoria Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.
Martin Luther King Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.
Samuel Pepys Famous person fact sheet.
Includes key events and important stages in their life broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 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.
Famous artists and paintings cards. Set of 60 cards with a painting by a range of inspirational and well-known artists. The cards can be used to encourage recognition of the most well-known artists and their work. I have included a few examples of sculpture, stained glass, pottery, design. The images I have chosen range from 11th to 20th century from worldwide artists. Pupils can use them as a paired or group ‘guessing game’. Can be placed in the class library area or the ‘Early Finisher’ box/tray. I have used these to help pupils develop work on or research about a famous piece of artwork that they like by finding images of other work by the same artist or derivatives of that style, writing a descriptive piece about the work or a subjective paragraph about what the work means to them. Can be used by Y2 -Y6. Useful for topics on Art, Famous Paintings/Artists, using art as a starting point for writing or historical reference.
Bats fact sheet.
Includes information about bat anatomy, habitats, Micro and Megabats and echolocation broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and photos. A great topic which can be linked to Halloween, animal topics and conservation.
I have used this with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about bats in different genres (science report, 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.
I made this resource for Y5 to research simple facts about their sporting favourites in a practical and fun way. the children loved to activity and really enjoyed reading each-other’s work which we made into a colourful display. Useful fun activity for any event in the annual sporting calendar (World Cup, Olympics, Rugby etc).
September Welcome back! Y1-Y6 Powerpoint lesson(s) of 50 slides. Includes simple class and paired games, talk activities and worksheets to help your pupils restart their year together and restart their friendships. The power-point explores feelings, belonging and finding out about the interests of other pupils in the class including hobbies, favourite books, sports etc. There is a section at the end to help pupils model how to make a new friend and how to start/sustain a conversation/make an arrangement to do something. The modelled activities use images of animals to help remove self -consciousness and help pupils take a step back from their own situations.
Learning objectives
To find out about adults and children in my class so I feel comfortable about talking to them.
To recognise that I belong to more than one different group and be able to identify those groups.
To describe feelings about being in a group and help others feel welcomed and included.
To use the story of Kung Fu Tsu to understand positive behaviour towards
To know and practise strategies for making new friends.
To describe how a good friend behaves.
To explain how it may feel for someone who is uncomfortable in social situations and offer solutions to help them.
Ernest Shackleton 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 factsheet with pupils in Years 1-4 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about Ernest Shackleton 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 with topics on Explorers, South pole/Antarctica, Famous people, Ships and sailors, Frozen Earth.
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.
Wassily Kandinsky complete Art lesson for Primary pupils.
Learning objectives
• To learn about the work of the artist Wassily Kandinsky.
• To look at shapes, colour and lines in Kandinsky’s artwork and talk about what they might represent.
• To understand an example of abstract art.
• To experience the link between art and sounds when creating my own artwork.
• To create my own composition using shape, colour and lines and explain my work to my partner.
The lesson includes brief information about Kandinsky’s life and how he painted using examples of his paintings and a simple explanation of abstract art. There are opportunities for pupils to work in paired tasks to discuss abstract composition and emotional interpretation.
Art task includes: 12 squared-grid (included) for drawing Kandinsky style concentric circles. Pupils are encouraged to collect recycled plastic lids or bottle tops for a group task to make a large collaborative Kandinsky circle picture. There is a short-paired task to reinforce primary and secondary colour mixing and a Primary colours ‘design’ activity (worksheet). There is also an opportunity for the class to use a range of materials (pastels, chalk, paint, crayon) to create their own abstract piece inspired by music (own or teacher’s choice) with an evaluation sheet for their finished masterpiece!
This lesson can be edited and used as suitable for your class and time or space constraints. Can be a stand-alone lesson or linked to topics such as Colour, Famous people/Artists, Abstract Art, Famous paintings, Feelings and Emotions.
Features of seaside towns: Set of 2 KS2/3 power-point Geography lessons.
Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to recall prior learning, watch a youtube clip (hyperlink), and identify geographical features. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of the seaside. Includes 5 pupil worksheets, paired activities, short written tasks.
Great to link with cross curricular topic such as Maps and Plans, Seaside, Holidays, All about me, Local Study.
Lesson 1
Learning objectives
I can identify and describe physical features in the environment.
I can identify and describe human features in the environment.
I can identify and describe the geographical features of the seaside.
I can use key vocabulary to describe the seaside features for example:
body of water coastline harbour pier landform.
I can apply my knowledge when talking about Scarborough.
Lesson 2
Learning objectives
I can explain how land is used in a seaside town.
I can describe how seaside towns attract tourists.
I can explain the difference between seasonal and non-seasonal jobs at the seaside.
I can use key vocabulary to describe the three types of jobs people have for example:
primary jobs secondary jobs tertiary jobs.
I can use my knowledge of a seaside town to explain some of the problems that are caused by tourism.
KS1 and 2 Bread and grains complete ppt lesson.
Learning Objectives:
To name the grains used to make bread.
To name other foods which are made with grains.
To explain when the growing cycle begins and ends.
To understand what a farmer does to make sure grains get from the earth to our tables.
To sequence the stages of making bread.
The slides include photographs of grains, bread and farming. At specific points there are short paired talk activities and simple activities with worksheets for key point.
There are 2 video links – flour production and making bread plus a research worksheet for different bread descriptions. There is a homework research task to interview family members about their views on bread.
Links with Cross curricular topics of ‘Seasons’, ‘Autumn’, ‘Food’, ‘Farms’, ‘Food production’ and ‘Harvest’.
China 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 China’s key cities and geographical features. Each lesson has supporting worksheets, written tasks and paired ‘talk’ activities. Each set of slides contain images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for the geography of China as well as simple cultural information such as greetings in Mandarin at the beginning and end of lessons.
Great to link with cross curricular topics such as ‘Ancient civilizations’, ‘Asia’, ‘Weather’.
Lesson 1
Learning Objectives
I must find China in my atlas.
I should recognise some of the features of China.
I could describe where China is in the world using geographical words.
Lesson 2
Learning objectives
I must be able to spot the main features of China.
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 China.
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
Learning objectives:
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’.
I should interpret the population table and identify how the physical features affect where people live in China.
I could compare population information and explain how the population has changed in China over 50 years.
Lesson 5
Learning Objectives
I must explain the definition of the term ‘population’, ‘climate’ and ‘weather’.
I must order the ten most populated cities in China.
I should explain how the location of Chinese cities affects population size.
I could explain how the weather and climate affects the lifestyle of the Chinese people.
Lesson 6
Learning Objectives
I must identify some features of natural beauty in China.
I should identify and research some of the areas of natural beauty which come from China.
OR
I should identify and research some of the animal, fish and birds which come from China.
Volcanoes: Series of 5 KS2 power-point Geography lessons.
Each lesson is broken into short focused activities. There are opportunities for pupils to talk about volcanoes, take notes from a YouTube clip, look up geographical vocabulary in a dictionary, watch short clips of volcanoes in action including recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland and the Roman eruption of Vesuvius, compare composite and shield volcanoes, use maps and atlases to locate decade volcanoes and tectonic plates. The final 2 lessons of the series are a research task to investigate their own volcano. There is an extension activity to write a short True/False quiz which could be used as an assessment activity at the end of the unit. Each set of slides contains images to help pupils ‘get a feel’ for volcanoes and their locations.
Links with cross curricular topics such as ‘Earth’, ‘Disasters’, ‘Weather’, ‘Extreme events’, ‘Our Planet’, ‘Fire’.
Lesson 1
(Pupil worksheet 1: Label cross section of volcano, Worksheet 2: Viscosity experiment, Worksheet 3: Compare composite and shield volcanoes)
Learning Objectives
To recognise the features of volcanoes by their formation and shape.
To explain the differences and similarities between volcanoes.
To locate volcanoes on a map and identify countries where volcanoes are located.
To understand why volcanoes erupt and the effects of a volcanic eruption.
To know the names and locations of well- known volcanoes in the world.
Lesson 2
(Pupil worksheet 4: Order the stages of an eruption)
Learning objectives
To explain how a volcanic eruption happens in my own words.
To use key vocabulary and understand their meaning.
To label a diagram of a volcano correctly.
To know what tectonic plates and fault lines are.
How tectonic movement causes volcanoes.
Lesson 3
(Pupil worksheet 5: Effects of volcanic eruptions)
Learning Objectives
To explain the positive and negative effects of a volcanic eruption.
To know the definitions of the geographical terms ‘active ‘and ‘dormant’.
To understand how volcanoes are monitored.
To know how prediction and planning are used to keep people safe.
Lesson 4 and Lesson 5
(Pupil worksheet 6: Decade volcanoes mapwork, Worksheet 7: Research worksheet PLUS 18 volcano fact cards, Worksheet 8: Quiz questions template.
Learning objectives:
To research a well- known composite (stratovolcano) and a well- known shield volcano and its eruption.
To use the research template as a guide to make sure your research covers important information.
To use the information found to make an information booklet.
To add facts, data information, images and a quote to your booklet.
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.
A fun resource for pupils to make as a start of term or new class activity to share with friends/teacher and create a colourful display where every child can be represented.
I used this template with KS2 pupils but it can also be used with KS1.
Dinosaur comprehension cards. Set of 12. KS1/lower KS2. Each card includes a simple information about a dinosaur and eight questions for pupils to retrieve from the text. Simple layout for pupils to find information easily and an engaging picture of each subject on the card. Can also be used without the comprehension questions as a reference resource for pupils to research a dinosaur independently.