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.

KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity. A simplified exercise to help pupils understand the order of the Easter Story which can be quite complicated to understand and remember. Learning objective: To sequence pictures and statements and retell the Easter story in correct order. Set of 12 images and descriptions of The Easter Story which can be organised in sequential order onto a storyboard template. There are three templates included which support differentiation and reading levels. Template 1 (Higher ability) is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. Template 2 (Middle ability) is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. Template 3 (Lower Ability) order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key phrases which they can match to the main text. Pupils can then use their completed templates to read as a group or class or talk to their partners about the Easter Story. Useful with topics: Easter, Jesus and the Disciples, New Life, Spring, Romans.

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.

KS2 Puzzle workbook. A booklet of 20 puzzles and brainteasers for creative pupils. A mix of short activities to challenge your pupils and extend their thinking. Answers included at the end of the booklet. A fun activity for end of term, end of SATs or as a purposeful filler for early finishers. Question 1 Word maker. Make as many words as possible from a short phrase. Question 2 Favourite after school things. Question 3 Get creative! Describing school. Question 4 Ditloids. 9 to solve. Question 5 Brainteasers. 8 picture clues to solve. Question 6 Which domino comes next in the sequence? Question 7 How old am I? Work out the ages of 6 children from clues. Question 8 Finding triangles within triangles. Question 9 A confusing reading activity! Question 10 A small stick challenge. Question 11 family problem solver. Question 12 Animal number substitutions Question 13 Compound word pictures Question 14 Another brainteaser. Question 15 Solve the value of the strawberry! Question 16 Solve the value of the umbrella. Question 17 4 Maths puzzles. Question 18 What do the objects have in common? Question 19 Famous historical dates in Roman numerals Question 20 Solve the word ladder.

I made this fun booklet for my KS2 pupils to practise maths in a ‘real life’ situation based on planning a Christmas party for 200 KS1 pupils. After completing this task, the children actually did plan a party for KS1! They were amazed at the actual cost of the items and gained a real insight into planning for an event. There are 7 tasks in total with a task summary table for pupils to record their summaries at the end of each task. The pupils have a budget of £400 and must make decisions based upon their budget and costs of items such as food and entertainment. Task 1 Party timetable – working out a timetable around set times. Task 2 Total cost of food for 200 children. Percentage and fraction of children’s votes for a particular buffet type. Cost per head and total costs. Task 3 Total number of tracks for the whole party. Numbers of tracks for the dancing sessions using multiplication and addition skills. Task 4 The cost and name of the cheapest show. Calculating the actual costs of two shows plus extras and deciding on the cheapest option. Task 5 Total drinks cost for 200 children. Options for drinks and total costs. Task 6 The cheapest option for party hats Task 7 Total cost of all prizes.

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.

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.

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.

Y 1 and 2 KS1 Rudolph’s Shop Christmas Maths Booklet I made this booklet to help my class practise shopping problems but with a fun Christmas theme. It is targeted at Years 1 & 2 for practise in the areas below. There is a shop front template with priced cakes and bakery items on display. The pupils use the shop to find prices and compare shopping items. There are 12 questions altogether in the booklet. The questions are set out in a simple format with spaces for pupils to write answers and show workings and calculations. Christmas pictures are included alongside the questions which are practical and fun. Answer sheet provided at the end of the booklet. Rudolph’s Learning objectives I can recognise and count coins in £ (pounds) and p (pence). I can create different combinations of coins and make the same amounts. I can solve problems by adding, subtracting and multiplying the values of coins. I can give change. I understand less than and more than when using money.

Sources of Light. KS2 Science power-point of 22 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 light sources and reflection. I have kept the information simple with a mix of slides, a reflection investigation and additional linked activities including dictionary definition exercise, a short youtube clip, paired talk activities, 6 worksheets. Learning objectives I can describe a natural and artificial light source and give examples of both. I can explain luminescence and name some living things which glow. I can explain how light travels. I can observe, investigate and use my evidence to say whether surfaces are reflective. Worksheet 1: Sources of light mat. Worksheet 2: Rating the brightness of a selection light sources. Worksheet 3: Natural and artificial light sources. Worksheet 4. Reflective surface writing template. Worksheet 5: Cosmic objects in the Solar System. Worksheet 6: Investigating reflective materials. Each slide includes pictures which illustrate the key learning points. Useful alongside lessons or topics on Light, Physical processes, electricity.

KS1 Christmas SATs Maths Practise Booklet I made this booklet based upon similar Year2 SATs questions but with a Christmas theme. It is targeted at Years 1 & 2 for practise in the areas below. There are 33 questions altogether in the booklet. Each topic has a learning objective for pupils to match against their targets. The questions are set out in a simple format with spaces for pupils to write answers and show workings and calculations. Christmas pictures are included alongside the questions which are practical and fun. Answer sheet provided at the end of the booklet. Page 1 Questions 1-3 Learning objective: I can count accurately and use numbers to 100. Page 2 Questions 4-6 Learning objective: I can name one more or one less from a given number. Page 3 Questions 7-9 Learning objective: I can order numbers. Page 4 Questions 10-11 Learning objective: I can add and subtract. Page 5 Questions 12-13 Learning objective: I can add and subtract. Page 6 Questions 14-16 Learning objective: I can solve one and two step problems. Page 7 Questions 17-19 Learning objective: I can add and subtract Pages 8-10 Questions 19-25 Learning objective: I can use measures. Page 11 Questions 26-27 Learning objective: I can recognise fractions in shapes. Pages 12-14 Questions 27-33 Learning objective: I can multiply and divide to solve problems.

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.

Y 5 & 6 KS2 Greek themed Maths Booklet I made this booklet based upon similar Level 4 SATs questions but with an Ancient Greek theme. It is targeted at Years 5 & 6 for practise in the areas below. There are 50 questions altogether in the booklet. Each topic has a learning objective for pupils to match against their targets. The questions are set out in a simple format with spaces for pupils to write answers and show workings and calculations. Greek pictures are included alongside the questions which are practical and fun. Answer sheet provided at the end of the booklet. Pages 1 &2: Proportion and Ratio. 12 questions. Learning objective: I can solve ratio and proportion questions by working out the relationships between numbers. Page 3: Checking the cost (calculations). 3 questions. Learning objective: I can check a calculation. Page 4: Factors and Multiples. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply pairs of factors to make a given number. Page 5: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use times tables. Page 6: Multiplication and Division. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can multiply and divide by 10 or 100. Page 7: Using a calculator. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can use a calculator to work out calculations and solve problems. Page 8: Measurement. 5 questions. Learning objective: I know which units of measurement to use for length, mass and capacity. Page 9: Tables and charts. 2 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 10: Tables and charts. 3 questions. Learning objective: I can show information in a chart and interpret what that information means. Page 11: Number Patterns. 5 questions. Learning objective: I can recognise patterns in numbers and can explain the pattern.

Visual timetable cards. Set of 36 of the most commonly used classroom tasks and subjects with simple text and images. Includes individual cards for the 7 days of the week and cards for ‘afternoon’ and ‘morning’. The words on the cards are: Lunch, swimming, wash hands, milk time, circle time, talk and share time, surprise time, Assembly, reading practise, writing practise, handwriting, dance, library, PE and games, outdoor learning, music, playtime, drama, Maths/numeracy, computing, RE, citizenship, learning a language, healthy living, growing things, school visit, topic work, phonics and spelling, baking, design technology, toilet, science, history, art, geography. Useful to help children of most ages and abilities use a timeline to predict and prepare for the order of the daily activities.

Australian Animals fact cards. Set of 36 cards depicting an animal, bird, reptile or fish found in Australia and a beautiful photographic image. Each card includes a few key facts about the animal on the card. There are also 12 key word definition cards (predator, poisonous, marsupial, nocturnal, amphibious, carnivore etc) The cards can be used to encourage recognition of the animals and their features/characteristics. Pupils can use them as a sorting exercise or as a paired or group game to sort the cards under the definition words (make a Venn diagram, sort into a list, identify common features between animals.) Can be placed in the class library area or the ‘Early Finisher’ box/tray. A double set of cards (laminated) can offer pupils opportunities for fun games such as Snap and Pairs. I have used these to help pupils develop work on animals and their characteristics eg: writing a factual or descriptive piece about a particular animal or shared features of two animals or a researched paragraph about current issues relating to specific animal eg protected species. Can be used by Y2 -Y6 upwards. Useful for topics on Australia, Animals, Camouflage, Habitats etc.

Geographical features cards. Set of 60 cards depicting a physical geographical feature (natural and human) and a beautiful photographic image. The cards can be used to encourage recognition of the features. Pupils can use them as a sorting exercise or as a paired or group ‘guessing game’. Can be placed in the class library area or the ‘Early Finisher’ box/tray. A double set of cards (laminated) can offer pupils opportunities for fun games such as Snap and Pairs. I have used these to help pupils develop work on features eg: writing a factual or descriptive piece about a feature or set of features or a researched paragraph about current issues relating to a geographical feature eg: coastal erosion on Norfolk coastline, how the Grand Canyon was formed. Can be used by Y2 -Y6 upwards. Useful for topics on Geography, Climate and Weather, Coastal erosion, UK etc.

KS2 Geography – Deserts power-point lesson of 45 slides. Learning Objectives To recognise the features of a desert. To explain the differences and similarities between tropical and polar deserts. To locate deserts on a map. To identify countries where deserts are located. To understand that some plants, animals and humans can survive in the desert. The lesson uses pupil starting points and encourages partner and group discussion, map or atlas work. The introduction asks pupils to describe the desert climate following a simple experiment. The pupils are asked to locate the 10 largest deserts on a world map following a youtube clip. The lesson moves onto a simple explanation of the features of hot deserts and polar deserts with a Venn diagram comparison activity. Pupils will need a map, atlas or globe to explore the tasks fully and identify the desert regions. There is a simple reference to landlocked deserts and more detail about people and animal adaptation in the desert which could be used as a starter for a follow up lesson. There is a simple Google Earth task at the end of the lesson. Lesson works well with topics linked to Adaptation, Weather and climate, Mapwork, and Hot countries.

Groovy Grammar KS2 starters. Simply click a button on the first page of the power-point and get a starter! 169 starters aimed at KS2 pupils, each slide contains a grammar point for pupils to practise through a range of strategies including talk partners, mime, games eg ‘I spy’, ‘Kim’s game’, ‘And/But game’, Charades, Performing Punctuation and Ready! Steady! Teach! As well as practise sentences, cartoons, rewriting sentences, word substitution etc. Grammar includes: recognising and using nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Prefixes and Suffixes, determiners, pronouns, conjunctions, alliteration, vocabulary extension, expressions and their meanings, eponyms, changing the ‘mood’ of a sentence , apostrophe ‘s’, word order swaps, commas, speech marks personification etc. I have used this as a start of the day activity as revision or sometimes as a lesson starter depending on the focus. The children love to choose the starter so I have a rota!

KS2 Geography – Discover the Arctic Circle power-point lesson of 42 slides. Learning Objectives I must find the Arctic in my atlas. I must recognise the symbols for the points on a compass. I should identify the lines of latitude and longitude on a map or globe. I should explain the term ‘Arctic Circle’. I could describe where the Arctic Circle is in the world using geographical vocabulary and name some places located there. The lesson uses pupil starting points and encourages partner and group discussion. Written tasks are built into each stage of the lesson following a discussion task, map or globe work. The introduction asks pupils to describe the arctic landscape and arctic animals using a selection of photographs. They use this information to build up a picture to guess the place. There are slides which demonstrate the features of the arctic and two linked worksheets for pupils to complete. The lesson moves onto a simple explanation of latitude and longitude and the points on the compass. Pupils will need a map or globe to explore the tasks fully and identify the Arctic Circle and the countries and seas within it. There are 2 YouTube links – a latitude and longitude song (great fun!) and a short clip about Arctic wildlife which could be used as a starter for a follow up lesson. There is an optional assessment task at the end of the lesson.

‘Nouns’ games. 36 quick starter activities to introduce or revise the use of nouns. Pupils can use the grid to choose a coloured shape which takes them to a linked starter. Activities include: memory games, alphabet lists, labelling, alliteration, cascades etc to help pupils understand common, proper, singular, plural, compound nouns. Can be used with or without an adult depending on whether you want to complete a class or filler task. The activities are varies and include talk partners and written exercises which require paper, pencils, post its, a beanbag (for pupils to throw and catch). The grids/tables on the slides can be printed for pupil use. I prepared all of the slide grids that I wanted to use in advance and put them in a numbered folder so they would be ready when the pupils chose the slide.