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.
Improving memory skills.
Power-point of 54 slides. There are 36 one-a-day memory activities to practise with pupils to improve visual and auditory memory skills. The activities are structured week by week to gradually challenge whilst providing practise. For individual pupils or a small group working with an adult.
I have used these activities with children of all ages who struggle to remember/recognise alphabet, phonics, HFW and basic numbers. The activities need to be carried out daily to enable the children to practise and improve. Useful for a TA or SEN TA supporting a group in the classroom.
Week 1 & 2: There are six individual picture games (for each week) to help pupils practise retelling a story with picture prompts or from memory. Pupil record grid (for adult use) is included to enable the adult to see the visual memory progress of each child and identify any issues or areas for further practise.
Week 3: There are six picture sequence/list activities for pupils to retell a short story with or without picture clues.
Week 4: Number sequence recall. Six activities for the adult to use with a child or small group to improve auditory memory skills. Recording sheet for pupil use is provided.
Week 5: Colour sequence recall. Six activities for the adult to use with a child or small group to improve auditory memory skills. Recording sheet for pupil use is provided.
Week 6: Listen and draw sequence activities. Full instructions for the adult are provided plus a pupil record sheet for adult assessment of pupil progress.
3 Biographies of Nelson Mandela simplified into three differentiated pieces for HA, MA, LA (Versions: 1= HA, 2= MA, 3= LA) aimed at Y2 & KS2. Each simplified biography is up to one page long. Can be used to identify features of biographies, to aid understanding of how to structure a biography and support content understanding. Also, can be used to support historical research when writing a diary, newspaper report, letter.
Christmas comprehension cards. Set of 20. KS1/lower KS2. Each card includes a simple description about a Christmas related tradition, food or object and four 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 Christmas topic independently.
Comprehension card topics: Snow, reindeer, Christmas tree, Christmas pudding, presents, Father Christmas, holly, robin, Christmas stocking, Christmas pyjamas, mistletoe, mince pies, crackers, pantomime, Christmas cards, Christmas cake, lights, Christmas dinner.
Y 5 & 6 KS2 Christmas Maths Booklet
I made this booklet based upon similar Level 4 SATs questions but with a Christmas 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. Christmas 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 of Christmas (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: Christmas Maths: 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.
KS2 Y6 Christmas powerpoint lesson of 39 slides. Secret Agent Academy is a lesson (s) set in a ‘real’ Christmas context where pupils are ‘trained’ for a special mission to catch a villain. They create Agent Code Names and numbers, work as part of an Agent Cell, take an oath of secrecy and create common experiences eg a secret handshake. Their mission consists of 4 tasks which include cracking Substitution and Caesar codes linked to Maths problem solving challenges (equivalent numbers, comparing fractions with different denominators, sequences, missing numbers and ordering, patterns and calculations).
Slides 2-9 include an introduction to cracking codes and a go at deciphering a real code sent by Mary Queen of Scots before pupils enter the Secret Agent Academy. The Maths challenge resources are included on the slides as well as information for further teaching resource websites on Codes and Ciphers.
Learning Objectives
To save Christmas by:
Using Maths to solve problems in a real-life situation.
Appling a simple Substitution Code and Caesar Cipher to solve messages.
Solving problems using missing numbers, equivalent numbers, number facts and place value.
Applying operations and inverses using Substitution codes.
Identifying specific knowledge of English Grammar such as high frequency letters, consonants, patterns and clusters of letters, short words and frequent pre/suffixes.
EYFS Weekly plan ‘I can sing a rainbow’
This is a weekly cross curricular plan for an EYFS topic based on the song ‘I can sing a rainbow’. It has been planned to include the learning and ideas for one week of teaching and includes differentiated planning in Literacy and Numeracy for HA, MA and LA groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary and linked learning activities in each area of learning. Links well with topics on ‘Colour’, ‘Reflections’ and ‘Weather’.
This is a weekly cross curricular plan for an EYFS topic based on the story of Noah’s Ark. It has been planned to include the learning and ideas for one week of teaching and includes differentiated planning in Literacy and Numeracy for HA, MA and LA groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary and linked learning activities in each area of learning. Links well with topics on ‘Rainbows’, ‘Water’ , ‘Animals’, ‘Helping others’ and ‘Weather’.
EYFS Weekly plan ‘The sun and the wind’
This is a weekly cross curricular plan for an EYFS topic based on Aesop’s fable ‘The sun and the wind’. It has been planned to include the learning and ideas for one week of teaching and includes differentiated planning in Literacy and Numeracy for HA, MA and LA groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary and linked learning activities in each area of learning. Links well with topics on ‘Being kind’, ‘Circles’ and ‘Weather’.
EYFS /KS1 Matching pairs cards. Set of 40 picture cards (20 pairs) for pupils. Useful for matching and pairing games, stimulating language and for memory games (eg Kim’s game). Cut each picture, laminate or cover and pupils can use the cards more than once. Alternatively, the images can be used for pupils to use as part of a glue/stick activity. Images include general everyday items and objects for example: mop and bucket, train and track, flower and vase, socks and shoes etc.
EYFS /KS1 Matching pairs cards.Set 2. Set of 40 picture cards (20 pairs) for pupils. Useful for matching and pairing games, stimulating language and for memory games (eg Kim’s game). Cut each picture, laminate or cover and pupils can use the cards more than once. Alternatively, the images can be used for pupils to use as part of a glue/stick activity. Images include general everyday items and objects for example: baby and pram, eyes and glasses, tree and leaf, clown and circus tent etc.
Halloween complete KS2 pp lesson of 57 slides.
Learning objectives
• To know the origins of Halloween.
• To compare long ago Halloween customs, superstitions and rituals with those celebrated today.
• To create and perform spells and spine-chilling descriptions about Halloween.
• To work co-operatively with a partner or small group to discuss answers and ideas about Halloween and create a short role play.
Fun, interactive lesson which begins with pupil experiences of Halloween. Simple historical origins, customs and superstitions are introduced through riddles, mapwork, completing captions in speech bubbles, role play and idea showers. There are opportunities for pupils to complete structured written tasks and develop literacy ideas through writing spells (using ‘the witches’ from MacBeth) and short descriptions. The lesson includes nine pupil worksheet activities which link (optional) to the lesson and include a creepy picture description, Haunted house spine chilling vocabulary, witch / monster descriptive template, Halloween activity mat (jumbled words, wordsearch, maze, pumpkin decorating, draw the other half), a spell template, co-ordinates activity, Pumpkin acrostic poem template and a 32 card Halloween Quiz.
This lesson can also be broken into 2-3 lessons if all of the templates are used.
Bonfire night and the Gunpowder Plot Y2 & KS2 power-point lesson of 39 slides.
The power-point can be divided into separate sections depending on how you want to follow up some of the aspects/features depending on your class. Each set of slides includes paired discussion or individual/ paired written follow up tasks or worksheets. There are a range of strategies to keep the content interesting and interactive. Slides 1-5 introduce the topic with a 3-clue riddle, slides 6&7 focus on a sentence starter activity and worksheet about Bonfire Night. Slides 9&10 focus on names of fireworks and a youtube clip. Slides 11-14 introduce Guy Fawkes followed by a worksheet with a simple maths calculation to work out the age of GF when he died and a geography map activity to label his birthplace. Slides 15-17: ‘Remember, remember’ rhyme and dictionary activity. Slides 18-31 focus on the story of the Gunpowder Plot plus 2 worksheet activities (identify the plotters from a source and give advice to GF about the ‘weaknesses’ of his plot. Slide 32: Speech bubbles conversation worksheet. Slide 33-35: Guy Fawkes punishment and a ‘was it fair?’ written task. Slides 36-39: A brief introduction to Onomatopoeia and a firework scene task.
KS1 & 2 Power-point lesson which can be used as a single lesson or as a stimulus for cross curricular work. 22 slides presented in simple text focusing on Valentine’s Day traditions, historical information and traditions. The lesson encourages pupils to work with a partner or small group of three to discuss and explain questions about the images and information presented on the slides. Slides include brief information on Cupid, Venus, St.Valentine, Tudor traditions and Valentine symbols. Pupils are encouraged to record their responses on a shared paper.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ fact sheet.
Page 1 Includes key events and important stages in the play broken into short easy to read sections with pictures and images.
Page 2 Includes interesting facts about the text, well known quotes and character information.
I have used this with pupils in Years 3-6 to help them retrieve information / develop their knowledge to write about a text 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.
‘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.
Bats KS1 Weekly planning grid
This is two-week (could be stretched to three weeks depending on the depth of study) cross curricular plan for a KS1 topic based on the subject of ‘Bats’. I have used this plan as a run up to Halloween. It has been planned to include all the learning objectives and ideas for two weeks of teaching and includes differentiated planning in Literacy and Numeracy for HA, MA and LA groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary and linked learning activities in all subjects. Links well with topics on ‘Animals’, ‘Halloween’, ‘Conservation’ and ‘Day and Night or Nocturnal Animals.’
KS2 Reindeer Power-point lesson. Whole lesson of 35 slides which include geography and mapwork, paired activities. Pupils will need access to maps and globes to identify the Arctic Circle and regions. Activities also include written tasks (completing sentences, writing definition in own words, solving a warm up riddle, watching a short information clip on Youtube and a follow up quiz with written answers). There is a linked maths measuring task and an information table with linked questions. Also includes photographs of real (not cartoon!) reindeer. There are supporting worksheets/templates for pupils to write a non-chronological report about reindeer using the information they have learnt in the power-point.
Learning Objectives
• To identify where reindeer live in the world.
• To use information about reindeer to work out how they have adapted to their habitat.
• To use specific geographical and scientific vocabulary.
• To write a non-chronological report about reindeer using the information I have learnt.
Pupil Assessment End of KS1 to end of KS2 progress tracking grid
Plot each pupil against their KS1 SATs actual result then track along the grid and write the pupil’s name in the box corresponding to the most recent actual assessment in their current year group. Use the Green shaded square to identify whether that pupil is on track for expected progress at the end of KS2 (Y6) based on KS1 outcomes.
This progress tracker can be used for each Year group from Y3-Y6.
Each year group or class(es) in a given year group should could use one tracker for all pupils in the year group.
The tracker can be updated each half term or termly depending on when and how the school carries out assessment of pupil progress (eg during an assessment week). I used a different pen colour for each assessment when updating the tracker with pupil names. As a working document, it was a bit messy by the end of the year but I had an at a glance picture of all pupils and their progress.
Pupils can be closely monitored and highlighted for intervention if they are not making expected progress towards their individual or group targets. I highlight SEN pupils in pink and use the key code for the area of SEN for each pupil.
The tracker can be passed onto the teachers at the beginning of each academic year. At the start of a new academic year teachers may wish to begin a new tracker using the outcomes (end of year assessment for the previous year) as well as the end of KS1 outcome for each pupil.
This tracker can also be recopied for tracking Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening and Maths.
Florence Nightingale pack of 8 worksheets.
I used this set of worksheets with class of KS1 pupils.
Includes A4 factsheet of her life with pictures. Great to help pupils start their own research or to use as an information source for writing diaries/letters/newspaper article etc.
Template and simple scaffolding for a handwashing leaflet for children to personalise. (Note will need to be cut and pasted onto landscape format for pupil use).
Worksheet of Florence with speech bubbles to argue her case for being a nurse. This is a good introduction in preparation for drama or a hot seat activity.
Scutari hospital improvements worksheet.
‘Cut and Sequence’ sentence activity of Florence’s life.
Sort and stick the Victorian/modern day hospital items activity.
Improvements Florence made to the hospitals worksheets with question space to formulate questions for Florence. Also good for preparation for a drama activity. I used this for groups of 4 pupils (in role as 2 reporters + Florence + modern day nurse) with the reporters interviewing Florence about her impact on hospitals and the modern-day nurse saying how Florence’s work has continued today.
Hospitals and germ prevention pupil worksheet.
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.