Thanks for stopping by my shop. I am an experienced chartered primary teacher who has taught predominantly in Scotland. I also taught in England, Australia and in the Middle East. I produce a range of quality resources that provide depth and breadth. These resources should enhance the learning experience of pupils. There are many opportunities for active learning as well as structured tasks that consolidate and reinforce knowledge and application. Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by my shop. I am an experienced chartered primary teacher who has taught predominantly in Scotland. I also taught in England, Australia and in the Middle East. I produce a range of quality resources that provide depth and breadth. These resources should enhance the learning experience of pupils. There are many opportunities for active learning as well as structured tasks that consolidate and reinforce knowledge and application. Enjoy!
4 sets of resources that cover the transition from autumn to winter.
Lots of opportunities to gain insight about these wonderful seasons.
Resources include:
relevant facts to enjoy
cut and stick activities
matching tasks
early sentence construction relating to the seasons
online links to relevant seasonal stories
poems to share and enjoy
drawing tasks
introduction of seasonal vocabulary
active learning
winter word walls, handwriting,winter writing tasks
winter key words task ( mini whiteboards),
‘Jack Frost’ poem ,
winter weather cut and stick task,
winter clothes drawing and labelling task,
Further literacy tasks based on animals of the Arctic.
It contains:
factual passages about 4 Arctic creatures -
Snowy Owl
Arctic Fox,
Polar Bear
Arctic Wolf
There are:
grammar tasks about each creature,
writing tasks about each creature.
All of these resources are ideal for a winter themed topic.
I have included simple tasks for learners who need more support as well as more demanding tasks for learners that enjoy challenge.
Enjoy!
This pack composes of 2 colourful and engaging presentations about Robert Burns - Scotland’s treasured poet.
The first presentation deals with his life from boyhood to man. The visuals provided for each slide enhance and encourage class/group discussion. There are also some online links provided to add to the lesson. It is ideal as an introductory experience/lesson for learners in preparation for a study of Robert Burns’ life and the celebration of 25th January each year.
The second presentation is a quiz about his life and times. I have provided questions about his life and poetry. Each slide is followed by an ‘answer’ slide to provide learners with immediate recall. It is intended as an active learning experience for a group or a whole class.
I would welcome feedback and hope your learners enjoy and engage with these resources.
This poetry resources pack consists of two colourful presentations:
Poetry Techniques
‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield - An Analysis
‘Poetry Techniques’ covers the use of language to create effect within poems such as figurative language,similes and metaphors. It enables the learners to develop an insight into basic poetry word/phrases that are employed by poets and writers. It sets the learners up before reading, appreciating and analysing the poem, ‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield.
‘Sea Fever’ is a presentation which details the language used in this popular and engaging poem. The poem is analysed and the poet’s technique is examined as well as the effects of the word choices,
A printable copy of the poem is provided for the learners to highlight or annotate.
There is an additional artistic opportunity to produce a drawing of a tall ship as a finishing task. It could be also used for a seascape art lesson.
This comprehensive PPt allows children to craft paragraphs following a 5 sentence challenge format. It deals with description of a variety of scenes and characters.
It follows a tight planning structure to build confidence and quality of description. The graphics are colourful and engaging with supportive vocabulary that can aid more reluctant writers.
The slides can be easily edited to include other graphics which might enhance a topic or a novel study.
Learners can be initially supported through the writing process and many will then embrace the planning and writing more independently.
Although vocabulary is provided as an aid, learners can add their own alternatives. Teachers can also use the provided word banks as a prompt to encourage expansion of word choices.
There is a self edit grid provided on the planning sheet. I welcome feedback.
This bundle composes of 3 attractive , colourful PowerPoint presentations.
PowerPoint 1 & 2
Christmas Spelling & Nativity Spelling provides:
active tasks with key words clearly and thematically displayed
spelling words embedded in sentences so children can experience words in context
writing sentences activity to reinforce learning
easily editable presentation for further spelling tasks
PowerPoint 3
Christmas Maths provides :
opportunity to calculate subtraction sums ( clearly and thematically shown)
answers displayed for immediate correction and assessment
easily editable presentation for further maths tasks
Three enjoyable and seasonal lessons which your classes will actively enjoy whilst practising their spelling and maths skills.
Writing Complex Sentences and Extending Simple Sentences - suitable from Primary 2/3/4( Scotland) onwards and Year 1/2/3( England) onwards as well as a support for children experiencing barriers to their learning.
Learning Intentions include:
To write complex sentences
To order complex sentences
To extend complex sentences with connectives**
This resource pack consists of:
a colourful , comprehensive and concise PPT presentation which provides a scaffolded approach to sentence construction plus word documents that provide follow on activities
engaging visuals that promote composition of complex and extended sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
straightfoward tasks that allow children to learn about sentence construction and build writing skills ( writing tasks)
precise instruction in extending complex sentences using connectives (interactive white board pupil activities)
explicit instruction on adding sentence starters to enhance simple sentences
opportunities to order complex sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
scaffolded tasks that require children to compose sentences (visuals provided and sentence stems to support learners)
written tasks on word documents for completion ( word bank provided to support learners)
slides and word documents are editable so that teachers can personalise the visuals and sentences e.g. to correspond with topic or PSE etc.
I have included several images in the preview so that teachers can see the quality of the resources offered and my efforts to make the literacy activities as engaging as possible.
The font I have chosen is one which is installed in most systems- Bradley Hand. However, when uploading the preview shots to the site , the TES system sometimes changes it -not sure why! Be assured that within the presentation and word documents provided within the pack, the font is the same throughout.
I welcome feedback and reviews from fellow teachers and hope that their learners enjoy the unit of work on sentence construction as much as my classes. Enjoy!
Writing Simple Sentences and Extending Simple Sentences - suitable from Primary 2( Scotland) onwards and Year 1( England) onwards as well as a support for children experiencing barriers to their learning.
Learning Intentions include:
To write simple sentences
To order simple sentences
To extend simple sentences with connectives
This resource pack consists of:
a colourful , comprehensive and concise PPT presentation which provides a scaffolded approach to early sentence construction plus word documents that provide follow on activities
engaging visuals that promote composition of simple and extended sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
straightfoward tasks that allow children to learn about sentence construction and build writing skills ( writing tasks)
precise instruction in extending simple sentences using connectives (interactive white board pupil activities)
explicit instruction on adding adjectives to enhance simple sentences
opportunities to order simple sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
scaffolded tasks that require children to compose sentences (visuals provided and sentence stems to support learners)
written tasks on word documents for completion ( word bank provided to support learners)
slides and word documents are editable so that teachers can personalise the visuals and sentences e.g. to correspond with topic or PSE etc.
I have included several images in the preview so that teachers can see the quality of the resources offered and my efforts to make the literacy activities as engaging as possible.
The font I have chosen is one which is installed in most systems- Bradley Hand. However, when uploading the preview shots to the site , the TES system sometimes changes it -not sure why! Be assured that within the presentation and word documents provided within the pack, the font is the same throughout.
I welcome feedback and reviews from fellow teachers and hope that their learners enjoy the unit of work on sentence construction as much as my classes. Enjoy!
This resource is intended to develop descriptive writing, in particular -settings. It aims to inspire confidence and motivate pupils as writers. It is intended for KS2 / Primary 4-7.
A selection of different visuals, model paragraphs and planning formats are provided. Specific language devices are covered such as similes and metaphors. A video link is provided to enhance understanding of similes and metaphors in imaginative writing.
The introduction is thorough and allows the teacher to :
USE EFFECTIVE MODELS
a structured approach is achieved by providing ‘5 sentence’ descriptive model paragraphs to explore typical features of the descriptive genre
ENCOURAGE STRUCTURED PLANNING
simple planning grid is provided that encourages pupils to generate effective vocabulary before sentence construction
The continuation requires the pupils to generate 5 sentence paragraphs, either in collaboration or individually, using high quality images that evoke imaginative and descriptive language.
This resource can be used or adapted in a variety of ways:
Introduction to descriptive writing - settings
‘Short burst’ writing tasks
As an additional resources to develop effective writing using figures of speech e.g. similes, metaphors
It is easily editable and further images may be used to complement topics if required.
There are 3 comprehensive presentations which deal with adjectives in phrases, sentences and text. They provide grammar differentiation, revision and reinforcement in a colourful and engaging manner. Lots of opportunities to involve the learners with additional answer slides that give immediate feedback plus easily edited to provide further practice. I have also included several grammar tasks on Word documents as follow up written work. These can be used individually or as booklet.
I would be grateful for feedback.
There are 3 colourful, clear and concise PowerPoint presentations included in this pack.
Presentation A - The 5 Sentence Challenge presents summer visual prompts with added vocabulary. The learning intentions are to compose 5 sentence paragraphs with an emphasis on:
crafting short/long sentences
descriptive language choices
including a question to the reader
using sentences with exclamation marks
Presentation B & C- Seashore and Outdoors Spelling Whiteboard Tasks
The learning intentions are to study, cover and write specific 'summer' vocabulary.
To compose a 'seashore' word wall and an 'outdoors' word wall for sentence and/or short burst writing tasks.
This pack contains 3 colourful , clear and concise PowerPoint presentations that deal with:
introduction to similes
silly similes
writing a simile poem
more challenging similes and adjectives with visual prompts
There are several follow up tasks:
completing similes
colour matching similes
choosing the best simile ending
choosing the best simile adjective
silly similes
This pack of resources are a valuable addition to basic core materials.
I would be delighted to receive feedback.
The imaginative poem ‘The Magic Box’ by Kit Weight provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate, perform and compose a fantasy poem. These resources are presented beautifully to also evoke an individual written response from the learners.
THE LEARNING INTENTIONS INCLUDE:
to read, appreciate and perform a fantasy poem
to compose verses based on the model poem
to include descriptive and imaginative vocabulary within their verses
Within the pack:
Presentation A provides an initial starting point to read, appreciate and perform the poem.
It leads the learners through each verse and encourages them to appreciate the rich language of the poem. A web link is provided for learners to see and hear the original poet perform the poem.
It also provides visuals to help the learners understand and analyse the composition.
The initial written task is to compose 3 verses based on the model - learners concentrate on feelings, creatures, the natural world - What would they put in their box?
Presentation B provides an opportunity to concentrate on the final 3 verses of the model poem - the ‘impossible things’ verse, what their box is made of and where they will travel in their box.
I have provided opportunities for children to work with their talking partners to support their composition.
The final result should be very individual poems structured on the original poem.
A word mat is also provided to aid composition , a separate copy of the poem for annotation as well as a planning sheet. Within this presentation, there are slides that the teacher can use with interactive pens for shared writing to further support differentiation and an assessment checklist.
I have also provided a simple comprehension task which can be used to aid comprehension of the model poem if required. There are many opportunities for incidental learning e.g. grammar and word choice, particularly adjectives, powerful verbs, similes and alliteration.
Additional Tip : Print off nets of cubes and cuboids ( photocopiable card ) and ask children to decorate their magic boxes, then assemble them.
I hope your learners enjoy the poem and activities and would be delighted if you left feedback.
N.B. Ideally these resources should be used over several days
Writing a 5 line poem - CINQUAIN
The introductory presentation includes:
the signposts of a cinquain poem
models to read, perform and analyse
a planner for composition
several suggestions for poetry tasks/activities
an editing sheet
The four seasonal presentations include:
poems to read, enjoy and analyse
poems where vocabulary can be explored and highlighted
completed planners
blank planners for poetry tasks
These poetry activities also provide opportunities to explore vocabulary and consolidate grammar points.
Children enjoy this type of poetry task because once they have mastered the pattern of the poem, they can compose several with different topics.
This presentation helps children to structure simple sentences about winter.
The initial slides ask the children to read a simple sentence with pictorial prompt.
Then they trace over the sentence and write the sentence within handwriting lines.
Lastly, they cut out each word, order them and glue them on the sentence strip. Ideal for early writers.
Further tasks ask the children to look at 3 winter pictorial prompts.
They then 'turn and talk' to a writing partner to aid sentence composition.
The children 'have a go' and write 3 simple sentences to match each picture.
Each slide can be displayed on a smart board for a 'talk for writing' session. Children can also compose on whiteboards before recording on task sheet.
Finally, some slides ask more confident writers to compose 2 sentences independently using connectives,
An additional coloring task is provided with a writing opportunity.
Two presentations that contain a variety of literacy tasks based on a Winter/ Arctic theme.
The first presentation contains:
winter word walls
winter handwriting
winter writing tasks
winter drawing and labelling tasks
winter key words task ( mini whiteboards)
'Jack Frost' poem , drawing and writing task
Winter weather cut and stick task
Winter clothes drawing and labelling task
The second presentation has literacy tasks based on animals of the Arctic.
It contains:
Factual passages about 4 Arctic creatures - Snowy Owl, Arctic Fox, Polar Bear and Arctic Wolf
Grammar tasks about each creature
Writing tasks about each creature
All of these resources are ideal for a winter themed topic. I have included simple tasks for learners who need more support as well as more demanding tasks for learners that enjoy challenge.
Two Packs included are intended to develop inferential skills in both reading and writing.
Pack A - 'Read between the Lines' incorporates :
15 differentiated passages
Literal and Inferential questions
True/False and ‘Don’t Know’ statements
to encourage close reading, skimming and scanning for details and reading for meaning.
Pack B - 'Over to You!' incorporates:
18 differentiated story starts - opening passages
‘Openers’ word wall
Prompts to encourage ‘quality ‘writing
Writer’s craft editing sheet to encourage continuation of events, characters and setting.
It is intended to provide writers with an initial start and to help develop a continuation of the writer's craft.
Ideal as a ‘short burst’ writing task or can be used for more extended writing tasks.
A selection of PowerPoints that introduce Literature Circles and the benefits of promoting this within a literacy /reading session. One is devoted to introducing Literature Circles to teachers and practitioners who are unfamiliar with them. The other two presentations are intended for children and can be used to guide them through the roles plus the approach needed for successful collaborative work.
The badges for each role are provided for lamination.
The pro formas for each role are also included.
This approach encourages independent reading and supports active reading within the classroom.
A Literature Circle word mat provides stimulating questions to scaffold and enhance speaking & listening within a group . This word mat could also be used by the teacher as a plenary activity.
This clear, concise and colorful presentation leads the learners step by step through the composition of a list poem based on a 'magic purse' theme. There is a grammar element throughout with an emphasis on nouns, adjectives and 'ing' verbs.
I have found a poetry context an effective way to embed incidental grammar teaching.
Although the outcome is a simple list poem, it can easily be differentiated for older learners. This would involve extending each line using e.g. adverbs or an additional clause. I have included the extension task for older learners on the latter part of the presentation . I have also provided pro formas for the children to use for their initial draft before they revise and improve.
This unit explores the traditional tale: The Elves and the Shoemaker with online links as well as a comprehensive range of literacy tasks for your learners.
It contains:
speaking and listening tasks
reading the narrative
syllable tasks
handwriting tasks
sentence construction /ordering tasks
an art task
as well as oral retelling of the narrative.
A word wall is provided which can be used for further vocabulary development.
It places literacy within a meaningful context and allows plenty of incidental learning to take place.
This unit contains a series of writing pictorial prompts with accompanying word walls. It also has several accompanying written responses that can be analysed and serve as reminders to the children to:
vary their sentence starts
vary the length of their sentences
use the word wall when composing sentences about the picture
use capitals at the beginning of each sentence
use full stops, exclamation marks and question marks as appropriate
Connectives or 'joining' words are provided on each slide to encourage more complex sentences.
I use it on a weekly basis to provide a 'short burst' writing task which helps the children to produce 3-5 sentences. I vary the task by asking the children to respond to the prompt on their white boards as well as within their jotters. The pictures are clear, colourful and stimulate discussion before writing and can be easily edited and changed to reflect current topic etc. The models are provided so that the teacher can easily prompt the children to notice a variety of starters , use of connectives and adjectives. I colour code the sentences - green at the start of each sentence and red for full stops, question marks and exclamation marks at the end. The unit is an additional writing resource that requires little preparation and complements longer writing tasks.