This is designed for EAL learners, but is useful as a prompt for debate in the mainstream classroom. The arguments and counter arguments are presented as exercises: match-up, replace the words and re-arrange the words. There is also a powerful image to describe - my thanks to Rich the vegansidekick for permission to use it. A full key is included.

Here are some ideas for starter activities that require little or no preparation. They can be adapted to different subject areas.

A narrative of the famous county Durham legend, with comprehension questions and language exercises.

The students decide which comment refers to which character. You could develop this by asking them to back up their decisions/give examples.

Mats in various formats for teachers who have EAL students in their class. Some of these I have uploaded previously - on here they are updated. The infographic could be used as staff training: what does each image mean? There is a sentence generator and a mat for teaching new items of vocabulary which I have seen elsewhere in various forms. Hope these are useful!

This is a worksheet about the Do’s and Don’ts for going back to school. Having read the guidelines, it looks like these will be the recommendations for students. They match up image and description, then consider the questions. A chance to explore how they feel about the return to school and to think about how they will need to behave. I have prepared this for EAL but it might be useful in the mainstream classroom. The font I have used is comic sans and it is so popular, it shocks me that TES can’t preview it in comic sans!

This is a worksheet to get them thinking about adaptations we have to make during the pandemic. They match up the image and greeting. I have prepared this for EAL, but it may be useful in mainstream teaching to get them thinking and for a fun starter.

For early learners or for a mixed ability EAL class. The beginners can count and practise 'There is a __&' &';There are __ s'. Also present continuous tense &'What is she doing?&';etc. More advanced students can write about it in the past simple 'The school trip&'. How did they get there? What did they do? etc. Also - good picture for Splat! and Hotseat activitiies. The picture is by Kait Eaton and copyrighted to Duck Egg Blue. I have permission to use it.

The resource consists of a power point and two handouts. This was part of a topic we did as a department entitled ‘It’s a man’s world.’ The powerpoint looks at the Brontes in terms of the struggles they had as women, rather than looking at any specific writings of theirs. The ppt starts with the famous clip of Kate Bush as Cathy. My students’ reactions to this (a class of year 9 girls) were very interesting. Links are drawn between Kate Bush and her heroine. The two handouts are : ‘Kate Bush chose Wuthering Heights’ - they read and answer the questions on the handout and ‘The Brontes as feminists’ - they answer the questions on the ppt. I hope it will be useful.

Eleven slides with maths activities related to 'Macbeth'. These are useful as starter or fun activities. I have varied the maths language; the maths activities are not difficult. The answers are provided and fly in.

This is a ppt of 57 slides, with activities that students can complete themselves. My students have their English work, but these activities are extra. They are fun, although some lend themselves to writing tasks and where possible, a writing task has been suggested. I’m sending this to my students, in years 8 and 9. I have taken my Fifty Fun Activities ppt on here, which I uploaded for use in PHSC , adapted it and added to it quite significantly. I hope it will be useful. I would love some positive feedback; wouldn’t we all in these miserable times? Some of these activities are sourced from the net.

This is a ‘for and against’ worksheet to get them thinking in a constructive way at this very restrictive time. They read the sheet, compete the questions and carry out the four research topics. It looks a bit awry on the preview, but it is fine on download.

This power point looks at various topics that may crop up in language paper 2, section B. It focuses on the actual content (pros and cons), rather than language techniques. It is intended to make students think about where they stand on important issues. Each slide has a list of pros and cons, and a language task. I have put this ppt together bearing in mind that students are at home. It is easy for them to work through it without teacher guidance.

This is a worksheet, to get them thinking about what the ‘new normal’ will be like. I prepared this for EAL, but it might be useful elsewhere.

This is a worksheet on meerkats - aren't they sweet? Could be used as a reading comprehension or as a literacy exercise to reinforce science terms.

A set of cards requiring students to choose an option and justify it. Interesting mix of subjects: stop warfare or end disease? Give up crisps or chocolate? Be able to fly or communicate with animals...etc. They make great starter activities, practising 'I would rather...' and promoting creative thinking. The template is from eslprintables.

The students have to find the prefix or suffix which will go with each of 4 words. There are 32 sets of words. They can then discuss whether they have created antonyms or turned adjectives into proper nouns etc... A few slides at a time for starter activities...

This is a desk-top mat for mainstream teachers with EAL students in the class. It's a short check list and then suggested activities for beginners through to advanced bilingual learners.

This is a series of contrasting pictures, with questions, for making comparisons. Good 'brain gym&' activity.

There are two sets of 11 boxes with a short paragraph. In pairs, the students discuss which of each pair is the best paragraph and why. They can 'mix and match' and create their own version. Next, they match the 11 paragraphs up to the pictures and put them in sequence to tell the basic storyline. I have taken the box layout and pictures from the internet.