Hi,
We are Sally and Amanda from Guinea Pig Education. We present a range of complimentary teaching aids and workbooks to use in your classroom or as homework – in both print and digital format.
We aim to raise reading standards and to develop literacy skills, with our ‘fun for kids’ phonic reading resources.
We also offer support for pupils aged 4-16 years. We highly recommend our comprehension and creative writing resources - which build confidence and develop imagination.
Hi,
We are Sally and Amanda from Guinea Pig Education. We present a range of complimentary teaching aids and workbooks to use in your classroom or as homework – in both print and digital format.
We aim to raise reading standards and to develop literacy skills, with our ‘fun for kids’ phonic reading resources.
We also offer support for pupils aged 4-16 years. We highly recommend our comprehension and creative writing resources - which build confidence and develop imagination.
Between the ages of 9 and 12, children have to complete Standardised.Assessment.Tests (Sats). To help them practise for these tests, we have produced a new series of comprehension booklets. The Standards and Testing Agency states that the child has 1 hour to complete the test, answering the questions in the answer booklet. Read one text and answer the questions about that text, before moving onto the next text. There are three texts and three sets of questions in each booklet.
The tests in this booklet are based on the KS2 Reading Assessment sample papers. It is important to try and complete them in an hour, but it is your choice. The more tests you practise the quicker you will get.
39 pages
Persuasive Writing work packs are essential for all students, of 9-14 years, wanting to develop their literacy skills and improve their grades in English assignments and examinations.
Persuasive Writing work packs teach children how to write from different points of view and how opinions can be used to make articles biased. This series of work packs will enable the student to write convincingly in letters, leaflets, brochures and newspaper articles for example. The packs include a lively collection of writings, poems and a play to inspire the pupils. These are designed as starting points, ideal for the student who finds it difficult to think up ideas for writing, challenging them to recreate their own persuasive pieces.
In addition to this, the packs teach organisational and literary devices in persuasive writing, including, figurative language, emotive words, repetition, connectives and use of good vocabulary. The student will learn how to consider writing for the appropriate audience, how to vary sentence types in order to make writing more interesting, and the importance of using good spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Each work pack includes an exciting range of model answers and sample texts written by students and provides practice questions to test them. Common errors made by students are highlighted and corrected. They are packed with vital hints and tips to enable the pupil to be successful and gain good grades.
The work packs are ideal for home study and will reinforce the work done in school. They may be purchased in any order. There are a number of titles to choose from. By working through the packs, the student will grow in confidence and will learn to enjoy writing. The packs are also a useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
17 pages
This workbook is packed full of information about the workhouse system in Victorian Great Britain. It is your job to finish the research and complete the various activities. You will need to ask questions, find information and interpret the evidence you discover. It includes lots of firsthand source material.
The topics covered include:
The New Poor Law
Building design and layout of workhouses
Staffing the workhouse
Workhouse orders and rules
Clothing
The sorts of jobs workhouse inmates had to do
Workhouse diet
Living conditions in the workhouse
Common diseases in the workhouse
Poor Law Guardians
Reasons why people may have gone into the workhouse
Elizabeth Twining and the Workhouse Visiting Society
Written accounts of the time about what life was like in the workhouse
What happened to the workhouses
Each topic is broken down so that it is easy to understand and all the information is presented in an engaging manner. The historical subject matter being taught is written up in the form of imaginary interviews, newspaper articles, letters, diary entries, posters etc. for the children to read. There are lots of questions to answer that will encourage your children to thoughtfully consider the evidence before them. They will be asked to look for clues in texts and pictures, to describe, to explain, to reason, to draw conclusions and to think critically. There are also creative writing exercises to do that will help children write their own narratives about each topic and to recall, select and organise relevant historical knowledge. Where information is missing, your children will be required to make their own enquiries and look up the answers to the questions online and in books.
This pack is designed to help support your children as they explore the Victorian era, deepen their understanding of this historical time period, and ignite their interest in history. It is suitable for children age 8-13.
54 pages.
PDF
This is a digital download.
Please be aware, there are no answers, but all the missing information is provided in bullet points at the end of the pack.
Learn about the great plague of 1665, through the eyes of the great diary writer Samuel Pepys, and practise your reading comprehension skills.
This work pack includes: a reading comprehension based on extracts from Samuel Pepys diary, pages of interesting facts about the plague, creative writing and drawing activities.
An excellent resource for classes studying this period in history.
Make up some questions you would ask if you interviewed someone. Now, interview someone you know well and record what they say. Write a shirt biography of your chosen person.
An essential series of themed prompts to help children aged 9-12 years to practise their creative writing skills for 11 plus entry exams or S.A.T.S. The packs include an outline to help the child plan his or her own story, article, letter or play script and examples to build on, using harder more challenging vocabulary to stretch more able pupils.
7 pages
A set of printable worksheets to practice handwriting.
Introducing you to our brand new ‘Zoggy Zero’ scheme. Help your child/ren to take their first steps in reading, writing and spelling, with this exciting structured scheme.
19 pages
A short play script for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, based on the original book by L. Frank Baum, for you to adapt for your class or school performance.
School plays are an incredible platform to introduce children to drama, to music, to theatre skills.
The school play enables a group, or class of children, to interact together and to work in a team. There is a role for everyone, whether the child:
is an actor, who is comfortable learning lines and being on the stage
loves singing and dancing
enjoys making props, costumes, or helping with technical skills backstage, in sound or lighting
A positive experience in a school play boosts confidence and helps a child to feel valued. They can be performed at any time of the year and not just at Christmas. It is a good way to end a term and get parents more actively involved. They can be elaborately staged events, or just a simple assembly.
If you have read our book Park Lane School Presents… The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, why not put on your very own school production, using our play script as a starting point.
35 pages
This resource contains persuasive writing tasks, based on the theme of homelessness. For example, the student will learn how charities use different persuasive techniques and emotive language to appeal for money and support. They will learn how to write a one-sided argument. Then, they wil write their own charity appeal.
Persuasive Writing & Argument Theme Work Packs save preparation time when planning writing tasks for 9-14 year olds. Easy to follow, each pack provides specimen planning sheets and essays in non fiction writing topics. The model essays contain information that will give children starting points to develop their own ideas. Children will learn fundamental skills in non fiction writing.
Persuasive Writing & Argument Theme Work Packs teach children how to write from different points of view and how opinions can be used to make articles biased. Children will learn the basic principles of discursive writing, including how to set out an argument. They will learn different forms of writing - for example, articles, letters, leaflets, brochures and holiday brochures. They will become familiar with using literary or stylistic techniques, such as, repetition, similes, metaphors and groups of three, to make their writing persuasive.
12 pages
Between the ages of 9 and 12, children have to complete Standardised.Assessment.Tests (Sats). To help them practise for these tests, we have produced a new series of comprehension booklets. The Standards and Testing Agency states that the child has 1 hour to complete the test, answering the questions in the answer booklet. Read one text and answer the questions about that text, before moving onto the next text. There are three texts and three sets of questions in each booklet.
The tests in this booklet are based on the KS2 Reading Assessment sample papers. It is important to try and complete them in an hour, but it is your choice. The more tests you practise the quicker you will get.
43 pages
Browse our website, to view our full range of educational resources.
Ask the child to read the travel information from The Rushford Gazette’s special holiday feature. They will learn about using good adjectives, verbs, adverbs and rhetorical and other persuasive devices. The child is then asked to write their own travel information on the Norfolk Broads. After this, they are asked to make a holiday brochure for a holiday in Europe. Lots of prompts are given to choose from, as well as lists of suitable words and phrases to use.
Next, George and Christabelle of Guinea Pig Radio ask their listeners what they would do if they could take off and go anywhere in the world. In this pack, the child is asked to write about their dream holiday destination. Then, they are asked to read the listeners texts and emails and to imagine these dreams came true and to write the listeners stories. Lastly, ask the child to use the question prompts to write about a holiday that they have enjoyed.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
19 pages
Learn To Write Different Genres Of Story
In this pack, the child will learn about different genres or types of story and about the techniques writers use to make their reader want to read on. For example, flash backs or dialogue to move a story on.
The child is asked to read the rescue story and to write their own version. A helpful prompt is included, showing the child how to introduce character, setting and plot in paragraph one, develop plot (actions and complications) in paragraph two and build up suspense in paragraph three, ending the story on a happy, sad or cliff hanger ending.
Next, the child should read the ghost story and write their own version. After this, they should make their own thesaurus, by collecting a number of difficult words and find words that mean the same (synonyms).
This series of work packs provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. Featuring a lively, ‘magazine style’ format to appeal to children of all abilities, these packs are particularly recommended as preparation for creative writing tasks at 11+ or S.A.T.S.
The writer herself often dips into the lively collection of imaginative stories and non fiction articles, to teach her students in tutorials. The packs feature detailed prompts on how to plan and write stories and letters, as well as help with non fiction tasks - writing diaries, reports and persuasive leaflets. There is also plenty of practice in writing techniques - variation of sentences, connectives and grammar and punctuation tips.
30 pages
23 pages
These pages practice writing for different purposes, using animal themes.
In the first task, the child is asked to read an interview with a cat and a dog. They then write their own interview with a chosen animal, imagining what the animal would say if it could talk like a human.
In the second task, the child reads some letters written to Raj, the local vet. They should use their imagination to complete the replies. He or she then writes their own letter to Raj about a problem that a chosen pet has.
The third task highlights how instructions use imperatives like ‘use’ to start sentences. The child adds further sentences starting with ‘bossy’ verbs.
In the fourth and fifth task, the child must use his or her imagination to make a persuasive advert for a yummy dog treat, using persuasive words. Then, they should write a more detailed paragraph about a ‘wacky’ invention for a pet product they have invented, explaining how to use it. A series of questions helps the child structure his or her work.
This theme could be developed over several lessons. It would be excellent for homework handouts.
This resource is featured in the book ‘We Love Animals: Get Going With Creative Writing’ series.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers.
Written in a lively magazine style format, each pack provides a step by step guide to teach children how to plan and write an animal themed story.
The packs also provide starting points to write e-mails, letters, play scripts, diaries, reports and other non fiction texts.
The child will learn writing techniques; simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and spelling, punctuation and grammar tips. There is an emphasis on improving vocabulary - looking at lots of better word choices: harder adjectives, more powerful verbs and adverbs.
This series is recommended for use with children between the ages of 7-11 and provides writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ examinations or S.A.T.s. The packs will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language.
23 pages
These resources practice different purposes of writing, using animal themes.
First, the child is asked to describe a chosen pet: his appearance, character and behaviour. They read an example, to show them how to structure their work and then write their own simple description.
For the second task, the child is then shown a more detailed description of a cat’s antics, in three paragraphs. The child reads the example and then writes about his or her chosen pet in more detail. Each paragraph will be about a different activity, their pet enjoys.
The third task builds vocabulary. The child is given lists of helpful adjectives and verbs to read and then add to.
The fourth task asks the child to complete a fact file, compiling information on their chosen pet.
In the fifth task, the child reads an example of a leaflet which uses persuasive words and phrases to describe a rescue pet. The child then completes the skeleton sentences to write their own persuasive article.
In the final task, the child is asked to read an example, which shows how words and phrases can be used to play on people’s emotions. They are then asked to write their own persuasive article, using persuasive words and phrases, to persuade people to help an animal charity.
This theme could be developed over several lessons. It would be excellent for homework handouts.
This resource is featured in the book ‘We Love Animals: Get Going With Creative Writing’ series.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers.
Written in a lively magazine style format, each pack provides a step by step guide to teach children how to plan and write an animal themed story.
The packs also provide starting points to write e-mails, letters, play scripts, diaries, reports and other non fiction texts.
The child will learn writing techniques; simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and spelling, punctuation and grammar tips. There is an emphasis on improving vocabulary - looking at lots of better word choices: harder adjectives, more powerful verbs and adverbs.
This series is recommended for use with children between the ages of 7-11 and provides writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ examinations or S.A.T.s. The packs will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language,
Prompts For Writing A Persuasive Leaflet (GCSE English Writing Work Pack)
This pack includes four prompts for GCSE creative writing. The form is to produce a leaflet. The purpose is to inform and persuade. The intended audience is parents or people looking for self catering holiday accommodation. There are four examples included, plus two pages on how the student should structure their work and the use of literary techniques
These work packs provide essential creative writing practice for the new GCSE English exam. They will help GCSE students prepare for their exam, whether they are students in years 9, 10 or 11. The packs provide practise in different forms of writing, for example, articles, blogs and letters.
These resources help students to write in a tone appropriate to purpose and audience. They instruct the student how to write from different perspectives or viewpoints and present a balanced argument. As well as, using appropriate tone and language. For example, learning to use: formal or informal register, language devices like rhetoric and groups of three and punctuation, such as variation of sentences for effect.
The Little Match Girl Comprehension
Read our illustrated version of the classic fairy tale The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Andersen, and answer the comprehension questions.
A thought-provoking activity that will encourage kids, age 7-10, to think about those less fortunate than them during the holiday season and the importance of being charitable and kind.
Between the ages of 9 and 12, children have to complete Standardised.Assessment.Tests (Sats). To help them practise for these tests, we have produced a new series of comprehension booklets. The Standards and Testing Agency states that the child has 1 hour to complete the test, answering the questions in the answer booklet. Read one text and answer the questions about that text, before moving onto the next text. There are three texts and three sets of questions in each booklet.
The tests in this booklet are based on the KS2 Reading Assessment sample papers. It is important to try and complete them in an hour, but it is your choice. The more tests you practise the quicker you will get.
47 pages
Our maths tests for home and school assess the mathematical ability of children according to their age.
If your child is 9, in his current school year, I suggest you work through Maths Test for 9 year olds. However, if you know your child has a higher or lower ability in maths, select a suitable test e.g. 10 years, 8 years.
As a tutor and primary school teacher, I have been administrating these tests for over 25 years to determine the child’s a!ainment in maths. I usually allow 45/50 minutes for a test. I also sit beside children who need help reading questions - but I encourage them to answer all questions without help, leaving out any they do not understand for a true score.
The tests contain especially chosen questions to test a wide range of mathematical concepts. taught at a particular age - number, measure, shapes, recording data. They examine your child’s ability to interpret different tasks: computational skills, reasoning skills, solving problems and recalling facts.
The raw score is your child’s mark out of the total number of questions, e.g. 50. If he or she scores 38 out of 50, he or she has got 76%. if you would like a standardised score to see your child’s average, please email guineapigeducation@yahoo.co.uk with your child’s raw score and date of birth in years and months.
Have fun doing the test. If your child is stressed, stop and resume the test.
36 pages
Persuasive Writing work packs are essential for all students, of 9-14 years, wanting to develop their literacy skills and improve their grades in English assignments and examinations.
Persuasive Writing work packs teach children how to write from different points of view and how opinions can be used to make articles biased. This series of work packs will enable the student to write convincingly in letters, leaflets, brochures and newspaper articles for example. The packs include a lively collection of writings, poems and a play to inspire the pupils. These are designed as starting points, ideal for the student who finds it difficult to think up ideas for writing, challenging them to recreate their own persuasive pieces.
In addition to this, the packs teach organisational and literary devices in persuasive writing, including, figurative language, emotive words, repetition, connectives and use of good vocabulary. The student will learn how to consider writing for the appropriate audience, how to vary sentence types in order to make writing more interesting, and the importance of using good spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Each work pack includes an exciting range of model answers and sample texts written by students and provides practice questions to test them. Common errors made by students are highlighted and corrected. They are packed with vital hints and tips to enable the pupil to be successful and gain good grades.
The work packs are ideal for home study and will reinforce the work done in school. They may be purchased in any order. There are a number of titles to choose from. By working through the packs, the student will grow in confidence and will learn to enjoy writing. The packs are also a useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
17 pages
Information Writing work packs are essential for all students wanting to develop their literacy skills and improve their grades in English assignments and examinations.
Information Writing work packs concentrate specifically on information writing, providing everything needed to stimulate a child to write. The child is taught to recognise the difference between facts and opinions. Each pack in this series concentrates on a different aspect of information writing including: writing to advise, writing to inform, writing to explain, writing to analyse, review and comment, giving examples. The child is taught how a newspaper article is structured, how to write formal and informal letters, diaries, police reports, e-mails, biographies, autobiographies, interviews, book reviews and many more.
The work packs contain starting point for writing, helping the child to form ideas, enabling him or her to structure their work and organise it into paragraphs. Attention is given to making writing more interesting by varying sentence types, using punctuation and good grammar.
Each work pack includes an exciting range of model answers and sample texts written by students and provides practice questions to test them. Common errors made by students are highlighted and corrected. They are packed with vital hints and tips to enable the student to be successful and gain good grades.
The packs are a very useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks. The specimen lesson plans and examples contained within each work pack will give the student ideas to build on and provide practice to develop their writing skills. Each work pack provides children with ideas for writing, especially reluctant writers who require starting points to write. Each work pack provides a safe topic that children will be comfortable with.
15 pages
This resource shows children how to structure and develop a story. First, the child reads the story ‘Lost’. Then, they are shown an outline of how the story was planned – the characters, setting and plot. Secondly, they are shown the content of each paragraph: the beginning paragraph (setting the scene), the middle paragraph (recounting a series of events that build up suspense) and the ending (the way the story is resolved). The child should use what they have learnt, to write the same story. A series of unfinished sentences are provided to help them.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers.
Written in a lively magazine style format, each pack provides a step by step guide to teach children how to plan and write an animal themed story.
The packs also provide starting points to write e-mails, letters, play scripts, diaries, reports and other non fiction texts.
The child will learn writing techniques; simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and spelling, punctuation and grammar tips. There is an emphasis on improving vocabulary - looking at lots of better word choices: harder adjectives, more powerful verbs and adverbs.
This series is recommended for use with children between the ages of 7-11 and provides writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ examinations or S.A.T.s. The packs will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language.
9 pages