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.
Learn Spelling Rules Challenge:
Are you rough and tough enough to learn words with ‘ough’ and ‘augh’? For example, ‘cough’ and ‘laugh’.
Learn Spelling Rules Challenge:
Learn Some hard word patterns, such as, ’ acq’ and ‘ator’.
With ‘Learn Spelling Rules Packs’ spelling need not be dull. These work packs can be used at school or at home, to reinforce spelling rules in a fun way.
Our character, Zoggy, the friendly alien, is a genius when it comes to spelling. He encourages the children to join him in his spelling workout. In other words, they must train and learn the spelling rules.
These packs consist of challenges in spelling, focusing on words formed using spelling rules. For example, dropping ‘e’ in words like ‘take’ to make ‘taking’. Each pack focuses on a different rule and the packs may be used in any order.
These packs are essential to help correct common errors in spelling. They also help avoid bad habits forming in spelling.
Each pack contains lots of practice to help the children remember the rules.
12 pages
Learn homophones - words that sound the same, but have different spellings and meanings.
Learn homonyms - words with the same spelling, but different meanings.
With ‘Learn Spelling Rules Packs’ spelling need not be dull. These work packs can be used at school or at home, to reinforce spelling rules in a fun way.
Our character, Zoggy, the friendly alien, is a genius when it comes to spelling. He encourages the children to join him in his spelling workout. In other words, they must train and learn the spelling rules.
These packs consist of challenges in spelling, focusing on words formed using spelling rules. For example, dropping ‘e’ in words like ‘take’ to make ‘taking’. Each pack focuses on a different rule and the packs may be used in any order.
These packs are essential to help correct common errors in spelling. They also help avoid bad habits forming in spelling.
Each pack contains lots of practice to help the children remember the rules.
13 pages
Learn Spelling Rules Challenge:
‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’, but only when the sound is ‘ee’.
However there are some exceptions to this rule.
Learn Spelling Rules Challenge:
Be aware of words with silent letters. For example, ‘knees’.
With ‘Learn Spelling Rules Packs’ spelling need not be dull. These work packs can be used at school or at home, to reinforce spelling rules in a fun way.
Our character, Zoggy, the friendly alien, is a genius when it comes to spelling. He encourages the children to join him in his spelling workout. In other words, they must train and learn the spelling rules.
These packs consist of challenges in spelling, focusing on words formed using spelling rules. For example, dropping ‘e’ in words like ‘take’ to make ‘taking’. Each pack focuses on a different rule and the packs may be used in any order.
These packs are essential to help correct common errors in spelling. They also help avoid bad habits forming in spelling.
Each pack contains lots of practice to help the children remember the rules.
7 pages
Learn To Spell Words With 2 Or More Syllables. Break down words using phonics and syllables. Learn ‘ck’, as in clock. Find ‘ck’ sounds in the ridiculous rhyme. Complete the spelling test.
A series of work packs to teach and reinforce phonic sounds. If the child knows phonics - the initial blends, ending blends and the 44 middle sounds, he or she will be able to use them as a tool to break down words to spell them. In this series, there are 22 challenges or work packs to collect, each one featuring a different phonic sound.
Our cute, quirky character, Zoggy, a spelling genius from Zen, helps present the challenges. The pages are a fun way to learn to spell, including: cute cartoons, ridiculous phonic rhymes and practise phonic spelling tests. The child can work through the packs with a teacher or parent. The packs comply with the National Curriculum.
8 pages
This resource contains lots of hints and tips for writing fiction. For example, advice on introducing characters and building up settings, atmosphere and plot. A very helpful, succinct flow chart is provided, which is an excellent handout and is excellent for referring back to when required. The student is provided with many writing prompts and ideas for different types of stories to write.
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.
20 pages
In this pack, the child is asked to read the descriptions about a trip to the common and then write their own detailed description about a visit to a park or common. They should put in lots of little interesting facts and opinions.
Next, the child is asked to write about an outing they have been on with their parents, school or holiday club, adding their own facts and opinions. Before they start, ask the child to make a list of interesting verbs, adjectives and adverbs that they can use in their writing. They should try using some literary devices, like similes, metaphors and alliteration as well.
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.
21 pages
This resource includes:
Imagine You Are An Old Toy And Write Your Story
In this pack, the child is asked to pretend they are some kind of old object, like a toy, hidden in the loft. Then, they should read the story and the sentence prompts given and write their own version of the story, describing how they were found and what happened after that.
Imagine You Are An Old Person In A World That Has Changed: Write Your Story
The child is asked to write a story about being old in a world that has changed. They should read the prompts and the story plan and rewrite the story in good English. They should remember to vary their sentences, to make their writing interesting. A suggested beginning paragraph is given, to start them off.
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.
19 pages
In this resource, the child is asked to carry out a number of writing activities based around the Rushford Village Fair. For example, they are asked to write persuasive posters advertising the fair, a detailed program and plan for the day, formal letters asking people to donate items to sell and to make up some competitions.
The child is then asked to read the newspaper article written the day after the fair and to find facts and opinions and direct and reported speech. Lastly, they should write their own newspaper report about the fair, for the school magazine. They should write in third person. The child should use all the prompts given to help them write their report.
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 Read With Phonics Reading Packs are a quick and easy way to teach children to read in just six months.
They are ideal for all ages (from 4 years plus), especially reluctant older readers of 7, 8, 9+, children with learning difficulties and children where English is a foreign language.
The packs are designed to be used one to one or in small groups with a teacher and child or parent/guardian and child learning together.
The packs consist of a structured course that build 44 phonic sounds into the text. As the children read the adventures of a loveable boy called Sam, they can have fun searching for hidden sounds. They will build up 44 sounds in total. This will enable them to read 80% of words in the English language, by breaking them down into sounds or syllables - pl ay ing. Children using phonics in this way progress fast.
A series of stories, The Bouncing Castle and The Famous Cousin From The Country reinforce the complex middle sounds being learnt. By the end of the scheme, the child will be ready to progress to ‘solo’ reading books, such as Roald Dahl’s ‘Georges Marvellous Medicine’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’.
Many of the packs have cut out practice pages for matching words to pictures and phrases to pictures, to fix the sound words in the child’s memory. The simple text and fun colour sketches, appeal to young readers and have helped the authors to teach many, many children to read.
The reading packs may be used in any order, just pick the pack for the sound you require. However, when using the packs for a complete non reader we suggest you start with packs teaching initial sounds (word building with three or four letter words).
Then move on to learning phonic sounds in this order: ch, sh, wh, th, oo, ee, ar, or, ur, ir, er, magic e, ea, oa, ai, ay, oi, oy, oa, short y (as in happy), long y (as in sky), soft c (as in mice), soft g (as in engine), ou, ow, au and aw.
Next, move onto more complex sounds as in, tion, le, el, ough, gue, que, ine, ue, ie, ei, prefixes and suffixes.
How To Use
Each pack introduces a sound.
Learn the sound with the child/children
Read the sentences or stories several times, encouraging the child/children to talk about the pictures.
At the end of the sentences or story, there is a list of words and phrases, which the child can match to the pictures.
Practise each sound several times, until the child is familiar with it.
This is a two pack set including test 1 and test 2.
Improve Your English Work Packs teach the child good English. They help improve the child’s punctuation, spelling and grammar skills. There are a wide range of packs to choose from, providing practice in sentence writing, use of connectives and parts of speech. The child will also be introduced to literary techniques - similes, metaphors and other stylistic devices.
The format of each pack is so simple. The pages are quick and easy to work through, so the child will learn fast and remember skills taught easily. Each pack includes a lesson plan, with structured exercises, including answer pages. Improve Your English Work Packs save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
Included in this series, there are eight structured assessment tests, to test vocabulary, capital letters, punctuation, spelling and use of English language with answers.
20 pages
This is a two pack set including test 3 and test 4.
Improve Your English Work Packs teach the child good English. They help improve the child’s punctuation, spelling and grammar skills. There are a wide range of packs to choose from, providing practice in sentence writing, use of connectives and parts of speech. The child will also be introduced to literary techniques - similes, metaphors and other stylistic devices.
The format of each pack is so simple. The pages are quick and easy to work through, so the child will learn fast and remember skills taught easily. Each pack includes a lesson plan, with structured exercises, including answer pages. Improve Your English Work Packs save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
Included in this series, there are eight structured assessment tests, to test vocabulary, capital letters, punctuation, spelling and use of English language with answers.
21 pages
Learn To Read With Phonics Reading Packs are a quick and easy way to teach children to read in just six months.
They are ideal for all ages (from 4 years plus), especially reluctant older readers of 7, 8, 9+, children with learning difficulties and children where English is a foreign language.
The packs are designed to be used one to one or in small groups with a teacher and child or parent/guardian and child learning together.
The packs consist of a structured course that build 44 phonic sounds into the text. As the children read the adventures of a loveable boy called Sam, they can have fun searching for hidden sounds. They will build up 44 sounds in total. This will enable them to read 80% of words in the English language, by breaking them down into sounds or syllables - pl ay ing. Children using phonics in this way progress fast.
A series of stories, The Bouncing Castle and The Famous Cousin From The Country reinforce the complex middle sounds being learnt. By the end of the scheme, the child will be ready to progress to ‘solo’ reading books, such as Roald Dahl’s ‘Georges Marvellous Medicine’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’.
Many of the packs have cut out practice pages for matching words to pictures and phrases to pictures, to fix the sound words in the child’s memory. The simple text and fun colour sketches, appeal to young readers and have helped the authors to teach many, many children to read.
The reading packs may be used in any order, just pick the pack for the sound you require. However, when using the packs for a complete non reader we suggest you start with packs teaching initial sounds (word building with three or four letter words).
Then move on to learning phonic sounds in this order: ch, sh, wh, th, oo, ee, ar, or, ur, ir, er, magic e, ea, oa, ai, ay, oi, oy, oa, short y (as in happy), long y (as in sky), soft c (as in mice), soft g (as in engine), ou, ow, au and aw.
Next, move onto more complex sounds as in, tion, le, el, ough, gue, que, ine, ue, ie, ei, prefixes and suffixes.
How To Use
Each pack introduces a sound.
Learn the sound with the child/children
Read the sentences or stories several times, encouraging the child/children to talk about the pictures.
At the end of the sentences or story, there is a list of words and phrases, which the child can match to the pictures.
Practise each sound several times, until the child is familiar with it.
Book three of four books to practise skills required to have success in verbal reasoning.
Working through these tests will help increase reasoning ability. Although our tests target children of ten or eleven, they can be used at any stage.
Our verbal reasoning tests are in line with National Curriculum targets and can be used to practise for 11+ selection tests for entry to grammar schools.
A parent or teacher can work through the tests with their children and practise any skills that need reinforcement. Some of the skills included are alphabet reasoning, anagrams, letter grouping, rhyming words, word patterns and logical reasoning.
Instructions for Children Taking the Test:
There are 100 questions in each tests. Start at question 1 and work your way to question 100, filling in your answers on the worksheet. Leave blank questions you cannot do and go on to the next one.
A parent or teacher can choose to set a time limit, say 50 minutes, for you to complete the test. When you have finished the test, ask an adult to mark it for you, and explain questions you do not understand.
Book four of four books to practise skills required to have success in verbal reasoning.
Working through these tests will help increase reasoning ability. Although our tests target children of ten or eleven, they can be used at any stage.
Our verbal reasoning tests are in line with National Curriculum targets and can be used to practise for 11+ selection tests for entry to grammar schools.
A parent or teacher can work through the tests with their children and practise any skills that need reinforcement. Some of the skills included are alphabet reasoning, anagrams, letter grouping, rhyming words, word patterns and logical reasoning.
Instructions for Children Taking the Test
There are 100 questions in each tests. Start at question 1 and work your way to question 100, filling in your answers on the worksheet. Leave blank questions you cannot do and go on to the next one.
A parent or teacher can choose to set a time limit, say 50 minutes, for you to complete the test. When you have finished the test, ask an adult to mark it for you, and explain questions you do not understand.
