This short, simple story is fun to read. Ideal for newly independent and emergent readers. The zoo animals that Jack sees are vividly described in a few, simple words. The funny monkey offers humour too. Plenty to discuss and follow up. There’s also a little space at the bottom for an extra illustration. See my other simple stories too, for variety.

This is a simple, 53-word story for young readers and almost-readers. It’s fun and meaningful to read, with supportive illustrations. The central character, Jack, features in other stories in the series too. The story features the dentist’s chair, and its exciting movements up and down. In the story, the dentist inspects Jack’s teeth and mends one, and Jack thanks him. This little reading resource is engaging and relevant to children’s lives. It also encourages tooth care and dental visits. See my other simple stories in the series, e.g. Ball in the Tree: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/story-ball-in-the-tree-simple-reading-12493185

“Lockdown” is the word for this acrostic poem idea, with a line of suggestions for each letter down the page. Teacher tips are provided at the bottom of this one-sheet resource, with advice for preparing students for the task with wide-reaching discussion, for ensuring privacy in case of sensitive issues, and for follow-on artwork. Literacy, PSHE and current affairs are all addressed in this resource, with scope for taking in different directions through follow-on activities. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown experiences will be prominent in students’ minds, so this literacy activity offers an outlet for processing feelings and thoughts on the subject, while also stretching literacy and poetic skills.

This 14-line poem inspires confidence in beating Covid and its effects. It points out that, while tiring, it’s inspiring - making us stir and think outside the box, warning the virus to be prepared for a battering. Offers support for students suffering from mental health issues at this time, and opens doors to discussion, writing and general artistic expression. Recommended for Year 6 upwards. Written by this author - a published poet.

This is a funny, crazy rhyme about face masks, for a little light relief in Coronavirus times. While taking a humorous look at our masks, and how they can come in handy for non-health purposes too, this three-verse, rhyming poem will also develop children’s sense of rhythm, rhyme and poetic form, stretching vocabulary and ideas, too. It also has great scope for actions and performance, and offers welcome cheer and fun for students and teachers alike at this time. Written by the author - a published children’s poet.

Letters and their sounds, c, d, e and f, are presented in pale letters for writing over, alongside pictures of items starting with those letters: c - car, d - dinosaur, e - elephant, f - fish and frog. There are no words to read, just letters and their associated pictures, helping children make meaningful links between phonics and their uses. The dinosaur can be coloured in, adding to the fun of this attractive sheet. For more, see my many other phonics sheets, including one for a, b, c and d. This one revisits the c and d, moving on to e and f too.

Letters a-d and their phonics are linked to familiar pictures for sounding out and over-writing activities. The letters and words also offer rhythm and pattern for clapping and chanting: a a apple, b b ball, c c cat, d d dog. Fun and meaningful way to learn sounds and practise writing.

This activity sheet links letter C with four familiar items - cup, crayons, car and cat. The pictures will enable young readers to link the shape and phonic with the relevant words. The pale-coloured Cs can be written over. Two of the pictures are in black and white for colouring opportunities. Lots of similar phonics sheets at my shop, especially recent uploads.

Castle writing and vocabulary-stretching fun is offered in this attractive picture-writing frame. Independent and emergent writers will love thinking up words, similes and phrases to fill the ten gaps in and around this atmospheric photo of historic Caerphilly Castle, Wales. The GUIDE sheet supplies teachers with handy ideas for words and similes to give as prompts and examples, at all levels. The gap-free version of the picture, also included, will inspire pupils to think up their own words too. Uses: poetry-writing preparation, vocabulary stretching, writing confidence, castle topic enhancement, story-writing starter and more. Also useful as a gap-filler, any time, any class from around Yr 2-6. See my other topical pictures with word gaps too.

Pond picture for colouring and writing, with lines for five describing words and a longer line below for a simile. Also a spare curvy line for an extra thought. Lots of idea-triggering details in the picture, with space for more contributions. You could prompt for: splashy, green, busy, smooth, reflecting, wet, sprinkly, brown, muddy, fun, peaceful, deep, quiet, ploppy, cool or calm, perhaps, and as smooth as silk, velvet, milk, ink, skin, feathers or satin, perhaps. See also harder and easier versions, and colouring-only pond for Early Years, and Pond Writing + Colouring Bundle for all. This resource supports outdoor projects, writing skill development, creativity, colouring skills and nature appreciation.

Literacy boost, celebrating nature. Beautiful butterfly image with 10 gaps for words + space below for similes, with Guide Sheet / Word + Simile Bank for teacher reference. Clear picture also provided, for inspiration. A fun, meaningful activity that engages children instantly, stretching vocabulary, firing ideas for creative writing, and enthusing them in butterflies and the natural world. Supports Literacy and Nature topics together. Other themes in this gap-filling picture series so far: Dragons, Space, Meadow (free), Sea and Under Sea. Jungle + more coming soon.

This sparkly star picture includes two yellow ‘S’ letters to write over and, below, the ‘sp’ of ‘sparkly’ + the ‘st’ of ‘star’ to write, completing the words. Children will associate the letters with the words and pictures, helping them to learn their phonics. The star can be coloured in, with little stars around for shading too. Attractive, fun activity for fast, meaningful learning and writing practice. See my other phonics sheets at my shop. Latest entries.

Phonic short o, in ‘on’ and ‘off’, recognition, reading and writing practice, illustrated. Young children will instantly connect with the pictures and familiar, simple words - on and off, and enjoy writing over the pale, coloured letters, twice over. See my other short ‘o’ phonic resources and other sound practice sheets too, for more phonic teaching support.

This fun writing sheet highlights the letter-phonic ‘e’ in ‘pen’ and ‘red pen’, with an extra ‘e’ circled. The pale words can be written over, plus there’s an ‘e’ to hear in ‘teddy’ - a picture of a teddy holding a red pen. Supports phonic and letter learning, handwriting and fine motor skills, with a pen to shade in, also offering discussion scope. For similar sheets featuring other vowel sounds and letters, please visit my shop, then click recent.

Phonics a and s feature in this illustrated reading + writing sheet. Numbers to count too. Text: “2 hats 3 bats 4 cats” . Pale lettering in varied colours for over-writing. See linked sheets: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/phonic-a-in-cat-12249906 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/phonic-a-cat-in-a-hat-12251051 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/phonic-a-in-bat-12254461

This reading + writing activity teaches the phonic ‘o’ as in dog, fox and frog. It is fun and attractive, with varied pastel colours to write over. Young children will associate the letters and words with the pictures of familiar animals, helping them to focus on their shapes and sounds, and recall them later. I have many other phonics activities at my shop. See ‘newest’ for others like this.

Phonics to sound-out + words to read and over-write are presented on this colourful, illustrated sheet. ‘big dog’ is presented twice, with smiling dog picture, with g and d repeated for practice. Teaches vowels i and o, differentiates between b and d, and also highlights letter g. Children will love this charming dog, and will be relaxed and encouraged by the pretty flowers. I offer many similar phonics sheets. Please see ‘newest’ on my catalogue.

Phonic ‘a’ in the word ‘bat’, illustrated writing sheet, with pale letters to write over. The word is presented three times, with three sweeping, swooping bats and stars to colour in. See also my other phonic ‘a’ sheets with ‘cat’ and ‘cat in a hat’.