Poetry & literacy resources by published children's poet.
I also lead poetry workshops for UK primary schools.
Website: katewilliamspoet.com
Book news - Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Animal poems - out 9th January '25. Publisher: Otter-Barry Books.
Poetry & literacy resources by published children's poet.
I also lead poetry workshops for UK primary schools.
Website: katewilliamspoet.com
Book news - Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Animal poems - out 9th January '25. Publisher: Otter-Barry Books.
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.
4 simple phonics writing + colouring sheets to learn ‘o’ in fox, box, dog, frog, dots, spots, on and off. Offers reading, writing and motor control development, with pale letters to over-write. Each o is presented in a different colour from the other letters, to stand out. It is also shown separately, in a bright colour. The pictures bring meaning and interest, and assist learning.
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’.
Phonic ‘a’ (short) writing and recognition practice sheet, with words: cat in a hat, illustrated in colour. Two extra letter a’s to write over, say and learn. The cute cat and bright hat will help children understand and learn the phonic, and the words too.
I also have a simple ‘cat’ writing sheet, and many other phonic reading and writing sheets in my catalogue.
Phonic ‘o’ is presented in dog and frog, for young children to read or recognise, and over-write. The pictures can be coloured in for extra fun and meaningfulness.
See my other ‘o’ writing and colouring sheets in this series - fox, box; dots and spots.
Phonic ‘o’ as in ‘dots’ and ‘spots’ is attractively presented for reading, recognising and over-writing, along with the letters around it, with coloured dots and spots to add to, for extra fun. The pictures and words bring meaning to the phonic for young children.
See my various other phonics resources too, for a wider range.
Phonic ‘o’ as in fox and box - writing practice with pictures to colour. Simple, but fun and meaningful, bringing ‘o’ alive for young children.
See my other phonics activities too, spread through my catalogue.
This funny, lively space rhyme supports all-round literacy. It’s simple, four-line verse can be varied to allow for different ideas, and each can be enacted or expressed with gestures, sounds or mime. Children will enjoy its catchy rhythm and be interested in the rhyme (space/face), also finding the tone cheerful and humorous. The resource offers embellishment for space topics, too, and encourages physical movement and expression.
The tips below the rhyme include handy prompts for enacting, line by line, and also for eliciting alternative alien features.
Using a simple, familiar tune, this verse could also be set to music.
Poetry in haiku form, with trees as the theme, is taught here with an introduction to haiku and six examples to complete. Tips for preparation are also given.
Trees are familiar to all children, but each child will bring their own experiences, observations, thoughts and feelings to their writing.
Trees are fascinating things, providing us with a wealth of glories, services and vital resources. They offer ever-varying colours, shapes, sounds, expressions, silhouettes, textures, fruits, flowers, leaf patterns, and more. They mark the seasons for us, offering summer shade and winter shelter; they inspire us with their noble, statuesque figures against the ever-changing sky; they house wildlife, secure and enrich the soil, and feed the atmosphere with vital elements. Yet around the world, they are being chopped down and uprooted. What will your children decide to say about them, and how, in their 17 syllables?
Recommended for upper juniors and higher. 1 A4 page, black and white. Includes 3 haiku frames with gaps to fill, and 3 starter lines/phrases.
Fifty word pairs (and threes) that sound the same or similar but are spelt differently, e.g. bear / bare, here / hear and wait / weight, divided into ‘Easy’, ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Hard’ categories.
Useful teaching resource for selected spelling focus and testing.
NB: word definitions are not given. This is a straightforward bank of same-sounding words for flexible use. Older children will be able to check the word meanings themselves.
See also my ‘Which is Witch?’ spelling games:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/spelling-grammar-games-yrs-4-6-11913259 and other word banks and assorted writing resources.
Shells writing + colouring sheet, with link to supporting, inspiring video.
Shells can be… describing words are invited around the shell pictures on this attractive sheet. Similes also called for: as … as …, and one for the sea on the wavy line - The sea is as sparkly as…
SUPPORTING VIDEO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9
See my easier version here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/shells-can-be-illustrated-writing-frame-guide-sheet-12099487
A punchy, 4-verse rhyme about shells, with guidance notes for presentation and development, for use with young children.
Can be chanted with hand gestures, with scope for more verses using children’s volunteered alternative describing words for shells.
Supports speaking and listening skills, drama, presentation, self-confidence, seaside topics and more.
The four rhyming verses describe sea shells in different ways, drawing attention to different types and their varying features, and the beauty and jewel-like quality of underwater shells, too.
Video: Here’s me talking about shells, showing some, and reciting the poem, at a make-believe seaside: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wkeZ8K6iCfcFQneZ9 .
Here’s a writing/colouring sheet to follow on with: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/shells-can-be-illustrated-writing-frame-guide-sheet-12099487
This lively action-rhyme consists of four couplets. Each tells of a spider’s movements, dangling, landing (on your head), running round your hair… running everywhere. The notes below it provide tips for acting out these different stages.
The rhyme supports all-round literacy, including vocabulary, speaking and listening, expressive and creative presentation, and rhythm and rhyme development. It also teaches children about spiders and helps them to appreciate these delicate mini creatures, reducing any fears they may have of them.
Tapping or shaking the beat will add to the punch and fun of this rhyme, while acting out provides an alternative approach. Perhaps do both by turn.
This two-verse ladybird rhyme has rhythm, rhyme and word fun. There’s ample scope for acting out, too, and the notes below the text provide a few tips for this.
The rhyme supports all-round literacy, including vocabulary, rhyme and imagery (red as a poppy). It also develops awareness of insects and appreciation of their tiny, delicate features. Enacting the verses will encourage creative, expressive movement, and the cheerful tone will support mental wellbeing, too.
You may also like my spider rhyme: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/rhyme-spider-12304548
A royal crown, in black and white, to colour in. For young children to celebrate royal birthdays, such as that of the British Queen on June 13th, and also to support learning about kings and queens through history, and associated topics.
Children will enjoy choosing bright, beautiful colours to shade in the various shapes presented on this crown. They will also develop skills, such as fine motor control, colour differentiation and designing.
Butterfly-themed haiku poems: frames and guidance.
A teacher’s resource sheet, containing:
haiku frames (3), starter lines (3), haiku guidelines, syllable clarification, using names to demonstrate, warm-up tips, and a list of butterfly marvels to discuss and write about.
For more haiku themes, see my other sheets. Trees, birds, dragons - and more to come!
Haiku look simple, but are surprisingly challenging to create, with syllables to count and concepts to convey within three short lines. Children enjoy the mix of theme, words and counting, and the brevity of the poem, visually. A series of these pocket-sized poems can be stunning to listen to in quick succession. Enjoy!