Handbook of codes for pupils to crack either individually or with a partner. Each page has messages for pupils to decode from one of six codes including Reverse Alphabet, Letter/Number substitution, Secret Symbol Code, Morse, Cipher Wheel and Pigpen Cipher. There is a practise page for pupils to devise their own secret messages and a template and instructions for making a Cipher Wheel. There is a page where pupils can use three methods to create their own secret agent code name.
The Reverse Alphabet, Letter/Number and Secret Symbol codes are suitable for LA/MA pupils whilst the others are more challenging. Great fun as part of a lesson (English Grammar, comprehension etc) or as a filler activity for a specific group.
KS2 Y6 powerpoint lesson of 39 slides. Secret Agent Academy is a lesson (s) set in a ‘real’ context where pupils are ‘trained’ for a special mission to catch a villain. They create Agent Code Names and numbers, work as part of an Agent Cell, take an oath of secrecy and create common experiences eg a secret handshake. Their mission consists of 4 tasks which include cracking Substitution and Caesar codes linked to Maths problem solving challenges (equivalent numbers, comparing fractions with different denominators, sequences, missing numbers and ordering, patterns and calculations).
Slides 2-9 include an introduction to cracking codes and a go at deciphering a real code sent by Mary Queen of Scots before y pupils enter the Secret Agent Academy (slide 10 onwards). The Maths challenge resources are included on the slides at the end of the PP as well as information for further teaching resource websites on Codes and Ciphers.
Learning Objectives
Use Maths to solve problems in a real life situation.
Apply a simple Substitution Code and Caesar Cipher to solve messages.
To solve problems using missing numbers, equivalent numbers, number facts and place value.
To apply operations and inverses using Substitution codes
To identify specific knowledge of English Grammar such as high frequency letters, consonants, patterns and clusters of letters, short words and frequent pre/suffixes.
Unit of work for a week based upon the story 'We're going on a bear hunt'. Includes Literacy and Numeracy planning activities for Higher/middle and Lower ability groups. Includes non-negotiable vocabulary list and activities to develop vocabulary through outdoor learning, role play and creative activity.
EYFS unit of planning for 2 week period based upon Goldilocks and the three bears. Includes focused teaching ideas and activities and continuous provision in the areas of learning.
Weekly planning unit for EYFS. Learning activities and theme based upon the rhyme/song 'There was a Princess long ago'. Activities cover areas of learning with emphasis on speaking and listening and vocabulary development through role play and fun outdoor learning. Non negotiable vocabulary is identified for Literacy and Numeracy teaching. Planning includes differentiated Literacy and Numeracy for LA,MA and HA groups.
Weekly planning based upon the Nursery Rhyme Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. Includes differentiated Literacy and Numeracy planning for HA,MA and LA learners including non-negotiable vocabulary and activities for outdoor learning, role play and creative learning. Links well with work on 'growing' gardens and flowers. There is a focus on speaking and listening and vocabulary development through repetition and role play activities.
EYFS 2 week plan on 2 x A4 sheet grid. Grid 1 - Focused teaching ideas in the areas of learning. Grid 2- Continuous provision ideas in the areas of learning.
Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge.
Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson.
Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 10,11 and 12 to help shape the debate session.
Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross.
Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’. Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading onto the Resurrection. A template on slide 27 can be printed for pupil recording.
Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task.
Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster.
The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. ( I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant).
KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Easter story in order.
Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
KS1 & 2 Set of 5 Easter instructions.
Learning Objectives:
To read and follow the instructions accurately and in the correct sequence/order.
To recognise the features of instructions (What materials are needed, method, using an imperative (bossy) verb, sequencing actions and numbering each stage in order, using diagrams and pictures).
Five DT activities for pupils to read, understand and make. The activities include : Paste egg bunny, Easter basket, spring daffodil, Easter nests, pompom chick.
Use as an introduction to work on instructions to encourage pupils to observe the features in a fun way or as a format to help pupils scaffold their own instructional writing.
KS1&2 Easter story sequencing activity.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Easter story in order.
Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
KS1 & 2 Set of 5 Easter instructions.
Learning Objectives:
To read and follow the instructions accurately and in the correct sequence/order.
To recognise the features of instructions (What materials are needed, method, using an imperative (bossy) verb, sequencing actions and numbering each stage in order, using diagrams and pictures).
Five DT activities for pupils to read, understand and make. The activities include : Paste egg bunny, Easter basket, spring daffodil, Easter nests, pompom chick.
Use as an introduction to work on instructions to encourage pupils to observe the features in a fun way or as a format to help pupils scaffold their own instructional writing.
Series of 6 Y2 and KS2 powerpoint lessons on the topic of Easter. Each lesson includes the timings for each activity at the top of each slide. There are opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively in every lesson and record and share their ideas and knowledge.
Lesson 1: (30 mins) focuses on celebrations and Easter as a celebration and begins with an initial assessment based on pupil starting points. Pupils work in small groups of 2 or 3 and create a Spider diagram and Mind Map to record their knowledge. There is an opportunity for group feedback at the end of the lesson.
Lesson 2: (30 mins) focuses on the Easter story told through a link to a story on YouTube. The pupils raise questions about the story and have a P4C debate. There are Teacher notes on slides 10,11 and 12 to help shape the debate session.
Lesson 3: (30mins) focuses on Holy Week through images and key questions on each slide. There is a short YouTube clip on how to make a Palm cross.
Lesson 4: (40 mins) focuses on Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. There is a 20 min research activity based on the painting ‘The last Supper’. Pupils will need access to books about this subject and the internet. There are opportunities for pupils to explore responses and feelings to different aspects of the story leading onto the Resurrection. A template on slide 27 can be printed for pupil recording.
Lesson 5: (60 mins) focuses on the Christian symbol of the cross with a 45min Hot Cross Buns baking activity which can be either as a Teacher demonstration or as a group task.
Lesson 6: (40 mins) focuses on how Easter is celebrated today and explores some of the traditions such as Easter Bunny, lambs, chocolate eggs, daffodils etc. There are key questions for pupils to discuss in small groups and an end of unit assessment using all the information they have learnt in lessons 1-6 in the design of an Easter poster.
The final slide offers an additional Easter creative activity for pupils to follow instructions to make an Easter sheep for a card or a display. ( I used activity with the class when a group was completing research (Lesson 4) and a group were making Hot cross Buns (from Lesson5) with a Teaching Assistant).
Mother’s Day: KS1&2 powerpoint lesson of 26 slides focusing on the traditions and origin of Mothering Sunday. The initial slides look at the different forms of a family and how each is special. There are activities and key questions to encourage pupils to reflect upon why mothers are special, their role in the family and how they can be ‘honoured’ according to the Christian commandment – ‘honour thy mother’.
Includes information on how Mothering Sunday gets its name and interesting facts about how it is celebrated. There are two links to YouTube for ideas and instruction on how to make a simple flower and a flower bouquet card for Mother’s Day.
KS1 & 2 Power-point lesson which can be used as a single lesson or as a stimulus for cross curricular work. 24 slides presented in simple text focusing on Valentine’s day traditions, historical information and traditions. The lesson encourages pupils to work in small groups of three / four to discuss and explain questions about the images and information presented on the slides. Slides include information on Cupid, Venus, St.Valentine, Tudor traditions and Valentine symbols. Pupils are encouraged to record their responses on a group paper in different forms of writing, drawing, solving a riddle and labelling diagrams.
KS2 Set of 18 “Who am I?” cards featuring 18 of the most well- known rulers of England/Britain from 871AD until present day. Each card has up to five simple facts alongside a photograph of the ruler. Includes Alfred the Great, Aethelred the Unready, Canute, William I, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, Edward I, Henry V, Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I, Cromwell, George III, George IV, Edward VIII, Elizabeth II. Can be used as part of a timeline or as History research cards. Great for playing a range of games with small groups to encourage knowledge of rulers – Guess who?, Pairs(using 2 sets of the cards), Snap (using 2 sets of cards).
KS2 Deserts of the world. Powerpoint lesson(s) of 32 slides with key questions and short related paired activities. Pupils will need to use a world atlas or map in pairs. Included is a link to a short Youtube clip about the largest world deserts.
Learning Objectives: To know and recognise the features of a desert. To understand the differences and similarities between tropical and polar deserts. To locate deserts on a map. To identify countries where deserts are located. To understand that some plants, animals and humans can survive in the desert.
There is specific reference to the Sahara, Mojave, Namib, Arctic Deserts.
Can be used as a discrete lesson or part of a series of lessons to dip in and out.
KS2 35 lesson starters in the form of individual questions and thoughts for pupils to discuss.
One per day for half a term.
A starter should warm up the brain, encourage curiosity and stimulate thinking ready for the learning challenges in the lessons ahead.
These starters can be used during registration time at the start of the morning or afternoon sessions or as a fun way to begin a lesson. The topics are random but can usually be tailored to fit a subject. Pick and choose from the selection or work through one per day.
Ensure your pupils know that there are questions which have no right or wrong answers so enthusiasm is their greatest asset!
Encourage them to work in pairs or small groups and ALWAYS be prepared to give a reason for their answer.
Petra Information leaflet. KS1 or KS2 resource comprising facts, information and photographs about the Ancient city of Petra organised onto one A4 page. Simplified language and layout to help pupils access information easily to develop research in History lessons.
Pompeii Information leaflet. KS1 or KS2 resource comprising facts, information and photographs about the Ancient Roman city of Pompeii organised onto 2xA4 pages. Simplified language and layout to help pupils access information easily to develop research in History lessons.
Palmyra Information leaflet. KS1 or KS2 resource comprising facts, information and photographs about the Ancient Syrian city of Palmrya organised onto 2xA4 pages. Simplified language and layout to help pupils access information easily to develop research in History lessons.