Thanks for stopping by my shop. I am an experienced chartered primary teacher who has taught predominantly in Scotland. I also taught in England, Australia and in the Middle East. I produce a range of quality resources that provide depth and breadth. These resources should enhance the learning experience of pupils. There are many opportunities for active learning as well as structured tasks that consolidate and reinforce knowledge and application. Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by my shop. I am an experienced chartered primary teacher who has taught predominantly in Scotland. I also taught in England, Australia and in the Middle East. I produce a range of quality resources that provide depth and breadth. These resources should enhance the learning experience of pupils. There are many opportunities for active learning as well as structured tasks that consolidate and reinforce knowledge and application. Enjoy!
There are 4 presentations in total and each of them provides a simple introduction to data handling for young learners.
They present information in:
block graph form
tally chart form
pictogram form
They are ideal lesson starters as they are clear and concise. They encourage the learners to actively record answers on mini whiteboards. Answers to each slide question follows on to provide immediate correction as the learners show their whiteboard answers. This ensures whole class/group engagement in the task, as well as providing immediate teacher assessment. It is easier to see who is managing the task well and those who are struggling to interpret the charts etc. The emphasis is on interpreting simple data. There is added challenge when children are asked to analyse and identify the most popular or least popular item as well as comparing two different items.
These presentations offer the children some raw data that they haven’t collected themselves. This can be useful: the teacher knows that everyone has the same information without worrying about the accuracy of recording methods. So, the children can focus on analysis rather than collection at this stage.
I have found this approach an ideal introduction. Children are more confident when they are asked to interpret data more independently.
I have uploaded several jpg files so teachers can peruse the resources more comprehensively.
I hope that your children enjoy these active tasks. I would be delighted if feedback was provided.
This pack introduces children to early sentence construction using an autumnal theme.
The ’ Let’s write about Autumn’ presentation allows the teacher to model simple sentence construction on a smart board.
The teacher then has the option to scaffold a few sentences from the visual prompt on the following slide.
Alternatively, the children can actively ‘share the pen’ with the teacher and write on whiteboards using the visual prompt.
They could also record on whiteboards after the teacher has modelled using the simple word wall provided.
I have also included a printer friendly version where children can record sentences on sheets which provides independent tasks.
The ’ Autumn Scarecrows’ presentation provides simple information in a clear and engaging way.
It is followed by:
a factual writing task
a ‘cut and stick’ activity with background provided
a colour coded scarecrow task
a symmetrical task.
There is also an online link provided for a ‘scarecrow’ action song. This is particularly suited as a cross curricular link for Autumn. Hope your learners enjoy the seasonal resources. I welcome feedback/reviews. Enjoy Autumn with your classes.
A Variety of Literacy Tasks based on a Pirate Theme.
Word mat provides useful words and phrases to support writing tasks.
Pirate Character Description Sheet with Writing Prompts and Graphics
Island Setting for a Pirate Adventure with further writing prompts
Simple Drawing Tasks
Label a Pirate
Sentence Strips
Mapping Task
Pirate Spelling - Whiteboard Tasks
A great additional resource to support and enhance a pirate topic. I would be delighted to receive feedback.
A comprehensive pack of resources - non-chronological report writing
These resources include a:
1st presentation that introduces the general features of report writing in a colourful, child friendly format that clearly leads the learners through the signposts of the genre.
2nd presentation that continues with the assessment of reports including online link and differentiated checklists - peer and self editing.
Additional resources provide:
A clear concise and interesting model report on Egypt for learners to read, discuss, analyse, highlight and ‘pull apart’ - active learning.
An annotated report to provide the teacher with the main teaching points of the model report.
A colourful word mat with sentence starts and vocabulary to support report writing.
A mind map for the planning stage which is partially completed to support learners ( can be easily edited to provide less support).
Word strips with facts about Egypt - ideal for ‘cut and stick’ activities ( learners can categorise facts under headings in a carousel type activity)
This detailed pack of resources will support the learners thoroughly from the initial lesson on the structure of a report through assessment ,the analysis of models and finally to a finished piece that can be assessed and celebrated.
The imaginative poem ‘The Magic Box’ by Kit Weight provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate, perform and compose a fantasy poem. These resources are presented beautifully to also evoke an individual written response from the learners.
THE LEARNING INTENTIONS INCLUDE:
to read, appreciate and perform a fantasy poem
to compose verses based on the model poem
to include descriptive and imaginative vocabulary within their verses
Within the pack:
Presentation A provides an initial starting point to read, appreciate and perform the poem.
It leads the learners through each verse and encourages them to appreciate the rich language of the poem. A web link is provided for learners to see and hear the original poet perform the poem.
It also provides visuals to help the learners understand and analyse the composition.
The initial written task is to compose 3 verses based on the model - learners concentrate on feelings, creatures, the natural world - What would they put in their box?
Presentation B provides an opportunity to concentrate on the final 3 verses of the model poem - the ‘impossible things’ verse, what their box is made of and where they will travel in their box.
I have provided opportunities for children to work with their talking partners to support their composition.
The final result should be very individual poems structured on the original poem.
A word mat is also provided to aid composition , a separate copy of the poem for annotation as well as a planning sheet. Within this presentation, there are slides that the teacher can use with interactive pens for shared writing to further support differentiation and an assessment checklist.
I have also provided a simple comprehension task which can be used to aid comprehension of the model poem if required. There are many opportunities for incidental learning e.g. grammar and word choice, particularly adjectives, powerful verbs, similes and alliteration.
Additional Tip : Print off nets of cubes and cuboids ( photocopiable card ) and ask children to decorate their magic boxes, then assemble them.
I hope your learners enjoy the poem and activities and would be delighted if you left feedback.
N.B. Ideally these resources should be used over several days
These resources deal with both seasons: Autumn and Winter.
The engaging, colourful PowerPoint presentation introduces each season clearly with opportunities to gain knowledge, reflect and complete a variety of accompanying tasks. There are also online links provided to consolidate and enhance the learning and appreciation of our natural world.
I have provided worksheets ( Microsoft Word) that are linked to each task.
The tasks include:
design an autumn outfit
use ‘autumn’ colours to shade a variety of leaves
label a bear
classify animals that migrate/adapt/hibernate
label winter animals
enjoy an autumn poem and answer questions ( oral or written response)
listen to a wonderful winter story and reflect on characters and actions
follow an online tutorial to draw a winter tree ( easy version)
the last slide provides online links to videos which will further enhance the children’s knowledge of seasonal changes. These can be used as a starter /plenary or a teacher may choose to show segments of the videos.
This resource is intended to develop descriptive writing, in particular -settings. It aims to inspire confidence and motivate pupils as writers. It is intended for KS2 / Primary 4-7.
A selection of different visuals, model paragraphs and planning formats are provided. Specific language devices are covered such as similes and metaphors. A video link is provided to enhance understanding of similes and metaphors in imaginative writing.
The introduction is thorough and allows the teacher to :
USE EFFECTIVE MODELS
a structured approach is achieved by providing ‘5 sentence’ descriptive model paragraphs to explore typical features of the descriptive genre
ENCOURAGE STRUCTURED PLANNING
simple planning grid is provided that encourages pupils to generate effective vocabulary before sentence construction
The continuation requires the pupils to generate 5 sentence paragraphs, either in collaboration or individually, using high quality images that evoke imaginative and descriptive language.
This resource can be used or adapted in a variety of ways:
Introduction to descriptive writing - settings
‘Short burst’ writing tasks
As an additional resources to develop effective writing using figures of speech e.g. similes, metaphors
It is easily editable and further images may be used to complement topics if required.
I created these presentations/resources for my class as a series of cross curricular lessons on minibeasts.
The resource bundle has simple and appealing presentations to introduce minibeasts and food chains. I have included tasks and active learning throughout the presentations. I feel that young learners benefit from clear and concise minibeast facts as many of the relevant non fiction texts are too difficult for early readers to access.
The Butterfly Presentation includes:
simple factual information about butterflies to read and discuss
opportunities to build up important ‘butterfly’ vocabulary before writing ( mini whiteboard task)
factual writing task with sentence stems
a labelling task and life cycle sequencing task
‘butterfly’ poems to read, enjoy, discuss and perform
simple ‘draw a butterfly’ task & alternative ‘cut and stick’ task
The Spider presentation includes:
simple factual information about spiders to read and discuss
opportunities to build up important ‘spider’ vocabulary before writing (mini whiteboard task)
factual writing task with sentence stems
a labelling task ( spider’s body)
‘spider’ poems to read, enjoy, discuss and perform
simple art lesson for a spider web
The Minibeast Poetry presentation provides an opportunity for learners to compose a minibeast poem. It details the structure
of the poem and has appealing graphics and suggestions to aid composition.
In addition, there is a basic introduction to food chains with pupil tasks.
Links are also provided throughout all the presentations to appropriate minibeast songs/stories that enhance and enrich the learners’ experience as well as active tasks/games e.g. complete the food chain.
Finally, some more general resources are included on living & non-living things and a ‘roll a dice’ task (minibeast body parts) which would be an ideal starting point for very young learners.
Would be delighted if you could leave feedback.
This pack contains 3 colourful , clear and concise PowerPoint presentations that deal with:
introduction to similes
silly similes
writing a simile poem
more challenging similes and adjectives with visual prompts
There are several follow up tasks:
completing similes
colour matching similes
choosing the best simile ending
choosing the best simile adjective
silly similes
This pack of resources are a valuable addition to basic core materials.
I would be delighted to receive feedback.
This presentation helps children to structure simple sentences about winter.
The initial slides ask the children to read a simple sentence with pictorial prompt.
Then they trace over the sentence and write the sentence within handwriting lines.
Lastly, they cut out each word, order them and glue them on the sentence strip. Ideal for early writers.
Further tasks ask the children to look at 3 winter pictorial prompts.
They then ‘turn and talk’ to a writing partner to aid sentence composition.
The children ‘have a go’ and write 3 simple sentences to match each picture.
Each slide can be displayed on a smart board for a ‘talk for writing’ session. Children can also compose on whiteboards before recording on task sheet.
Finally, some slides ask more confident writers to compose 2 sentences independently using connectives,
An additional colouring task is provided with a writing opportunity.
These resources support the persuasive writing genre.
The tasks involve designing a poster to advertise:
a fireworks sale
a cauldron shop
a magic wand shop
They can easily be adapted to include :
a broomstick shop/sale
spell shop.
Both presentations detail the signposts of persuasion :
‘catchy phrases’
‘bold slogans’ etc.
I have included a homework task which could be used as a warm up before a ‘Big Writing’ class session.
The word wall activity promotes:
independent dictionary referencing
thesaurus work.
The word mat supports composition for any children who need more support and helps with illustrations - a key feature of a persuasive poster.
A very enjoyable task which engages the learners, and particularly relevant in this season.
Writing Simple Sentences and Extending Simple Sentences - suitable from Primary 2( Scotland) onwards and Year 1( England) onwards as well as a support for children experiencing barriers to their learning.
Learning Intentions include:
To write simple sentences
To order simple sentences
To extend simple sentences with connectives
This resource pack consists of:
a colourful , comprehensive and concise PPT presentation which provides a scaffolded approach to early sentence construction plus word documents that provide follow on activities
engaging visuals that promote composition of simple and extended sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
straightfoward tasks that allow children to learn about sentence construction and build writing skills ( writing tasks)
precise instruction in extending simple sentences using connectives (interactive white board pupil activities)
explicit instruction on adding adjectives to enhance simple sentences
opportunities to order simple sentences (interactive white board pupil activities)
scaffolded tasks that require children to compose sentences (visuals provided and sentence stems to support learners)
written tasks on word documents for completion ( word bank provided to support learners)
slides and word documents are editable so that teachers can personalise the visuals and sentences e.g. to correspond with topic or PSE etc.
I have included several images in the preview so that teachers can see the quality of the resources offered and my efforts to make the literacy activities as engaging as possible.
The font I have chosen is one which is installed in most systems- Bradley Hand. However, when uploading the preview shots to the site , the TES system sometimes changes it -not sure why! Be assured that within the presentation and word documents provided within the pack, the font is the same throughout.
I welcome feedback and reviews from fellow teachers and hope that their learners enjoy the unit of work on sentence construction as much as my classes. Enjoy!
This poetry resources pack consists of two colourful presentations:
Poetry Techniques
‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield - An Analysis
‘Poetry Techniques’ covers the use of language to create effect within poems such as figurative language,similes and metaphors. It enables the learners to develop an insight into basic poetry word/phrases that are employed by poets and writers. It sets the learners up before reading, appreciating and analysing the poem, ‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield.
‘Sea Fever’ is a presentation which details the language used in this popular and engaging poem. The poem is analysed and the poet’s technique is examined as well as the effects of the word choices,
A printable copy of the poem is provided for the learners to highlight or annotate.
There is an additional artistic opportunity to produce a drawing of a tall ship as a finishing task. It could be also used for a seascape art lesson.
Four bright , colourful presentations that deal with Position and Movement:
a) Early Position ( Revision or Introduction)
b) Compass and Rotation
c) Position and Direction
d) Following Directions
Includes active tasks that promote understanding , partner games and revision of positional words.
The initial presentation provides facts and information about Saint Andrew the Patron Saint of Scotland whose feast day is 30th November. Each slide is clear, colourful and presents information simply to promote discussion.
There are two online links: one that shows a short clip about Saint Andrew’s life with an additional one that links to the lyrics and music of Saint Andrew’s Hymn.
The second presentation has a range of activities to allow choice of task depending on the age range of the learners.
They include:
a word mat to support factual writing about Saint Andrew’s life
a cut and stick activity with sea background for younger learners
a simple handwriting task
a mind map to support writing an extended report on Saint Andrew’s life
a colouring activity
The first presentation is ideal for an assembly to inform and raise awareness about our Patron Saint and to celebrate his feast day. The activities should follow on after the initial presentation has been shown and discussed.
I have also included a few additional jpeg files to show fellow colleagues a more comprehensive preview.
This comprehensive PPt allows children to craft paragraphs following a 5 sentence challenge format. It deals with description of a variety of scenes and characters.
It follows a tight planning structure to build confidence and quality of description. The graphics are colourful and engaging with supportive vocabulary that can aid more reluctant writers.
The slides can be easily edited to include other graphics which might enhance a topic or a novel study.
Learners can be initially supported through the writing process and many will then embrace the planning and writing more independently.
Although vocabulary is provided as an aid, learners can add their own alternatives. Teachers can also use the provided word banks as a prompt to encourage expansion of word choices.
There is a self edit grid provided on the planning sheet. I welcome feedback.
There are 3 comprehensive presentations which deal with adjectives in phrases, sentences and text. They provide grammar differentiation, revision and reinforcement in a colourful and engaging manner. Lots of opportunities to involve the learners with additional answer slides that give immediate feedback plus easily edited to provide further practice. I have also included several grammar tasks on Word documents as follow up written work. These can be used individually or as booklet.
I would be grateful for feedback.
There are 3 colourful, clear and concise PowerPoint presentations included in this pack.
Presentation A - The 5 Sentence Challenge presents summer visual prompts with added vocabulary. The learning intentions are to compose 5 sentence paragraphs with an emphasis on:
crafting short/long sentences
descriptive language choices
including a question to the reader
using sentences with exclamation marks
Presentation B & C- Seashore and Outdoors Spelling Whiteboard Tasks
The learning intentions are to study, cover and write specific 'summer' vocabulary.
To compose a 'seashore' word wall and an 'outdoors' word wall for sentence and/or short burst writing tasks.
The pack contains eight colourful presentations that provide clear direction and practice with:
Place Value - H T U
Place Value-Th H T U
Place Value - Using Dienes Material
Multiplying by 10
Multiplying by 100
Dividing by 10
Dividing by 100
Writing Numbers - Notation
All of the presentations invite the learners to participate fully with whiteboard active tasks. I have included several follow up worksheets.
These resources are ideal for introducing ,consolidating place value or as a complete revision pack.
This bundle composes of 3 attractive , colourful PowerPoint presentations.
PowerPoint 1 & 2
Christmas Spelling & Nativity Spelling provides:
active tasks with key words clearly and thematically displayed
spelling words embedded in sentences so children can experience words in context
writing sentences activity to reinforce learning
easily editable presentation for further spelling tasks
PowerPoint 3
Christmas Maths provides :
opportunity to calculate subtraction sums ( clearly and thematically shown)
answers displayed for immediate correction and assessment
easily editable presentation for further maths tasks
Three enjoyable and seasonal lessons which your classes will actively enjoy whilst practising their spelling and maths skills.