Some questions (text and research based) on a newspaper story reporting on the death of Nelson Mandela.

Spreadsheet format for mid-year reporting to parents, for years 1 - 6. Simple to complete (teachers just complete yellow boxes; the rest can be locked and password protected to prevent errors), it reports how the child is progressing at a mid-year point against the expectations of the new National Curriculum in Maths, Reading & Writing, as well as boxes for effort / behaviour, a space to describe interventions, and an editable box for a short personal comment. Includes a box for parent feedback and an invite to an upcoming parents' evening (which can be edited or removed, as required).

Every New National Curriculum statement for Maths for years 1 - 6, sorted into 6 spreadsheet pages, set up to be printed onto A3 or A4 sheets. Each statement can be highlighted left to right to show progress along the line, along a sliding scale through: commencing // developing // secure // advanced // deep [See also my Assessment without levels grids, English]

Every New National Curriculum statement for English for years 1 - 6 (includes Speaking & Listening, Reading, Writing Composition, Handwriting, GPS), sorted into 6 spreadsheet pages, set up to be printed onto A3 or A4 sheets. Each statement can be highlighted left to right to show progress along the line, along a sliding scale through: commencing // developing // secure // advanced // deep [See also my Assessment without levels grids, Maths]

A set of 9 ultra-close-up, striking colour photographs of different parts of animals (for example, a spider's silk spinners; a mosquito's eyes), along with display signs and an answer sheet. I've used these on a classroom wall (where children stick up Post-it notes with their guesses) or website / blog (where they post answers online), and it always generates lots of interest, speculation and debate. Photos are in .jpg format for printing or use online, the choice is yours.

How to get children responding to and acting on marking? Following an review that showed our marking needed to be improved, I created a system called 'Think Pink' in which teachers highlight part of their marking in pink highlighter (something specific - a question, some corrections, an extension, an explanation) and the child responds when their book is returned in pink pen. We invested in a box of pink pens for each class, and the children love them and are eager to respond. It has been in use for 18 months now, having started in Maths it was soon extended to English books and other subjects, and it has been taken on and used by other schools in our trust (including middle schools and secondary, not just primary). It was praised by Ofsted in a recent inspection as an example of best practice in interactive marking. I've included final pdf files that you can print and use it exactly as they are, or Word versions that you can customise, add your school logo, and distribute exactly as you want.

A SmartBoard lesson examining animal adaption to different habitats, first examining what adaption means. Then a demo board on adaptions of the polar bear to its habitat, then two printable boards (p5 & 6) ready for the children to cut out & fill in, looking at how the snow leopard and great white shark are adapted to their habitats (these boards can be customised, swapping for two animals of your own choice simply by inserting your own pictures). Finally, a board with a layout of a blank poster, for the children to use as a model layout. Also included are a bank of pictures of varied animals (and one plant, for deeper thinkers) all saved into one word doc for easy printing, for the children to cut out and use with the final blank board (tiger, otter, Highland cow, barn owl, giraffe, spider monkey, cactus, Arctic hare, alligator).

A lesson from the new National Curriculum (year 6 science) looking at variation in species, asking the children to identify the advantage that came from random variation. High level thinking skills required. Includes a set of pictures to print which illustrate each adaption (prehensile tail on a spider monkey, humans walking on 2 legs, long horns on a water buffalo, and 5 more), along with some prompt photos to reveal later showing the adaptions in use (the water buffalo throwing an attacking lion off with his its horns, a Neanderthal man carrying a spear).

Two contrasting, single-page texts, written by me, to show quality persuasive / argument writing (for years 5-6) on the emotive issue of dogs in public places. Written to be analysed for the end of year 6 assessment criteria; to be compared / contrasted; to show emotive language; suitable for group reading at the start of a unit, or model texts later on during independent writing; you could even add a few questions and use them as a comprehension text.

Two (easier & harder) sheets of questions for year 6 algebra, plus a follow-up homework. Over 40 questions on each sheet. Questions progressing along the lines of: n=4, what is 5n n = 15, what is 3n n-6 = 27, what is n n=12, what is 2n+3 3n-5 = 16, what is n Also includes squaring.

Written for year 6 algebra in the new National Curriculum (but also suitable at KS3), a differentiated question sheet, with a set of linear sequences for children to solve. In each case, they need to find the rule for n, then the 10th, 20th, 50th or other specified term. Example: Q: What is the 20th number in this sequence? 5, 8, 11 A: Rule: 3n+2 20th number is (3x20) + 2 = 62 Differentiated with 6 easier questions, 14 core (increasing in difficulty), then 4 extension questions going into negative number sequences for the more able. Answer sheet provided in same format. Whole document is in Word, so can be edited (tweaked slightly to make it easier or harder, depending on your class) or copy / pasted into Smartboard or other formats. Would also be suitable for a homework / reinforcement.

Fractions of numbers / ratio and proportion / bar models / reasoning / problem solving Two pages of bar model puzzles for upper KS2 or KS3. Each puzzle has three parallel bars, of different lengths, divided in different ways. By starting from the one value given, students need to use a range of strategies to find the answers in the other bar models. Steady progression of questions, gradually becoming more difficult. An ideal homework for year 6, more able year 5, or support in year 7-9. Very visual, minimal words / instructions. A great resource for mathematical reasoning and problem solving. Included in the download: all the questions on pdf (2 pages A4 size) answer sheet, showing all the working / steps the original Word document, so you can customise it, change numbers, change colour shading, or re-position bars to re-use with all new questions.

Resource using Numicon to identify perimeters, & look at relationship between area and perimeter. (Needs a tray of Numicon for best results).

A homework to revise the GPS areas of ADJECTIVES, PREPOSITIONS, NOUN TYPES, and PREFIXES / SUFFIXES. Open task, children create their own mini revision pages.

Arithmetic homework to practise the formal column methods of addition and subtraction. 2 difficulty levels.

A shape drawing resource to help children improve the accuracy of their drawing and measuring ... which produces a pretty pattern they can enjoy colouring in afterwards. Suitable for ages 7 - 11.

Colour pictures of trees, leaves and fruit found in the UK. Could be used as the source of a classification key from those found on a walk.

2 Excel spreadsheets containing grids with written instructions for drawing shapes. Can be printed A3 or A4, and the layout adapted to different requirements. Examples (easier): Draw a pentagon with one line of symmetry. Examples (harder): Draw a pentagon with just one acute angle.

Homework or worksheet on equivalent fractions, fractions of amounts, etc. Easier & harder versions available.