Thanks to the wonderful teachers from around the world who have chosen my resources. I care passionately about quality and value and want you to fill your teaching ‘shelf’ with confidence, saving precious time. Hopefully they won’t be staying on the shelf for long as you’ll use them again and again! I’m a Primary Teacher and published writer with an English degree and French A-level. My resources are mostly Primary but some suit Secondary classes too. I hope your students enjoy using them.
Thanks to the wonderful teachers from around the world who have chosen my resources. I care passionately about quality and value and want you to fill your teaching ‘shelf’ with confidence, saving precious time. Hopefully they won’t be staying on the shelf for long as you’ll use them again and again! I’m a Primary Teacher and published writer with an English degree and French A-level. My resources are mostly Primary but some suit Secondary classes too. I hope your students enjoy using them.
World Braille Day is on January 4 so in the first week back in the New Year you can use these differentiated January non-fiction reading passages with comprehension questions, cloze procedure task, sentences punctuation task, a hidden word puzzle, and crossword puzzle, designed for upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents). Your students will use and develop their literacy skills while learning about the inventor of the well-known code that enables blind and visually impaired people to read and write. These informational text close reading tasks, punctuation activity and fun puzzles are in a printable non-editable PDF file with over 20 pages. UK and US versions are included in the file where there are differences (such as the use of the word “period” instead of “full stops”).
Also available in this money-saving January Reading Comprehensions BUNDLE.
3 of the 5 activities (not the two puzzles) are provided at 2 levels of challenge, so will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packets to provide a variety of interesting and relevant texts and related activities, a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each pack is linked to a particular month but of course you can use them whenever you want! Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those busy times when you just need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute!
CONTENTS:
Reading passage (2 levels of difficulty)
Cloze procedure task (2 levels of difficulty) – using same passage
Comprehension questions (2 levels of difficulty) – using same passage
Sentences punctuation task (2 levels of difficulty) – using additional linked text, where students must decide where sentences begin and end, placing periods and capital letters correctly
True or false puzzle - students will be able to complete much of this after reading the texts in this pack but could have internet access to search for the remaining clues
Crossword puzzle - as with the other puzzle, a little internet search will be required for some clues
Full answer keys
Teacher notes
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Winter Creative Writing Story Prompts
High quality KS2 or early KS3 Halloween literacy and maths activities in a bundle: 6 fun printable Halloween mental maths puzzles and 20 creative writing prompts (mystery / scary / spooky / horror genre - the prompts can be used all year round as there is no specific mention of Halloween).
Click on the 2 individual resource packs that are included in this bundle to see more information and previews.
Halloween Hidden Word Math Puzzles:
3 puzzles designed for Year 5 and 6
3 puzzles designed for Year 4 (and Year 3 if all concepts have been covered)
Both levels can work well in many classes for differentiation (and the more challenging puzzles can work for consolidation in Year 7 too)
Full Answer Keys included
PDF format within the Zip file
Engaging alternative to standard worksheets - students spot mistakes and use the linked letters to spell a Halloween-related word!
Great for individuals, pairs or small groups
Use for starters, early finishers, homework etc.
Concepts include: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Times Tables, Doubling and Halving, Multiplying and Dividing by 10 and 100, Place Value, Negative Numbers, Fractions, Percentages and Decimals (Not all concepts feature in the lower level puzzles)
Scary Story Writing Prompts:
Use as warm ups, early finishers activities and as a framework for free writing sessions
Each of the 20 A4 cards features a visual element (photo / picture stimulus), a starter sentence or part-sentence to help launch children into their fiction / narrative writing
Prompt questions to get ideas going
A word bank and suggested openers to add variety to their writing
A box at the bottom reminds students to read their work aloud, check for full stops and capital letters and common spellings
Range of scariness levels - Students who get more easily spooked can find prompts to suit them too.
UK and US English versions included, with spellings and references to ‘full stops’ and ‘periods’ etc amended as appropriate
Designed to offer maximum support for dyslexic learners and those with similar barriers to learning. Verdana font and spacing used are both dyslexia-friendly and the background colours are designed to reduce glare. Both the UK and US cards are also included with the background colours removed and could be used if printing on dyslexia friendly paper or card.
Could be used to support the writing of a full story
Could also work well as a regular tool to support struggling writers in one-to-one or small group sessions, where students write a few sentences inspired by the prompts, without worrying about completing a story
YOU MIGHT LIKE MY OTHER STORY PROMPTS, which feature a range of genres and subjects:
STORY PROMPTS BUNDLE
MORE FULLSHELF RESOURCES…
KS2 Writing
Writing and Grammar Activities
Full Stops and Capital Letters Cards
Improving Sentences Worksheets
Mental Maths Bundle
Maths Puzzles Worksheets HUGE BUNDLE
6 upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents), reading comprehensions with informational texts, other close reading tasks, grammar, punctuation, and writing activities, plus fun puzzles, perfect for January and the New Year. This BUNDLE includes differentiated packs on New Year’s Resolutions, Epiphany or Three Kings Day, MLK Day / Martin Luther King Day, World Braille Day / Louis Braille, Robert Burns / Burns Night, and Chinese New Year.
Contains over 120 pages, including 6 nonfiction reading comprehensions (all at 2 levels of difficulty), 6 cloze procedure tasks using the same texts (all at 2 levels) and each of the six packs has at least 2 additional tasks linked to each pack, some of which are also differentiated. Also contains all answer keys.
These packs provide Literacy or English activities based around short non-fiction texts with a link to the month. Each pack contains 4 or 5 printable activities in non-editable PDF format. Please check the previews to assess suitability for your students. In addition to the UK versions, US spelling and grammar versions are also included where relevant, meaning they can be used in most English-speaking countries. The majority of tasks are provided at two levels of challenge, therefore they will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
This BUNDLE provides a big discount so that you can pick and choose which texts and activities you wish to use and still make a saving. You’ll be able to use them again and again, starting each new year with plenty of relevant and meaningful Literacy and English tasks. The 6 packs are also available separately if you prefer:
New Year’s Resolutions
Louis Braille / World Braille Day (January 4)
Epiphany / Three Kings Day (January 6)
Martin Luther King / MLK Day (January 15 in 2024)
[Robert Burns / Burns Night](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-11811174 (January 25)
Chinese New Year (included in the January BUNDLE as it varies each year from January 21 to February 20 - in 2024, it is February 10)
I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packs to provide a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year, though of course you can use them whenever you want. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those busy times when you need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute!
Please click on the links to see the individual resources in this bundle, to assess suitability for your students. You will find detailed information and previews for all of them. Many thanks.
YOU MIGHT LIKE…
Winter Creative Writing Story Prompts
Creative Writing Story Prompts
Complex Sentences Activity Cards
Editing SPaG Puzzles Worksheets
Full Stops and Capital Letters Cards
Improving Sentences Writing Worksheets
Key Stage 2 (Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6) Christmas, Halloween, Bonfire Night / Guy Fawkes Night mental maths puzzles worksheets (at 2 levels of challenge), ideal for fun starters / warm ups, early finishers challenges and homework tasks in October, November and December! 18 puzzles (and solutions) are included across 3 seasonal celebration packs:
6 Printable Halloween Maths Puzzles (2 levels)
6 Printable Bonfire Night Maths Puzzles (2 levels)
6 Printable Christmas Maths Puzzles (2 levels)
In each pack, 3 puzzles (Set A) were originally designed for Y6 and Y5 and 3 more (Set B) were originally designed for Y4 - and Year 3 if all concepts have been covered. Both sets can work well in the same class for differentiation. Set A might also suit some early KS3 classes. All 18 puzzles are in PDF format within the Zip files. Full Answer Keys are included.
An engaging alternative to worksheets, these make ideal starter, early finisher or homework activities for this spooky time of year! Similar to codebreaker puzzles, a Halloween, Bonfire Night or Christmas related word is revealed after completing mental arithmetic calculations. Each puzzle contains a grid. Within each box is a calculation and a letter. Students circle any boxes containing mistakes. Then they assemble letters from the circled boxes to reveal the word. Puzzles can be completed individually or in pairs / groups.
Students often forget or avoid checking their work for errors so it’s great to get them carefully checking in these puzzles. Spotting common errors may help them remember to check their own work and help them avoid common errors themselves.
Concepts include: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Times Tables, Doubling and Halving, Multiplying and Dividing by 10 and 100, Place Value, Negative Numbers, Fractions, Percentages and Decimals (Not all concepts feature in Set B)
See more Hidden Word Numeracy Puzzles for different concepts in this great value KS2 bundle: Maths Hidden Word Puzzles
My Crossnumber Puzzle Packs have been especially popular. See more through these links:
Place Value Puzzles
Mental Maths Puzzles Year 5 / 6
Mental Maths Puzzles Year 4 / 3
Many thanks for your interest. For engaging, time-saving printables and presentations to plan Primary Literacy, Maths and French lessons, visit FullShelf Resources
Fun Key Stage 2 Halloween and Bonfire Night Maths puzzles (Year 4, 5 and 6 especially), with Autumn themes, ideal for fun starters / warm ups, early finishers tasks and homework in October and November! There are 6 printable Halloween mental maths puzzles worksheets and another 6 for Bonfire Night / Fireworks Night / Guy Fawkes Night. No prep is required. 6 puzzles (Set A) were originally designed for Y6 and Y5 and 6 more (Set B) were originally designed for Y4 - and Year 3 if all concepts have been covered. Both sets can work well in the same class for differentiation. Set A might also suit some early KS3 classes. The puzzles are in PDF format within the Zip files. Full Answer Keys are included.
If you want these 2 packs together with my Christmas Maths Puzzles, you can get this Autumn and Winter Maths Puzzles BUNDLE
An engaging alternative to worksheets, these make ideal starter, early finisher or homework activities for this spooky time of year! Similar to codebreaker puzzles, a Halloween or Bonfire Night related word is revealed after completing mental arithmetic calculations. Each puzzle contains a grid. Within each box is a calculation and a letter. Students circle any boxes containing mistakes. Then they assemble letters from the circled boxes to reveal the word. Puzzles can be completed individually or in pairs / groups.
Students often forget or avoid checking their work for errors so it’s great to get them carefully checking in these puzzles. Spotting common errors may help them remember to check their own work and help them avoid common errors themselves.
Concepts include: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Times Tables, Doubling and Halving, Multiplying and Dividing by 10 and 100, Place Value, Negative Numbers, Fractions, Percentages and Decimals (Not all concepts feature in Set B)
See more Hidden Word Numeracy Puzzles for different concepts in this great value KS2 bundle: Maths Hidden Word Puzzles
What about this festive version? Avoid adding to your workload at this busy time of year - simply print and photocopy: Christmas Mental Maths Puzzles
My Crossnumber Puzzle Packs have been especially popular. See more through these links:
Place Value Puzzles
Mental Maths Puzzles Year 5 / 6
Mental Maths Puzzles Year 4 / 3
Many thanks for your interest. For engaging, time-saving printables and presentations to plan Primary Literacy, Maths and French lessons, visit FullShelf Resources