In the lead-up to Christmas - simply 15 anagrams to solve to reveal 15 well-known Christmas carols.

As we shall soon be approaching the Christmas season I have brought a seasonal theme to my earlier Cross Numbers Puzzle. The puzzle is designed in the same way as a traditional crossword but using numbers instead of words, each clue is a sum, and the result should be entered into the matching squares on the numbered grid. On this occasion the clues are in part taken from the number of gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. The file contains one puzzle, together with the solution, there is also a sheet containing the lyrics of the song. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

These worksheets are each made up of 12 assorted four-digit column additions which have to be completed by calculating and inserting the missing numbers. There are 12 printable sheets together with solutions. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

I have used twenty well-known carols for this Christmas activity, given a line from each carol, the pupil must try to identify the carol it has been taken from. There are two versions, in the first there are no extra clues, the second version has been made slightly easier as it includes an alphabetical list of the carols. There is a printable sheet for the pupil and a solution sheet for the teacher. I do hope that someone can make use of this during the run-up to Christmas.

I have used my earlier ‘Commonly Confused Words’ spreadsheets to create Homophones Tests, this time in PowerPoint format, together with PDF versions, whichever is your preference. All of the words used in these ten tests are commonly misspelt or confused with other similar-sounding words. There are two versions, in the first the pupil simply has to choose from the two words alongside each definition. The second version is a little more demanding as the choice needs to be made from a randomly-sorted list of homophones.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

For fans of Sudoku, here are five puzzles which can be completed directly onto the computer, with answers provided. I have also included a printable version in PDF.

This file contains one wordsearch, made up of 20 common garden birds, there is a printable sheet for the pupil together with a solution sheet.

This file contains ten well-known quotes from Shakespeare written in code. Taking into consideration the two-letter clues already given in each grid, use reasoning skills to establish the individual rulings used to complete all ten quotes.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both based on the Eurovision Song Contest. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to answer questions related to Eurovision from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid the selection of winning entries listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow.

This file consists of 56 printable worksheets, each containing 12 randomly numbered five digit column addition questions, an answer sheet is included.

This file consists of 56 printable worksheets, each containing 12 randomly numbered three digit column addition questions, an answer sheet is included.

This file consists of 56 printable worksheets, each containing 12 randomly numbered four digit column addition questions, an answer sheet is included.

I have put together some facts regarding the number nine which I hope someone will be able to make use of. I have presented this as a PowerPoint and also in PDF and Word, whichever is your preference.

This is an A4 printable year-to-view calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. I have highlighted in green each Bank Holiday and have shaded the weekends, but if you do not require this, simply delete the SAT & SUN text from the grey-shaded cells and this will remove the shading. You can log holidays, including half-terms, by entering HOL in the relevant boxes, these will then turn red. Of course, with so much information on one sheet, space is limited, but there is enough room in each box to type a few words to log special reminders or other notes. I have also created a half-year split version which you can print on the front and back of an A4 sheet instead, giving you a lot of extra space for your notes. For those who do not use, or perhaps do not like Excel, and would simply like a printable version, I have also included this is PDF format, though the conditional formatting will not work in this version.