This is the fourth resource in the series on apostrophes. The resource comprises two versions of the same file: the PDF is intended for classroom display purposes, although it could also be projected onto the board if you have problems making PowerPoint work properly. It deals with a trickier area: where to put the apostrophe when the plural noun does not end in 's'. There are not many words like this, but the ones there are (children etc.) are very high frequency. The presentation is pitched at KS2/KS3 classes.

One hour lesson on complex sentences. Includes lesson plan, PPt presentation, 2 lesson posters ( learning objectives and Key vocabulary), worksheet with answers - pupils join sentences using subordinating conjunctions.

10 slides, each of which has a group of tricky words with one incorrectly spelt. Pupils have to identify the incorrect one. Answers provided.

For younger primary classes. Ten thematically linked sentences containing capital letter and full stop errors which pupils have to correct. The sentences form a mini narrative about a child with a migraine, and suggestions are given in the teacher notes on ways in which the narrative could be exploited in writing lessons on various genres.

Five Puzzles: 1 on Carols and Songs, one on the Christmas Story, the others more general. One of the crosswords is interactive (Hotpot)

This resource for KS2/3 pupils has been expanded and updated. The presentation ( supplied in 2 formats) is on the use of the apostrophe for contractions. The PDF version is great for displays! ThePowerPoint is teacher-operated and is good for whole class practice. Later slides cover common difficulties such as should of/should have. The 24 cards are ideal for laminating and can be used for individual or group activity. They are accompanied by a pupil answer sheet. There are 2 differentiated worksheets for individual pupil work. (answers provided separately).

A practice sheet for pupils who find difficulty differentiating between common homophones. 20 questions. Answers included.

This is an activity called Sweet Talk, a public speaking exercise for pupils from Y4-Y9. Hits 4 objectives for presentation and communication. The resource consists of a presentation to introduce the lesson, full and clear lesson plan, and three resources files (mark sheets for pupils' use, topic cards and reward tokens). Children are given time to prepare their Christmas themed topic, after which they speak for a whole minute to the class. Each member of the class assesses the performance and scores it out of 3. At the end of the session, scores are compared (show of hands), and pupils receive sweet tokens according to the number of points they are awarded. These are then cashed in for teacher goodies. It's an activity I invented one Christmas, and which subsequently became firmly embedded into the weekly timetable. Parents either love it or hate it. It is valued by those who notice and appreciate the increase in their child's confidence and articulacy; it's much less popular with those who resent having to get involved with homework!

Worksheet for KS2/3 pupils who have learnt singular and plural possessive apostrophe. 12 sentences with missing apostrophes. Answer sheet provided.

3 sheets per page. Cut them up for weekly tests.

Two worksheets with answers. The task is to underline the verb and then to change the tense from present to past. Suitable for KS2.

Spelling and grammar in one resource pack. A PowerPoint presentation on the spelling rules for multi-syllable words. Slides on syllable counting, stress marking, the rules for doubling or not, and the difference between UK and US English (traveled / travelled). Accompanied by a grammar worksheet with 2 exercises where pupils have to apply the spelling rules in order to change verbs from simple present to present continuous/progressive, and from simple present to simple past. (e.g. benefit - benefited; refer - referred; cancel / cancelling). Best for upper KS2 or KS3.

This is a 13 page pdf file containing 5 separate activities suitable for KS3 or upper KS2 English. The unit begins with a 500 word comprehension about the origin of Christmas crackers. The comprehension contains 15 questions, with available marks indicated. A mark scheme is supplied. It is followed by differentiated dictation: 3 versions of the same 100 word text based on the reading passage. Teacher notes are supplied. The third activity is a speed dictation (Dictagloss). Another 100 word text is read at speed and pupils are tasked with re-assembling it collaboratively. This activity should generate a lot of talk. Full teacher notes accompany the text. After that there is a worksheet on root words and word families, with teacher notes. Finally, the writing activity is an acrostic poem entitled CRACKERS. 2 examples of teacher-generated acrostic poems are included in the teaching notes.

Good for KS2 and lower KS3 for revising doubling rules, this quiz consists of 20 Christmassy sentences with missing words containing double letters. Grammatical function is given in place of the words (e.g. noun, adjective, verb). Good as a starter, or for homework. Answers are supplied.

For upper KS2 / KS3. A PowerPoint with 5 vocabulary exercises for use as lesson starters. Each one has 15 words to find. Answers are included in the presentation. Topics: collective nouns, opposites, animals and their young, homes, plurals.

A short PDF presentation revising the rules for doubling consonants to keep short vowel sounds, and for adding suffixes. Accompanied by a spelling worksheet where pupils have to find 20 mis-spelled words and correct them. It is assumed that pupils are familiar with the terms 'long/short vowels' and 'hard/soft c and g'. Good for upper KS2 and KS3. Answers are provided.

A two page text about the haggis and the rituals of Burns Night Suppers. The comprehension comprises 15 questions and is marked out of 30. Mark scheme is provided.

A poster showing how three English present tenses each have corresponding past tenses. Some of the terminology around verbs can be confusing. Present continuous, present progressive are the same thing. So are imperfect, past continuous and past progressive. An explanation of the three uses of the emphatic tenses is given underneath the verb chart.

Short, 3 slide presentation demonstrating how a new paragraph is required for both change of speaker and change of focus.

The revised and extended 16-slide presentation includes a short text to be used at the beginning of the week as a whole class presentation and basis of SPaG discussion and challenges for the rest of the week. The main spelling area covered is the schwa, particularly in words ending in er, ar and or. The punctuation focus is on apostrophes for contractions, and on the 3 different types of sentence. The grammar lesson is on the infinitive. Other topics include fronted adverbials, interjections and dashes This is supported by worksheet activities to be used on subsequent days. There is a language based comprehension (30 marks), a punctuation activity, a cloze exercise and a spelling crossword. All are based on the original text. The final activity is a dictation, which is provided at two levels. The material was written for a mixed age Y4/5/6 class.