This is a fully editable template for a break out style activity that I call Code Breaker. Pre-requisites: You will need at least 1 numerical combination lock and one regular lock (the master lock) and a box or even multiple boxes that you can use these locks on. I made my own ‘Mystery Box’ which has 4 latches for 4 numerical locks. Then the whole thing is wrapped up with a chain and locked with the master lock - a key padlock. I mostly use it for reviews in maths but it could be adapted for other subjects. There are so many possibilities with this. It does take a little time to setup but the children go wild for it every time! The Setup: a) Write questions which have a numerical answer. b) Decide on which numbers will be part of the code for that numerical lock. For example, add all the answers together and the last three digits of that result are the code. (This is for a three digit numerical lock). c) Change the code on the numbered lock to match. d) Write a short phrase for the master lock using numbers. Usage: a) Fill the box with random treasures. I usually put in some cool erasers and other stationery as well as several packs of crisps or sweets and a whole bunch of fake money. b) Split the class into teams and provide each with a sheet for a lock. Start the timer. c) Children then solve the code and then and open their particular lock. d) Those that solve their lock first can start working on the master lock phrase. After telling you the correct phrase, you can provide the key. *Sometimes I don’t let them get the master lock sheet until after all the other numerical locks have been opened. * Notes: The master lock page has a large image of a lock on it which obscures parts of the code, thus making it a bit more difficult. Also, each letter has four potential numbers to choose from which also adds to the difficulty in cracking a code. You can also make cracking the codes for the numerical locks more difficult by adding more operations on the end. For example, you could use an equation for the letters of each question and then depending on the result you could say that the code is only made up of odd numbers. You can also make questions which don’t have numerical answers by having a simple text to number cypher. The most basic would be to correlate the letters of the alphabet to the number in which they appear. For example, A=1, B=2 etc. If the answer is say, Holland, you could write a short note saying second letter so the children know what to look for and convert into a number. *I hope my explanations are clear, but if not, please feel free to message me or comment. It’s very worthwhile setting this up and once you have the templates filled in, you can reuse them each year as I do. *

This game will help children review and improve their calculation of the timestables for numbers 1-6. Between 2-4 players works fine. Each group will need two dice and each player needs a different colour to shade their result on the grid. Instructions: Choose a different coloured pencil each and select who will start. The first player rolls the dice, multiplies the numbers together and shades the result. Rotate turns clockwise until a player has three in a row! The children really enjoy this game but sometimes get so carried away with blocking a friend that they miss opportunities to setup a win! Great game to get them thinking outside the box, inside the box. *The document is fully editable so you can change numbers or instructions as you please. If you have dice with more sides or number spinners etc. then you can move into higher multiples and change the numbers to suit. *

This worksheet is a word search which comprises keywords relating Chinese New Year. Thee are simple words such as rat and some more advanced words such as prosperity. There are also some hidden bonus words which are not listed. The word search will allow children to learn new vocabulary and become familiar with the spellings of all the words. It can also help open up discussion about the festivities and traditions involved in the celebration of Chinese New Year.

A cool looking word search for Valentine’s Day. Contains the following words: Valentine’s, love, friendship, chocolates, flowers, admire, secret, cherub, crush, date, daring, embrace, flame, fit, heart, hug, kiss, honey, passion, romantic and sweetheart. Can be used to expand children’s vocabulary surrounding the celebration or just as a little bit of fun. Even better, why not pair up children to work on it together!?

This worksheet is for children to record their estimates and actual masses of different classroom objects in grams. It comprises a table with three columns - the object name, the estimated ass (g) and the actual mass (g). To help them with their estimation I provide a set of masses for each child or group so that they can compare the objects to known quantities. Once they have estimated several objects they can then find the actual mass using a set of digital scales. The worksheet is fully editable so you can change it as you please. It could be easily adapted for mechanical scales.

This worksheet comprises a table of the seven nutrients with columns for their uses and example sources. Each section of the table has blanks for the children to fill in. The words for the blanks are provided in the table at the beginning. Each nutrient also has a few missing letters to fill in. I use this worksheet to reinforce the names, uses and sources of each of the seven nutrients needed in a healthy balanced diet. There are also posters with information on the classroom walls which they can refer to if they need. The document is fully editable so you can differentiate or make any other changes where you please.

This sheet is by the children to estimate and then record the content of various drinks after researching or provided with the data. The build-up for this process leads to those classic displays showing each drink container with the bag of sugar underneath to demonstrate the sheer amount in a drink or the lack of. The project is great because it covers all sorts of maths, health and science curriculum objectives and ultimately (hopefully) makes children reconsider what they drink or at least how much they drink of it. *The document contains two tables on each A4 page for saving paper. It is also fully editable so you can change headings, drink names etc. *

I used this when I was teaching all about Brazil in a standalone topic. We thought it would be good for the children to get a basic grasp of the main language, Portuguese. For that I created three conversational scripts between different numbers of people. The phrases are very basic. I originally made up the conversations to go with a video about basic Portuguese Phrases from Youtube. It worked great at the time but I haven’t taught the topic again, as we rotate countries of study each year. I hope you can get some use out of it! *The document is fully editable so you can change things as you please. *

This worksheet comprises two parts. The first is a fill in the blanks section where ideally the children test objects using a light source and fill in with the help of the words from the table. The second part can also involve some testing done throughout the day or could be done after the fact. It involves drawing where the sun would be at different times of the day and then drawing an object and its corresponding shadow. Children learn about the ways that a shadow can be affected and how and relate it to the shadows of objects caused by everyday objects blocking light from the sun. As an extra fun activity, have the children draw around their own shadows at different points during the day. It helps to have a compass too to record the direction the sun is shinning in. *This download comes as both a PDF and a fully editable DOC, so you can change it to suit your needs. *

This worksheet entails children finding objects in the classroom to first fit a certain length range - Less than, more than and between lengths. Second, it asks that children find other objects and record and measure the exact length using a ruler or tape measure. It also has a column where they can estimate or predict the length of the object. I usually use it as an follow up to an introduction to length, measuring and measuring tools. It’s perfect for teaching about the phrases; less than, greater, than, equal to as well as how to estimate and to measure length using various tools. The download comes both as a PDF and fully editable DOC, so you can make changes as you please.

A series of 16 rhyming riddles, with 2 per A4 page. Perfect for team competitions or as an extra when someone has finished work early. The riddles are generally quite easily and mostly involve animals, transport and everyday objects. If you’re interested, take a look at the preview to see examples of some of them. The document is fully editable so you can change them or add your own as you please.

This spelling homework template is made up of two sides. The first side involves learning through written repetition of the ten provided spelling words. The second side involves using those spelling words in context. We use this to set out our weekly spelling words for the children to complete at home, leading towards a spelling/hand-writing test the following week. *The template is, of course, fully editable! *

This is a fully editable A4 version of the memory game. The front of the memory cards are all the same pattern and help to obscure what is on the other side. When I use this in class I have those plastic A4 folders that I insert the memory cards into. It helps keep them in one piece and means that you don’t need to print the covers every time, just insert the new words. In fact, I don’t even bother to take the old memory cards out, they’ve just built up in there over time. If you’re not aware of how to play the game, the basic idea is this… Split the class into at least 2 teams. I usually have them sit in a line either side of the grid of cards. That way they can take turns in pairs down the line and other team members can try and remember the location of the previous cards. The pair then turns over two of the cards, leaving them in place, so both teams can see what they are. If they are a pair then they take them with them as one point. If they aren’t a pair, then they turn them over and its the next teams turn. Here are some ideas of how you can use the giant memory game in class: a) Matching words with their definition. b) Joining up parts of a word or sentence. c) Calculations and their answer, for example a particular times table. d) Verbs and their past tense form. e) Labels and their respective picture. *The example I’ve used in this upload is of adult and baby names for different animals. * There are so many ways you can use this game and you don’t even have to limit yourself to pairs. It could be a set of three that has to be found. Like many things, this potential of this game is only limited by the range of your creativity! The children love it and it also helps to reinforce content, encourages teamwork, as well as improving memory and paying attention.

This colourful A3 board game is fully editable. You can change the contents of any of any square on the board. This particular version of the game is called, ‘The End of the Beginning’, as each space either has the start of a word or the end of one. When children land on a space they have to give an example word and spell it. To add difficulty you could also ask them to use it in context. There are so many other ways you an adapt this for different lessons. Here are a few more examples… a) Maths Write calculations in each box for the children to solve b) Reading Write tricky phonics words for children to work on their pronunciation or you could also have the children use the word in context in a sentence or explain its definition etc. c) Science Write questions relating to your topic in the box, or add in question spaces where children have to pick up a card with a question on. You could even get the class to create their own question cards. All you need for the game is a dice and between 2-5 players. Each of the ideas above follow the same style game play. That is, if you are able to solve the problems or read the words in the space you land on, then you are able to remain there. If not, then you go back to where you were before you rolled. You can also get creative and add in your own special spaces such as miss a go or roll again. Or you can get really creative and add in special reasons. For example, you helped a friend in need, move forward four spaces, or you fell off your bike and broke your head, miss a go. etc.

A door sign which encourages children ready their mind-set to accept challenges upon entering the classroom. A fun sort of contractual obligation they should automatically accept upon entrance to the class! I often send children who have given up on a problem to go and read the sign and then come in afresh with renewed determination. It almost serves as a quick, ‘reset and try again’ activity. If you like this free resource, please take a look at some of my other products on Edumacatin’… https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Sherwen

30 general knowledge quiz questions split into three different levels. Suitable for KS1 to KS2. Plenty of riddles with pictures and illustrations used in some questions. Each question takes up one A4 page. Fully editable DOC as well as PDF. I use it mostly for team quizzes and competitions. Check out the preview for examples of some of the questions…

As it says on the can! Can be used to follow up nearly any kind of field trip. Includes spaces for basic information such as where and when as well as spaces for likes, dislikes, lessons learned and a box for a drawing.

A record sheet for children to record different aspects of the weather during the school week. Includes an example day to give the children an idea on how to fill it in. The fully editable document includes spaces for temperature, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, precipitation and other types of weather. They could measure local weather conditions or find the information from a weather forecast or a mixture of the two. I selected different children to record the weather on different days. As a follow up activity, the data can then be graphed and analysed and compared to the climate records.

A whole worksheet designed to help children create their own rhyming treasure hunt clues. It’s a great way to introduce rhyming words and short rhymes and riddles. Children attempt to find the balance between making clues too easy or too difficult. It’s split into three sections: Read existing clues and suggest locations for where the clues might lead. Write clues for other locations. Choose some locations and write clues that will help lad someone there. Bonus: There’s a secret code at the end for children to solve once they have finished the other tasks. Ultimately, this worksheet can be used to buildup towards children actually creating their own treasure hunt for other groups to try out.

Join together several strong adjectives with the correct definition. Adjectives include, gorgeous, spotless, dull, mute, immense, swift, ancient, fragile, bright and hollow. The document is fully editable so you can use it to add your own adjectives and definitions or other pairs that need matching.