This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Emily Sharratt’s ‘Health Heroes.’ The resource pack includes the extract needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 2-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s fluency and comprehension skills, whilst simultaneously building their understanding of toys over time. It contains an original text and the step-by-step PowerPoint presentation leading teachers and learners through the post-reading activities. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 1-2, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Karen McCombie’s ‘The Lost Diary of Sami Star.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 2-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Contact.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 2-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension of the opening chapter of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers.’ It contains a link to the online chapter (on the first slide) and a PDF version if needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 2-3, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Hana Tooke’s ‘The Unadoptables.’ The resource pack includes the extract needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. A vocabulary check helps to secure children’s understanding of any new or unfamiliar language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 4-6, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening section of Michael Rosen’s ‘Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads.’ The resource pack includes the extract needed. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 3-4, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s reading comprehension skills, whilst simultaneously building their understanding of the Amundsen/ Scott race to the South Pole. The resource pack includes the full text (adapted from an internet information article for kids) and all of the activities for the session, which the class are guided through via a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the text is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in lower KS2, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly older or younger year groups. This resource is suitable for home/ remote learning. These resources are also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising David Almond’s ‘Skellig’. It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Chapter by Chapter Summary (with quotes); Main Characters; Themes; Almond’s Language Devices; Almond’s Influences. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to make detailed interpretations about two of the main characters in David Almond’s Skellig: Michael and Mina. In particular, students comprehend the character traits of the two characters, before analysing the development of their relationship over the course of the story. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Defining and exemplifying the key character traits of both Michael and Mina; - Reading and tracking Michael and Mina's relationship development throughout the story; - Analysing how and why Michael and Mina's relationship becomes so strong by the end of the story; - Peer assessing each other's learning attempts; Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Character Profile Sheets - Michael and Mina (pdf and word); - Relationship Development Graph (pdf and word); - Essay Template; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a year 7 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 4 and 9 with minimal adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This fun and informative lesson helps students to understand the descriptive language techniques used by David Walliams in his descriptions of Bumfresh Towers in ‘Billionaire Boy.’ In particular, students analyse how Walliams language is used to create imagery, before designing and describing their own imaginative mansions! The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: -Completing a card-sorting activity to define and exemplify each of the descriptive devices; - Reading and understanding extracts from a section of Billionaire Boy, in which the mansion is described; - Identifying and analysing Walliams's use of language devices throughout the extracts; - Writing their own language device-filled descriptions of their mansions, with support from a detailed planning template; - Self assessing their own learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Language Analysis Worksheet (and answer sheet); - Selected extracts - Billionaire Boy; - Cards for Sorting Activity; - Planning Template (Word and PDF); - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a mixed-ability year 7 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 9 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand how the lead protagonist of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry himself) develops as a character throughout the narrative. In doing so, students learn the key structural features of the ‘Bildungsroman’ genre, and apply these to the different stages of development that Harry experiences. They then go on to design their own Bildungsroman storyboards! The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Comprehending how Harry is initially introduced to the reader; Reading extracts from Chapters 2, 10 and 17 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, identifying how Harry’s character develops; Analysing how the story fits the structure of a Bildungsroman novel, and tracking Harry’s development through the stages; Creating a storyboard for their own Bildungsroman novel; Self assessing their learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson 30 slide PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Collated paper extracts of Chapters 2, 10, 17 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone; Harry’s development tracking template; Create your own Bildungsroman novel storyboard template; -Comprehensive lesson plan. All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7/8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 10 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This 16-page resource booklet contains a wide range of challenging and engaging comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Simon Armitage’s love and relationships poem ‘Mother, Any Distance.’ Teachers have found the activities particularly useful throughout teaching, or for exam revision or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of students towards meeting the key English Literature assessment objectives - suitable for all examining bodies. Students have found these resources extremely engaging, and it is clearly highlighted within each task regarding which assessment strands the task is designed to demonstrate. It is provided in both Word (to allow for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure for consistency of formatting between computers). Activities within the booklet include (amongst many others): ‘Analysing Context’ - helping students to ‘Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.’ ‘Analysing Subject Matter, Language and Structure’ - to help students to ‘Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.’ ‘Diary Entry’ - to help students to ‘Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. Make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.’ ‘The Speaker’ - to help students to ‘Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to: maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.’

Two free, original, child-friendly limericks - one about an extremely timid brown bear, and the other about the most mischievous chimp in the jungle! Both sheets contain a few comprehension questions. Perfect if you're looking to help your children get to grips with the form and structure of limerick poems. These limericks are a part of a wider collection of limericks found in the 'Ludicrous Limericks' lesson pack (for 2 pounds) or with an anthology of 20 other animal limericks and comprehension activities in the 'Crazy Animal Limericks' (3 pounds). Many Thanks!

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising J.K Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' It contains comprehensive sections on: - Context; - Chapter by Chapter Summary (with quotes); - Main Characters; - Themes; - Rowling's Language Devices; - Features of Fantasy Novels. All key words and ideas are compartmentalised for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand the key techniques used by J.K Rowling in her story opening of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.' In particular, students comprehend the plot and information in the opening chapter of Harry Potter and analyse what makes the opening effective, before utilising this understanding to compose their own imaginative story opening. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Collectively defining the features of effective story openings; - Reading the opening to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, identifying the story opening techniques and comprehending the key events and information in the chapter; - Analysing the effectiveness of each of Rowling's story opening techniques; - Creating their own engaging story openings, utilising story opening techniques effectively and imaginatively throughout; - Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - The opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (freely available online); - Effective Story Openings analysis template; - Teacher answer sheet; -Comprehensive lesson plan. All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7/8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 10 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This resource booklet contains a wide range of age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.' Teachers have found them particularly useful in exam revision, comprehension tasks, or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of students towards meeting the KS4 expectations within the new National Curriculum framework - this makes the tasks suitable for all examining bodies. Students have found these resources extremely engaging, and for teachers there is explicit information within each task regarding which comprehension strands the task is designed to demonstrate. They also relate to key extracts, characters, and themes from the story, ensuring that students gain a deep understanding of the text. Activities within the booklet include: - 'Context: 19th Century Britain' - to aid students with 'Drawing on knowledge of the purpose, audience and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongs, to inform evaluation;' - 'Dickens' Description' - to aid students with 'Analysing a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form, grammatical and structural features, and evaluating their effectiveness and impact;' - 'The Ghost of Christmas Past' - to aid students with 'Seeking evidence in the text to support a point of view, including justifying inferences with evidence;' - 'Editing the Text' - to aid students with 'Making an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.' Plus many, many more activities (the booklet is around 30 pages in length!) I've also added it as a PDF in case the formatting differs on your computer. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on a separate document (included).

This fun and informative lesson helps students to understand two of the key themes throughout David Walliams ‘Billionaire Boy:’ money and happiness. Students explore Joe’s happiness, before then producing their own writing to argue piece on the topic of whether they believe money can buy happiness. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: -Considering what they would buy if they were a billionaire, and detailing this through a mind-map! - Reading and understanding extracts from the opening section of Billionaire Boy, in which Joe's wealth and unhappiness is detailed; - Identifying and analysing Walliams's use of devices to demonstrate Joe's unhappiness; - Writing their own arguments (using a help-sheet and model examples for influence) about whether they think money can buy happiness; - Self assessing their own learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - 'Joe's Unhappiness' Worksheet (and answer sheet); - Selected extracts - Billionaire Boy; - Writing to Argue Help-sheet; - Billionaire Mind-Map (and PDF version); - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a mixed-ability year 7 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 9 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This fun and informative lesson helps students to understand the key events of the ending of David Walliams ‘Billionaire Boy.’ In particular, students explore the concept of narrative structure, and apply the events of Billionaire Boy to each narrative stage. They explore to what extent the ending of the text fits the features of an adequate denouement. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: -Taking part in a fun group quiz to recap on the key elements of the plot leading up to the ending; - Reading and understanding extracts from the ending of Billionaire Boy, answering comprehension questions to check their understanding; - Understanding the features of narrative structure, and applying Billionaire Boy to the individual elements; - Analysing how the ending of Billionaire Boy fits the features of a denouement; - Self assessing their own learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - 'Narrative Structure Template (and PDF version); - Selected extracts - Billionaire Boy ending; - The Ending Essay Template; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a mixed-ability year 7 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 9 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of Owen Sheers' key messages about war in the poem ‘Mametz Wood.’ By the end of the lesson, students demonstrate their knowledge of the text analytically, through assured, appropriate, and sustained interpretations of the content, language, and structure. Students learn through a logical and step-by-step learning journey, including: -Understanding the context of the poem and the horrific events that took place in the battle; -Understanding key information about Owen Sheers' life; -Reading and interpreting the poem; -Interpreting the poem, with a particular emphasis upon the language and structural features; -Finding and analysing the language features used throughout the poem, and considering how these link to the poet's message; -Writing an extended analysis piece based upon how Sheers gets across his message about war; -Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and substantial; (including hyperlinks to informative and engaging videos) - Copy of poem; - Language devices worksheet - Analysis template with success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to middle-ability year 9/10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.