This KS1 whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through the reading of an original factfile about the life of Ernest Shackleton. 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 fluency and comprehension skills through reading Gene Zion’s ‘Harry the Dirty Dog.’ 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 text is hyperlinked (first slide) for ease of access - the text can be accessed freely through Epic. 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 fluency and comprehension skills through reading Jon Klassen’s ‘I Want My Hat Back.’ 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 text is hyperlinked (first slide) for ease of access. 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 fluency and comprehension skills through reading Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’ 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 text is hyperlinked (first slide) for ease of access, and a slide show version is also provided as a PDF. 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.

In this engaging and informative lesson, students learn about the different ways in which Christians interpret the Bible, with a particular focus on the Ten Commandments. They learn through: -Recalling and remembering foundation contextual facts about the Bible; -Predicting, reading, interpreting and sequencing the Ten Commandments; -Analysing how different Christians may read the commandments, depending upon if they are fundamentalist or liberal; -Considering important rules and procedures that should be followed at school, to create their own 'School Commandments’; -Evaluating their School Commandments through thought-provoking reflection questions; This resource pack contains a comprehensive and colourful 16-slide Powerpoint, which guides teachers and students through the learning activities. Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. A template worksheet is also provided (in Word and PDF) for the students to scribe their school commandments. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. This lesson is suitable for remote learning. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

In this engaging and informative lesson, students learn about the Creation Story and how it is interpreted by Christians. They learn through: -Recalling and remembering foundation contextual facts about the Bible; -Defining the term ‘natural world’ and differentiating between natural and man-made phenomena; -Watching a clear and engaging video about the Creation Story from Genesis 1; -Answering comprehension questions about the story and completing a storyboard to show what happens at each stage; -Examining the aspects of the story that appear to inconsistent scientifically, and questioning why this may be; -Considering how fundamentalist Christians and liberal Christians may interpret the story in different ways. This resource pack contains a comprehensive and colourful 23-slide Powerpoint, which guides teachers and students through the learning activities. Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. A link to the video is also included (slide 14), as is a helpful storyboarding template (both in Word and PDF format). In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. The resource is also suitable for home learning All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

In this engaging and informative lesson, students learn about the structure of the Bible, and gain an understanding of how to read and apply Bible references. They learn through: -Recalling and remembering the different sections of the Bible; -Considering what is detailed in each section; -Understanding how and why Bible references are used; -Applying knowledge of Bible references to a fun ‘Find the Animal’ game; -Challenging their friends to find different details using references; -Completing a ‘Bible Bookcase’ to remember the different sections of the Bible. This resource pack contains a comprehensive and colourful 15-slide Powerpoint, alongside an eye-catching worksheet (2 different versions for different levels of learners in the class). Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. A part of the lesson includes using Bibles, so you will need enough for at least one per group in your class. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

In this engaging and informative lesson, students learn about the different types of writing in the Bible, consider how these different writing forms get across key messages, and apply this knowledge in creating their own thoughtful texts. They learn through: -Recalling and remembering how to reference different sections of the Bible; -Acting as ‘Bible Detectives’, follwing references in order to find different styles of writing; -Analysing how different styles of writing add to meanings/ messages; -Considering important messages and lessons that they have been given in their own lives, and applying knowledge of different writing styles to contribute to a ‘Class Bible’; -Evaluating their ‘Class Bible’ through thought-provoking reflection questions; This resource pack contains a comprehensive and colourful 17-slide Powerpoint, which guides teachers and students through the learning activities. Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. A part of the lesson includes using Bibles, so you will need enough for at least one per group in your class. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

In this engaging and informative lesson, students learn about how the Bible teaches of humans’ responsibility for looking after the Earth. They consider how humans are faring with this responsibility at present, before exploring ways that we can look after our planet going forwards. They learn through: -Recalling and remembering foundation contextual facts about the Bible; -Defining the term ‘responsibility’ and learning how God gave humans responsibility for looking after planet Earth (Creation Story - Genesis 1 and 2); -Using research skills to explore given websites and find out how humans are treating the planet at present; -Considering their own roles in fulfilling the human responsibility; -Designing posters to enable other people to save our planet as a part of our human responsibility. This resource pack contains a comprehensive and colourful 17-slide Powerpoint, which guides teachers and students through the learning activities. Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. An eye-catching and helpful research template (in both Word and PDF) is also included. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. The resource is also suitable for home learning All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about The Bible in R.E. It contains comprehensive sections on: -Overview; -Content of the Bible - Old Testament and New Testament; -Importance of the Bible - Different Interpretations, Anglican and Catholic Churches; -The Creation Story; -Personal Spirituality - Key Questions; -Key Vocabulary. 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). It is most appropriate for KS2 children.

This resource pack of 2 whole class reading sessions aims to develop children’s fluency and comprehension skills through reading Giles Andrede’s Giraffes Can’t Dance.’ Children read the text (hyperlinked) in two stages. Each 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 sessions are 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 fluency and comprehension skills through reading Kimberley and James Dean’s ‘Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure.’ 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 text is hyperlinked (first slide) for ease of access - the text can be accessed freely and with no sign up through download on the site. 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 fluency and comprehension skills through reading the opening of Julia Donaldson’s ‘The Snail and the Whale.’ 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.

In this lesson, students learn about the key features of the Bible, including: -What the Bible is comprised of; -What the Bible tells Christians; -Different versions of the Bible; -Further information about the Old Testament and the New Testament; -Different types of writing in the Bible. Children learn through collating prior knowledge of about the Bible, watching an interesting video (hyperlinked) and recording the key information, and exploring Bibles for themselves (ensure that you have enough Bibles for each group to share one). This resource pack contains a comprehensive 14-slide Powerpoint, alongside an eye-catching worksheet. Challenge activities are provided in order to enrich learning for higher-attaining learners. In the past, I have used this lesson with children from across Key Stage 2 - the key learning is aligned with national expectations for RE, and also the content prescribed by most diocese regions. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to to make precise interpretations regarding the characters of Charlie and Tommo in Private Peaceful. In particular, students analyse how the relationship between the two characters is introduced and then developed throughout the novel. They also make key inferences about the similarities and differences between the brothers. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Comparing and contrasting the characteristics of the two brothers; - Comprehending how the brothers’ relationship is introduced by Morpugo in the opening chapters; - Tracking and analysing how their relationship develops over the course of the novel; - Creating character profiles for both brothers, using a (provided) template and the information that they have gathered over the course of the lesson; - Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Character Profile Templates (Word and PDF); - Relationship Development Graph Template (Word and PDF); - Extracts from Private Peaceful; - 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 year 7 and 8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 9 with minimal adaptations. Please note that students will need internet or library access to complete the research introduction task. 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 the language features used by Michael Morpurgo to depict the horrors of war in Private Peaceful. In particular, students analyse the effectiveness of his similes, metaphors and personification (amongst other devices) before creating their own descriptive device-filled writing! The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Defining and exemplifying range of different descriptive techniques; - Identifying the descriptive language techniques in use in an extract from Private Peaceful (the section in which Tommo and his comrades are gassed); - Analysing the effectiveness of Morpurgo’s descriptive language, considering the effect on the reader; - Creating their own descriptive passages, using each of the descriptive language devices effectively; - Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Cards for the card-sorting activity; - Descriptive language essay template; - Extract from Private Peaceful; - Writing to describe helpsheet; - 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 year 7 and 8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 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 whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of the opening chapter of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Private Peaceful.’ The resource pack includes the extract 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 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 Year 5 and 6, but it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups. The session is also suitable for home/ remote learning.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising H.G. Wells’ ‘The War of the Worlds.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Chapter by Chapter Summary (with quotes); Main Characters; Themes; Wells’ Language Devices; Features of Science Fiction Novels. 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.

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand the structural features used by Michael Morpurgo to plot the narrative and engage the reader in War Horse. In particular, students analyse the effectiveness of his first person perspective and narrative structure, before creating their own well-structured story plans. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Understanding the benefits of Morpurgo’s first person narration from Joey’s viewpoint; Defining and exemplifying the different stages of narrative structure; Applying this understanding to ‘War Horse’, considering why each stage of narrative structure is vital to the novel. Analysing the effectiveness of Morpurgo’s structural devices, considering the effect on the reader; Creating plans for the structure of their own WW1 narratives, utilising the structural components discussed over the lesson ; Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Narrative Structure Graph Template; Storyboard 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 year 7 and 8 classes, 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 engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand the key features of the historical context of World War I, in order to gain a clearer of understanding of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse. In particular, students learn about the key features of World War I (including the role of horses) before linking their understanding of historical context to different extracts from the text. Finally, they analyse Morpurgo’s key intentions/messages in including such ideas within his novel. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Researching and understanding key information about World War I, including how it was initiated, the role of horses, life in the trenches, and going ‘over the top;’ Linking the key features of context to sections of the text; Reading selected extracts from the text, in order to link ideas regarding context and text together; Analysing Morpurgo’s key messages and ideas in through his depiction of the historical context; Creating their own anti-war propaganda posters, detailing what war was really like for young soldiers; Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Research Template; Selected extracts (from chapters 2, 4, 7 and 8); 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 year 7 and 8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between year 4 (advanced) and year 9 with minimal adaptations. Please note that students will need internet access for the research introduction task. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.