I sometimes find children can be slightly unclear on the actual difference between fact and opinion. This always seems to come up in the SAT reading papers so I constructed this short exercise that incorporates a passage on New York. Should serve well as a 10 minute starter that can be discussed as a class afterwards. Alternatively, it could serve as a shared class reading exercise.

Contains some original wording from the Shakespeare script. Some of the names and places are local to me and can be easily adapted to suit other geographical regions. I had my year 6s perform this as a film and it worked very well. Both children and parents greatly enjoyed the experience.

A reading comprehension about Bonfire Night, comprising of a short poem and a first-person text about the author’s view of November 5th. This text can be used in guided reading, whole-class guided reading or independent reading. The text is accompanied by a comprehension quiz. Text can also be used for modelling writing and GPS. Examples of the following can be found in the text: similes alliteration metaphor multi-clause sentences Subordinating and coordinating conjunctions synonyms fact/opinion true/false inference

A science fiction for years 5 and 6. The story is a teaching written novella (10 pages) split into 5 chapters. Each chapter has its own accompanying comprehension quiz of around 10 questions. Answers are also enclosed for ease of marking. The story is about a future NASA crew who are sent to investigate a mysterious crack on the far edge of the known universe - but things soon go wrong. Story can be read in guided groups, whole class guided reading or individually.

3 Differentiated Grids of words (20 in each) that are often spelled incorrectly. Children start off with a number points and lose 10, 100 or 1000 points for each incorrect spelling they have circled (number of points lost depends on the difficulty of the challenge). Lower Ability will start on 200 points and focuses mostly on short/frequently used words that are often seen to be spelled incorrectly. Middle Ability will start with 2000 points. Higher Ability (more challenging content) start with 20,000 points. Task is ideal for a starter challenge - at the beginning of the school day or English/literacy. Answer Sheets are included in a separate document for either teacher, peer or self marking.

A Year 5/6 reading comprehension that can be used as an effective SAT practice. Short first person story, (true story as told by the author) about the time he accidentally adopted a cat! Story is accompanied by a 20 mark comprehension paper and answers for ease of marking. A good activity to fill a 30 minute timeslot and answer the style of questions that usually come up in May’s reading papers. Question types include: true/false, fact/opinion, chronological ordering, retrieval, synonyms.

A reading comprehension that tells the story of a World War evacuee who is sent to the Devon countryside. Having been sent to live with the Hardiman’s, Robert discovers that the old man’s longtime ambition is to catch the much sought after ‘Old Percy’ - a huge 40lb pike that has never before been caught. The reading comprehension consists of twenty marks and provides practice on true/false, fact/opinion, chronological ordering, recall, retrieval and inference. A file with the answers is also included for ease of marking. Ideal exercise in the build-up to SATs, or just for a normal reading comprehension exercise in upper KS2. Can also be used as part of a World War 2 topic.

Worksheet designed for GPS practise in year 6. I have noticed that children often confuse themselves when asked to circle or underline clauses or just conjunctions (often underlining the whole clause when just the conjunction was asked for). This practise sheet should help as a revision exercise in the build-up to the GPS SAT paper.

A two-page first-person narrative written by the Ghost of Christmas Past that describes his visit to Scrooge. A good example of a well-known story being written by another character’s point of view with shifts in formality (good for modeling and discussion). Exercise can be done as whole-class guided reading, group guided reading or individually. Story comes with a 15 question comprehension consisting of: true/false fact/opinion inference retrieval Some elements of GPS All answers are included at the end of the document for ease of marking.

Newspaper article on Prometheus stealing fire from The Gods and giving it to humankind. Uses formal language and writing features expected in a news article as well as including a shift to informality where appropriate in interviews. Article is accompanied by a 14 question (19 mark) reading comprehension comprising of: retrieval inference true/false fact/opinion synonyms language level of formality Available as Word and PDF with answers for ease of marking.

A useful year 6 revision tool comprising of 19 grammar and punctuation questions. Also includes 20 spellings with a mixture of year 5/6 list spellings, frequently used words and homophones. Questions targeted on: clauses adverbs and adjectives relative clauses word classes tenses ‘a’ and ‘an’ formal language passive and active voice All answers are included for ease of marking.

A GPS quiz for Christmas consisting of 20 spellings and 20 Grammar and punctuation questions. A time filler for that approach to the end of term and a good assessment tool to see how children are doing in GPS by using the Christmas context. Answers are included for ease of marking. Quizzes can be done individually, in pairs or in cooperative groups.

A reading comprehension resource suitable for years 5 and 6. The story is a four page short spooky storyin keeping with the Halloween time of year. The reading paper is accompanied by a 2 page comprehension that has a mixture of questions ranging from inference, retrieval, true/false and fact/opinion. The text can be used for either group guided reading, whole class guided reading or individual independent reading. It is also a good resource in that its questioning is aligned to the style found in year 6 reading SAT papers. In terms of GPS and story preparation, the story text can also be used to identify different features as it uses a broad variety of the following: subordination coordinating and subordinating conjunctions dialogue simile multi-clause sentences instances where semicolons are used to demarcate main clauses Answers are enclosed in the package for ease of marking.

A 24 mark reading comprehension written in non-fiction style. 4 paragraphs for children to read and then answer questions on. Question types include: Retrieval Synonyms Word comprehension Inference Fact and Opinion True or False A great resource for SAT preparation, general reading practise, guided reading or all three! Answer scheme included for ease of marking.

Year 5 and 6 reading comprehension based on esafety and keeping safe on the internet. 22 mark reading comprehension. Comprehension discusses the stranger dangers associated with online gaming/use, gaming addiction and how to look after yourself during online activities. Reading comprhension covers the following areas in the questioning. information retrieval word comprehension/synonyms Fact and opinion inference Answers are included for ease of marking

Poem about an old oak tree that discusses getting old and seeing better days. Useful for examples of metaphor and alliteration, with other poetry conventions. 20 mark comprehension quiz to accompany the poem, incorporating: **inference retrieval fact/opinion true/false chronological ordering ** Exercise is accompanied by an answer sheet (separate file) for ease of marking. Good practice in the run-up to the SAT reading paper as poetry may be one of the reading sections (it was last year!). Hope you enjoy.

A short autumn poem with 12 mark reading comprehension to welcome in the autumn term. Five stanza poem describing the author’s feelings about autumn. Question areas include: retrieval true and false statements statements of fact or opinion word meanings word comprehension Answers are included in a separate document for ease of marking.

A nice resource to break pupils into the autumn term. A five stanza poem about autumn accompanied by a 12 mark reading comprehension. Question areas include: retrieval true or false fact and opinion synonyms word comprehension inference Good for general poetry study or simply as a reading task. Short nature of poem should make the task accessible to most abilities.

Short reading comprehension about a wizard’s apprentice who is tempted by the forbidden top shelf of books in his master’s absence. One A4 page of story text followed by an 8 question quiz (10 marks available). Questions include: retrieval inference antonyms word comprehension Answers are included for ease of marking. Exercise is ideal for online teaching as well as in the classroom.

A reading comprehension exercise consisting of 4 passages of text and two 3 mark questions accompanying each. The exercise is designed to help children infer from evidence given in the next when meaning is not always directly described. The task can be carried out independently, as a group guided session or whole class exercise. Answers are provided for ease of marking for guidance - teachers can use their discretion upon marking.