2018 Update. These resources were originally based on a specific lesson observation, I have since included a massive amount of extras. I have included a presentation file in BOTH Mac (Keynote) and Windows (Powerpoints) formats, this particular lesson was used in an observation highly sucessfully (outstanding) during my performance management 2 years ago. UPDATE: I have re-uploaded the ‘mummification pictures’ in pdf format as well as the original microsoft word format due to review comments, photos are now viewable in several formats.

Specially selected and organised original Powerpoint (and Keynote / ipad / mac versions) of riddles and problems to make pupils think about things creatively, many completely original. A great thing to start or finish the day with on the whiteboard, organised into powerpoints for you. For example… (Morning activities) ‘How many countries in the world can you think of?’ (Lateral thinking) Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones? Answer: Round covers cannot be dropped or fall down a manhole, unlike square ones. I hope you enjoy using these with your class.

I have designed a unique set of resources designed to engage children in Literacy. Also excellent for a futuristic topic. Please note this is a set of unique resources, not a unit of work or lesson plan. It is designed for teachers to ‘dip into’ as they wish or even as part of a whole school topic. There is tonnes of material and this took many hours to assemble. Resources Updated 2023 2015 was the year that in the Back to the Future films they visited the ‘future’. October was the month of ‘Back to the Future Day.’ The resources could be used as part of a thematic unit or within other units of the curriculum. Excellent for Newspapers and Non-Fiction writing opportunities in particular. Included in this resource pack… Multiple sets of Newspaper articles (edited by myself and made highly visual in worksheet form) with comprehension and activity worksheets I made for them. -Additional extension activities fitting the articles -Punctuation activity -Original trailer and Poster from the movie with activities I designed around them -The stuff the film got wrong! -Punctuation activity -Ideas for a Back to the Future week / day. -Display materials -Movie clips ‘making of’ -Hover Chase Video …and much more! Due to the popularity of this resources I have added some futuristic robot activities which tie in well with the topic! An up to the minute and current set of resources that children will love, especially boys and a brilliant way to encourage creative writing / comprehension skills as well as looking at the features of Newspapers. Designed for KS2 but could be easily differentiated for lower KS3. Please check my other resources out here… https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/dave_orritt

Completely ORIGINAL and works fantastically. Developed in collaboration with an esteemed colleague. These are some of the resources I used and created when the children were doing fantasy stories, we linked it to the Thundercat cartoon, did character descriptions and settings. I always do this topic with the children in year 3/4, the short episodes of the series all offer a clear beginning, middle and end which lends itself very well to some excellent short stories by the children. The ‘cave of time’ is an especially good episode with a clear problem, build up and solution etc Included a weekly plan and a map that can be printed over 2 pieces of paper for display. I have also included a set of Top Trump example attributes for this resource which really gets the boys extremely motivated and could be used as an additional activity to be played later on in Golden Time. This is very comprehensive and I have used this many times successfully with years 3-5. The boys especially don’t stop talking about it!

How did Lego begin? Watch the video 'The Lego Story' on YouTube and then complete these activities with the children.

Set of resources to support the use of the song ‘Be a Man’ from Mulan the popular Disney film for use in a Poetry topic. The verse can be used to identify number of syllables in poetry and the children can then invent their own similes to fit! I have included some additional worksheets and ideas to help with this. (Obviously work some before.) To identify syllabic patterns after initial work in this area I have always found this useful. Its a fantastic song and very catchy, in the past I have also had children invent their own song and perform in assembly with great success! I have included the actual clip featuring this music, as a very short edited video section but do not claim to own the rights to this. I have included a weekly / unit plan here as an extra with this lesson included, please see my other resource ‘Poems that Create Similes & Metaphors’ for more.

Originally written for year 4 but easily used for older children. Explanation text resource using the 1999 Animated Tarzan Film as a stimulus. I have included the explanation as a video file. Children watch how the animation process 'Deep Canvas' works and then describe it themselves. Also included a display I produced from this lesson, within a rainforest topic and using the lesson cross-curricularly, the writing children produce is often outstanding when given the prompts as they get so engrossed in it. I have now included an extra 'how to draw Tarzan step-by step' as an excellent art activity and a planning sheet and extensive word bank where children can describe Tarzan.

Powerpoint including embedded video Worksheet to complete

A full set of cursive handwriting worksheets from A-Z - Easily used as a whole school scheme The sheets can be used stand alone or as a template for children to use in their handwriting books, I have especially found the words after the letters helpful. I have also included a few extras that can be used to test children's 'best handwriting'

If you are teaching settings this is bound to interest boys and improve their writing. This topic has produced some outstanding work from pupils in classes I have taught myself and assist others in an advisory capacity. UPDATE to one of my best selling resources with more! Suitable for years 3-6. Powerpoint Worksheets Extensive word banks (differentiated abilities.) Initial texts to discuss Plenary text PLUS! -Worksheets and word banks (differentiated.) -Phrases for display -Examples to read -Examples of children writing -Story Starters (Please note full DAILY plans are not included, this is designed simply as a bank of resources to dip into.)

PART ONE of TWO As this is the first time I have shared content in this format (Mac) this is what I use. Please note this is 15 YEARS worth of Keynotes made on the mac originally for years 3 and 4 although many have been used in older classes and are easily adaptable. INVALUABLE for anyone with a Mac that uses it for teaching as these are VERY hard to find. (Why I had to make them as I much prefer Keynote.) These took many many hours to make individually. Many incorporate videos and animations within them and some have been used to achieve outstanding observations. Thats why the file size is so big, For a MacBook user these are fantastic and many should work on iPad too with Keynote. (Although one or two of the animations may be different and I can't 100% promise all will be formatted perfectly from experience.) Keynotes year 3/4 - A Massive collection of all the presentations I have made ORIGINAL in Mac format. Most are self explanatory but have written a few notes of description for some them below to help. Will save Apple users absolutely tonnes of time as I myself use many of these when I go into schools. You really are getting a lot here believe me. (Some written on Keynote '09 so you may want to open on this to avoid conversion.) - Poetry Creating Images Keynote - Used for an outstanding observation 2 years ago, children went on to write their own beach poems based on the content shown. - Haunted house keynote - Fantastic for boys writing to get them enthralled. - Mummification Keynote - Includes video of the mummification process. - Parental Year 4, shows 'how we do things' in Maths. Includes an EXCELLENT countdown starter that can be used with the children also, (really really effective) but illustrates examples of how we teach in Mathematics at that age. Used in a Maths showcase evening at school. Please note these will NOT work on windows computers (PowerPoint) without conversion although an excellent site to convert these files is https://cloudconvert.com/key-to-ppt I have included this particular resource mainly for Apple users. Please VOTE on this resource if you find it useful

PowerPoints, Worksheets and lots lots more! I hope this helps someone out when teaching this fantastic topic! I have newly converted the Keynote I produced on mummification to PowerPoint format, this is especially good! I have also included my creative plans when this was the hub of our creative work one year.

A BUMPER pack to dip into for the teaching of settings around several genres for example a ‘spooky house’ that would be of interest to boys especially. Taught with year 3-4 classes but can be easily adapted and used with years 5/6. Included: Lesson Plans Display Material Examples of children’s work Prompt sheets Powerpoints Notebook File Unit of work Useful Connectives for writing

PART ONE of TWO As this is the first time I have shared content in this format (of which I prefer) I am offering a 75% price reduction for a very limited time! Please note this is 15 YEARS worth of Keynotes made on the mac originally for years 3 and 4 although many have been used in older classes and are easily adaptable. INVALUABLE for anyone with a Mac that uses it for teaching as these are VERY hard to find. (Why I had to make them as I much prefer Keynote.) These took many many hours to make individually. Many incorporate videos and animations within them and some have been used to achieve outstanding observations. For a MacBook / Apple user these are fantastic and many should work on iPad too with Keynote. (Although one or two of the animations may be different and I can't 100% promise all will be formatted perfectly from experience.) Keynotes ages 7-10 - A Massive collection of presentations I have made. Most are self explanatory but have written a few notes of description for some them below to help. Will save Apple users absolutely tonnes of time as I myself use many of these when I go into schools. You really are getting a lot here believe me. Please note these will NOT work on windows computers (PowerPoint) without conversion although an excellent site to convert these files is https://cloudconvert.com/key-to-ppt I have included this particular resource mainly for Apple users.