Piratey project stuff… there are resources here about famous pirates, pirate flags, pirate ships, what pirates ate and drank, piratey words and much, much more! There’s even a chance to design your own pirate flag. All resources have been reviewed and renewed for their eleventh successful year! Please enjoy them and share how you’ve got on with them on #edutwitter, if you have had fun! Follow me on twitter @EmmisStories to find out more resources and activities, and story related work

A PowerPoint explaining how Anthony Browne put his pictures together in Willy’s Pictures to tell stories, by looking at the work of other famous artists. Anthony Browne was a past Children’s Laurette and is a leading illustrator and author. His picture books are literate and, often, contain a darkly humourous subtext. Willy’s Pictures uses famous paintings to create a sketch book of stories, with surreal images of Willy from the Willy the Wimp series of books. You can use this power point as a way of exploring the pictures in the book and the famous art it refers to, as well as the way pictures are composed and are used as a method of expression. Honestly, though, it’s not as boring as it sounds…!

Piratey project stuff, just as broadcast! How cool is that? Everything you need (minus a bit that you probably you need as well, but this is a start) for project work on pirates in the Caribbean - who they were, what there flags were like (if you believe the rumours), what they are and drank (with recipes), and what their ships were like. The information is provided via recently reviewed and renewed PowerPoints and a newly updated wordcard. Good sailing me hearties! Follow me on twitter @EmmisStories

Two lesson plans, worksheets and a presentation to get young children thinking about measuring and potions! Inspired by The Witches’ Spell in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, these sessions are part of a longer unit covering all areas of curriculum, but are great as stand alone sessions too. In this pack are two lesson plans and the printable resources, plus the presentation, that you’ll need for sessions brave EYFS children and their teachers. The children are introduced to the basic terms for comparing different capacities and there is a good balance of practical and formal work. Aims and success criteria are made clear, as are the key words and resources needed for the activities that take place. This is a resource heavy topic, but I hope that I have made it as simple and practical as possible, while still being creative and fun for everyone. If physical resources are not available, substituting for alternatives is great for the imagination and pictures can do the job as well. Differentiation is built into the sessions, and the lessons can be seen as a starting point for your own ideas. There is scope for further development into a longer term project, with potion making and further measurement activities etc. Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 measurement activities will take the capacity and witches’ spell theme further, so please look out for them. To hear a FREE recording of the poem that inspired the activities, please go to https://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell

Two user friendly lesson plans and sets of worksheets, with free audio, to download and use straightaway, in primary classrooms. They are fun, easy to manage and a great way to introduce Shakespeare to children, from Reception up to Year 6. Each lesson has clear aims and criteria for achievement, differentiation for ability, a sample keywords and questions, a list of resources and next steps. Worksheets are plain and simple, and are designed specifically for the lessons, but can be adapted or seen as a template for your own worksheets or work in books. The lessons can be the starting point for other activities as a project on the text, such as music (creating a witches dance), science/technology (creating potions), maths (measuring potions, comparing measures etc) and so on. If you check out my resources, I have lesson plans based on the Witches Spell that you can use or adapt for your purposes, all for free. I have used the extract here with 3 to 11 year olds, and it is always a guaranteed winner, becoming a firm favourite warm-up game for drama activities (reciting it, not, you know, heating up a cauldron or anything - Elf and Safety and all that, and I so got in trouble for destroying the Kingdom of Mordor, so not doing that again). To hear a FREE recording of the poem, please go to my website: http://emblabee.org/the-31-days-of-scary-day-1/ or SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell If you like my resources, I’d be really grateful for a review and some stars. If you don’t like them, ask your loved ones to stock up on flies for your breakfast x

Here are lots of activities based on the full text of the tale of Hansel and Gretel from the collection made by the Grimm brothers. There’s loads of ideas for both indoors and outdoors, with plenty to keep children’s minds and hands busy and active as they explore and learn, while interacting with one of Europe’s oldest folk tales. There is a full introduction to the text used, with a brief historical notes on the context of the setting. I have included an approach to how to bring the text to children, either as a read story or a performed oral tale. Following that, there are fun activities designed for warm-up games for concentration or drama, creative activities indoors or outdoors, at Forest School or outdoor learning areas. Tasks include: carving, cookery, puppetry, making and following pathways, fire safety, hot chocolate and bread, having a feast, drama, problem solving, art and design, science (light and dark), poetry and understanding texts. I have included a recommended background reading for teachers interested in the history of the Grimms Tales and the darker versions of the stories than the norm… Most of the activities are suitable for EYFS or Key Stage 1, but Lower Key Stage 2 would probably benefit from them too.

A fun-packed, jam-packed goodie bag of Tricks and Treats for primary aged children at Hallowe'en time. There's a detailed set of activities for drama games, an arty party and warm-up games with a spooky twist, involving music, mindfulness, concentration , role-play, and moments of calm. The activities can form sessions on their own, but can be cherry picked to be incorporated to stimulate or round-off similarly themed lessons. At the end of the document, there's a short but informative recommended book list, including notes on the origins of the folk stories we know today that are far more terrifying in their original forms than their Disneyified counterparts. JUST ADDED! A set of worksheets based on the skull decorations often seen during Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and America. The first sheet provides illustrative examples for the children to look at and discuss (as a class. group, talking partner etc), the second sheet is a very basic colouring in (that can be added to with the children's own design and flowers etc), and the third is the basic skull shape, which is up to the children to design (and again flowers etc can be added). The children's skull pictures can be printed or stuck to card and made into masks by cutting out the eye holes and making holes at either side of the face.

A word mat of pirate words and a power point presentation on legends of pirates. It is made available here in both editable and PDF form for your free use.

Updated and Expanded VERSION A detailed teaching guide for EYFS and LKS2 based on the traditional version of Snow White. A complete unit of work, it now comprises of extensive ideas for activities, both indoors and outdoors, and two complete lesson plans and resources. Used in conjunction with the story or a trip to the pantomime, this is a great way to get children thinking and loving a traditional story. Most of the activities are based in drama, art & technology and literacy, and there are opportunities for outdoor learning which encompass geography and design technology. Included in the pack are background notes on the history and changes to the text since it first appeared in print, suggested further reading and almost unnecessary references to Chris Hemsworth. I have included my notes on how I would approach telling the tale to a class as a oral tale - where I would have breaks for discussion (and a breather) and to create some tension in the tale. I’d love to hear how you get on with your sessions, so please let me know here or via twitter @EmmisStories. Failing that, just enjoy the pack and have fun with the kids!

A lesson plan and worksheets (or ideas for display activities) for the ingredients. Great inspiration for World Book Day or Book Week activities, or inspiring young readers and writers to talk about their favourite books, this will get them thinking and putting ideas on paper or provide a focus for a class discussion. Suitable for EYFS and KS1, I have done this activity as individual, group and class discussion work, and each time it has been different and the same! It's always fun, interactive, spirited, but full of ideas that come out of nowhere. Be prepared to be amazed. Please let me know how you get on, via the review box or twitter @EmmisStories

A brief discussion of the themes behind Remembrance Day and how this can be introduced to young children in Primary Schools and carried forward with older children in Secondary Schools. There is information about the history of Remembrance Day, practical ideas for how to deal with the complex issues with children at an appropriate level and where to find further information. The ideas here can be used in lessons or assemblies, as you feel appropriate and right for your children. It can be tied to RE and PSE curricula.

NOW REVISED AND UPDATED HERE A quality lesson plan, worksheets and a presentation to get children thinking about measuring and potions! Inspired by The Witches’ Spell in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, these sessions are part of a longer unit covering all areas of curriculum, but are great as stand alone sessions too. In this pack are two lesson plans and the printable resources, plus the presentation, that you’ll need for sessions brave Key Stage 2 children and their teachers. The children are given opportunities to calculate different capacities and there is a good balance of practical and formal work. Aims and success criteria are made clear, as are the key words and resources needed for the activities that take place. This is a resource heavy topic, but I hope that I have made it as simple and practical as possible, while still being creative and fun for everyone. If physical resources are not available, substituting for alternatives is great for the imagination and pictures can do the job as well. EXTRA - Now with added Counting skills lesson!!! Don’t tell everyone, they’ll all want one. Differentiation is built into the sessions, and the lessons can be seen as a starting point for your own ideas. Learning Objectives and Assessment for Learning boxes are included on the worksheets to help you with your marking. There is scope for further development into a longer term project, with potion making and further measurement activities etc. My EYFS and Key Stage 1 activities based on capacity and witches’ spell theme are also available via TES, so please look out for them. Hear the poem read on SoundCloud here: https by ://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell by your host. Yes, I know, I spoil you. If you like my resources, I’d be really grateful for a review and some stars. If you don’t like them, ask your loved ones to stock up on flies for your breakfast x

An introduction to story writing for children, as it goes through the basics of identifying what makes a character interesting and then how to create characters, step by step. There are tips for teachers on how to deliver the lesson, aims, success criteria, and a list of easy-to-find resources. Used in conjunction with my What Makes a Good Story? lesson (find it here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/what-makes-a-good-story-11809440), they make a good sequence of lessons. This is a lesson that has been tried and tested in the classroom and really works! Adaptable across the primary age range, this lesson works best with Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2.

NEWER VERSIONS NOW AVAILABLE! - See here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-witches-spell-cauldron-bother-12200222 Three sets lesson plans, worksheets and full notes on how to deliver fab experiences to get young children thinking! Inspired by The Witches’ Spell in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, these sessions are part of a longer unit covering all areas of curriculum, but are great as stand alone sessions too. In this pack are three lesson plans and the printable resources you’ll need. The children are given opportunities to make music, sort objects, and create a cauldron of their own. Aims and success criteria are made clear, as are the key words and resources needed for the activities that take place. Differentiation is built into the sessions, and the lessons can be seen as a starting point for your own ideas. Learning Objectives and Assessment for Learning boxes are included on the worksheets to help you with your marking. There is scope for further development into a longer term project, with potion making and further potion and magical activities etc.

A creative and fun set of lesson plans linked by the theme of a Treasure Chest. Relevant to the EYFS and the National Curriculum, any teacher, supply teacher or NQT can pick up and use these lesson plans. All resources or their alternatives should be easily found in teaching bases, and there is a good mix of teacher- and child-led activities. Each plan has carefully constructed aims and success criteria, learning sequences and relevant key words, lists of requirements and resources, and additional notes to help you have great lessons. The lessons include: list writing, counting and addition, drawing and painting, designing and making, music and drama, sorting and classifying. Differentiation at three levels in built in to the plans, and there is ample opportunity for extension or ideas to develop into bigger projects. Worksheets are included were applicable, but these are here to give you an idea of what could be added to workbooks or to inspire your own alternatives. ****NEW! Revised and new lesson plans now included and extra resources added, including Learning Objectives on the sheets ready to use or edit. **** PDF versions also included to prevent any problems with format when downloaded (hopefully). Please see https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pirates-galore-6013941 for my FREE pirate resources I’d love to hear how you get on, so leave a message in the review section or contact me via twitter @EmmisStories

Two lesson plans, worksheets and three presentations to get young children thinking about measuring and potions! Inspired by The Witches Spell in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, these sessions are part of a longer unit covering all areas of curriculum, but are great as stand alone sessions too. EXTRA: now contains a session on counting skills too! In this pack are two lesson plans and the printable resources, plus the presentation, that you’ll need for sessions brave Key Stage 1 children and their teachers. The children are introduced to the basic terms for measuring different capacities and there is a good balance of practical and formal work. Aims and success criteria are made clear, as are the key words and resources needed for the activities that take place. This is a resource heavy topic, but I hope that I have made it as simple and practical as possible, while still being creative and fun for everyone. If physical resources are not available, substituting for alternatives is great for the imagination and pictures can do the job as well. Differentiation is built into the sessions, and the lessons can be seen as a starting point for your own ideas. Learning Objectives and Assessment For Learning boxes are included in the worksheets to help your marking go quickly, and are editable in the Word version of the documents. There is scope for further development into a longer term project, with potion making and further measurement activities etc. A Key Stage 2 measurement activity takes the capacity and witches’ spell theme further, so please look out for it. To hear a FREE recording of the poem that inspired the activities, please go to https://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell I know, I spoil you! If you like my resources, I’d be really grateful for a review and some stars. If you don’t like them, ask your loved ones to stock up on flies for your breakfast x

Developed to get KS1 and LKS2 children thinking about key historical questions - why, when, where, what, who, how, can - here is a lesson plan and resources to get you going on any investigation into the past. Any inquiry is about detection, so frame the whole exercise like one of adventure and discovery, and it can be fun for everyone. The lesson plan is clear and easy to use, including aims and success criteria, detailed hints about how to carry out the activities, and lists of resources and follow-up tasks. I’d love to know how you get on with these resources, so please leave a review or follow me on twitter @EmmisStories

Here is the complete set of updated lesson plans based on The Witches Spell by William Shakespeare in Macbeth, complete with sample worksheets for you to use, adapt, cut and treat as ever you wish! There are ideas here for every area of the curriculum from Art to PE, via English, Maths, Science, Design and dancing about in a witchy way when nobody is looking. Suitable for children from EYFS to Key Stage 2, there are IWB resources for potion jar measurement, help with introducing poetry skills, a (not successful) guide to potion making and cauldron design. In fact, there is everything here for the budding witch and wizard teacher to show their class how to perform to the of their ability and finally get into Hogwarts. Each lesson has detailed Aims, Success Criteria, structured teaching points, lists of key words, resources, and next steps. They include differentiation opportunities at three levels, although, as you know your class better than I do, please adjust and adapt these lessons. It is my hope that you see them as a starting point for your own adventure into Shakespeare and poetry with young children, and that you have fun exploring this topic as much as the children! For a free recording of the poem, please follow this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell It isn’t an actual witch, its me… Or is it?

A great little set of forms for either Supply Teachers or teachers preparing for daily or short term cover. They have simple headings that help teachers pick out the key goings-on needed for a good handover. Each sheet offers different ways of presenting the information, so that you can find one that will suit you and your setting, but, obviously, feel free to adapt. Forms include: Checklists and times for what should happen during the day Space to say what work was completed and marked Comment boxes for: Highlights of the Day; Helpful Children; Behaviour (good and bad); Absent children, accidents etc; and any other further comments Supply Teacher signature and contact details If you find these useful, please look out for my Teacher Lesson Planner and Reflections, which follow a similar format and are available from TES resources via My Shop for free. Follow me on twitter @EmmisStories to keep up with my latest resources and news

Based on The Witches Spell by Shakespeare, this is an engaging and fun lesson designed to help children develop and describe strategies to count objects up to 100. It requires children to count the contents of cauldron, and encourages the use of estimation, multiplication and a range of mathematical strategies. A variety of teaching methods are employed, so that the children have the opportunity to explore and learn in the ways that best suit them. A simple to use lesson plan, complete with aims and success criteria relating to the National Curriculum and EYFS, it should be easy to pick up and teach with minimum hassle and organisation. A specially prepared presentation and worksheet are included here and are ready for use, but can be adapted easily for your own children. If you would like any further adaptions, please contact me, emma@emblabee.org for more information. I’d be grateful if you like my resources here to add review and rate them. Thanks! To hear The Witches Spell read by host, click here: https://soundcloud.com/user-983069543/the-witches-spell