Hi,
We are Sally and Amanda from Guinea Pig Education. We present a range of complimentary teaching aids and workbooks to use in your classroom or as homework – in both print and digital format.
We aim to raise reading standards and to develop literacy skills, with our ‘fun for kids’ phonic reading resources.
We also offer support for pupils aged 4-16 years. We highly recommend our comprehension and creative writing resources - which build confidence and develop imagination.
Hi,
We are Sally and Amanda from Guinea Pig Education. We present a range of complimentary teaching aids and workbooks to use in your classroom or as homework – in both print and digital format.
We aim to raise reading standards and to develop literacy skills, with our ‘fun for kids’ phonic reading resources.
We also offer support for pupils aged 4-16 years. We highly recommend our comprehension and creative writing resources - which build confidence and develop imagination.
Bad Cat: Reinforces The Phonic Sound ea (as in teacher and heavy)
Learn To Read With Phonics Reading Packs are a quick and easy way to teach children to read in just six months.
They are ideal for all ages (from 4 years plus), especially reluctant older readers of 7, 8, 9+, children with learning difficulties and children where English is a foreign language.
The packs are designed to be used one to one or in small groups with a teacher and child or parent/guardian and child learning together.
The packs consist of a structured course that build 44 phonic sounds into the text. As the children read the adventures of a loveable boy called Sam, they can have fun searching for hidden sounds. They will build up 44 sounds in total. This will enable them to read 80% of words in the English language, by breaking them down into sounds or syllables - pl ay ing. Children using phonics in this way progress fast.
A series of stories, The Bouncing Castle and The Famous Cousin From The Country reinforce the complex middle sounds being learnt. By the end of the scheme, the child will be ready to progress to ‘solo’ reading books, such as Roald Dahl’s ‘Georges Marvellous Medicine’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’.
Many of the packs have cut out practice pages for matching words to pictures and phrases to pictures, to fix the sound words in the child’s memory. The simple text and fun colour sketches, appeal to young readers and have helped the authors to teach many, many children to read.
The reading packs may be used in any order, just pick the pack for the sound you require. However, when using the packs for a complete non reader we suggest you start with packs teaching initial sounds (word building with three or four letter words).
Then move on to learning phonic sounds in this order: ch, sh, wh, th, oo, ee, ar, or, ur, ir, er, magic e, ea, oa, ai, ay, oi, oy, oa, short y (as in happy), long y (as in sky), soft c (as in mice), soft g (as in engine), ou, ow, au and aw.
Next, move onto more complex sounds as in, tion, le, el, ough, gue, que, ine, ue, ie, ei, prefixes and suffixes.
How To Use
Each pack introduces a sound.
Learn the sound with the child/children
Read the sentences or stories several times, encouraging the child/children to talk about the pictures.
At the end of the sentences or story, there is a list of words and phrases, which the child can match to the pictures.
Practise each sound several times, until the child is familiar with it.
7 pages
15 pages
The Holiday: Learn The Phonic Sounds ou and ow (as in shout, cloud and towel)
Learn To Read With Phonics Reading Packs are a quick and easy way to teach children to read in just six months.
They are ideal for all ages (from 4 years plus), especially reluctant older readers of 7, 8, 9+, children with learning difficulties and children where English is a foreign language.
The packs are designed to be used one to one or in small groups with a teacher and child or parent/guardian and child learning together.
The packs consist of a structured course that build 44 phonic sounds into the text. As the children read the adventures of a loveable boy called Sam, they can have fun searching for hidden sounds. They will build up 44 sounds in total. This will enable them to read 80% of words in the English language, by breaking them down into sounds or syllables - pl ay ing. Children using phonics in this way progress fast.
A series of stories, The Bouncing Castle and The Famous Cousin From The Country reinforce the complex middle sounds being learnt. By the end of the scheme, the child will be ready to progress to ‘solo’ reading books, such as Roald Dahl’s ‘Georges Marvellous Medicine’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’.
Many of the packs have cut out practice pages for matching words to pictures and phrases to pictures, to fix the sound words in the child’s memory. The simple text and fun colour in sketches, appeal to young readers and have helped the authors to teach many, many children to read.
The reading packs may be used in any order, just pick the pack for the sound you require. However, when using the packs for a complete non reader we suggest you start with packs teaching initial sounds (word building with three or four letter words).
Then move on to learning phonic sounds in this order: ch, sh, wh, th, oo, ee, ar, or, ur, ir, er, magic e, ea, oa, ai, ay, oi, oy, oa, short y (as in happy), long y (as in sky), soft c (as in mice), soft g (as in engine), ou, ow, au and aw.
Next, move onto more complex sounds as in, tion, le, el, ough, gue, que, ine, ue, ie, ei, prefixes and suffixes.
How To Use
Each pack introduces a sound.
Learn the sound with the child/children
Read the sentences or stories several times, encouraging the child/children to talk about the pictures.
At the end of the sentences or story, there is a list of words and phrases, which the child can match to the pictures.
Get the child/children to colour in the pictures.
Practise each sound several times, until the child is familiar with it.
17 pages
The Famous Cousin From The Country: Learn The Phonic Sound ou (as in cousin, delicious and nourish)
Learn To Read With Phonics Reading Packs are a quick and easy way to teach children to read in just six months.
They are ideal for all ages (from 4 years plus), especially reluctant older readers of 7, 8, 9+, children with learning difficulties and children where English is a foreign language.
The packs are designed to be used one to one or in small groups with a teacher and child or parent/guardian and child learning together.
The packs consist of a structured course that build 44 phonic sounds into the text. As the children read the adventures of a loveable boy called Sam, they can have fun searching for hidden sounds. They will build up 44 sounds in total. This will enable them to read 80% of words in the English language, by breaking them down into sounds or syllables - pl ay ing. Children using phonics in this way progress fast.
A series of stories, The Bouncing Castle and The Famous Cousin From The Country reinforce the complex middle sounds being learnt. By the end of the scheme, the child will be ready to progress to ‘solo’ reading books, such as Roald Dahl’s ‘Georges Marvellous Medicine’ and ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’.
Many of the packs have cut out practice pages for matching words to pictures and phrases to pictures, to fix the sound words in the child’s memory. The simple text and fun colour in sketches, appeal to young readers and have helped the authors to teach many, many children to read.
The reading packs may be used in any order, just pick the pack for the sound you require. However, when using the packs for a complete non reader we suggest you start with packs teaching initial sounds (word building with three or four letter words).
Then move on to learning phonic sounds in this order: ch, sh, wh, th, oo, ee, ar, or, ur, ir, er, magic e, ea, oa, ai, ay, oi, oy, oa, short y (as in happy), long y (as in sky), soft c (as in mice), soft g (as in engine), ou, ow, au and aw.
Next, move onto more complex sounds as in, tion, le, el, ough, gue, que, ine, ue, ie, ei, prefixes and suffixes.
How To Use
Each pack introduces a sound.
Learn the sound with the child/children
Read the sentences or stories several times, encouraging the child/children to talk about the pictures.
At the end of the sentences or story, there is a list of words and phrases, which the child can match to the pictures.
Get the child/children to colour in the pictures.
Practise each sound several times, until the child is familiar with it.
Make An Informal Booklet On A Place I Have Visited
The child is asked to make an informal booklet on something they have done or a place they have visited. They can choose from one of the suggested titles, for example, 'my visit to the museum' or make one up themselves. They can use the questions and writing prompts to help them write about their visit.
This series of packs contain prompts to help children to learn to write a first letter and to write down information using facts and opinions.
The packs are aimed at 6-9 year olds, though we advise an adult works alongside children in the younger age bracket. Each pack provides starting points to get even the most reluctant writer writing. The packs save time when preparing lessons.
Read Isabella's Diary And Write A Recount Of A Place I Have Visited
The child is asked to read the entries from Isabella's diary and to make their own diary recounting a family or school trip they have been on. Firstly, they should write sentences to show: where they went, when they went, who came, how they got there, what they did and how they felt about the day.
This series of packs contain prompts to help children to learn to write a first letter and to write down information using facts and opinions.
The packs are aimed at 6-9 year olds, though we advise an adult works alongside children in the younger age bracket. Each pack provides starting points to get even the most reluctant writer writing. The packs save time when preparing lessons.
Write A Letter: Practise Writing A Thank You Letter
First, the child is asked to practise writing an invitation to invite a friend to their party. Secondly, they are asked to write a thank you letter for the present they were given. They should use the prompts to help them write.
This series of packs contain prompts to help children to learn to write a first letter and to write down information using facts and opinions.
The packs are aimed at 6-9 year olds, though we advise an adult works alongside children in the younger age bracket. Each pack provides starting points to get even the most reluctant writer writing. The packs save time when preparing lessons.
13 pages
At The Stroke Of Midnight: Write A Spooky Story (And More) (SATS And 11+ Essential Writing Practice) (9-13 years)
Plan, structure and organise a spooky story, called ‘The Creepy House’. Take advantage of impressive vocabulary and describe the desolate, ram shackled house and it’s wild, over grown garden.
Read a second story ‘At The Stroke Of Midnight’ and complete another spine chilling version of your own. This pack is not for the squeamish, but packed with suggestions for spooky vocabulary.
An essential series of themed prompts to help children aged 9-12 years to practise their creative writing skills for 11 plus entry exams or S.A.T.S. The packs include an outline to help the child plan his or her own story, article, letter or play script and examples to build on, using harder more challenging vocabulary to stretch more able pupils.
23 pages
Information Writing work packs are essential for all students wanting to develop their literacy skills and improve their grades in English assignments and examinations.
Information Writing work packs concentrate specifically on information writing, providing everything needed to stimulate a child to write. The child is taught to recognise the difference between facts and opinions. Each pack in this series concentrates on a different aspect of information writing including: writing to advise, writing to inform, writing to explain, writing to analyse, review and comment, giving examples. The child is taught how a newspaper article is structured, how to write formal and informal letters, diaries, police reports, e-mails, biographies, autobiographies, interviews, book reviews and many more.
The work packs contain starting point for writing, helping the child to form ideas, enabling him or her to structure their work and organise it into paragraphs. Attention is given to making writing more interesting by varying sentence types, using punctuation and good grammar.
Each work pack includes an exciting range of model answers and sample texts written by students and provides practice questions to test them. Common errors made by students are highlighted and corrected. They are packed with vital hints and tips to enable the student to be successful and gain good grades.
The packs are a very useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks. The specimen lesson plans and examples contained within each work pack will give the student ideas to build on and provide practice to develop their writing skills. Each work pack provides children with ideas for writing, especially reluctant writers who require starting points to write. Each work pack provides a safe topic that children will be comfortable with.
19 pages in length
Creative Story Writing work packs cut down preparation time when planning creative writing tasks. Easy to follow, each pack includes an example of how you can build on a title, to first plan a story for 9-12 year olds and then write it.
How To Use Your Work Pack:
Make sure the child/children know that stories must be planned
Read the model story in the pack
Ask the child/children to write down the names of the characters in the story
Ask the child/children to write down where the setting takes place
Ask the child/children to write down what the plot is
Identify the most exciting part of the story (the climax of the story or suspense)
Ask the child/children to plan a similar story - with a beginning, a middle and an end
Ask the child/children to rewrite their own version of the story
Ask the child/children to read their version of the story aloud
Creative Story Writing work packs are essential for all students wanting to develop their literacy skills and improve their grades in English assignments and examinations. The work packs will guide students through the story writing process, as if they had a tutor by their side. Each pack is designed to help the child with thinking up ideas, providing starting points for writing, structuring and organizing their writing into paragraphs. It features writing a good introduction with characters, setting and plot, building up suspense and winding up the plot with a suitable resolution.
Attention is given to making writing more interesting by varying sentence types, using punctuation and good grammar. The student will investigate different narrative structures for writing stories, exploring various viewpoints so they can decide if they write in first or third person. They will learn to evoke mood and atmosphere by using good vocabulary. Each pack includes an exciting range of model answers and sample texts written by children and provides practice questions to test them. Common errors made by students are highlighted and corrected. Each pack contains vital hints and tips on gaining those top grades.
33 pages
This resource includes 2 packs.
In this work pack the child is asked to read the text and to answer some questions. The last question focuses on the meaning of words used in the text and the child then writes his or her own non fiction piece. The child also works through punctuation exercises - putting in capital letters, full stops and question marks.
Let’s Practise Our Reading Comprehension Packs are a valuable resource to help the child practise essential reading comprehension skills. Each pack includes an article for the child to read and then a series of questions. They are ideal for use with 6-9 year olds, who have reached some degree of reading fluency.
The articles ask the child to retrieve facts, explain information and develop their own ideas as to what the writer is implying. Each pack contains vocabulary exercises, encouraging the child to search for words or phrases with the same meaning.
Each pack takes the form of a mini topic or project. Answers are included.
37 pages
This resource includes 2 packs.
In this work pack the child is asked to read the text and to answer some questions. The last question focuses on the meaning of words used in the text and the child then writes his or her own non fiction piece. The child also works through punctuation exercises - putting in capital letters, full stops and question marks.
Let’s Practise Our Reading Comprehension Packs are a valuable resource to help the child practise essential reading comprehension skills. Each pack includes an article for the child to read and then a series of questions. They are ideal for use with 6-9 year olds, who have reached some degree of reading fluency.
The articles ask the child to retrieve facts, explain information and develop their own ideas as to what the writer is implying. Each pack contains vocabulary exercises, encouraging the child to search for words or phrases with the same meaning.
Each pack takes the form of a mini topic or project. Answers are included.esource includes 2 packs
In this pack the child should read the sentences and use the multiple choice options to select the best answer to complete the sentence or make up one of their own. There is an emphasis on using good vocabulary.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. Presented in a lively ‘magazine style’ format, these packs feature stories and non fiction texts to read. They include follow up activities that will inspire even the most reluctant writer, to write stories, letters, play scripts, diaries, poems, persuasive leaflets and more. More than this, the child will learn writing techniques including: simple, compound and complex sentences - connectives, grammar tips - harder vocabulary and punctuation.
Aimed at 7-11 year olds, these work packs provide excellent writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ exams or S.A.T.s. They will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language.
13 pages
23 pages
These resources practice different purposes of writing, using animal themes.
First, the child is asked to describe a chosen pet: his appearance, character and behaviour. They read an example, to show them how to structure their work and then write their own simple description.
For the second task, the child is then shown a more detailed description of a cat’s antics, in three paragraphs. The child reads the example and then writes about his or her chosen pet in more detail. Each paragraph will be about a different activity, their pet enjoys.
The third task builds vocabulary. The child is given lists of helpful adjectives and verbs to read and then add to.
The fourth task asks the child to complete a fact file, compiling information on their chosen pet.
In the fifth task, the child reads an example of a leaflet which uses persuasive words and phrases to describe a rescue pet. The child then completes the skeleton sentences to write their own persuasive article.
In the final task, the child is asked to read an example, which shows how words and phrases can be used to play on people’s emotions. They are then asked to write their own persuasive article, using persuasive words and phrases, to persuade people to help an animal charity.
This theme could be developed over several lessons. It would be excellent for homework handouts.
This resource is featured in the book ‘We Love Animals: Get Going With Creative Writing’ series.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers.
Written in a lively magazine style format, each pack provides a step by step guide to teach children how to plan and write an animal themed story.
The packs also provide starting points to write e-mails, letters, play scripts, diaries, reports and other non fiction texts.
The child will learn writing techniques; simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and spelling, punctuation and grammar tips. There is an emphasis on improving vocabulary - looking at lots of better word choices: harder adjectives, more powerful verbs and adverbs.
This series is recommended for use with children between the ages of 7-11 and provides writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ examinations or S.A.T.s. The packs will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language,
This resource shows children how to structure and develop a story. First, the child reads the story ‘The Lost Kitten’. Then, they are shown an outline of how the story was planned – the characters, setting and plot. Secondly, they are shown the content of each paragraph: the beginning paragraph (setting the scene), the middle paragraph (recounting a series of events that build up suspense) and the ending (the way the story is resolved). The child should use what they have learnt, to write the same story. A series of unfinished sentences are provided to help them.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers.
Written in a lively magazine style format, each pack provides a step by step guide to teach children how to plan and write an animal themed story.
The packs also provide starting points to write e-mails, letters, play scripts, diaries, reports and other non fiction texts.
The child will learn writing techniques; simple, compound and complex sentences, connectives and spelling, punctuation and grammar tips. There is an emphasis on improving vocabulary - looking at lots of better word choices: harder adjectives, more powerful verbs and adverbs.
This series is recommended for use with children between the ages of 7-11 and provides writing practice for those children preparing to take 11+ examinations or S.A.T.s. The packs will also benefit children with special needs, or where English is a second language.
9 pages
12 pages
Challenge 9
‘Match Of The Day’ helps you remember how to spell tricky ‘ough’ words
Challenge 10
‘Round The World In 24 Hours’. Reinforces Some More Tricky Words, including ‘cess’ in princess and ‘igh’ in high.
Spelling need not be dull. Learn to spell tricky words with Zoggy, is a fun spelling aid to encourage children aged 7-11 years to enjoy learning to spell.
This series of work packs include 12 graded spelling challenges to work through, with spelling tests. They concentrate on those words or sound patterns that consistently cause problems.
To help cement these ‘tricky words’ into young minds, we meet again our quirky alien character, Zoggy - with his cartoons, his zany messages back to planet Zen and his ridiculous rhymes and mnemonics.
These packs use a multi sensory approach.
Say the word
Repeat the rhymes
Sound it out
Read it
Write it
Cover and spell again
Use the method that work for you.
8 pages
This resource includes 2 work packs:
Challenge 3
‘Do I Like To Be Beside The Sea?’ Practise words beginning with ‘be’, words with long sounds (like the ‘a’ in ‘spade’) and words with long sounds, that end in magic ‘e’.
Challenge 4
‘In The Afternoon’. Practise spelling middle phonic sounds, for example, ‘ar’, ‘oo’ and ‘ai’.
Spelling need not be dull. Learn to spell tricky words with Zoggy, is a fun spelling aid to encourage children aged 7-11 years to enjoy learning to spell.
This series of work packs include 12 graded spelling challenges to work through, with spelling tests. They concentrate on those words or sound patterns that consistently cause problems.
To help cement these ‘tricky words’ into young minds, we meet again our quirky alien character, Zoggy - with his cartoons, his zany messages back to planet Zen and his ridiculous rhymes and mnemonics.
These packs use a multi sensory approach.
Say the word
Repeat the rhymes
Sound it out
Read it
Write it
Cover and spell again
Use the method that work for you.
6 pages
Challenge 11
‘Lost In The Woods’. Zoggy returns from his journey round earth, but he gets lost. Do aliens cry? Yes, he cries. He is crying space tears. He cried. Then, he meets his friends who are having a picnic and all that nourishing food encourages him to be in a good mood. Practise harder words using soft g, soft c and silent o.
Spelling need not be dull. Learn to spell tricky words with Zoggy, is a fun spelling aid to encourage children aged 7-11 years to enjoy learning to spell.
This series of work packs include 12 graded spelling challenges to work through, with spelling tests. They concentrate on those words or sound patterns that consistently cause problems.
To help cement these ‘tricky words’ into young minds, we meet again our quirky alien character, Zoggy - with his cartoons, his zany messages back to planet Zen and his ridiculous rhymes and mnemonics.
These packs use a multi sensory approach.
Say the word
Repeat the rhymes
Sound it out
Read it
Write it
Cover and spell again
Use the method that work for you.
11 pages
Challenge 12
‘Zoggy Waves Goodbye’. In this pack you will revise tricky longer words, such as, ‘tion’ in conversation, ‘ph’ in dolphin, ‘gn’ in gnat and ‘gh’ in ghost.
Spelling need not be dull. Learn to spell tricky words with Zoggy, is a fun spelling aid to encourage children aged 7-11 years to enjoy learning to spell.
This series of work packs include 12 graded spelling challenges to work through, with spelling tests. They concentrate on those words or sound patterns that consistently cause problems.
To help cement these ‘tricky words’ into young minds, we meet again our quirky alien character, Zoggy - with his cartoons, his zany messages back to planet Zen and his ridiculous rhymes and mnemonics.
These packs use a multi sensory approach.
Say the word
Repeat the rhymes
Sound it out
Read it
Write it
Cover and spell again
Use the method that work for you.
12 pages
Challenge 7
‘Two Pieces Of Pie’. Revise soft ‘c’ (as in mice) and hard ‘c’ (when ‘c’ is put with other letters) for example, ‘cat’. Practise some tricky homophones that children often get wrong, for example, ‘where’ and ‘were’.
Challenge 8
‘The Fair Has Come To Town’. This pack reinforces complex middle and ending sounds, as in ‘air’, ‘ght’, ‘ea’ and ‘ou’. Zoggy says let’s look at rhyming pairs. Let’s see how different words add the suffix ‘ing’. Remember if a word has a short vowel sound, you have to double the consonant.
Spelling need not be dull. Learn to spell tricky words with Zoggy, is a fun spelling aid to encourage children aged 7-11 years to enjoy learning to spell.
This series of work packs include 12 graded spelling challenges to work through, with spelling tests. They concentrate on those words or sound patterns that consistently cause problems.
To help cement these ‘tricky words’ into young minds, we meet again our quirky alien character, Zoggy - with his cartoons, his zany messages back to planet Zen and his ridiculous rhymes and mnemonics.
These packs use a multi sensory approach.
Say the word
Repeat the rhymes
Sound it out
Read it
Write it
Cover and spell again
Use the method that work for you.
Maundy Thursday Easter Writing Pack
Jesus prays in the Garden Of Gethsemane
Includes a number of themed activities including:
A reading comprehension based on the bible passage
Creative writing activities
A craft
A drawing activity
With our bible work packs, kids will practise their comprehension skills and look deeper into their favourite Bible Stories.
26 pages