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.
In this pack, the child is asked to work through a series of exercises to practice: retrieving information, punctuation, simple, compound and complex sentences, first and third person, connectives and parts of speech.
The child is asked to plan a circus story, developing their ideas under headings. They should use the prompts to develop further ideas and write a story with a beginning (introducing characters, setting and plot), a middle and an ending.
Next, they should write an argument voicing their opinion on whether they agree or disagree with animals performing in the circus. After this, they should make an acrostic poem.
This series of work packs provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. Featuring a lively, ‘magazine style’ format to appeal to children of all abilities, these packs are particularly recommended as preparation for creative writing tasks at 11+ or S.A.T.S.
The writer herself often dips into the lively collection of imaginative stories and non fiction articles, to teach her students in tutorials. The packs feature detailed prompts on how to plan and write stories and letters, as well as help with non fiction tasks - writing diaries, reports and persuasive leaflets. There is also plenty of practice in writing techniques - variation of sentences, connectives and grammar and punctuation tips.
29 pages
The child is asked to imagine that they went on a safari holiday and to write the story. The child is asked to write three paragraphs. In paragraph one they should introduce the characters, setting and plot. In paragraph two they should develop the action and build up suspense. In paragraph three, they are asked to wind up their story with a suitable resolution. The child should write an opening that grabs the reader’s attention, making him or her want to read on. They should start the story by going straight into the action.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
9 pages
This pack encourages the child to plan and write a detailed imaginative story. Use the prompts to imagine what it would be like to go on an expedition to the frozen north. The child is asked to make a plan, jotting down ideas under headings - when, where, what, who, how. They are asked to think of ways of developing the action, building up suspense and winding up their story with a suitable resolution. The child should write an opening that grabs the reader’s attention, making him or her want to read on. They should start the story by going straight into the action and write a moral for the last sentence
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
9 pages
The child should read the radio script from Guinea Pig Radio and learn about dialogue, as presenters George and Christabelle chat. Next, the child is asked to write a text or e-mail to the shows feature ‘Love To Be There’, describing the most exciting places they have visited. Alternatively, the child could write a radio script of a phone conversation between themselves and the presenter, describing an incredible event they have experienced.
Next, imagine what the other listeners who contact the radio show are like. Use their experiences to write some stories with characters, setting and plot.
Now, the child is asked to think up some outstanding verbs to add to the ‘I am’ list. The child will learn more about varying their sentences and the use of sub clauses in complex sentences.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
13 pages
The child should use The Story Planner to write their own story, called ‘The Stunt Kite’. The child is asked to consider the genre of their story. Will it be an adventure, rescue or fantasy story? They are asked to write three paragraphs. In paragraph one they should introduce the characters, setting and plot. In paragraph two they should develop the action and build up suspense. In paragraph three, they are asked to read the three possible endings and then wind up their own story with a suitable resolution. They should use the prompts to grasp some high level vocabulary. Next, they are asked to read the poem and then have a go at writing their own poem, called ‘Flying My Kite’.
This series provides prompts to encourage children, of 7-11 years, to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
The work packs are ideal for home study and will reinforce the work done in school. They may be purchased in any order. There are a number of titles to choose from. By working through the packs, the student will grow in confidence and will learn to enjoy writing. The packs are also a useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
13 pages
The child is asked to write a story, using the title above, completing the sentences by selecting one of the multiple choice options or using their own ideas.
This series provides prompts to encourage children, of 7-11 years, to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
The work packs are ideal for home study and will reinforce the work done in school. They may be purchased in any order. There are a number of titles to choose from. By working through the packs, the student will grow in confidence and will learn to enjoy writing. The packs are also a useful resource for teachers and save hours of time when preparing lessons or homework tasks.
13 pages
This resource includes:
Mogul The Elephant Reading Comprehension
Androcles & The Lion Reading Comprehension
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.
45 pages
This resource includes:
Write A Story Called ‘The Dragon Kite’
The child is asked to write a story, using the title above, completing the sentences by selecting one of the multiple choice options or using their own ideas.
Write A Story Called ‘The Stunt Kite’
The child should use The Story Planner to write their own story, called ‘The Stunt Kite’. The child is asked to consider the genre of their story. Will it be an adventure, rescue or fantasy story? They are asked to write three paragraphs. In paragraph one they should introduce the characters, setting and plot. In paragraph two they should develop the action and build up suspense. In paragraph three, they are asked to read the three possible endings and then wind up their own story with a suitable resolution. They should use the prompts to grasp some high level vocabulary.
Next, they are asked to read the poem and then have a go at writing their own poem, called ‘Flying My Kite’.
This series provides prompts to encourage children to write. It provides starting points, to encourage even the most reluctant writers. In fact, the writer regularly dips into these packs for her own tutorial classes. With their lively ‘magazine style’ format, they are an ideal study aid to consolidate work on planning and writing stories and non fiction articles, expanding vocabulary and include many examples of children’s work. As well as this, the packs contain some very useful tips on writing techniques (as in writing simple, compound and complex sentences). The work in these packs will inspire children, who are practicing for exams, to write, and provide starting points for even the most reluctant writer, including those children with special educational needs and where English is a second language.
27 pages
Includes:
Write About A Famous Sports Personality And More
In this pack, the child is asked to write about sportsmen and women. They should read the article ‘I love football’ and then answer the questions about former England manager Bobby Robson. Next, they should write a football commentary, practise writing to instruct about playing a sport and finally, research another sports celebrity and write an imaginary piece about a day in his or her life.
Lots Of Writing Tasks About Sport
In this pack, the child is asked to read the emails sent in to Sporty Magazine’s mail bag and then to write about the sports they do. Then, they should help Jess to jump the fences at the show jumping competition, by writing down the best order to complete the course, using Jess’s thoughts in the speech bubbles to help them. After this, the child is asked to collect some technical words for another sport and to write an article for their school magazine, using the writing prompt given.
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.
29 pages
Read through the ‘sick’ words. Then read Sam’s recount of his day off school. Look how he structured the events in order. Now, the child is asked to write a recount of a day off school when they were sick. Next, fill in Kim’s story and help her mum write a short formal letter to her teacher.
This series provides prompts to get the child to write. It provides starting points to encourage children of all abilities to write - even the most reluctant writers. With this series they will be inspired to write stories, poems, play scripts, diaries, reports, persuasive leaflets and more.
More than this, 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.
13 pages
The child should read the pages, to help him or her plan and structure a story in three paragraphs (with a beginning, a middle and an end). The child should read the story of the ‘horrible, hairy spider’ and complete the last paragraph, winding the story up. The child should use the ideas given to write his or her own creepy crawly or crocodile and alligators story.
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
Firstly, the child should write a letter inviting their parents to watch their school sports day. Next, they are asked to write the story of their sports day. The child should read the example ‘Sports Day’ and then use the prompts to write their own version.
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.
11 pages
This resource includes:
I Hate Horrible Hairy Spiders. Write The Story
The child should read the pages, to help him or her plan and structure a story in three paragraphs (with a beginning, a middle and an end). The child should read the story of the ‘horrible, hairy spider’ and complete the last paragraph, winding the story up. The child should use the ideas given to write his or her own creepy crawly or crocodile and alligators story.
Help Write The Slithery Snake Story
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.
27 pages
The child should read the radio script from Guinea Pig radio and the dialogue between DJ George and his co presenter. Then, they should read the emails and messages sent in by the listeners, describing their nasty nightmares. The child should, then, develop some of these ideas into stories with three paragraphs. The child should write their own imaginary e-mail about what scares them or what they fear most. Finally, they should complete the ‘I am scared’ and ‘I am loving’ pages.
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.
17 pages
In this pack, the child is asked to read about Melissa Montague’s dance lessons and to complete the wording for the poster. Next, they should read the recount (in first person) by a pupil at the dance academy, about her experiences taking a dance exam. Then, the child should write their own version, describing an exam or test they have taken - whether at school or after school and in any activity. The child should write in present tense and use dialogue to move the story along.
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.
11 pages
A series of spelling test workbooks to practice with your child/children/class.
These tests are based on the spelling tests given to 11 year olds in their S.A.T.S.
The words have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Spellings included in each workbook consist of typical words used in S.A.T.S at 10/11 years. These include:
Prefixes
Endings
Homophones
Silent letters
Soft g as in ge,gi and gy (gym)
Endings with …able and …ible
Endings with …ure
Words with ei,eigh,ey
Suffixes as in ous and silent o
Endings with …ion
Words with ch sounds as in parachute
Word endings including:
ant
ence
ancy
ent
ably
ibly
tion
sion
ssion
cian
9 pages
A series of spelling test workbooks to practice with your child/children.
These tests are based on the spelling tests given to 11 year olds in their S.A.T.S.
The words have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Spellings included in each workbook consist of typical words used in S.A.T.S at 10/11 years. These include:
Prefixes
Endings
Homophones
Silent letters
Soft g as in ge,gi and gy (gym)
Endings with …able and …ible
Endings with …ure
Words with ei,eigh,ey
Suffixes as in ous and silent o
Endings with …ion
Words with ch sounds as in parachute
Word endings including:
ant
ence
ancy
ent
ably
ibly
tion
sion
ssion
cian
A series of spelling test workbooks to practice with your child/children.
These tests are based on the spelling tests given to 11 year olds in their S.A.T.S.
The words have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Spellings included in each workbook consist of typical words used in S.A.T.S at 10/11 years. These include:
Prefixes
Endings
Homophones
Silent letters
Soft g as in ge,gi and gy (gym)
Endings with …able and …ible
Endings with …ure
Words with ei,eigh,ey
Suffixes as in ous and silent o
Endings with …ion
Words with ch sounds as in parachute
Word endings including:
ant
ence
ancy
ent
ably
ibly
tion
sion
ssion
cian
A series of spelling test workbooks to practice with your child/children/class.
These tests are based on the spelling tests given to 11 year olds in their S.A.T.S.
The words have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Spellings included in each workbook consist of typical words used in S.A.T.S at 10/11 years. These include:
Prefixes
Endings
Homophones
Silent letters
Soft g as in ge,gi and gy (gym)
Endings with …able and …ible
Endings with …ure
Words with ei,eigh,ey
Suffixes as in ous and silent o
Endings with …ion
Words with ch sounds as in parachute
Word endings including:
ant
ence
ancy
ent
ably
ibly
tion
sion
ssion
cian
This DIGITAL resource will be added directly to your Google Drive. It can be shared with your children and their parents via Google Classroom or similar platform. It can be used with the interactive white board.
Revise The Phonic Sound ea. Read The Story ‘Muddy Shoes’ And ‘Bad Cat’
Learn To Read With Phonics Digital 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 drag and drop 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.