Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning… Can you find all the words? They go up, down, sideways, diagonally and even backwards!

A bundle of five KS2-aligned teaching resources on David Baddiel’s hilarious blockbuster novel The Parent Agency. These resources encourage the reader to: Use spoken language to speculate and explore ideas Grow their confidence and competence in using spoken language and listening skills Engage critically with the story Write imaginatively focusing on creative uses of language Be an active and critical reader

Task: Imagine you are Vincent. You are writing in your diary. Choose a point in the story – perhaps shortly after you are taken in by Kezia and Lorenzo or later after Kezia has begun her story. Use information from the chapter and your own imagination. Ideas to include: • What were you doing when Lorenzo found you? • How did you end up in France near the farm? • What are Kezia and Lorenzo like? • How did you feel about being found and helped?

Be like Jeanie and make your own cool badges! Bad Nana is a KS1-aligned, highly illustrated series for young readers. Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser is available now.

Use this guide to translate Bad Nana’s old-fashioned lingo! Bad Nana is a KS1-aligned, highly illustrated series for young readers. Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser is available now.

Learn how to draw Bad Nana’s adorable cat Liberace with this handy guide! Bad Nana is a KS1-aligned, highly illustrated series for young readers. Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser is available now.

Task: Can you explain what the words highlighted in this extract mean? Did you know that reading Flamingo Boy will help you to improve your knowledge of, and ability to use, new and interesting vocabulary? Challenge yourself to find out what all of the words on the next pages mean. Ideas: • First, talk to a partner or small group about what you think each word means • Next, look up each word in the book to read it in context • Then, look up each word in a dictionary and note its meaning

TASK: Imagine you are Lion. Write a thank you letter to the mice and the mouse Queen to thank them for rescuing you. Draw a picture with your letter. CURRICULUM LINKS: (KS1) Understand both the books that they can already read accurately and fluently and those that they listen to by: drawing on what they already know or on background information and vocabulary provided by the teacher answering and asking questions CURRICULUM LINKS: (KS2) Understand what they read, in books they can read independently, by: checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and explaining the meaning of words in context asking questions to improve their understanding

“Symbolism is the practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person, place, word, or object can all have a symbolic meaning.” (examples.yourdictionary.com) What symbolism could Zada’s background and her battered skateboard represent in contrast to Sam’s birthday wishes and his brand-new skateboard?

Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning… Are you ready for another adventure with The Midnight Gang? Draw the missing balloons and help George fly like a superhero.

The activities in Investigating Names can be used to meet the NC requirements in KS2 English to develop an understanding and appreciation of literary texts, including modern fiction by significant children’s authors. And in particular it can help children to: * recognise the choice, use and effect of figurative language, vocabulary and the effects of language * identify how character is created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed * evaluate ideas and themes that broaden perspectives and extend thinking * respond imaginatively, drawing on the whole text.

A dot-to-dot activity for KS1 and KS2: Join the dots to find Tiger.

(a) Choose an exciting scene from Bad Dad and rewrite it into a play script. Then act it out with your friends. (b) Write your play script here.

Task: Can you find all of the words below from the book in the word search? The words can go up, down, left, right or diagonal.

PC Middleton and DCI Bryant have asked you to describe Sam Green to them as part of their missing child investigation. Write two contrasting descriptions: Description 1 – Sam aged 10 years and 11 months Description 2 – Sam aged 11 years and 10 months. Think about which antonyms you could use in your descriptions to highlight the physical and personality changes in Sam’s character. Can you include expanded noun phrases to enhance your descriptions?

The Grotlyn by Benji Davies - a beautifully illustrated rhyming tale about things that go bump in the night. Perfect for readers 4 and up. Join the dots and colour in Rubi, Sam and PC Vickers.

Meet the great Skulduggery Pleasant: wise-cracking detective, powerful magician, master of dirty tricks and burglary (in the name of the greater good, of course). Oh yeah. And dead. Test your knowledge of Skulduggery, Valkyrie and the whole gang with this monstrous and magical quiz!

Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning… Colouring pencils at the ready - it's time to decorate the London sky!

The activities in Publishing Skulduggery can be used to meet the NC requirements in KS2 English to develop an understanding and appreciation of literary texts, including modern fiction by significant authors. And in particular to: * evaluate ideas and themes that broaden perspectives and extend thinking * respond imaginatively, drawing on the whole text and other reading. This activity can also be used as for a piece of practical work in KS2 Art and Design. In particular to use a variety of methods and approaches to communicate observations, ideas and feelings to make images and artifacts.

1. People are all different, but all people have feelings. Being kind to others is very important. But what does being kind mean and what does it look like? 2. NAMES OF CHILDREN IN THE CLASS & SOMETHING KIND TO SAY ABOUT EACH PERSON. 3. Kindness Poster