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Spagbag

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A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.

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A teacher and tutor with more than thirty years' experience working in both mainstream and independent schools. I have an Honours degree in English Literature and Linguistics from UEA and have written a dissertation about encouraging children to write. I am a mother of three and interested in all things green. I am in the process of setting up my TES shop and hope to launch my "Spagbag" resources which are suitable for both Primary and Secondary aged pupils.
informative writing on the dangers of global warming
jlimbjlimb

informative writing on the dangers of global warming

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This Power Point uses persuasive writing techniques to inform us of the dangers of global warming. Pupils are asked to retrieve information and identify specific techniques from the text in a series of related questions. They are asked to design a poster outlining four simple things we could do to slow down global warming. Anagrams of key words from the text need to be solved. Useful links are given to promote further investigation. This resource will support research about pollution, global warming and climate change. Ideal for promoting discussion and independent research.I include a word document about polar bears and how they are adapted to the Arctic environment. Pupils are asked to consider the dangers polar bears face and to question whether global warming is the only issue. Is there more we could do to help them?Moreover, I include a Planet Patrol puzzle which contains over twenty interlocked words concerning conservation issues which could be easily differentiated according to ability. All answers provided. Suitable for ages 10+
Jellyfish and sea turtle facts and information on plastic pollution
jlimbjlimb

Jellyfish and sea turtle facts and information on plastic pollution

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This resource includes some facts about jellyfish and an interesting newspaper report about a sea turtle who manages to eat a jellyfish without suffering any bad consequences. Pupils are invited to investigate further by finding out more information about these two wonderful creatures and what they like to eat. Simple instructions on how to draw each creature are given. Ideal when studying seas and oceans and when encouraging independent investigations of marine animals. I include a word document about the problem of plastic waste in our seas and oceans . Pupils can read the article and discuss ways in which they can take some responsibiliity for this growing problem. Ideas from Greenpeace are put forward and students are required to contribute more of their own suggestions. Suitable for age 7+
Dragon breeds 2 save the Swedish Short-Snout campaign
jlimbjlimb

Dragon breeds 2 save the Swedish Short-Snout campaign

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This animated Powerpointresource portrays three of the pure bred dragon breeds taken from Newt Scamander's latest edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and asks pupils to compare and contrast between the three. Having read the informative texts, the students are required to retrieve relevant information to answer a series of questions. Finally they are required to launch a campaign to save the most endangered of the three dragons featured here: the Swedish Short-Snout. Pupils must put their persuasive writing techniques to the test and add weight to their arguments by designing an eye-catching poster. Reminders are given about how to make a persuasive speech. Answers are provided. This activity will appeal to Potter fans of all ages and will promote wider reading and further investigation into mythological creatures.The resource is presented both as a Powerpoint and as an accompanying word document.
Dragon breeds similarities and differences information text
jlimbjlimb

Dragon breeds similarities and differences information text

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This animated Powerpoint resource bases its information on Newt Scamander's special edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and compares and contrasts three pure bred breeds of dragon namely the Antipodean Opaleye, the Ukrainian Ironbelly and the Hungarian Horntail. Pupils are given a series of questions to answer based on this information and asked to compile an eye-witness report for The Ukrainian Daily Herald of an Ironbelly swooping over the Black Sea with disastrous consequences for the occupants of an unsuspecting sailing ship. All answers are provided together with orders of merit upon completion of the task.Students are given reminders about how to organise their information effectively. Fun activity for Harry Potter fans revising comprehension skills , report writing and independent reading.Students also get to devise their own dragon names! Suitable for ages 8+
Formal letter writing (dragon breeds 3)
jlimbjlimb

Formal letter writing (dragon breeds 3)

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This resource is presented as an animated Powerpoint and in word format and takes inspiration from Newt Scamander’s fifty-second edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It showcases the native British breeds of dragon , namely the Common Welsh Green and the Hebridean Black. Pupils scour the information comparing and contrasting the physical attributes of these magnificent creatures in order to answer a series of questions. The answers are provided. Finally, they put their letter writing skills to the test by applying for an apprenticeship as a dragon trainer based in the Outer Hebrides under the auspices of the MacFusty clan.Pupils are reminded of the conventions of formal letter writing. This is an activity which will appeal to Harry Potter fans and is one of three similar resources which can be found in my shop, each with different extended writing options. Suitable for ages 8+
In the news: report writing and articles
jlimbjlimb

In the news: report writing and articles

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This animated Powerpoint showcases three topical news items which contain deliberate spelling errors . The pupils have to identify these errors and then are faced with a report about school gym facilities which is riddled with mistakes. The pupils are requested to re-write the report correctly. The homophone errors in the final report are ones such as there/their, too/two, your/you’re which are commonly made and require a grammatical understanding of the text. I include a resource about the problems of policing groups of teens who gather in public spaces and become labelled as hoodies or chavs. Pupils are required to answer questions related to the newspaper article and to respond with an article of their own. Also included are two articles, one about da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, an oil painting which achieved the highest auction price for any work of art and the other about space exploration and how this has become the playground of rich men. These articles are intended to inspire debate and further discussion. This resource is suitable for use with pupils aged 10 to 14 years.
Famous Victorians
jlimbjlimb

Famous Victorians

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This power point showcases some famous Victorians such as Faraday and Darwin, engineers such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel and authors such as Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens. The presentation also includes an infamous Victorian: Jack the Ripper and the people who were suspected of being this notorious serial killer. Brief biographical details are given and an overview of major achievements/incidents given. Suitable for ages10+
Writing to argue : are you in favour of animal testing?
jlimbjlimb

Writing to argue : are you in favour of animal testing?

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This Power Point contains ten slides reminding pupils how to write an argumentative response. The use of rhetorical questions, statistics, emotive language and logical structure are encouraged amongst other techniques. Finally students are required to produce either a leaflet arguing against animal testing or a letter supporting testing cancer drugs on rats. I include a resource which includes mixed grammar revision and an opportunity to describe a favourite animal or pet. This resource is suitable for pupils aged 12+
Punctuate with Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
jlimbjlimb

Punctuate with Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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This animated Power Point presents pupils with five extracts taken from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and asks them to provide the missing punctuation. The extracts selected will test knowledge of proper nouns, speech-marks, colloquialisms and colons in particular. The extracts will also require knowledge of how to write a formal letter and how to compose an advertisement. Pupils can be divided into Hogwarts' Houses and answer questions from each extract. Answers will magically appear. Finally, students are challenged to write their own advertisement for a super-charged broom of their own invention. This resource is suitable for ages 10+ and is intended to test knowledge of punctuation as well as comprehension . Moreover, it will encourage further reading and develop writing skills.
Descriptive writing : adjectives and nouns revision
jlimbjlimb

Descriptive writing : adjectives and nouns revision

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This animated Power Point asks pupils to identify adjectives and nouns, adverbs and abstract nouns. Pupils are given colour synonyms to sort into groups according to blue, green , yellow or red. They are given a poem about the sea to consider and also a poem about a lawn mower. Pupils are required to write their own descriptive passages or poems using techniques such as personification and alliteration. Pupils are given a variety of scenes to describe such as an erupting volcano, a misty graveyard or a bat-infested cave. Finally, students are required to use literary devices to describe inanimate objects such as a kettle, washing machine, sewing machine, printer or phone. I also include a resource which allows pupils to demonstrate their knowledge of punctuation by inserting a wide variety into lengthier paragraphs.This leads to an opportunity to write descriptively about a person they admire. These resources will be useful when revising descriptive techniques and offer students plenty of ideas and opportunities to hone their writing skills. Suitable for ages 10+
Spring time adjectives, adverbs and verbs revision.
jlimbjlimb

Spring time adjectives, adverbs and verbs revision.

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This animated Power Point tests knowledge of adjectives, adverbs and verbs. Students are asked to supply suitable adjectives to describe Spring and are required to describe their own favourite season. They have anagrams to solve and adjectives to identify. In a playground scene, students are asked to supply relevant adjectives, adverbs and verbs to complete the description. Students are required to sort colour synonyms for green and yellow. I include a word document on the use of adjectives and adverbs which could be used as an extension task. This resource is ideal for revising adjectives, adverbs and verbs as well as descriptive writing about settings. This resource would be ideal to be used for revision purposes during the Spring term. Suitable for ages 10+
Mindfulness:a tool to build resilience
jlimbjlimb

Mindfulness:a tool to build resilience

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This animated Power Point resource looks at anxiety issues facing young teenagers today and shares tips on how to cope. Mindfulness is one tool to cope with anxiety as are talking therapies and artistic pursuits . A poem called “the room inside” is displayed which could be used as a starting point to a discussion about mental health. Students are asked to consider volunteering and doing something positive with their time once exams are over. An extract from Eleanor Morgan’s book “Anxiety for Beginners” is given and six plot ideas are given which relate to anxiety. Pupils are asked to select one of these to write about. Students are asked to think about the saying “every cloud has a silver lining” and to share strategies for developing resilience. A Power Point on mindfulness and how to deal with difficult and troubling emotions is included which could be used when problems and anxieties surface within a group situation. Especially useful at this time of year when the pressure of exams on the horizon is beginning to mount. Suitable for ages 12+
Anti-bullying : Friend or foe comprehension, quiz and writing activity
jlimbjlimb

Anti-bullying : Friend or foe comprehension, quiz and writing activity

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This animated Power Point comprises a fun quiz where the audience choose between three options as to how to help a friend in a tricky situation. A short story follows about Amy who struggles to make friends at school. Comprehension questions are included which ask the students to think about Amy's words and actions and what she could have done differently. Students are asked to think about a time when they have responded well in a challenging situation. Finally the students are required to choose between two options to write about: what qualities do they look for in a friend? Is there a member of staff they admire and who has given them some good advice when trying to solve a problem at school? This resource could be used all year round but would be particularly useful during anti-bullying week and would and help pupils to consider how we are all different and yet all equal. Words which have -ie in the spelling are included and pupils are required to put them in sentences to show their meaning. This resource would be ideal to use if friendship problems are an issue and could be used as a starting point for wider discussion. I include a supporting word document which could be used as a homework task or alongside the Powerpoint. Suitable for ages 7+
anger issues (words can hurt)
jlimbjlimb

anger issues (words can hurt)

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This resource tells the story of the boy who was taught a valuable lesson by his father about the damage he was causing to his loved ones by using unkind words. Pupils will reflect upon times when they have used words to hurt others or have themselves been hurt by what other people have said about them. An activity is suggested which will result in a display of hands which when put together with others will form a heart-shape. This resource could be used all year round but would be particularly appropriate to use during anti-bullying week or during exam periods. Talking therapies and mindfulness meditation are suggested as tools for dealing with mental health issues rather than medication. Especially topical as we approach Father’s Day and consider what we can learn from our elders. This resource is presented both in word format and as a Powerpoint presentation. Suitable for ages 10+
Punctuate with Potter: proper nouns,speech marks,commas and colons
jlimbjlimb

Punctuate with Potter: proper nouns,speech marks,commas and colons

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This resource uses extracts from Harry Potter scenes and removes the punctuation. Pupils have to make sense of the scenes and reinsert the punctuation as necessary. Passages require knowledge of dialogue, speech marks,proper nouns, commas, colons and semi-colons and exclamations. The correct , fully punctuated passages will magically appear so that your pupils can see how J.K.Rowling does it. This will prove a fun way to revise the full range of punctuation marks whilst also encouraging further reading of the Harry Potter books. This is one of many Potter themed resources you can find in my shop which focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar. Suitable for ages 10+
Informative and descriptive writing: hurricanes
jlimbjlimb

Informative and descriptive writing: hurricanes

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This animated Power Point collates several pieces of writing about hurricanes. There are informative texts, diagrams, eye-witness reports as well as poems about hurricanes. There are before and after descriptions as well as a transcript of a public radio announcement broadcast before a hurricane strike. Having absorbed and discussed the varied texts, students are then given the option of writing either a news report, an appeal leaflet or a poem inspired by this fascinating phenomenon. I include a resource about wild wind which would be useful when discussing poetry and in particular personification. Suitable for ages 10+
Persuasive writing powerpoint
jlimbjlimb

Persuasive writing powerpoint

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This animated Powerpoint resource comprises ten slides explaining the techniques of persuasive writing. It uses the mnemonic A FOREST to help students remember the features of persuasive writing and tests their knowledge with multiple choice questions. The students are asked to write either a speech to help the elderly people in their community or organise an event to raise money for a new skate park. I include "In the Basement of the Goodwill Store" a poem by Ted Kooser and questions which will make students reflect upon their attitudes and behaviour towards the older generation. This resource is aimed at pupils between 12 and 16 years.
Punctuate with Potter : address and letter writing
jlimbjlimb

Punctuate with Potter : address and letter writing

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This animated powerpoint examines extracts taken from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and asks pupils to provide the missing punctuation. The correct answers will magically appear! This resource tests knowledge of commas, apostrophes, question marks , colons, brackets , inverted commas, ellipsis and using capitals to add emphasis. One of the extracts requires pupils to set out an address correctly. Another extract is a heated dialogue and could be used as an example of using other words for said. At the end there is a quiz to test comprehension and other grammatical knowledge such as similes and alliteration. Pupils are asked to set out their own formal letter addressing it to Harry Potter himself. I include another resource which gives information about different breeds of dragon and affords pupils the opportunity to write a letter applying for a job as a dragon trainer. This resource will appeal to Potter fans of all ages.
A Christmas Carol : the true meaning of Christmas global warming
jlimbjlimb

A Christmas Carol : the true meaning of Christmas global warming

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This Power- Point presentation takes Scrooge as its initial focus and then questions our notion of Christmas and how it has changed from the idyllic view of the Victorian era to the modern day commercial excesses. With reference to the migrant crisis and the quest to feed the world in challenging circumstances this presentation will make audiences think about the true meaning of Christmas and what issues should really be at the forefront of our minds at this time of year. The Australian bush fires are brought to mind with flaming imagery. This resource could be used as an assembly piece or to initiate a debate or discussion with the audience. This would be particularly useful for those students who are studying Dickens or other Victorian novelists. Global warming as an issue that affects us all, both rich and poor, at this time of year. Suitable for ages 7+
Articles, leaflets and informal letters with Harry Potter
jlimbjlimb

Articles, leaflets and informal letters with Harry Potter

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This animated Power Point takes extracts from J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and removes the punctuation from them. Passages are deliberately chosen to test students’ knowledge of newspaper articles, leaflets, dialogue and informal letters. They are required to write out the words and are given clues how to organise the information. The corrected versions will magically appear. Finally students, inspired by the passages, are required to choose between two options to write about: designing a leaflet about defending your household against the threat of Death Eaters or designing a poster advertising an invisibility cloak for sale. Trivia questions regarding Potter are included along with a quiz to see who can make the most Muggle words out of the letters contained within some of the characters’ names. A further resource about ancient broomstick games is included with comprehension questions and answers. This resource is intended to be a fun way of revising necessary language skills whilst encouraging wider reading at the same time. Suitable for ages 10+