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.
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.
This quiz is based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Two possible answers are provided to each question. If the wrong answer is selected a mysterious forfeit is revealed. If the correct answer is selected then that leaves more precious reading time . Included is an information text about ancient broom-stick games from around the world where pupils are required to compare and contrast the evolution of various hilarious games and will be inspired to invent their own gaming broomstick perhaps.
This resource will complement the reading of J.K.Rowling's book but will also appeal to Potter fans in general. This is ideal to use as a post SATS brain teaser and will encourage further reading at the same time...
Suitable for ages 8+
This Power Point looks , in particular, at the character of Mrs Birling in J. B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls.
Quotations are used to substantiate her character as a snob, a traditionalist and prejudiced against “that sort”. Students of the play are asked to focus on Mrs Birling’s words and to find evidence to support labels such as cold-hearted, ignorant and patronising. Students are given a biographical time-line of J.B.Priestley and asked to consider the historical significance of the date An Inspector Calls was written. They are also asked to debate the notion of charity and what Sybil Birling’s true motive might have been for belonging to a charitable organisation. Students are made aware of Priestley’s socialist stance and are invited to debate the fundamental differences between socialism and capitalism.
This resource will prove useful when revising specific characters and their motivations in relation to this play.
I have bundled together ten resources which investigate some of the wondrous creatures that inhabit the seas and oceans and use bioluminescence to their advantage. I include two quizzes about the properties of water which include inspiring quotes and poetry which will prompt further investigation into and discussion about the natural world. Other resources take inspiration from David Attenborough and focus on the problem of plastic waste within our seas and oceans.
Suitable for ages 10+
This word document accompanies the PowerPoint presentation on bioluminescence which can be found in my shop. This resource can be used together with the Power Point or as a stand alone activity. Pupils are given detailed information explaining what bioluminescence is and, in particular, how marine creatures such as the firefly squid use it to their advantage. Pupils are asked comprehension questions and invited to explore further by drawing diagrams or , more generally, investigating Japan and engaging in their own independent research.
This resource is suitable for ages 10+ and contains scientific terminology which may require further explanation. Links are given to useful websites.
This Power Point explains what bioluminescence is and explores in particular how the firefly squid exhibits this strange phenomenon. Detailed information is given in a fifteen slide presentation. Pupils are asked questions about the information given and asked to make further investigations, including drawing diagrams to show where the photophore cells might be found on the squid or, more generally, about Japan itself.
This resource will promote discussion and further scientific exploration whilst testing comprehension skills. Included is a worksheet to aid independent research.
Suitable for ages 10+
I have bundled together four resources which will be useful as a means of revising aspects of grammar whilst also reading a mystery story set in the grounds of a Victorian Manor House. The story is told in short episodes or chapters that focus on a different aspect of grammar such as verbs , adjectives, proper nouns etc. This bundle contains both a PowerPoint Presentation and word documents so that worksheets can be used in isolation if necessary. I have included a spelling, grammar and punctuation quiz which is more general and can be used as a stand alone item. This resource is suitable for age 10+
This Power Point tests knowledge of plurals, the use of commas and apostrophes in contractions. It asks pupils to find the opposite by adding a prefix and alphabetical ordering. Students will meet Joe who loves football but hates homework and who needs a little help with his spelling.
This resource is intended as a revision tool and is one of many that can be found in my shop. It can be dropped into a revision session on the run up to SATS or assessment weeks. All answers are provided at the end , so pupils can easily identify their own mistakes without taking up valuable teaching time.
Suitable for ages 10+
This Power Point uses a story, poem and graphics to illustrate the similarities between humans and the properties of glass. Pupils are asked to compare the similarities between broken glass and fractured personalities and how we need to be more resilient in our everyday lives. This resource could be used throughout the year but would be particularly appropriate during anti-bullying week.Students discuss phrases such as “don’t bottle it up” and “glass half empty”. Pupils may like to do further research into the breaking of a glass as part of the Jewish wedding ceremony.
This resource is intended to provoke discussion and could be used in tutor time, as an assembly or for times of reflection. Alternatively, It could be used to inspire creative writing.
Suitable for ages 10+
This set of four worksheets accompanies the Waverley Manor Mystery Power Point Presentation but equally they could be used in isolation. Pupils are required to read the short chapters which focus in turn on different grammatical features. They will become intrigued with the characters and want to find out what happens next. Your pupils will be revising without realising it!
This resource is one of several based on the Waverley Manor Mystery which can be found in my shop.
I include a more general quiz on spelling, punctuation and grammar , all answers provided at the end.
Suitable for ages 10+
This Power Point will test knowledge of plurals, capitals, prefixes, alphabetical ordering, apostrophes, verbs and adverbs, common spelling errors and much more. There are deliberate spelling mistakes to identify and correct as well as a weirdly worded passage to decipher featuring Joe who is busy revising for his egzams! This resource is intended for revision on the run up to SATS and assessment weeks and can be dropped into lessons intended for exam preparation in general.
All answers are provided allowing pupils to quickly identify where extra revision is needed.
I include a resource to promote informal letter writing.
Suitable for ages 10+
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+
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+
This animated Power Point takes extracts from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter and the half-blood Prince and asks students to spot deliberate spelling mistakes. The spellings are ordinary words hidden within extraordinary passages. The answers will magically appear. Students are asked to show-case their knowledge of homophones such as witch and which and include as many as they can in a paragraph of their own. They are required to make "Muggle" words out of the letters within some of the characters' names. Finally they have the chance to write their own creative piece involving a hex which glues your tongue to the roof of your mouth, a jinx which makes your toe-nails grow alarmingly quickly or a muffliato spell which causes mayhem by means of the victim experiencing an unidentifiable buzzing sound in their ears. I include another resource about dragon breeds with comprehension questions and answers.
This resource is intended to be used to reinforce spelling, punctuation and grammar in a fun way as well as encouraging wider reading . Suitable for ages 10+
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+
This Power Point tests knowledge of plurals, contractions, commas, using prefixes to form opposites, verbs and adverbs and much more besides. There is a weirdly worded passage for pupils to decipher and put their spelling skills into action. This is one in a series of quizzes which can be found in my shop. These quizzes will test knowledge and understanding of all aspects of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Answers are provided for ease of marking and sections can be easily differentiated.
I include a resource to promote informal letter writing and another resource which will be useful for punctuation practice and descriptive writing.
Suitable for ages 10+
This Power Point is ideal for Mother's Day and will call upon pupils to use their creative skills . A poem about a Mum for every day of the week is presented and pupils have to draw a mum to fit each description. Can you guess which Mum is most like yours? Pupils need to use their knowledge of times tables to complete the multiplication mosaic. If they fill in the co-ordinates properly, they will create a colourful pixelated pot plant. They will need to solve a coded message and a crossword , the answers will form words to do with family matters. Once the crossword is solved they are then required to use the words to create a paragraph of their own about their own family, friends and pets.
This resource is suitable for ages 7+
This animated Power Point tests knowledge of adjectives, pronouns, plurals, proper nouns, accurate punctuation, questions and commands, the correct use of commas, words which have more than one meaning and much more besides.
This resource is intended for revision purposes on the approach to SATs and other assessments of the knowledge of grammar and punctuation more generally. Answers are provided.
I include a resource to promote informal letter writing.
Suitable for ages 10+
This animated Power Point is based on extracts taken from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Pupils are asked to re-write passages inserting the necessary punctuation and missing capital letters. The correctly punctuated passages will magically appear, once they have made an attempt to recreate Rowling's work. Two of the passages take the form of letters; one formal and one informal. The other extracts take the form of dialogues so that pupils will need to insert speech marks and question marks and remember to begin a new line when a different character starts to speak.
Students are asked to write their own letters and have the choice whether to select a formal or informal tone for their writing.
Students are required to form as many Muggle words of their own out of the letters contained within some of the principal characters' names.
This resource is intended to be used when revising formal and informal letters as well as when revising punctuation in general. Other Harry Potter themed resources can be found in my shop.
This resource is suitable for ages 10+
I have bundled together five of the popular spelling, grammar and punctuation quizzes which can be used on a daily basis on the run up to SATS and/or assessment weeks. Answers are provided and questions can be easily tweaked to address specific problem areas. Pupils will find empathy with the hapless Joe who struggles with spelling. These quizzes could be used on a rotational basis during an assessment week and are designed for ease of marking. Also included is a resource outlining the dirty thirty: the** thirty** most common spelling errors and tips on how to learn them more reliably.
These resources are suitable for ages 10+
I have bundled together six of the popular Spagbag quizzes so that they can be used on a rotational basis on the approach to SATS and other assessments involving knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Answers are included and the format for each quiz is similar and can be easily tweaked to meet specific needs within a class. Pupils will come to empathise with Joe who struggles with spelling and is prone to making silly mistakes.