This power point explores anger issues and how being more mindful of our words and actions can be beneficial. A story is told of a young boy who is given a bag of nails by his father. Each time he says something hurtful to his family he has to hammer a nail into the tree at the bottom of the garden. As he discovers ways to control his temper, the nails are used less and less and eventually his father asks the boy to pull them out. The boy discovers that the nails have left holes in the tree trunk, just as his unkind words have left wounds in others that will take time to heal. Students are asked questions surrounding the story and asked to share strategies for dealing with anger. Suggestions are made at the end for using hand templates to pass round to friends to write kind words on and display ideas suggested. Talking therapies for dealing with mental health issues and mindfulness meditation are promoted as strategies for dealing with stress. This resource would be useful as an assembly or in tutor time and of particular importance around exam periods. It is suitable for ages 10+

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+

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 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+

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+

This resource is displayed in landscape view and is a poem about a Dad whose smelly feet are legendary. Birds stop singing and drop cross-eyed from their perch and Alsatians cover their noses from the terrible stench of Dad's cheesy feet. Pupils can draw their favourite image from the poem and then create their own version specific to their own father. They are asked to think of six things they most admire about their father and also to recall a favourite memory, perhaps where their father inspired them with confidence to do something. This resource is ideal for National Poetry week activities and is suitable for all ages.