This resource looks at how manatees are becoming an endangered species and how these majestic creatures have been mistaken for mermaids. There is an information text and associated questions and worksheets which will allow pupils to investigate further. One of the questions requires pupils to work out 20% of a given statistic. This resource will support World Oceans Day / World Environment Day and any investigation into conservation. Suitable for ages 10+

This resource accompanies a Power Point about poetry but can be used without it. Pupils have to solve clues to find poetic devices such as alliteration , imagery and metaphor. These can then be located in an interlocking grid. There are twenty eight words to find in total. This resource is intended for revision purposes and is suitable for all examination boards. I include puzzles which will aid the revision of Romantic poets such as Keats as well as Shakespeare.

This resource contains a Power Point about homophones and three differentiated worksheets which will prove useful when revising many aspects of grammar and punctuation. Students are given simple sentences which they have to make more interesting. They are given short passages to correct which contain no capital letters or punctuation marks.They have paragraphs where they will need to substitute more powerful verbs. They have colour synonyms to group and have homophones to select. They have to show case their descriptive writing skills describing a friend/ animal and bedroom. There is a further challenge to write a lengthy paragraph show-casing their knowledge of homophones. These resources could be used for homework purposes and for revision on the approach to more formal exams. Suitable for ages 8+

This resource draws comparisons between an Elizabethan audience and a contemporary audience of a Shakespeare play. Comparisons are made between the size of an average audience, the age, the cost per ticket, the social class, their expectations of a play and their behaviour as audience members. In formation is given about the role of the fool, boy actors and the hierarchical nature of the performers within an acting company. This information is relevant particularly to Shakespeare and the Globe. Suitable for ages 12+

This Powerpoint resource is intended to be used to improve spelling throughout years 9 to 11. It includes 60 words most commonly misspelt by students and various tips on how to learn them such as look, say, cover, write and check. Students are encouraged to look for smaller words within the longest spellings and to break them down into parts as well as other tips for specific words. Exercises are given where students have to complete sentences, solve anagrams and invent their own sentences using three given words from the set. A word document containing the words split into five sets of twelve words can be used to enable ease of learning and repeated practice. I include one of my popular spelling, punctuation and grammar quizzes which includes answers for ease of marking. This resource is intended for use by students aged 12+

This animated Powerpoint exhibits passages from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which have deliberate spelling mistakes in them. Pupils are required to read the passages carefully to see if they can identify the mistakes. The corrected passages will magically appear. Homophones are introduced and students are set the challenge of writing interesting sentences of their own which demonstrate their understanding of such words as which and witch etc. Another spelling game is introduced where the audience have to make up as many muggle (ordinary) words as they can out of Potter's fabulous incantations. This is intended as a fun way to practise spelling whilst also encouraging careful reading at the same time. Ideal for Halloween week and beyond. Suitable for Potter fans of all ages.

This animated Power Point provides pupils with 56 sets of homophones and varied opportunities to test their knowledge of the meaning of these words in different contexts. Passages are given containing multiple homophones and pupils are asked to put their own creative writing skills to the test. This resource has an element of fun to it, including puns and challenges to think outside the box. I include another word document which could be used alongside the Power Point , or separate from it , which includes a revision mix featuring homophones. This document could cater for differing abilities within the class or as a homework task. Suitable for ages 8+

This animated Power Point asks the audience to look outside and identify signs in nature that Autumn is on its way. Pupils are encouraged to use all five senses to experience the season by observing colour changes as well as noticing the passage of time through the alteration of clocks. A recipe for vegetable stew is included to appeal to taste buds and to create a lingering aroma. Students are asked to find out some interesting facts about spiders and to look out for nature’s crochet patterns on the hedgerows as they travel to school. The splendid sights, sounds , smalls and tastes of Autumn can be found here in poetry, of different formats including a haiku in which syllables need to be counted . Pupils are asked to consider the colour red and its synonyms and are encouraged to write poetry of their own. A poem about the wind is included which personifies this weather phenomenon and shows how nature can adopt human characteristics, sending shivers down our spines. This resource would be ideal to use during the Autumn term as a collection of poetry or to stimulate sensory exploration and creative writing about the seasonal changes. Suitable for ages 7 +

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+