The Thrill of December - this is the title of my uplifting, 4-verse poem for children and their teachers. Enjoy the magical images, the rhythm and rhyme, the sparkle and glow of natural, outdoor Christmastime in this upbeat poem. Discuss, share similar experiences, add a verse of your own. Poem written by me, a published children’s poet.

Christmas Lights poetry writing and colouring sheets - 3 graded variations for Reception to lower Juniors. Colour similes and description called for, with gaps to fill, e.g. - "Christmas lights are ____ and ____. They can be red, like ____ " Harder and simpler versions included. Fun, creative, educational, stretching literacy skills, imagination, colour awareness and pencil control, also teaching about Christmas celebrations and the dark winter nights.

This cat poem is fun and child-friendly. Follow this restless cat around the house, checking its food dish, checking window view, zipping upstairs for a look-around, then at last remembering the cosy sofa - ideal for a snooze! This poem will inspire discussion, language-stretching, creative writing, drama, art, and physical movement, also nurturing animal appreciation.

FREE! Firework Night - an exciting, atmospheric poem by this author, a published children’s poet. Read out, pin up, copy and distribute, use as a base for your class poem, draw from its vocabulary, imagery and poetic techniques for inspiration and examples. So much to do with this poem! See my many other fireworks poetry and colouring resources too.

Spooky rhyming couplets to complete, with prompts and rhyme choices. One PDF sheet of rhyme starters, in different colours, with picture. This is a teacher’s guide, for sharing with class as they wish - verbally, with written out selections, or photocopied and distributed (for older). Whole-school Halloween fun!

This beautiful autumn leaves resource contains a simple sample poem about autumn leaves, to read and share with class, a blank frame, and some sample words and lines to generate more poetry-writing ideas. (See my other autumn leaf and woods resources for more ideas.)

Space recipe poem example, on space photo backdrop, plus blank writing frame on same background (2 sheets total). This fun, fascinating poem was written by the author - a published children’s poet. It demonstrates key poetic techniques, e.g. simile, metaphor and alliteration, and stretches minds and language. The blank writing frame is open to other styles of space poetry too, encouraging poetry exploration AND space exploration! Supports poetry, literacy and space studies. SEE ALSO, here on TES: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/recipe-for-a-night-sky-poem-to-read-12420912.

Releasing pandemic stresses. The pandemic restrictions affect us all, and perhaps young people most of all. Writing down feelings and thoughts about lockdown life will help your class process and cope with them. This one-page guide offers ideas and example lines for you to present as prompts and starting points for individual responses. Tips for presentation are also provided. The sheet demonstrates how ideas can be built into free-style verses or paragraphs, with one basic theme per verse/para. Both negative and positive viewpoints are offered, rounding off with a positive, upbeat approach to the pandemic lifestyle adjustments we’re all having to make.

‘What Makes a Camp Fire Glow?’ and ‘Banjo in the Sunset Glow’ - Two atmospheric, upbeat poems to inspire creative writing, stretch language and encourage friendship and community spirit. Easy to read and listen to, yet rich in language and concepts. The poems support poetry, literacy, outdoor learning, nature, and PSHE. Published in The School Magazine, Australia.

Space topic and literacy are both enhanced with this exciting, fun activity. The starry space photo has 8 gaps for inserting exciting, descriptive words and phrases about space. A gap-free version of the picture is included for inspiration. The supporting** Word + simile Bank** is for teacher use, offering handy examples and prompts. I have many other space/literacy resources at my shop.

This attractive resource will stretch literacy skills and enhance ocean studies, as children think up words, similes or phrases to fill the ten writing gaps in the under-sea picture. An unmarked version of the picture is provided for inspiration. The Guide Sheet offers teachers a list of suggestions for prompts and examples, including adjectives, similes and flora and fauna (also described). Great for: vocabulary-building, warm-up for poetry, description or story-writing, topic work (oceans, water, sea life, sea pollution, global warming, pirates, treasure, etc.); also for constructively filling any spare ten minutes. Recommended for Yrs 2-6.

**A Sea monster writing sheet in 3 differentiated versions. ** Attractively illustrated and presented. Will excite and amuse the whole class, The starter phrases about its appearance, behaviour and favourite food will get all pens rolling. Supports literacy, seaside, ocean, myths and other cross-curricular studies, and unlocks creativity. See my Sea Monster Food writing sheet too****: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/sea-monster-food-fun-writing-sheet-guide-12114876 ****, plus many other seaside and ocean literacy resources.

Teachers on Toast or Catastrophe Curry? What delicious, disgusting, dangerous, dreadful dishes will your class place on this alliteration-focused menu? Don’t worry, though, it’s for dragons only: humans aren’t allowed in dragon cafes - except on plates, possibly. A great end-of-term slot-filler, combining fun with literacy development, creativity, humour and the promotion of class-harmony.