A fun, attractive, autumn activity for young children. One word to write - action word for sailing, gliding leaves - and beautiful leaves to colour in. Go out to collect leaves first, and watch them falling. Examine and discuss them, then act out their movements, drawing action words from your class. Prompt for words like floating, gliding, darting, dancing, skipping, twisting, falling and swinging. Encourage emergent, have-a-go, writing, for a relaxed approach, to unleash creativity and build writing confidence. See my other autumn leaves poetry frames too.

Phonics and reading support is offered in this enjoyable game. Children have to read or sound out the listed words to sort Mr Mix-Up’s house and garden items for him. Each identified item can be linked (by line or arrow) to either house or garden, as appropriate. The list contains 1- and 2-syllable words of varying difficulty, but the fun of the game will spur on any strugglers. Younger and older children will also it, older ones perhaps being inspired to create their own versions. Colouring opportunities too.

These rhythmic rhymes focus on colour, one specifically on red, the other, various colours, each representing a dragon. Guidance notes are included with each, with suggestions for extra verses and setting to music/acting out. Their titles are: ‘Red is for Strawberries’ and ‘Colourful Dragons’. Some young children have difficulty identifying colours by their names, so these rhymes will help, with their catchy rhythms, graphic images and invitations for further ideas. These activities support the curricular learning areas of Literacy, Expressive Arts & Design, Communication & Language, and Physical Development.

Which words fit the topic? that’s the simple challenge here. Children have to read a selection of words to work out which apply to the given category (e.g. colours) and which ones don’t. There are 4 of these challenges, spread down the page, with colour variation for clarity and added fun. Able readers can complete these independently, linking or ticking relevant words with a pencil; less confident readers will need support (either one-to-one or group). Some words may be instantly recognisable, such as ‘red’ or ‘hot’, but others will need to be sounded out. Ideal for phonics learning and reading practice.

This fascinating castle picture will lure your emergent readers into sounding out the ten words that describe it. The bright, bold lettering is easy to clear and attractive, and the words are intriguing, yet simple, comprising: old, cold, dark, big, grand, still, spooky, crumbly, stony and webby. Fun and motivating for older readers too; also for younger children to look at. Handy for quick revision, testing and general reading practice. Also supports castle and history studies.

This simple, punchy poem clarifies and celebrates the main colours - blue, red, green, yellow, orange, silver and gold, black and white, grey and brown. Pink can be added as a class contribution, following the poem’s pattern. It can be clapped, chanted, and presented with a display of colours, to help young children learn them. Here’s a fun colour riddle for your class to watch and hear (also by me): ‘What Colour am I?’ https://youtu.be/JGKvOUDyXmk

**FREE! Autumn leaf picture to write inside and below, with colouring fun too. ** ’ Autumn leaves can be - ’ Describing words can be written inside the page-size leaf-drawing. Encourage words such as - crispy, floaty, gentle, calm, red, gold (+ other colours), crunchy, delicate, twirly, crinkly, dry, wet, soggy, spotty, beautiful, colourful, torn, ripped, patched. Text below picture - 'They are as colourful as __ ’ perhaps jewels, flowers, petals, treasure, fire, candles, fruit, strawberries or butterflies. Supports creativity, vocabulary, seasonal work, colour work, art and design, and PSHE (calming and uplifting). See my other leaf writing activities for all primary stages.

Snow is … This simple, one-line picture poem will tempt any emergent writer to have a go at a word or more to describe snow, especially if they’ve just been out in some! Encourage with simple suggestions, such as soft, cold, fluffy, fun… For more adventurous writers, encourage interesting words like - smooth, gentle, swirly, floating, peaceful, pure white, white as icing sugar, calm, exciting, magical, twinkly, crunchy. See also my harder version: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/snow-writing-ys-1-3-12466490

Fun in the Snow - this is a simple, 40-word story, lightly illustrated, about a boy enjoying the snow and making a snowman. There is an extra page highlighting a few words from the text - in different colours for extra fun. Engages young children, encouraging sounding-out and ‘have-a-go’ reading. See my other stories and also Phonics sheets, for more simple, fun reading.

FIREWORKS picture poem writing sheets - easier/harder, for Reception, Yr 1, lower Yr2, plus YouTube demo, full of ideas! Large, clear firework pattern to colour in, with line(s) inviting describing word and more. See also my higher level firework sheets. Supports creative writing, inspires enthusiasm and confidence in writing, develops artistic skills and colour sense, enhances understanding of fireworks, provides relaxing, calming activity.

Two poems of mine, published in The School Magazine, Australia: What is a Cloud? and Puddle Pictures. (Both on one sheet.) What is a Cloud? is a metaphor poem, presenting different cloud moods with simple images. Puddle Pictures shows, in a fun, simple way, how a puddle reflects then dries. Both poems promote nature appreciation and a love of poetry. Also recommended for PSHE, being gentle, calming and upbeat.