KS1 & 2 History/Geography /Science– ‘Very famous person’ blank template. A quick information gathering resource for pupils to use to research a specific famous person and find out specific information about nationality, flag, birth/death dates, education, famous work and reasons this person is well known. Space to write short sentences or bullet points of key information and a summary of how this person has helped or changed the world. Great for class display and for starting points about a famous person based subject or as a final assessment of knowledge gained throughout a topic.
Link to cross curricular History/Geography/Science/Art topics and ‘Inventors’, ‘Explorers’, ‘Victorians’ and similar topics.
. A quick information gathering resource for pupils to use to research a specific country and find out specific information about location, flag, population, capital, borders, geographical features, main industries, temperature, geographical features and native animals and birds . Space to write short sentences or bullet points of key information. Great for class display and for starting points in a country based subject or as a final assessment of knowledge gained throughout a topic.
Link to cross curricular Geography topics on Australia, African countries, Russia, India, USA etc.
KS1 &2 Attack or Defend Medieval Castle Activity: 12 battle statements to classify under ’attack’ or ‘defend’ on the activity board. Pupils work in small groups or pairs to discuss and categorise the statements. A fun activity to help pupils improve historical vocabulary and understanding of the methods of defence and attack strategy. Can also be used as a plenary to assess pupil knowledge following a topic on Medieval Castles.
KS1&2 Saint George and the Dragon story and sequencing activity.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the story of’ Saint George and the dragon’ in order.
Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA pupils can order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
Included is a simplified story of George and the Dragon which I have adapted for Primary aged pupils which could be used in an assembly or to start a lesson. There is also a link to a Youtube clip about the story.
Theseus and the Minotaur Diary example with 24 KS2 comprehension questions.
Set in pre 40AD, Theseus writes about his observations as he travels on his quest to slay the Minotaur. The diary is written in the first person and is separated into two main sections (Part 1: The quest to slay the Minotaur/ Part 2 : The return to Athens). Each part is broken into smaller, readable sections based upon location as Theseus travels through the myth. This recount demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a continuous recount of the event including Theseus’s personal feelings and points of view.
Can be used as a stimulus for Myths and Legends, creative writing and to identify the features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity.
Also attached are two sets of 12 comprehension questions relating to each of the two parts of the text.
Comprehension Learning Objectives:
I can respond to a range of texts.
I can locate ideas and use information.
I can refer to the text when explaining a view or reason.
I can deduce and infer ideas from the text.
I can select sentences or phrases to support my answers.
Can be used in cross curricular topics English -Myths and Legends/ writing a diary or recount, History – The Greeks/ Greek Gods and Goddesses, Mythical Beasts, Geography – Greece. **
Theseus and the Minotaur set of 4 English descriptive worksheets for LA/MA KS2. Learning Objective: I can use key words to describe mythological characters.
Worksheet 1: Adjective selection from a prepared set of vocabulary to best describe questions about Theseus, the Minotaur and the labyrinth.
Worksheet2: Noun, verb, adjective brainstorm to describe Ariadne, Athena, King Minos, Theseus, the Minotaur.
Worksheet 3: Creating own mythological beast and adding verbs and adjectives.
Worksheet 4: Simple label the characters cut and stick activity.
Can be used following introduction of the myth to develop vocabulary and language in writing. **
KS1 powerpoint lesson : How to write a party invitation with a Halloween focus. A KS1 power-point of 14 slides which can be used as one lesson or extended over a longer period. There is a warm up, two activities and a final writing task. Included are examples of 2 invitations (birthday and Halloween party) for pupils to use in the lesson to spot the key features and help Lei correct his invitation (because no one has replied!). There are key questions to promote discussion and paired work. Also included is a simple invitation template for pupil use. Pupils can also use the important information/checklist to give paired feedback after writing their own invitation.
KS2 Battle of Hastings Diary example.
Set in October 1066, a Norman Knight writes about his observations before, during and after the Battle of Hastings. This example demonstrates features of a diary and acts as a recount of the event including personal feelings and points of view.
Useful in the lesson for pupils to use to identify features and structure of diary writing or as a Recount Checklist activity.
Can be used in cross curricular History topic on Norman life, Castles or Knights.
KS1/Y3 Powerpoint lesson (s) of 37 slides on the topic ‘Norman castles’.
Learning Objectives:
To use the correct historical vocabulary when talking about the features of a castle.
To compare the similarities and differences between motte and bailey and stone built castles.
To identify William the Conqueror , where he came from and his link to castles.
To use my knowledge about castles to make my own information book.
The slides are easy to follow and devised to encourage partner/trio discussion and collaboration through key questioning and small group activities. Slides 2-4 use pupil knowledge as a starting point assessment through a reflection activity. Slides 5-11 focus on William the Conqueror and include a paired map activity using atlases. Slides 12-20 look at early motte and bailey castles and include a short clip from Youtube. Included is a simple DT planning sheet for pupils to design then build a motte and bailey castle. Slides 21-23 encourage pupils to consider the purposes of castles in war and peace time. Slides 24-32 can be used as a castle features class quiz or a paired assessment. Slides 33- 36 look at famous castles belonging to Normans. The final slide offers a suggestion for making a ‘castle’ booklet or scrap book.
Weekly planning based upon the Nursery Rhyme Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. Includes differentiated Literacy and Numeracy planning for HA,MA and LA learners including non-negotiable vocabulary and activities for outdoor learning, role play and creative learning. Links well with work on 'growing' gardens and flowers. There is a focus on speaking and listening and vocabulary development through repetition and role play activities.
KS2 powerpoint of 27 slides which can be used as a complete lesson or divided into a series of lessons. The slides include group and paired questions to explore and define the life of a highwayman, their target victims and the reasons for particular types of robbery. There is a focus on the life of Dick Turpin who has written a Facebook page and a historical account of his crimes leading to his arrest. Includes an opportunity to learn the game ‘Hangman’ and look at historical documents eg Christening record, Trial poster . Final task is the design of a ‘Wanted ’poster for the King.
KS2 Geography – Discover the Arctic Circle powerpoint lesson of 24 slides.
Learning Objectives
I must find the Arctic in my atlas.
I must recognise the symbols for the points on a compass.
I should identify the lines of latitude and longitude on a map or globe.
I should explain the term ‘Arctic Circle’.
I could describe where the Arctic Circle is in the world using geographical vocabulary and name some places located there.
The lesson uses pupil starting points and encourages partner and group discussion. Written tasks are built into each stage of the lesson following a discussion task, map or globe work. The introduction asks pupils to describe the arctic landscape and arctic animals using a selection of photographs. They use this information to build up a picture to guess the place –the Arctic!
The lesson moves onto a simple explanation of latitude and longitude and the points on the compass. Pupils will need a map or globe to explore the tasks fully and identify the Arctic Circle.
There are 2 YouTube links – a latitude and longitude song (great fun!) and a short clip about Arctic wildlife which could be used as a starter for a follow up lesson.
There is a simple optional assessment task at the end of the lesson.
KS2 Diamond Ranking activity: Planning for a Mountain Expedition. Blank diamond ranking template and four different sets of activity cards for pupils to discuss in groups of three or pairs.
Set 1 What are the most important survival items to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 2 What is the most important equipment to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 3 What are the most important clothes to pack for a mountain expedition?
Set 4 What are the most important health items to pack for a mountain expedition?
Pupils discuss the merits of each item in a set and rank them from most to least important by sticking them on the blank template. Can be used to develop understanding and promote key vocabulary in Geography or History topics on ‘Explorers’, ‘Everest’ , ‘Antarctica’, ‘Mountains of the world’ etc.
KS2 Set of x 22 “Who am I?” cards featuring 22 of the most well- known scientists from early civilization until present day. Each card has up to four simple facts alongside a photograph of the scientist. Includes Einstein, Aristotle, Curie, Berners-Lee, Turing, Hawking, Pasteur, Darwin and more!
Can be used as part of a timeline or as History of Science/ famous scientist research cards. Great for playing a range of games with small groups to encourage knowledge of scientists and their most famous work eg– Guess who?, Pairs(using 2 sets of the cards), Snap (using 2 sets of cards), Who am I?
KS1 interactive cross curricular Powerpoint
lesson(s) about the life of Florence Nightingale and her impact on hospitals and hygiene today.
Florence's Facebook page which can be used as a research resource for developing writing.
Blank 13 page project booklet for pupils to use to record information about Florence Nightingale throughout the topic. Who am I? blank template for pupils to use to describe Florence Nightingale and her work. Can be used as a class or homework activity or as an assessment at the end of the project.
Blank template book for pupils to use to think of information to describe a character. There is space in each box for one or two short facts. The information on each flap (box) can be structured according to the topic focus eg 1. describe the face 2. describe the eyes with an adjective or simile etc. when all of the boxes are opened they reveal the identity.
Can be used for biographies, historical figures, characters in stories, animals, science facts, numbers etc.
Reception/Year 1 Pirate Treasure Map
Reading activity linked to topic on pirates and seaside.
Includes a blank treasure map, a key vocabulary mat and a set of 9 differentiated activity cards.
Learning objectives
ALL
I must match pictures to the correct letter sound at the beginning of the word.
I must match pictures to the correct letter sound at the end of the word.
MOST
I should find and read words which have double letters.
SOME
I should identify words which have more than one syllable.
CHALLENGE
I could read the pirate sentence accurately and follow the instructions.
KS1&2 Christmas Nativity story sequencing activity.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order.
Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
Learning objective: To sequence and retell the Christmas story in order.
Pupils cut out the images and descriptions and sequence the story onto a storyboard template. There are three templates attached which support differentiation and reading levels. HA template is numbered only and pupils order the story into the numbered boxes. MA is differentiated using key words from the main text in the numbered boxes. LA order the story into the numbered boxes with the support of key sentences which they can match to the main text.
KS1 & 2 Historical story planning template. A resource for pupils to use to plan their own historical story writing. Includes a bullet point reminder of the rules for writing historical stories and spaces for pupils to develop character description, setting and ideas for the structure of their story.
Great to use following a History writing lesson or drama. Can also be used with most History topics : Norman Castles, Explorers, Travel, Halloween, Romans, Egypt, Saxon Britain etc.
Powerpoint Poem about the colour ORANGE. EYFS/KS1. Simple rhyming acrostic poem which I wrote myself to introduce a topic on colour recognition, help pupils learn the colour orange and identify orange objects around them. Lots of ‘orange’ photos and an easy to follow acrostic pattern.
Links with cross curricular topics on ‘Colour’, ‘Rainbows’, ‘All around me’ and Literacy ‘Poetry’.