Theseus and the Minotaur Bundle
Set of English topic related resources
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.
Guided reading based on Theseus and the Minotaur with learning objective, suggested questions (7) and a simple chronological story activity.
Learning Objective:
I can retell the myth Theseus and the Minotaur.
I can summarise the story.
I wrote this shorter version of the myth for a Year four reading group but it could be used with HA Y3, LA Y5 and Y6.
Fits well with cross curricular topic work on Ancient Greeks, Greece, Myths and Legends, Mythological beasts and narrative writing.
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.
Story board activity. Simple summary of the story of Theseus and the Minotaur reduced into six boxes with blank spaces for pupils to fill in the missing word in the sentences. Suitable for SEN/LA KS2.
This bundle can be used for cross curricular topics English -Myths and Legends/ writing a diary or recount, comprehension. History – The Greeks/ Greek Gods and Goddesses, Mythical Beasts, Geography – Greece.
Myth planning template with structure and ideas for pupils to use to plan their own myth.
KS1/2 Transition and new pupils : All about me blank information template.
A simple template for pupils to complete to share facts and information about themselves in written form. Information includes family, friends, interests and likes/dislikes plus a space to draw a self -portrait or stick on a photo.
Great to use with a new class or for a new pupil or as a transition exercise for a new teacher.
EY/KS1 Signs of Summer Powerpoint of 41slides.
Learning Objectives:
To know the names of the summer months.
To recognise the signs of summer around me.
To understand the features of a British seaside holiday.
To talk about and share my own experience and feelings about a summer holiday.
The slides include photographs of British seaside holiday activities, mini beasts (bees, spiders and ladybirds) and frogs. At specific points there are short paired talk activities and simple class activities eg a class summer/not summer birthday chart, writing about a favourite beach activity and how to make Ladybird counting sticks (counting in 7s).
Cross curricular KOW /Science work on topics of ‘Seasons’, ‘Summer’, ‘Mini-beasts’, ‘Nature’.
KS1/lower KS2 (SEN) African animal quiz. Work as an individual, partners or small group. Guess the 6 animals from three graded clues and images. Animals to guess are elephant, lion, rhinoceros, ostrich, giraffe and hyena. There is a simple scoring system if you want to make this more competitive!
Good lesson starter or plenary activity for assessing knowledge of animals. Can be linked to cross curricular topics on ‘Animals’, ‘Africa’ or used as a lesson filler/warm up.
KS1 set of four resources including an interactive powerpoint lesson Signs of Autumn (41slides).
Learning Objectives:
To know the names of the Autumn months.
To recognise the signs of Autumn around me.
To explain why some small animals hibernate.
To know the features of harvest and recognise harvest grain, fruit and vegetables.
The slides include photographs of animals which hibernate (dormouse, bat, frog, grass snake etc) and do not hibernate (squirrels, badgers, rabbits/hares). At specific points there are short paired talk activities and simple class activities eg Name the harvest fruits, name the harvest vegetables, a grain chart activity, summer clothes and autumn clothes.
There are 2 youtube links – a short Autumn song and a simple Autumn story.
Cross curricular KOW /Science work on topics of ‘Seasons’, ‘Autumn’, ‘Animals’, ‘Nature’.
Autumn Acrostic poetry templates (set of 4) Autumn, Leaf, Scarecrow, Farmer each with a linked word mat to help pupils begin each line of their poem.
Leaf investigation template - simple to use with a easy to identify key.
Maths data handling graph which scaffolds an Autumn walk /data collection with corresponding questions.
KS1 Autumn Maths data handling graph.
Five Autumn objects for pupils to find on a walk. Pupils collect/tick off the object on the block graph, add up the totals and use the data to answer the questions on the additional supporting question sheet. Questions include - most/least objects, comparison and explain.
Links with cross curricular topics – Autumn, Seasons, Trees, Growing, Gardens. Can also be used as a homework activity.
KS1 & 2 Geography –Leaf investigation blank template. A quick information gathering resource for pupils to use to scaffold a leaf investigation walk. Space to write short bullet points of key information. Great for class display and for starting points in cross curricular ‘season’ project . Link to cross curricular topics on Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, Habitats, Growing, Trees etc.
A simple matching activity to reinforce chronology. Pupils order Grace Darling's siblings in date of birth order on a simple tree. Can be used as a paired or individual activity.
KS1&2 Disciples Bingo game and instructions for play. The game has different boards for 8 players. Easy game for pupils to play independently whilst learning the names of the 12 disciples.
KS2 Geographical features : Bridges of Britain fact sheets. Includes 10 iconic ,interesting and very different types of British Bridges including Clifton Suspension, Tyne Bridge, Forth Bridge, Tees Transporter, Gateshead Millenneum Bridge, Tower Bridge, Severn Bridge, Menai Suspension, Tarr Steps Bridge and Infinity Bridge. Each fact sheet includes information on the different structure of the bridges, simple dimensions, brief historical information and interesting related facts. The layout is accessible and easy to use to extract information or make comparisons between the bridges. Useful to link to DT topic on bridges or non-fiction writing reference material.
Y2, 3, 4. Booklet about glossaries.
Can be used as a stand- alone lesson on glossaries or as part of a topic on Norman Castles. Also useful as an assessment following work on glossaries.
The glossary activities are organised into a short workbook.
Learning objectives:
To know that a glossary is an alphabetical list of words with definitions found in a non-fiction book.
To recognise the difference between a word and a definition .
To put words in alphabetical order.
To match words about castles to the correct definitions.
Page 1 Offers pupils a selection of vocabulary relating to Norman castles and asks them to select four words to order alphabetically and set out as a glossary.
Page 2 Questions about the key vocabulary and glossary.
At the end of the booklet there is a set of 12 ‘castle’ glossary cards with a description for the pupils to cut out and order into alphabetical order.
YR/ KS1 beachcomber treasure hunt.
Learning objectives:
I can identify objects found on a beach.
I can use a tally to record and total my results.
Pupils record as many of the pictured objects as the see in tally form and total up their scores at the end of the treasure hunt. There are eight beach items to find (limpet, starfish, crab, driftwood, clam shell, pebbles, feather, seaweed).
Fun as an ongoing or a timed activity where pupils can work individually, in pairs or in a group.
KS2 Y4, 5, 6 Set of 8 comprehension texts and questions on the topic ‘Sharks’. There is one general comprehension on sharks and seven comprehension texts on the following: Angel, Basking, Great White, Great Hammerhead, Nurse, Tiger and Whale sharks. Each text has eight questions.
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 infer ideas from the text.
I can select sentences or phrases to support my answers.
KS 1 & 2 Power-point : Variation in Sharks.
Learning Objectives
• To understand that sharks can be classified into specific groups according to their characteristics.
• To recognise similarities and differences in sharks.
• To be able to classify sharks into Mackerel, Ground, Carpet, Bullhead and Dogfish groups according to their characteristics.
Slides 2-6 explore the definition of variation through key questions in partner/small group discussion. There is also a link to a YouTube clip about sharks.
Slides 7-11 are information slides about 4 sharks characterised under the heading Mackerel Sharks.
Slides 12-16 are information slides about 4 sharks characterised under the heading Ground sharks.
Slides 17-21 are information slides about 4 sharks characterised under the heading Carpet sharks.
Slides 22-25 are information slides about 3 sharks characterised under the heading Bullhead sharks.
Slides 26-28 are information slides about 2 sharks characterised under the heading Dogfish sharks.
Each shark slide gives information ranging from colour, length, location found, food and prey, danger level to humans.
Can be split into a series of lessons or used as on entire lesson on variation. The information about the shark groups is written in a simple text so can be printed for pupil use and used to judge comparisons and similarities between the groups within the species.
Set of 42 photographs of past and present everyday objects including: kettle(2) , clothes washing(3), iron (3), camera (3), drying clothes (4), TV (4), telephone (6), writing (5), grass cutting (4), watches (2), bikes (10). Great to use for timeline activities, sorting or matching to a historical era, sets/venn diagram activity, display and group resources. Can remove or add cards to match ability levels. Use two cards in each category and play 'Pairs', 'Snap' or 'Happy Families' type games.
KS2 Set of 18 “Who am I?” cards featuring 18 of the most well- known rulers of England/Britain from 871AD until present day. Each card has up to five simple facts alongside a photograph of the ruler. Includes Alfred the Great, Aethelred the Unready, Canute, William I, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, Edward I, Henry V, Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I, Cromwell, George III, George IV, Edward VIII, Elizabeth II. Can be used as part of a timeline or as History research cards. Great for playing a range of games with small groups to encourage knowledge of rulers – Guess who?, Pairs(using 2 sets of the cards), Snap (using 2 sets of cards).
KS1 & 2 Power-point lesson which can be used as a single lesson or as a stimulus for cross curricular work. 24 slides presented in simple text focusing on Valentine’s day traditions, historical information and traditions. The lesson encourages pupils to work in small groups of three / four to discuss and explain questions about the images and information presented on the slides. Slides include information on Cupid, Venus, St.Valentine, Tudor traditions and Valentine symbols. Pupils are encouraged to record their responses on a group paper in different forms of writing, drawing, solving a riddle and labelling diagrams.
KS1 Disciples Fishing Game and instructions. A simple game which pupils can play independently. Templates for the fish are included – just add rods and paperclips! A sociable and fun way to learn the names of Jesus and the 12 Disciples.
EYFS Parts of a Flower board game
A simple game for 2-6 players to help pupils learn and say the names of three parts of a flower (petal, stem and leaf). Six different coloured game boards and instructions for two games included. Useful for small group activity with an adult to ensure pupils repeat and practise the key vocabulary.
Can be used with a range of topics including ‘Growing’, ‘Outdoors’, ‘Summer’ etc.
KS1 & 2 powerpoint lesson about Sun Safety. Written mainly for KS1 but can be easily adapted. Powerpoint of 17 slides which promotes small group and paired discussion about sun safety. Can be used as a complete lesson or adapted for an assembly. The first slides look at fun in the sun and lead into some simple facts about the sun following a short paired talk session to assess pupil knowledge. Pupils are encouraged to look at different photographs of the sun (sunset, sun rise, in space) and describe features. There is a very simple slide on Vitamin D and UV rays linked to health. The children can discuss how to protect themselves in the sun and when to wear sunscreen. The final slide is an example of a sun safety poster which pupils can use as a basis to design their own for the rest of the school (and which can be used as an assessment of their learning).