This is the first in my series of 'quests' for a World Mythology unit and the most popular of my products to date. The materials herein may be used in mixed ability classes; I have used it with such groups including EAL and SEN learners, but much of it is open-ended meaning it is rigorous for all. All the activities in this unit have the aim of introducing students to the world of mythology, starting with Greek myths and moving on to explore myths from around the world. Included in this pack are 4 activities, based on Greek Mythology. The main skills focuses are (1) identifying key ideas and (2) researching effectively. Timing will very much depend on the students you are working with but I usually allow at least 1 hour for the class to try the different activities, while I monitor and encourage revision/improvements as appropriate. You will find: -teaching notes -learning intentions, skills and success criteria for each activity -an answer key -printable task sheets and worksheets -landscape and portrait blank pages with unit headers to create your own additional sheets -offline activities with opportunities to include online research skills **Please note that you will also need to download the free resources (in my store) 'Icarus & Daedalus' and 'The Minotaur' to accompany 2 of the activities in this lesson.*** Image credits from The Noun Project: Trident by Aldric Rodriguez Iborra Compass by Edward Boatman Hermes by Gilad Sotil Angel by Luis Prado Minotaur by Dabid J Pascal Seasons by Filippo Any issues, comments or questions please get in touch; I'm here to help! ***All new products are launched with 50% off for the first 48 hours! Interested? Just click on the star above to follow me and get notifications for when this happens!***

Turn a content-heavy lesson into a fun activity with an engaging research project and a creative task. I have completed this with a range of grade levels, near the start of our mythology units, and the students are always totally engaged and determined to show everyone what they can really do. Remembering all twelve Olympians and understanding their history is a challenging task, but this resource makes it easy. In this lesson, students choose one or more Olympian gods to research and create a poster. We know, from research, that memory is aided with visuals so what better way for students to help each other's learning by producing these display items for an authentic audience of their peers? Let's face it - the Olympian gods capture the imagination, so pair this with a creative outlet and you've got a winner of a lesson. And don't be put off by the idea of untidy posters hanging on your walls - simple instructions for how to make student posters go from, 'Oh well, you did your best...' to 'Wow!' are included (online access required). Ideas for the creative use of technology are included, but don't worry - of accessing ICT is an issue for you, most of the lesson can be done offline (assuming your library has information on the Olympian gods - if this is not the case, get in touch and we can work out a solution). For online access, I have included selected links for the students to begin their research. Looking for more materials to explore mythology? Click on the 'mythology' category in my store to see all the resources available. Image credit: 'Wreathed head' icon produced by Gilad Sotil of the Noun Project Keywords: myth, mythology, Olympians, Olympus, Greek, poster, fun, substitute lesson, bulletin board, activity, online, design, creativity, research, informational

This is a lesson I use at the start of my mythology units to engage the class and get them enthused about our area of study. The materials herein may be used in mixed ability classes; I have used it with such groups including EAL and SEN learners, but much of it is open-ended meaning it is rigorous for all. All the activities in this unit have the aim of introducing students to the world of mythology, starting with Greek myths and moving on to explore myths from around the world. Included in this pack are 2 activities, based on Greek Mythology. The first is a cloze worksheet with instructions to develop effective search skills. The second is a set of activity ideas for setting up your own 'in house' Olympics. Timing will very much depend on the students you are working with but I usually allow at least 1.5 hours, assuming that students will be in teams for the Olympics and everyone will select their events. In this download, you will find: -teaching notes -a printable worksheet -an answer key -instructions for setting up your Olympic event Image credit: Theresa Stoodley from The Noun Project Any issues, comments or questions please get in touch; I'm here to help!

Looking for a way to develop your students' reading, while having fun - look no further! These cards have 12 short texts for students to really drill down into the skills they need to become excellent readers. Students love zombies and this, along with my other themed resources, keeps them smiling through the whole unit. I've used this with secondary (middle school) students who tell me they really enjoy these short activities to focus on particular skills. I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I avoid gory images and explicit mention of weapons such as guns.) Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * ideas on how to use the task cards * 12 different tasks at different levels, focusing on individual skills * answer sheet for students to record their responses (optional double-sided printable) * suggested answers Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help!

Are you tired of reading student prose that fails to capture the imagination? Have you had enough of the same worn-out similes and metaphors that do nothing to enliven the mind? This lesson focuses on encouraging students to write fresh and original descriptions that will stoke readers’ curiosity and capture their imagination. Make sure you share this goal with your learners! From a reading of this popular poem by Craig Raine, students use his striking and unusual descriptions to create their own well-crafted paragraphs. This lesson was originally created to prepare students for the imaginative / creative writing section of the IGCSE exam, but it can be used to inspire writing that jumps off the page at any level. I have personally used this in KS3 and KS4 with great results every time. As students submit their writing after this lesson, I actually look forward to seeing how shifting their perspective allows them to create truly different, engaging writing. The resource includes: -full teaching notes -a copy of the poem (for classroom use only) -an accompanying set of slides (in PDF form) -game instructions and materials to get students thinking out of the box (a mental 'warm up' for writing) -5 examples of original, imaginative writing inspired by this lesson (from my students) -my ongoing support! Please remember to leave feedback as I work continuously to improve my resources. Follow me to receive updates as I post new products at Reach High. Keywords: poetry, poem, martian, postcard, lesson, printable, ppt, presentation, teaching notes, instructions, guidelines, creative, imaginative, writing, igcse, ks3, ks4, ks5, raine, mixed ability, SEN, ESL, EAL, photocopiable, printable Image credit: Laura Faraci of The Noun Project

More task cards! My students love when I pull out a set of these. Task cards are a great way to get your students engaged and focused, and their versatility makes them perfect for anything from starters to lessons to plenaries. If you would prefer a DIGITAL (online) version of these task cards, please visit my listing here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/inference-task-cards-find-evidence-to-support-your-ideas-digital-version-11420441 These cards have been used with students from Year 7-11 (Grades 6-10), but would also be suitable for challenging capable upper primary / elementary students. Be warned though: critical thinking and effort is required! Included is a script of how to 'think aloud' and model the thought processes of a good reader. On these cards you will find 32 extracts including original writing (from yours truly), classic literature, and nonfiction. Accompanying each short text is a question that asks students to dig deeper into the text, and pull out details that are not explicitly stated. These can be used for oral or written response. Setting them up as 'stations' around the room will ensure students are physically moving as they learn. You could use 1 card as a starter activity to get students using their inference skills before additional reading challenged. Alternatively, use the set with individuals, pairs or small teams. Included in the pack: -sample card for display on projector -'think aloud' script to model how to approach the cards for students -32 task cards printed 4 to a page -full teacher notes -a tracking sheet -a sheet for students to record their answers Questions or comments? Please get in touch with me via roamingteacher@gmail.com Keywords: task, cards, task cards, fun, reading, inference, infer, read, plenary, starter, lesson, stations, station

This is for use with or without my World Mythology materials. All the activities in this unit have the aim of introducing students to the world of mythology, starting with Greek myths and moving on to explore myths from around the world. The story has been reproduced here in printable format with the kind permission of E2BN with whom all rights reserve. In return for providing this printable format, all I ask is that you leave feedback, so thanks in advance. Any issues, comments or questions please get in touch; I'm here to help! You can reach me via roamingteacher@gmail.com

This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my shop. This lesson would be perfect for a substitute teacher as all student instructions are included. Get students to identify figurative language in an engaging way by reading and/or listening to music lyrics along the zombie / death theme. Even more importantly, these activities will build your students' confidence in discussing the impact of figurative language as used in specific texts. It's an easy hop from these activities to applying their skills to poetry. I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I do my best to avoid gory images.) Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * full teaching notes * lyrics of 3 songs on the theme of zombies & death * links to the songs * 2 student worksheets with instructions and answer keys * ideas for how to use the materials for a physical movement activity * suggestions for how to use the materials as a discussion activity This product would complement any curriculum that focuses on the development of figurative language identification and analysis. Interested in other zombie-themed resources? See my store for more bargains. I intend to do regular discounts and promos, so follow me to get notifications for when this happens. Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help.

This is a PREVIEW of the full product available in my store. Looking for a way to develop your students' reading, while having fun - look no further! These cards have 12 short texts for students to really drill down into the skills they need to become excellent readers. Students love zombies and this, along with my other themed resources, keeps them smiling through the whole unit. I've used this with secondary (middle school) students who tell me they really enjoy these short activities to focus on particular skills. I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I avoid gory images and explicit mention of weapons such as guns.) Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * ideas on how to use the task cards * 12 different tasks at different levels, focusing on individual skills * answer sheet for students to record their responses (optional double-sided printable) * suggested answers Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com

Get your students begging for their next prompt with this super-engaging task cards! They can be used in various ways, not only for writing but also to promote discussion skills. With 48 unique cards in 3 different categories (beginning, middle and end of the apocalypse), this resource will keep your students writing enthusiastically for as long as you want. Included in the pack are ways you can use these cards to produce shorter and longer pieces of writing. I've used this with secondary students over the years, and it leads to the students asking for MORE writing time! I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge. My 9-year-old son also saw me making these and asked if he could use them for his writing. With careful selection on my part, he too was thrilled to be able to find new ideas for his zombie-writing fascination. This file is a PREVIEW of the resource for sale in my shop. Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * ideas on how to use the task cards * 48 different prompts to promote writing, critical thinking and discussion (if chosen) Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help!

This file is a PREVIEW of the resource for sale in my shop. This simplified and abridged version of Macbeth is mostly in contemporary English, but also has occasional lines from the original play. I have used this script with mixed ability classes including ‘gifted’, special needs and ESL learners, and it’s always been highly successful. Depending on how it is directed, it can be performed in 30 minutes to an hour. It has been performed in our school theatre, in our classroom and also in our common room as it requires nothing more than a clear staging area, separate from ‘behind the scenes’. To separate the stage from the rest of the space, we have used raised platforms, display boards (as wings) or simply marked out the space by where we seat the audience. Alternatively, it has the potential for use as a Reader's Theatre script (though I have not used it this way myself). It is the perfect introduction to a study of the original text, or a way of touching upon the main points of the story when you do not have time to explore the original, full version. In this resource, you will find: -notes on my experiences of staging this version of the play with suggestions on how to perform it with minimal additional resources -the play script comprising of 16 pages -stage directions Keywords: Macbeth, script, play, Shakespeare, mixed ability, SEN, ESL, EAL, photocopiable, printable

This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my shop. This lesson would be perfect for a substitute teacher as all student instructions are included. For you, it's a low-prep lesson: just print-and-go. Focus on public writing and speaking skills with this zombie-themed task. These materials set up a scenario where students' survival depends on how well they can present their arguments. If you are using my other 'zombie' materials, this activity fits well with the reading and writing tasks. I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I do my best to avoid gory images.) Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * full teaching notes * task instructions * task preparation materials * rubric (editable version included) * link to speech sample video (downloadable) * links to additional useful resources Interested in other zombie-themed resources? Look in my store for more zombie bargains. Follow me to get notifications of new products and promotions. Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help.

This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my store. Many of us have experienced times when we've have set up a discussion activity only to launch it to…well, silence. The students look uncomfortably at each other, stare at their hands or mumble to a stop after only seconds of talking. This resource aims to address that by providing a lively activity that can be used to discuss any text, concept or topic. The resource includes: * top tips on how to encourage discussion amongst reluctant students * 3 sheets of discussion prompts to be used as cards or grids * detailed notes on how to use the discussion prompts in different ways Use this resource to address the following speaking & listening skills: *Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of discussions with different partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. *Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence. *Present information, findings, and supporting evidence so listeners can follow the line of reasoning *Ensure the organisation, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. *Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when needed. Keywords: discussion, discuss, reluctant speakers, talk, group work, pair work, shy students, prompts. Questions or comments? Feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I am always happy to hear from you.

Get your students begging for their next prompt with these super-engaging task cards! Journal prompts, bellringers, station work - they can be used in various ways, not only for writing but also to promote discussion skills. With 48 unique cards in 3 different categories (beginning, middle and end of the apocalypse), this resource will keep your students writing enthusiastically for as long as you want. I've used this with secondary (middle and high school) students over the years, and it leads to the students asking for MORE writing time! I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge. My 9-year-old son also saw me making these and asked if he could use them for his writing. With careful selection on my part, he too was thrilled to be able to find new ideas for his zombie-writing fascination. Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again. Included: * ideas on how to use the task cards * 48 different prompts to promote writing, critical thinking and discussion (if chosen) Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help! Keywords: zombie, task cards, writing, prompt, creative, apocalypse

After much testing and refining, it's finally here! Gorgon Quest sees your students set out on an adventure as a team, to defeat the Medusa. They can test their knowledge of Greek Mythology (or any other content you choose). My students love this game and the more they play it, the deeper their learning goes. They will need all their wits about them if they are to succeed. Please note this is a cooperative (not competitive) game where the students all work together to succeed. The concept of cooperative gaming really appeals to me and you can find out why on my blog here: http://bit.ly/togetherbetter Included in this pack: * Greek Mythology Quiz Cards BUNDLED IN THIS RESOURCE FOR A REDUCED PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY! * Teacher guidance notes * Gameplay instructions for students * Item tokens * HP scoresheet * A3 printable game board All game components can be printed in colour or black and white as you prefer. If you are short on time, there is no need to cut anything out - alternative instructions are included, so this can be a print-and-go activity too. Interested in other mythology-themed resources? Check out my store for more teaching materials. Icarus & Daedalus: The Story The Minotaur: The Story The Olympian Gods Greek Mythology Quiz Cards Greek Mythology: Would You Rather...? Cards Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help! ***All new products are launched with discounts for the first 48 hours! Interested? Just click on the star above to follow me and get notifications for when this happens!*** Keywords: greek, mythology, boardgame, board, game, fun, printable, activity, quiz, cards

More task cards for teachers who really want to engage their students! Students literally cheer when I pull out a set of task cards because they know they are going to have fun learning. These are perfect for mini-lessons, whole class teaching, cooperative learning, intervention groups, and literacy centers. 24 task cards in this pack can be used in a variety of ways, and the teacher notes offer no fewer than 5 unique activities to get the most out of your purchase. These task cards have been designed for use with ANY novel, in all genres, and can be used at any point through the reading, including post-reading. I have used these with students of all ages, including 11-year-olds to less-confident 18-year-olds, but I would say they are ideally suited to KS3 and KS4 (US Grades 6-10). The pack consists of: + full teaching notes + 24 high-colour task cards (for those who like bright colours)* + 24 low-colour task cards (for those who want to save ink)* + my unending support! *(Please note both sets of cards are the same.) If you like these, be sure to check out my ever-expanding collection of multi-use task cards in my store. Any technical problems just get in touch and I will be happy to help: roamingteacher@gmail.com Keywords; task cards, reading, literature, discussion, response, critical thinking, literature circles, reading clubs, fun, engaging,

More task cards! My students love when I pull out a set of these. Task cards are a great way to get your students engaged and focused, and their versatility makes them perfect for anything from starters to lessons to plenaries. This is a DIGITAL version of my printable resource of the same name and content. The printable version can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/inference-task-cards-find-evidence-to-support-your-ideas-11380301 You will need access to online devices of some kind (smartphone, tablet, PC, Chromebook or other) to use this resource. If you have access to devices but are nervous about using the resource, please get in touch. I am happy to help! ____________________________________________________________________________________________ These cards have been used with students from Year 7-11 (Grades 6-10), but would also be suitable for challenging capable upper primary / elementary students. Be warned though: critical thinking and effort is required! Included is a script of how to 'think aloud' and model the thought processes of a good reader. On these cards you will find 32 extracts including original writing (from yours truly), classic literature, and nonfiction. Accompanying each short text is a question that asks students to dig deeper into the text, and pull out details that are not explicitly stated. These can be used for oral or written response. Setting them up as 'stations' around the room will ensure students are physically moving as they learn. You could use 1 card as a starter activity to get students using their inference skills before additional reading challenged. Alternatively, use the set with individuals, pairs or small teams. Ideas for how to use the cards are included in the teacher notes. Included in the pack: -links and QR codes to the 32 online task cards (in Google Drive) -'think aloud' script to model how to approach the cards for students -full teacher notes -a tracking sheet (online and printable) -an *optional* online response sheet for students to record their answers (requires Google account e.g. Gmail) Questions or comments? If you have ANY problems with these files, please get in touch with me via roamingteacher@gmail.com - I am always happy to help! Keywords: task, cards, task cards, fun, reading, inference, infer, read, plenary, starter, lesson, stations, station, GAFE, Google Apps, Drive, Google Drive, ICT, technology, online, differentiation