Pastel & Smudge CIC is a creative education provider offering engaging, inclusive resources that support alternative and arts-based learning. Founded by artist and educator Hayley Hare, we specialise in materials that spark imagination, build confidence, and encourage exploration. Our resources are perfect for classroom, SEN, and home ed settings—designed to be flexible, accessible, and fun to use.
Pastel & Smudge CIC is a creative education provider offering engaging, inclusive resources that support alternative and arts-based learning. Founded by artist and educator Hayley Hare, we specialise in materials that spark imagination, build confidence, and encourage exploration. Our resources are perfect for classroom, SEN, and home ed settings—designed to be flexible, accessible, and fun to use.
Bright. Playful. Accessible.
Introduce your pupils to the colourful world of pop art with this ready‑to‑teach lesson inspired by American artist James Rizzi. Known for his bold cityscapes, wobbly buildings, and smiling faces, Rizzi’s artwork encourages students to see their surroundings with joy and imagination.
In this one‑off or extended session, pupils will learn about Rizzi’s unique style and create their own vibrant cityscape using bright colours, bold outlines, and quirky patterns. They’ll explore how simple shapes and playful details can transform an ordinary street into a work of art.
What’s included:
A bright, pupil‑friendly PowerPoint presentation
Easy‑to‑read artist info sheet (perfect for discussion and comprehension)
Visual step‑by‑step instructions to guide students through their artwork
Clear materials list using items most classrooms already have
Suitable for KS2 and KS3 (with differentiation tips for SEN and extension ideas)
Skills developed:
Exploring pop art and contemporary cityscapes
Using colour, line, and pattern to create impact
Building drawing confidence with simple shapes
Adding creative details to bring artwork to life
Reflecting on how art can express joy and imagination
Perfect for Arts Week, cross‑curricular projects, or a fun stand‑alone lesson. This flexible, low‑prep session works with drawing, painting, or digital art and is accessible for all learners – including those with SEN – making it easy to adapt for your group’s needs.
If you enjoy this resource, please leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more art lessons that teachers love and students can’t wait to do.
Step into the wild and powerful world of Norse creation myths with this highly visual, engaging humanities lesson. Perfect for KS2 and KS3 learners (including those with SEN), this lesson explores how the Norse believed the world came into being through the magical clash of fire and ice — featuring giants, gods, and a mystical cow named Auðumbla!
What’s Included:
A beautifully designed, easy-to-follow PowerPoint with clear visuals and scaffolded questions
Printable cut-and-stick comic strip activity to retell the Norse creation myth
Focus on key Norse themes: nature, sacrifice, transformation
Optional extension homework: fact file on Auðumbla, encouraging deeper thinking and creativity
SEN-friendly structure: visual storytelling, sequencing, drawing, and supported writing tasks
Curriculum Links:
History: Viking beliefs and cultural identity
Geography: Norse cosmology and environment
RE & English: myths, oral traditions, symbolism, and moral themes
Ideal for:
Humanities, RE, or thematic units
Home education or Zoom teaching
Mixed-age or differentiated classrooms
Creative projects or enrichment lessons
This lesson encourages imagination, critical thinking, and historical understanding through mythology — ideal for curious learners of all abilities!
Main Subject:
Humanities – with strong links to History, Geography, Religious Education, and English (Myths and Legends)
Suitable for UK schools and international schools following the English curriculum
If you enjoy this resource, please consider leaving a review!
Your feedback helps me create even more lessons that teachers and students love. Thank you!
Dive deeper into Norse mythology with this creative and thought-provoking lesson exploring Yggdrasil, the great World Tree, and the Nine Realms it connects. Perfect for KS2 and KS3 learners, including those with SEN, this session blends mythology, symbolism, and philosophy to spark curiosity and critical thinking.
What’s Included:
Visually engaging PowerPoint that introduces Yggdrasil and each of the Nine Worlds
Printable worksheet with matching, comprehension, and short-answer tasks
Class discussion prompts to explore big ideas: What does the World Tree symbolise? What can each world teach us about real life?
Extension task: link a mythological world to a real-world idea or place (poster, fact file, or presentation)
SEN-friendly structure: visual anchors, simplified options, drawing and writing choices
Curriculum Links:
History: Viking culture and belief systems
RE: symbolism, belief, and meaning
Geography: Viking worldview and cosmology
English/Philosophy: myths, metaphor, abstract thinking
Ideal for:
Humanities, RE, PSHE or philosophy sessions
Cross-curricular thematic teaching
Zoom and home education setups
Creative, reflective projects for all ability levels
This lesson helps students make connections between mythology and the real world - perfect for deep thinkers and imaginative learners alike.
Main Subject:
Humanities: with rich cross-links to RE, English, Philosophy, and Geography
Suitable for UK schools and international schools following the English curriculum
If you enjoy this resource, please consider leaving a review!
Your feedback helps me grow and supports other educators looking for high-quality, creative lessons. Thank you!
Introduce your students to the unforgettable characters of Norse mythology in this vibrant and interactive humanities lesson. Learners will explore the personalities, powers, and Viking values of key gods, goddesses, and giants - including Odin, Thor, Loki, Freyja, and the Frost Giants. Suitable for KS2 and KS3, with SEN-friendly options throughout.
What’s Included:
Beautifully illustrated PowerPoint covering major figures in Norse mythology
Printable character profile worksheet with space for guided note-taking, drawing, and reflection
Focus on values such as wisdom, strength, cleverness, honour, and courage
Optional extension task: creative debate on whether the Frost Giants are villains or misunderstood
SEN-friendly: visuals, structured templates, character symbols, and simplified vocabulary
Curriculum Links:
History: Viking culture, values, beliefs, and storytelling traditions
RE: Gods, symbolism, myths, and the moral messages in belief systems
English: Character analysis, persuasive writing, and myth structure
PSHE/Philosophy: Morality, empathy, and multiple perspectives
Ideal for:
Humanities or thematic lessons
Home education or remote Zoom classes
Creative writing inspiration or character work in English
Cross-curricular or values-based projects
Learners will come away with a deeper understanding of Norse mythology’s meaning and relevance, with opportunities to reflect, draw, and debate in ways that support all abilities.
Main Subject:
Humanities – with strong links to RE, English, and Philosophy/PSHE
If you enjoy using this resource, please consider leaving a review!
Your feedback supports other educators and helps me keep creating engaging, inclusive resources. Thank you!
Bring the world of Viking gods, monsters, and myths to life in your classroom with this visually engaging and fully adaptable humanities lesson. Perfect for KS2 and KS3 students, including those with SEN, this resource introduces learners to Norse mythology, its Scandinavian roots, and the dramatic landscapes that inspired legendary tales.
What’s Included:
A beautifully designed PowerPoint with clear, accessible language and rich visuals
Printable comprehension worksheet with scaffolded questions
Creative mapping activity: label and decorate a map with real and mythical features
Optional extension writing task: create your own myth-inspired story
SEN-friendly instructions with opportunities for differentiation through drawing, labelling, and short written responses
Curriculum Links:
History: Vikings and their culture
Geography: Scandinavian landscapes and map skills
English/RE: Myths, storytelling, and beliefs
Ideal for:
Remote or in-person teaching
One-hour humanities lessons
Cross-curricular or thematic units
Creative project weeks or enrichment activities
Teacher-tested and designed to spark imagination, build historical understanding, and support all learners through visuals, choice, and open-ended tasks.
If you enjoy using this resource, please consider leaving a review! Your feedback helps me improve and create more high-quality lessons for amazing teachers like you. Thank you!
Explore the Viking afterlife through the myth of Valhalla and the powerful Valkyries in this rich, reflective humanities lesson. Aimed at KS2 and KS3 students (and fully SEN-adaptable), this session connects mythology to real-life Viking beliefs, values, and emotions - showing how stories shaped identity, bravery, and the way people made sense of life and death.
What’s Included:
Engaging PowerPoint covering the myth of Valhalla and the role of Valkyries
Comprehension worksheet with cloze, questions, and deeper thinking prompts
Empathy writing task: write from the perspective of a Viking warrior, Valkyrie, or child
Adapted version of The Valkyrie’s Choice (based on Helgi and Sigrún) with guided analysis
Optional extension research task: Create a character fact file on Brunhild the Valkyrie
SEN-friendly with visual cues, vocabulary support, and flexible task formats
Curriculum Links:
History: Viking beliefs, funeral traditions, and warrior culture
RE/Philosophy: Afterlife beliefs, values, and moral choices
PSHE: Exploring grief, bravery, and how beliefs shape identity
English: Creative writing, perspective, and debate
Ideal for:
Humanities and cross-curricular RE/PSHE sessions
Creative or thematic learning weeks
Remote, home-ed, or classroom teaching
Mixed-ability groups and SEN support
Students will connect mythology to big human questions: courage, loyalty, and how we find meaning in the face of fear or loss.
Main Subject:
Humanities – with strong connections to RE, English, and PSHE
If you enjoy this resource, please consider leaving a review!
Your feedback supports other teachers and helps me keep making creative, thoughtful lessons. Thank you!
Conclude your Norse mythology unit with this powerful and reflective lesson on Ragnarök, the Viking myth of the end of the world. This KS2/KS3 resource explores destruction, bravery, rebirth, and hope - encouraging learners to make connections between mythology, emotion, and the human experience. Ideal for SEN learners with flexible creative options.
What’s Included:
A visually rich PowerPoint explaining the myth of Ragnarök
Structured worksheet with comprehension, reflection, and philosophical questions
Writing prompts exploring emotion, fate, and courage through guided discussion
Creative extension: write your own end-of-the-world myth with support scaffolds
Optional formats for the final myth: story, poem, comic, or performance
SEN-friendly: visual storytelling, multiple modes of expression, vocabulary supports
Curriculum Links:
History: Viking myths, worldviews, and values
RE/Philosophy: End-of-the-world stories across cultures and belief systems
English: Myth writing, narrative structure, reflection, and metaphor
PSHE: Exploring emotion, loss, bravery, and hope
Ideal for:
Humanities or English lessons
Cross-curricular enrichment weeks
Zoom, home-ed, or in-class use
Mixed-ability teaching and creative project sessions
Students explore not just how myths end - but why they matter. This lesson encourages big thinking and big feelings.
Main Subject:
Humanities – with strong links to RE, English, and PSHE/Philosophy
If you enjoy using this resource, please consider leaving a review!
It helps other teachers find creative, inclusive lessons and supports my work. Thank you!
Bring the world of Viking gods, myths, monsters, and values to life with this complete 6-lesson humanities unit for KS2–KS3 learners (ages 9–13). Fully illustrated and adaptable for SEN, this engaging cross-curricular resource includes high-quality PowerPoints, printable worksheets, and a clear unit overview for easy planning and delivery.
What’s Included in This Bundle:
6 fully resourced lessons with PowerPoints, worksheets, and creative activities:
What Is Norse Mythology? – Geography, maps & oral storytelling
From Ice & Fire – Norse creation myth & sacrifice
Yggdrasil & The Nine Worlds – Symbolism & philosophical thinking
Meet the Gods, Goddesses & Giants – Character studies & Viking values
Valhalla – Beliefs, bravery & diary writing
Ragnarök – Endings, hope & original myth writing
Curriculum Connections:
History – Vikings and Norse beliefs
RE – Afterlife, gods, and symbolism
English – Myths, character writing, debate
PSHE/Philosophy – Courage, grief, values, and endings
Geography – Mapping Scandinavia and imagined worlds
Designed For:
KS2–KS3 (Ages 9–13)
SEN-friendly classrooms
Humanities, RE, English, or creative curriculum projects
In-person, remote, or home education use
This free PDF unit overview outlines a 6-lesson cross-curricular humanities scheme exploring Norse mythology, Viking beliefs, and creative storytelling. Ideal for teachers planning KS2 or lower KS3 lessons (ages 9–13), it includes clear weekly learning objectives, creative outcomes, curriculum links, and differentiation suggestions.
What’s Included:
1-page unit plan with lesson titles and outcomes
Overview of skills covered across History, RE, English, Geography, and PSHE
Suggestions for differentiation and inclusive task formats
Ideas for creative assessment and student choice
Lesson Titles:
What Is Norse Mythology? – Map and storytelling traditions
From Ice & Fire – Norse creation myth and sacrifice
Yggdrasil & The Nine Worlds – Symbolism and human values
Meet the Gods, Goddesses & Giants – Viking characters and virtues
Valhalla – Bravery, grief, and belief in the afterlife
Ragnarök – Endings, rebirth, and myth writing
Main Subject:
Humanities – cross-curricular with English, RE, PSHE, and Geography
Use this overview to structure a full unit, build a cross-curricular project, or guide your planning before purchasing the complete lesson pack.
If this overview supports your planning, please leave a review!
Your feedback helps other teachers discover creative and thoughtful resources.