Primary Deputy Head Teacher with over 23 years experience. Sharing my resources to make your life a bit easier. Currently teaching in Year 4 with experience across EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
Primary Deputy Head Teacher with over 23 years experience. Sharing my resources to make your life a bit easier. Currently teaching in Year 4 with experience across EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
âWriting for a Purpose: Explanation Textsâ is an engaging educational resource designed to help Key Stage 2+ children understand the key features and purpose of explanation texts.
This resource offers a clear introduction to explanation textsânon-fiction writing that explores how or why something happens. It covers the main components of this genre, including structured layouts, logical sequencing, cause-and-effect language, and the use of diagrams and technical vocabulary.
A sample explanation text is included, demonstrating how to clearly present a process using formal language and helpful visuals. Children will see how to break down complex ideas into manageable steps, helping readers understand everything from how a volcano erupts to why the seasons change.
Perfect for English lessons, this resource provides teachers with tools to spark discussions about the structure and style of explanation writing. It also offers helpful tips on using specific vocabulary, organising information, and writing in a clear, objective way.
In addition, this resource is great for cross-curricular learning. Pupils can apply what they learn to subjects like science or geography by creating their own explanations of natural processes, inventions, or systems.
In summary, âWriting for a Purpose: Explanation Textsâ is a practical and inspiring tool that supports children in developing their informative writing skillsâpreparing them to explain the world around them with confidence and clarity.
âWriting for a Purpose: Exploring Non-Fiction Genresâ is a comprehensive learning resource designed to assist Key Stage 2+ students in understanding and mastering 14 forms of writing. This resource covers a range of genres, including Diary Recounts, News Report Recounts, Film Reviews, Balanced Arguments, Non-chronological Reports, Tourism Information Posters, Adverts, Instructions, Formal Letter, Blogs, Field Guides, Biographies, Explanation Texts and Script Writing.
The resource provides an in-depth exploration of each genre, highlighting their key features and attributes with examples and exemplars provided to help students understand how to construct effective pieces of writing.
Teachers can use this resource to introduce each genre, provide guidance on how to create effective pieces of writing, and offer examples for students to follow. The resource is ideal for use in English lessons, but can also be applied to other subjects to encourage and scaffold writing.
Overall, âWriting for a Purpose: Exploring Non-Fiction Genresâ is an invaluable resource for students looking to improve their writing skills and understand different forms of writing.
âWriting for a Purpose: Instructionsâ is a learning resource designed to assist Key Stage 2 children in understanding the essential elements and objectives of writing instructional texts.
This resource offers a comprehensive explanation of instructional writing and its main features. Instructional writing is a form of writing that provides step-by-step guidance on how to perform a task or achieve a goal. The key components of this type of writing include clear and concise language, a logical sequence of steps, the use of imperative verbs, and the inclusion of any necessary warnings or precautions.
The resource also includes a sample set of instructions to illustrate how these elements can be utilised in practice. The instructions provide a clear and concise explanation of how to make a simple craft project, with a logical sequence of steps and the use of imperative verbs.
This resource can be used in English lessons to introduce children to the genre of instructional writing and provide guidance on creating an effective set of instructions. Teachers can utilise this resource to introduce the topic, offer guidance on how to write instructional texts, and provide examples for children to follow.
Furthermore, this resource can be used to encourage and scaffold writing across the curriculum. For instance, children can apply the knowledge and skills they have learned from creating a set of instructions to write similar pieces for other subjects, such as science or technology, by using instructional writing to explain a scientific experiment or how to use a new piece of technology.
In summary, âWriting for a Purpose: Instructionsâ is an invaluable resource that can aid children in developing their writing skills and understanding different writing genres.
âYear 5 Shared Reading - Theseus and the Minotaurâ (10 sessions) is an enriching educational resource meticulously tailored to cultivate reading proficiency among Year 5 students through collaborative exploration. Crafted to inspire comprehension, critical analysis, and group discussion, this resource features an a telling of the timeless myth of âTheseus and the Minotaur,â coupled with thought-provoking inquiries.
Central to this resource is a carefully curated excerpt from the legendary tale of âTheseus and the Minotaur,â a myth steeped in heroism and adventure. Drawing upon the rich narrative tapestry of Greek mythology, students are invited to immerse themselves in the mythical realm of ancient Greece.
Accompanying the excerpt are a series of probing questions, mapped to key reading skills, designed to ignite interactive discourse, prompting students to delve into the text, extract deeper meanings, and articulate their interpretations. Through collaborative dialogue, students not only deepen their comprehension of the myth but also hone their communication skills and logical reasoning abilities.
This resource pack for teaching fairy tales to Years 5 and 6 includes six lessons with detailed planning and resources for teachers and students.
Lesson 1: What Makes a Fairy Tale
This lesson focuses on the features of a fairy tale, such as the use of magic, good vs evil, and the presence of a moral lesson.
Lesson 2: Fairy Tale Characters
This lesson explores common character archetypes in fairy tales, such as the hero, the villain, and the magical helper.
Lesson 3: Describing Characters
Using the writing technique of âshow, donât tellâ, this lesson teaches students how to describe characters in detail.
Lesson 4: Introducing a Character
In this lesson, students will learn how to introduce a fairy tale character effectively, using the elements of setting, atmosphere, and motive.
Lesson 5: Fairy Tale Lands
This lesson focuses on creating a vibrant fairy tale world with multiple settings, such as enchanted forests, castles, and markets.
Lesson 6: Authorâs Choice - Describing a Setting
The final lesson explores the importance of an authorâs choice of language in describing a setting.
The pack includes 6 lesson plans, visual aids, templates, and task resources.
This resource pack provides a comprehensive and engaging way to teach fairy tales to Years 5 and 6, with a range of exciting and stimulating tasks to keep students engaged and inspired.
Enhance your studentsâ reading comprehension and skills with the âRead it!â resource pack. Each "Read it! provides a carefully curated text that will keep your students hooked and wanting more, with accompanying questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and build comprehension skills.
âRead it!â is perfect for differentiating instruction and is specifically tailored for both Lower and Upper Key Stage 2. This means that you can easily match the reading and comprehension level of each student to the appropriate text and questions.
This particular pack focuses on the iconic character of Rubeus Hagrid. Through the engaging text, students will explore the background and characteristics of this beloved character, and the accompanying questions will test their comprehension and analytical skills.
With âRead it!â, you can expect to see an improvement in your studentsâ reading skills, critical thinking, and overall engagement with reading.
âWriting for a Purpose: Science Fictionâ is a meticulously crafted educational resource designed to help Key Stage 2+ children grasp the essential elements and objectives of crafting captivating science fiction narratives.
This resource provides a detailed explanation of science fiction and its core features. Science fiction is a genre of writing that transports readers to imaginative worlds filled with futuristic technology, aliens, and extraordinary adventures. Key components of this genre include speculative science, vivid storytelling, and imaginative world-building.
Included in this resource is a sample science fiction story to illustrate how these elements can be effectively employed. The story features fantastical technologies, otherworldly beings, and thrilling escapades to engage readers and ignite their curiosity about the possibilities of the future.
Designed for integration into English lessons, this resource introduces children to the captivating world of science fiction, offering guidance on how to envision futuristic scenarios, create imaginative technologies, and craft compelling narratives. Teachers can utilize this resource to spark discussions on the unique characteristics of science fiction, provide tips on world-building techniques, and present examples to inspire children in their creative endeavors.
Furthermore, âWriting for a Purpose: Science Fictionâ serves as a versatile tool for promoting cross-curricular learning. Children can apply the skills and knowledge gained from writing science fiction to other subjects, such as science, technology, or astronomy, by exploring speculative concepts and contemplating the wonders of the universe.
In summary, âWriting for a Purpose: Science Fictionâ is an invaluable resource that aids children in developing their writing skills and understanding the boundless possibilities of storytelling in exploring scientific concepts and imagining the future through the captivating lens of fiction.
The âFact or Opinionâ activity is an engaging and educational downloadable resource designed for Key Stage 2+ (KS2+) children. This activity aims to enhance critical thinking and discussion skills by helping children distinguish between factual statements and opinions. Itâs an excellent tool to support English lessons, particularly in developing writing and argumentative skills.
Children will explore three sets of statements covering contemporary and relatable topics: CCTV, school uniforms, and social media. Each set contains a mixture of facts and opinions, carefully curated to stimulate thoughtful discussion and analysis.
The activity can be used as a group discussion task or as a individual paper task to assess understanding.
During the activity, children discuss each statement and place it on a âfact to opinionâ line, deciding together at which end it best fits or are there elements of both to the statement? This process generates great discussions about what makes a statement a fact or an opinion, helping students to understand the difference. The activity can be used to support various types of English work, particularly in writing arguments and developing persuasive writing skills.
Writing for a Purpose: Script Writing is an educational resource carefully designed to help Key Stage 2 children understand the key features and aims of writing a successful script.
This resource provides a clear explanation of what a script is and the important elements it includes. A script is a type of writing created to be performed, telling a story through charactersâ dialogue, stage directions, and scene settings. Key components include organising dialogue clearly, using character names and stage directions effectively, and structuring scenes to guide performance.
The resource also includes a sample script to demonstrate how these features are put into action. The example highlights how to write lively dialogue, set the scene with stage directions, and present the script in a way that is easy for actors to follow.
Designed for use in English lessons, this resource introduces children to the creative and purposeful world of script writing. It supports teachers in leading discussions about what makes scripts different from stories, offers tips on writing convincing dialogue, and provides examples to inspire pupilsâ own imaginative scripts.
In addition, this resource encourages cross-curricular learning opportunities. Children can use their script writing skills in subjects like history, by scripting historical events, or science, by creating informative plays or news reports on scientific discoveries.
In summary, Writing for a Purpose: Script Writing is a valuable tool that helps children build their writing skills, understand the structure of scripts, and enjoy the exciting challenge of writing for performance.
Writing for a Purpose: Mini-Saga is an educational resource carefully designed to support Key Stage 2 children in understanding the essential features and aims of creating an engaging mini-saga.
This resource provides a clear explanation of mini-sagas and their main features. A mini-saga is a unique form of storytelling that conveys a complete story in an exact word count (Usually 50 words, though can be 100 or 200 words). Key elements of this style include a clear structure (beginning, middle, and end), powerful word choices, a strong central idea, and often a surprising twist.
The resource also includes a sample mini-saga to demonstrate how these features can be used effectively. The example showcases how writers can craft vivid characters, set up action, and deliver an impactful ending â all within a strict word limit.
Designed for use in English lessons, this resource introduces children to the exciting world of mini-sagas, offering guidance on planning, editing, and refining short stories. Teachers can use the resource to spark discussions on creative language use, storytelling techniques, and the importance of careful word selection.
Additionally, this resource promotes cross-curricular creativity. Children can apply their mini-saga writing skills across subjects like history, science, or geography by crafting short, imaginative stories based on different topics.
In summary, Writing for a Purpose: Mini-Saga is a valuable tool for helping children develop their creative writing skills, learn the art of concise storytelling, and explore a unique and rewarding form of narrative writing.
âWriting for a Purpose: Picture Bookâ is an educational resource carefully designed to support Key Stage 2 children in understanding the essential elements and aims of creating an engaging picture book.
This resource offers a clear explanation of picture books and their key features. A picture book is a form of storytelling that combines words and illustrations to entertain, inform, or inspire readers. The main components of this type of writing include a clear and simple storyline, memorable characters, rhythmic or playful language, and vivid illustrations that work alongside the text.
The resource also includes a sample picture book to demonstrate how these elements can be successfully combined. The sample shows how concise writing, imaginative illustrations, and thoughtful structure create a rich and enjoyable reading experience for young audiences.
Designed for use in English lessons, this resource introduces children to the creative world of picture books, offering advice on crafting effective stories, developing characters, and working with images to enhance the narrative. Teachers can use this resource to guide discussions on the special qualities of picture books, share tips on writing with rhythm and voice, and inspire children to create their own imaginative works.
In addition, this resource serves as a flexible tool for encouraging cross-curricular learning. Children can apply the storytelling skills they develop to subjects such as art, drama, and PSHE, building confidence in expressing ideas across different formats and topics.
In summary, âWriting for a Purpose: Picture Bookâ is a valuable resource that helps children develop their writing and creative skills, deepening their understanding of how stories and illustrations work together to create meaningful and memorable experiences for readers.
âWriting for a Purpose: Exploring Fiction Genresâ is a comprehensive learning resource designed to assist Key Stage 2+ students in understanding and mastering 11 forms of writing. This resource covers a range of genres, including Historical Fiction, Comics, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Myths and Legends, Mini-Sagas, Picture Books, War Stories, Issue and Dilemma Stories, Cultural Stories and Science-Fiction.
The resource provides an in-depth exploration of each genre, highlighting their key features and attributes with examples and exemplars provided to help students understand how to construct effective pieces of writing.
Teachers can use this resource to introduce each genre, provide guidance on how to create effective pieces of writing, and offer examples for students to follow. The resource is ideal for use in English lessons, but can also be applied to other subjects to encourage and scaffold writing.
Overall, âWriting for a Purpose: Exploring Fiction Genresâ is an invaluable resource for students looking to improve their writing skills and understand different forms of writing.
Enhance your studentsâ reading comprehension and skills with the âRead it!â resource pack. Each "Read it! provides a carefully curated text that will keep your students hooked and wanting more, with accompanying questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and build comprehension skills.
âRead it! The Aquavengersâ is specifically tailored for Year 4 and focuses on a superhero team who use the water cycle to save their city. Through the engaging text, students will explore and learn about the water cycle, and the accompanying questions will test their comprehension and analytical skills.
With âRead it!â, you can expect to see an improvement in your studentsâ reading skills, critical thinking, and overall engagement with reading and well as helping grasp a clear understanding of the water cycle.
Enhance your studentsâ reading comprehension and skills with the âRead it!â resource pack. Each "Read it! provides a carefully curated text that will keep your students hooked and wanting more, with accompanying questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and build comprehension skills.
âRead it! Digestive Discoveryâ is specifically tailored for Year 4 and focuses on Professor Crankpotâs adventure as he shrinks down and enters the digestive system. Through the engaging text, students will explore and learn about the digestie system, and the accompanying questions will test their comprehension and analytical skills.
With âRead it!â, you can expect to see an improvement in your studentsâ reading skills, critical thinking, and overall engagement with reading and well as helping grasp a clear understanding of the digestive system.
Enhance your studentsâ reading comprehension and skills with the âRead it!â resource pack. Each "Read it! provides a carefully curated text that will keep your students hooked and wanting more, with accompanying questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and build comprehension skills.
âRead it! Digestive Discoveryâ is specifically tailored for Year 4 and focuses on three friends who travel to a fantasy world where the âMatter Monstersâ live. Through the engaging text, students will explore and learn about states of matter, and the accompanying questions will test their comprehension and analytical skills.
With âRead it!â, you can expect to see an improvement in your studentsâ reading skills, critical thinking, and overall engagement with reading and well as helping grasp a clear understanding of states of matter.
This spelling resource set is designed for Year 5 students to support them in learning and remembering spelling patterns and rules. It includes five visual prompts for different spelling patterns, each with a clear and colourful representation. The âoughâ words prompt helps children with words containing the âoughâ sound, âpluralsâ prompt helps with forming plurals of different words, âsilent lettersâ prompt helps with words containing silent letters, âhomophonesâ prompt helps children to differentiate between words with similar sounds but different meanings, and âable/ibleâ words prompt helps with words that end in âableâ or âibleâ. These visual prompts can be used around the classroom or as an individual prompt to support children in remembering and practicing their spelling patterns and rules.
The âSpelling Strategiesâ resource is an essential tool for Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers to support children in remembering spelling strategies. It includes 7 visual prompts that use clear and colourful representations of the strategy icons, making it easy for children to remember and recall the strategies. The prompts can be displayed around the classroom or used as individual reminders during spelling activities. This resources include an explanation for the use of each strategy.
âReading Skillsâ - a visual aid resource designed to help Key Stage 2 students identify and develop fundamental reading skills.
This resource uses colourful, clear icons and concise colour-coded explanations to teach students about essential reading skills, such as predicting, summarising, inferring, questioning, and visualising. With easy-to-understand visuals, âReading Skillsâ encourages students to apply these skills to their reading, helping them become more confident and effective readers.
Whether you are a teacher looking to enhance your reading instruction or a parent who wants to support their childâs reading development, âReading Skillsâ is the perfect resource for you.
Can be printed at a variety of sizes to use as display or individual visual aids.
The âHow do we⊠Write?â visual resource is designed for students to support them in the writing process. It includes five clear steps with concise guidance on what to do. The first step is to âUnderstandâ the task or assignment, followed by âPlanâ, âWriteâ, âEditâ, and âFeedbackâ. Each step is accompanied by a clear and colourful visual representation to help students understand and remember the writing process. This resource can be used in a variety of subjects and contexts to support students in developing their writing skills and becoming more confident and independent writers.
Enhance your studentsâ reading comprehension and skills with the âRead it!â resource pack. Each "Read it! provides a carefully curated text that will keep your students hooked and wanting more, with accompanying questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and build comprehension skills.
âRead it!â is perfect for differentiating instruction and is specifically tailored for both Lower and Upper Key Stage 2. This means that you can easily match the reading and comprehension level of each student to the appropriate text and questions.
This particular pack focuses on the iconic character of Professor McGonagall. Through the engaging text, students will explore the background and characteristics of this beloved character, and the accompanying questions will test their comprehension and analytical skills.
With âRead it!â, you can expect to see an improvement in your studentsâ reading skills, critical thinking, and overall engagement with reading.