Thanks to the wonderful teachers from around the world who have chosen my resources. I care passionately about quality and value and want you to fill your teaching āshelfā with confidence, saving precious time. Hopefully they wonāt be staying on the shelf for long as youāll use them again and again! Iām a Primary Teacher and published writer with an English degree and French A-level. My resources are mostly Primary but some suit Secondary classes too. I hope your students enjoy using them.
Thanks to the wonderful teachers from around the world who have chosen my resources. I care passionately about quality and value and want you to fill your teaching āshelfā with confidence, saving precious time. Hopefully they wonāt be staying on the shelf for long as youāll use them again and again! Iām a Primary Teacher and published writer with an English degree and French A-level. My resources are mostly Primary but some suit Secondary classes too. I hope your students enjoy using them.
6 upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents), reading comprehensions with informational texts, other close reading tasks, grammar, punctuation, and writing activities, plus fun puzzles, perfect for January and the New Year. This BUNDLE includes differentiated packs on New Yearās Resolutions, Epiphany or Three Kings Day, MLK Day / Martin Luther King Day, World Braille Day / Louis Braille, Robert Burns / Burns Night, and Chinese New Year.
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Contains over 120 pages, including 6 nonfiction reading comprehensions (all at 2 levels of difficulty), 6 cloze procedure tasks using the same texts (all at 2 levels) and each of the six packs has at least 2 additional tasks linked to each pack, some of which are also differentiated. Also contains all answer keys.
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These packs provide Literacy or English activities based around short non-fiction texts with a link to the month. Each pack contains 4 or 5 printable activities in non-editable PDF format. Please check the previews to assess suitability for your students. In addition to the UK versions, US spelling and grammar versions are also included where relevant, meaning they can be used in most English-speaking countries. The majority of tasks are provided at two levels of challenge, therefore they will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
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This BUNDLE provides a big discount so that you can pick and choose which texts and activities you wish to use and still make a saving. Youāll be able to use them again and again, starting each new year with plenty of relevant and meaningful Literacy and English tasks. The 6 packs are also available separately if you prefer:
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New Yearās Resolutions
Louis Braille / World Braille Day (January 4)
Epiphany / Three Kings Day (January 6)
Martin Luther King / MLK Day (January 15 in 2024)
[Robert Burns / Burns Night](/teaching-resource/resource-11811174 (January 25)
Chinese New Year (included in the January BUNDLE as it varies each year from January 21 to February 20 - in 2024, it is February 10)
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I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packs to provide a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year, though of course you can use them whenever you want. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those busy times when you need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute!
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Please click on the links to see the individual resources in this bundle, to assess suitability for your students. You will find detailed information and previews for all of them. Many thanks.
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Chinese New Year 2024 is celebrated on February 10 (Year of the Dragon) but the earliest the festival, also known as Spring Festival, can fall is January 21. Here are differentiated nonfiction informational text reading passages with comprehension questions, cloze procedure tasks, vocabulary grid puzzles, and direct speech worksheets, designed for upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents). Also available in this money-saving January Reading Comprehensions BUNDLE.
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These Chinese New Year themed close reading tasks, puzzles and grammar worksheets are in a printable non-editable PDF file with over 20 pages. UK and US spelling versions are included in separate files within the Zip file to cater for both. All activities are provided at 2 levels of challenge, so will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
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I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packets to provide a variety of interesting and relevant texts and related activities, a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each pack is linked to a particular month but of course you can use them whenever you want! Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those busy times when you just need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute!
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CONTENTS:
Reading passage (2 levels of difficulty)
Cloze procedure task (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Comprehension questions (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Vocabulary grid puzzle (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage, student will work on extending vocabulary, while practicing spelling and working on parts of speech knowledge.
Direct speech / punctuating dialogue with speech marks worksheet (2 levels of difficulty) ā students punctuate a short passage (more challenging version) or sentences (easier version) of dialogue, that has a link to Chinese New Year. The more challenging version requires students to take a new line for each change of speaker, as well as putting in quotation marks / speech marks etc.
Full answer keys
Teacher notes
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Winter Creative Writing Story Prompts
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jrās important contributions to civil rights during Black History Month or on Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) in January with these DIFFERENTIATED non-fiction reading passages / informational texts with comprehension questions, cloze procedure tasks, vocabulary grid puzzle and homophones worksheet (there, their, theyāre). These resources are designed for upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents). These Martin Luther King themed close reading tasks and other ELA activities are in a printable non-editable PDF file with over 20 pages. Both UK and US spelling / grammar versions of all resources are included within the Zip file. Also available in this money-saving January Reading Comprehensions BUNDLE.
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All activities are provided at 2 levels of challenge, so will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
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I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packets to provide a variety of interesting and relevant texts and related activities, a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each pack is linked to a particular month but of course you can use them whenever you want! Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those busy times when you just need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute!
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CONTENTS:
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Reading passage (2 levels of difficulty)
Cloze procedure task (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Comprehension questions (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Vocabulary grid puzzle (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage, student will work on extending vocabulary, while practicing spelling and working on parts of speech knowledge.
Homophones worksheet ā there, their, theyāre (2 levels of difficulty) ā practice these commonly confused words, while also learning important things about
MLK and the obstacles he faced.
Full answer keys
Teacher notes
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Winter Creative Writing Story Prompts
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For New Year 2024 and back to school after the Christmas holidays, here is a differentiated January nonfiction passage / informational text reading comprehension, cloze procedure task, and fun puzzles, designed for upper Primary (Upper KS2 - Years 5 and 6 and equivalents) or early Secondary (KS3 - Year 7 and equivalents). These New Years themed close reading tasks and fun activities are in a printable non-editable PDF file with 20 pages. An additional US spelling / grammar version is included in the Zip file with a small number of amendments to the UK version. Also available in this money-saving**January Reading Comprehensions BUNDLE**.
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Most activities are provided at two levels of challenge, therefore they will suit a range of year groups and provide appropriate levels of challenge for different abilities within many classes.
Ā
I am designing these non-fiction comprehension and activities packets to provide a variety of interesting and relevant texts and related activities, a time-saving bank of flexible themed tasks linked to dates throughout the year. They feature specially written very short texts (about 250 - 300 words). Each pack is linked to a particular month but of course you can use them whenever you want! Each provides comprehension questions, a cloze procedure task and other linked tasks. The other tasks are on aspects of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, writing or reading (this varies across the different packs). Build all activities into your Literacy or English programme, or use for cover lessons, homework, early finisher tasks or for those times when everything goes crazy and you just need something low-prep, meaningful, relevant and engaging at the last minute! I hope you enjoy using them.
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CONTENTS:
Reading passage (2 levels of difficulty)
Cloze procedure task (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Comprehension questions (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Vocabulary grid puzzle (2 levels of difficulty) ā using same passage
Proofreading puzzle
Full answer keys
Teacher notes
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Complex Sentences Activity Cards
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Full Stops and Capital Letters Cards
Improving Sentences Writing Worksheets
Winter Stories Creative Writing Story Prompts
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6 fun games and activities, including speaking, listening and reading activities for a Les Ćmotions et Les Sentiments / Feelings in French unit, where students will practise 30 possible answers to āComment te sens-tu?ā (āHow are you feeling?ā / āHow do you feel?ā), mostly using ĆŖtre (with an adjective - masculine and feminine versions are covered) or avoir. Includes negative and positive emotions and conditions such as being cold, hot, hungry and thirsty. Vocabulary support pages and full instructions are included. PDF format.
My FSL / MFL French basics resources and units suit students beginning French, near beginners (and intermediate learners for revision) in:
Upper Primary (Key Stage 2 KS2) - Year 4, 5, 6 (Y4 Y5 Y6)
Secondary (Key Stage 3 KS3) - especially Year 7 and 8 (Y7 / Y8)
Equivalents such as Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Core French in Canada
May suit others, depending on experience
Buy in this French Emotions BUNDLE, along with
[French Emotions Worksheets and Puzzles](French Emotions and Feelings Worksheets and Puzzles
[French Emotions Presentation](French Emotions and Feelings Presentation and Flashcards
INCLUDED:
Vocab support pages to display / print if required: 3 pages of word mats with photos, covering all 30 key phrases, a 1-page vocab list, an adjectival agreement table and a support page for ĆŖtre and avoir. All can be used as prompts for classroom speaking activities.
Sentences Board Game: Students say aloud in French the translations of the sentences they land on. Includes some first person singular sentences but also second, third and plural too. Print and laminate for repeated use. Answer key included.
4 in a Row Game: Print and laminate board. First to get four in a row - vertically, horizontally or diagonally - wins. Students roll dice, then choose an emotion from that number column and say it in French.
Loop Game: A speaking game for groups or whole class. The 30 cards form a continuous loop.
āComment te sens-tu?ā Active Oral Game: Print and laminate the cards you want to use. 36 cards in the set. Students have one card each and must move around the room, asking in French how others are feeling, aiming to meet the person with the matching card. Students reply in French, using the image on their card.
Mime Game: A team game, where students mime feelings to make their teammates guess correctly in French.
Square Jigsaw Puzzle: Students rearrange the puzzle pieces so that each French feelings phrase is placed next to the English translation. The letters on the outside edge of the big square will form a linked sentence.
Full game instructions included.
WANT MORE?:
French KS2 / KS3 MEGA BUNDLE 1
40 cards for an Upper KS2 or KS3 whole class fun Christmas in French scoot game activity or use as task cards, perhaps for early finishers or meaningful fillers at this busy time of year. Includes versions with both French and English instructions, a vocabulary support page, answer key, Pause Cards to substitute in if you donāt wish to use all of the task cards, and a recording sheet in two versions. PDF format.
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My FSL / MFL French basics resources and units suit students beginning French, near beginners (and intermediate learners for revision) in:
Upper Primary (Key Stage 2 KS2) - Year 4, 5, 6 (Y4 Y5 Y6)
Secondary (Key Stage 3 KS3) - especially Year 7 and 8 (Y7 / Y8)
Equivalents such as Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Core French in Canada
May suit others, depending on experience
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Please check the previews.
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French Christmas Bundle
French Winter and Christmas Giant Crossword Puzzle
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You can use these as ordinary task cards but a fun whole class game of Scoot works really well:
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HOW TO SET UP AND PLAY āSCOOT!ā:
Print and cut the 40 numbered cards. Thereās a set with English instructions and a set with French instructions, which you might want to use for older, more able or more experienced students. Two of the cards feature vocabulary that is different in Canada, therefore these two are repeated in a Canadian version at the end of the file.
Consider laminating cards if you wish to use again.
If playing Scoot, place or stick the cards on desks so that all students can answer one at a time.
Give students a 1-page or 2-page blank answer grid. Consider mixed ability pairs and / or supplying the Christmas vocabulary support sheet for differentiation.
Set a timer so that students have 30 seconds to sit and answer a card before scooting to the next one. All students move at the same time when the allotted time is done. You can call āScoot!ā or perhaps āAllez!ā each time. Ensure you explain to students in which direction they should move.
When students have answered all cards, mark together. An answer key is included.
Even if you donāt have 40 students, you can still use all cards if you have a big enough space to arrange them. However, if you only want the same number of cards as you have students, you can remove some of the later cards. Itās also possible to remove cards you feel might be too hard for your students.
Substitute cards you donāt wish to use with the included Pause Cards, numbering them appropriately and thus allowing students to take intermittent short brain breaks.
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MEGABUNDLES:
French KS2 / KS3 MEGA BUNDLE 1
French KS2 / KS3 MEGA BUNDLE 2
A huge differentiated French Winter / En Hiver vocabulary crossword, featuring seasonal vocabulary including Christmas / Noel related words. Itās great for cover lessons, meaningful fun fillers on busy days in the run-up to Christmas, starters or early finishers or as an extension challenge activity after a focus on winter vocabulary. Also includes winter weather, clothing, sports etc. Use this huge puzzle to review and extend vocabulary: there are 84 words. PDF format - 16 pages.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: French Christmas Bundle
You could return to this crossword over several sessions. This is low prep, great for collaboration, printable, differentiated, has an answer key, and thereās even an optional hidden sentence challenge! Best not used with absolute beginners, as itās designed to review AND expand studentsā existing vocabulary, to provide a challenge. Depending on experience and ability of students and level of support given, this can work with Key Stage 3 and 4 and beyond.
Please click on the preview file to check suitability for your students.
Fun: Giant crosswords are enjoyable to complete.
Low prep: Great for sub lessons and busy times.
Flexible: Can fill a whole lesson or more, or be completed over multiple days.
Early finishers: Great as an early finisher activity or extension, maybe to be competed over several sessions.
Collaboration: Although it can be used for individuals, itās especially good for pairs or small groups.
Differentiation: Alternative clue page and vocab support page.
Challenge: Fun hidden sentence extension!
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HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE THIS ACTIVITY:
There are 2 versions of the clue sheets ā one with just the word itself in English (to be translated into French) and an easier version with the first letter given.
Choose whether to provide the alphabetical answer list, perhaps just to support certain students, or distribute it only when students have done as much as they can independently
Consider using mixed-ability groups
Decide whether to allow access to online or traditional dictionaries, perhaps later when students have completed as much as they can independently
Consider whether to use the hidden sentence challenge version (students use a blank grid with stars printed on certain squares, and then put the letters together from the star boxes to spell out a hidden word). There are 2 versions of the recording sheet for this challenge, should you wish to use them, and separate answer keys
Early finishers could be directed to online sources to check out the pronunciation of unfamiliar words
Whatever you choose, I hope your students have as much fun completing it as I did compiling it!
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Joyeux Noƫl! 5 fun printable games and activities, including speaking, listening and reading activities for your Noƫl en FranƧais / Christmas in French unit. Students review vocabulary for 30 common terms, as well as key Christmas and New Year greetings. Vocabulary support pages and full instructions included. PDF format.
My FSL / MFL French basics resources are made for students beginning French and near beginners in upper KS2 or KS3 (Years 5, 6, 7 and 8) and equivalents but they may suit others, depending on experience. Please check the previews to assess suitability. As two of the French vocabulary terms used vary in Quebec, an additional Canada version of relevant pages is included at the end of the file. Use the other original versions for all other countries.
SAVE by purchasing this as part of a French Christmas BUNDLE which also contains:
French Christmas Presentation and Flashcards
French Christmas Worksheets and Puzzles
INCLUDED IN THIS RESOURCE:
Vocabulary pages: Key vocabulary support pages to display or print for students who require it. Includes a word mat over two pages (3 versions: with background colour, without background, and black and white), a one page vocab list of the core 30 words, and a common French Christmas Greetings support sheet. Please note that these vocab support pages are also included in my French Christmas Worksheets packet.
Four in a Row: Print and laminate the game board. First to get four in a row - vertically, horizontally or diagonally - wins. Students roll dice, then choose a word or phrase from that number column and say it in French. If correct, use a whiteboard pen to put a symbol or initial in that box.
"Jāaiā¦Qui aā¦?ā Loop Game: A speaking game for groups or the whole class. Print and laminate for repeated use. The 30 cards form a continuous loop so it doesnāt matter which one you start with.
Team Relay Game: Ideal for the whole class or can work for smaller groups too. Print and laminate the cards (double-sided ā or return to printer to print on the other side). Students take turns to locate the next card, until they have all their cards. The cards feature letters that they will rearrange at the end to spell a short French word. Answers included.
Serpents et Echelles Board Game: Print and laminate board, works like normal Chutes and Ladders / Snakes and Ladders, only with students calling out French words and phrases when they land on them. Answer key included.
School Plan Listening Game (Christmas Edition): Students are issued with a blank school plan and listen to the teacher calling out the location of Christmas items, which they must draw correctly onto the plan. Answer plans included.
Full game instructions included.