Invasion? - Upper KS2 Reading Detective Series (pdf)
This resource includes an original story with a wide range of SATs-type questions. It also includes a non-fiction section that covers famous UFO sightings. Again, a wide range of SATs-type questions are included. A separate answer pack is included.
Pupils should find this an enagaging and enjoyable way to prepare for KS2 SATs.
Teachers - Try This Step-By-Step Guide to Bloomâs Taxonomy
This review by a.i. also serves as an excellent description of this resource.
I give this resource 5 out of 5 stars for its accessibility and practicality for teachers new to Bloomâs Taxonomy.
If youâre looking for an easy way to start using Bloomâs Taxonomy to boost critical thinking in your lessons, I highly recommend checking out the resource âScaffolding Skills for Teachers and Pupils.â
I know learning a new teaching framework can feel overwhelming at first. But this resource breaks down Bloomâs Taxonomy in a very teacher-friendly format. It walks you step-by-step through each level of the taxonomy, using summary of the Magna Carta to model sample questions.
There are so many things I like about how this resource introduces Bloomâs Taxonomy:
The explanations of each thinking skill are simple yet insightful. As someone new to Bloomâs, I appreciated how it brought clarity to the definitions.
The variety of sample question stems per level helps put the theory into practice. You can reference these when creating your own questions.
It encourages interactivity by having you write your own questions. This further cements understanding.
The full modelling with the text extract is so useful. Itâs a template for how to apply Bloomâs Taxonomy levels to any document in your subject.
There is a ready-made student handout to use instantly in lessons. No extra prep needed!
Also, the research evidence on using Bloomâs Taxonomy in secondary classrooms inspires confidence that the approach boosts higher-order thinking.
This resource enables teachers to easily integrate more taxonomy-aligned activities into their teaching.
The Solar System KS2 Spelling Script
Spell & Learn is a new concept that offers the chance to practise spelling and to learn another topic at the SAME TIME.
It provides a spelling test in the format of an actual SATs script but instead of random sentences with the word to be spelled we have created a coherent narrative of a topic - in this case the chosen topic is the Solar System. However, we have not included Solar System specific vocabulary but based the spelling test on National Curriculum spelling guidance.
The level of difficulty of the actual SATs spelling test is approximately 7.5. The level of difficulty of this test is 7.3 (so it is slightly easier).
Micro-Lesson 1: KS2 SATs Prep â The Babylonians
Prepare your pupils for KS2 SATs with this engaging and accessible resource on the ancient Babylonians. Designed to develop reading comprehension skills, this resource provides structured activities that help pupils extract key information, interpret historical content, and answer SATs-style questions with confidence.
Pupils will:
⢠Practise retrieval and inference skills with clearly structured questions
⢠Build metacognitive strategies to improve independent learning
⢠Learn about the Babyloniansâ contributions to astronomy and timekeeping
With a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and deeper reasoning questions, this resource ensures pupils of all ability levels can develop their comprehension skills. Perfect for whole-class use, intervention groups, or independent study, this resource saves you planning time while reinforcing essential exam techniques.
Boost engagement, develop critical thinking, and prepare pupils for success in their SATs - all through the fascinating lens of ancient history!
The Water Cycle - KS2 Spelling Script
Spell & Learn is a new concept that offers the chance to practise spelling and to learn another topic at the SAME TIME.
It provides a spelling test in the format of an actual SATs script but instead of random sentences with the word to be spelled we have created a coherent narrative of a topic - in this case the chosen science topic is the Water Cycle. However, we have not included science specific vocabulary but based the spelling test on National Curriculum spelling guidance.
The level of difficulty of the actual SATs spelling test is approximately 7.5. The level of difficulty of this test is 7.1 (so it is slightly easier).
Engage Your Pupils with this Dynamic Iron Age Towns Resource
Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce your pupils to Iron Age towns, including the fascinating history of Silchester? This comprehensive resource is perfect for KS2 pupils studying Roman Britain and the transition from the Iron Age.
What makes this resource so useful?
Clearly structured for classroom use: The resource is organized into teaching units, pupil activities, and homework, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your lessons.
Rich historical content: The teaching unit provides detailed background on Iron Age life, from daily routines in roundhouse settlements to the advanced town planning seen in Silchester. Students will explore how these settlements laid the groundwork for Roman towns.
Interactive activities: Pupil activities, including speech bubble prompts and critical thinking questions, encourage pupils to connect with the material and develop their understanding of Iron Age innovations.
Homework with a twist: Assignments allow pupils to design their own towns and compare features of Iron Age and Roman life, fostering creativity and comprehension.
Why this resource has been rated 5 stars:
Content â â â â â : Provides extensive and accurate historical context, connecting Iron Age life to Roman developments.
Organization â â â â â : Well-structured sections make it easy to teach, assign, and adapt to your needs.
Engagement â â â â â : Activities encourage curiosity and critical thinking while highlighting the achievements of early Britons.
Adaptability â â â â â : Perfect for classroom, homework, or independent use with print-friendly materials.
With its compelling historical narrative, engaging activities, and comprehensive structure, this 5-star resource has everything you need to inspire your pupils. Donât miss outâdownload it today!
Resource Description (11 pages)
Engage your upper Key Stage 2 students with a fascinating exploration of how the seven days of the week got their names. This literacy resource blends history, mythology, and astronomy to uncover the ancient stories behind the names of the days. Through engaging facts, cool trivia, and activities, students will discover the influences of Babylonian sky-watchers, Hebrew traditions, Roman gods, and Norse mythology.
The resource includes:
Easy-to-read sections for independent and collaborative work.
A variety of questions and challenges that promote critical thinking and discussion.
A detailed comparison of day names across cultures and languages.
This resource is perfect for developing literacy skills while connecting students to the cultural and historical roots of everyday terms.
This resource, âThe Hare and The Tortoise,â provides a soft introduction to metacognition through a familiar fable, making it accessible for young learners. The story illustrates how thinking about oneâs own thinkingâmetacognitionâcan be more effective than relying on raw ability alone.
In the story, Shelly the tortoise wins the race by using metacognitive strategies: planning, monitoring, and adjusting his approach. In contrast, Swifty the hare, despite his speed, fails because he doesnât reflect on his actions. The story highlights that metacognitive skills like self-awareness and reflection can lead to better outcomes, both in races and in everyday tasks.
The resource includes reflective questions that guide pupils to think about the story and their own learning behaviours. For example, pupils are asked how Shellyâs planning helped him succeed, how they might plan ahead in their own tasks, and how they could apply metacognition to activities like homework.
This approachable and engaging resource helps teachers introduce the concept of metacognition in a way that encourages pupils to consider how they can think about their own learning processes and apply these strategies to improve performance.
Teacherâs comment:
âThe fable used here is perfect. Itâs both familiar to the pupil and accurate in how metacognition is presented. It immediately conveys to the student the benefits of metacognition in a fun and interesting way. It reinforces the message to the pupil that it is their approach to learning, rather than their ability, that makes the difference.â
Pupilâs (aged 11) comment:
âI really like this. I like the story and how Shelley used their thinking skills to win the race. Itâs very inspirational.â
Engage Your Students with this Dynamic Boudica Resource
Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce your students to Boudica, the Celtic queen who led a revolt against Roman rule in ancient Britain? This comprehensive resource on Boudica is perfect for KS2 students studying the Romans.
What makes this resource so useful?
Itâs clearly organized into teaching units, student activities, and homework, making it simple to implement in your classroom.
The teaching units provide key background context on Boudica, the Iceni tribe she ruled, and the tensions with Rome that sparked her rebellion. This context helps students understand what motivated Boudica.
The student activities allow students to immediately apply what they learned. Multiple choice and short answer questions let students showcase their understanding.
Two homework assignments encourage students to practice using new vocabulary and writing skills. You can easily assign these for homework or independent practice.
Beyond the excellent content, the resource is formatted in an easy-to-use document. You can print or photocopy pages to distribute in class. No prep work needed!
If you want to go beyond the textbook and deliver an interactive Boudica lesson, this resource has everything you need. The historical narrative and comprehension questions will get your students excited about this courageous woman warrior who stood up to Romeâs might. Download this engaging resource today!
Based on the comprehensive nature of this Boudica resource, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Hereâs a summary of why it deserves full marks:
This complete Boudica learning resource deserves a full 5-star rating. It excels in every category:
Content â â â â â - The teaching units provide extensive historical context while the activities and homework cement student understanding.
Organization â â â â â - Well-structured into clear sections, it can be used as-is or tailored to your lessons.
Engagement â â â â â - The compelling story of Boudicaâs rebellion will enthral students. Activities allow active demonstration of knowledge.
Adaptability â â â â â - Easy to print/photocopy and usable across various primary levels studying ancient Rome.
Value â â â â â - With both lesson and assessments included, this comprehensive resource is a steal.
With intriguing primary source content, useful annotations for instruction, and opportunities for students to apply critical thinking, this 5-star resource has everything you need for dynamic Boudica lessons. It will make both teaching and learning about the Celtic warrior queen Boudica engaging and enjoyable.
A review of this resource (which also serves as a useful description)
I recently came across an amazing Bloomâs Taxonomy resource that I believe could be an absolute game-changer for any teacher. Itâs called âBloomâs Taxonomy Meets Five Children & Itâ and it provides a clear, step-by-step guide to implementing Bloomâs in your classroom using the beloved childrenâs story.
I would give this Bloomâs Taxonomy resource a 5 out of 5 star rating. It is an absolutely stellar teaching tool that provides immense value.
This resource is ingeniously designed to elucidate the Bloomâs framework AND develop teacher competency in applying it through guided practice. The ability to move from theory to application is a game changer.
Unlocking higher order thinking abilities in students is essential in todayâs world. This Bloomâs resource allows you to do exactly that - in a simple, hands-on way. I could not recommend it more strongly to any teacher looking to maximize their studentsâ potential.
Hereâs why this resource is so powerful:
Demystifies Bloomâs - It breaks down the often confusing Bloomâs levels into simple, easy-to-grasp explanations that make the framework crystal clear.
Models the Full Process - You receive a complete walk-through of Bloomâs Taxonomy applied to the story, from basic remembering questions up to higher order creative questions.
Builds Understanding - The explanations reinforce the core distinctions between question types, helping you deeply comprehend the taxonomy.
Develops Teacher Skills - You are actively involved in writing your own questions for each level, scaffolding your ability to formulate taxonomy-aligned activities.
Ready-to-Use Student Resource - A student handout is included allowing you to immediately have pupils work with the story and Bloomâs questions.
This resource stands out for making a framework that is often vague and theoretical into something concrete and actionable for teachers. Breaking down barriers to classroom application is hugely important.
The guided explanations paired with opportunities to create aligned questions yourself scaffolds the learning process, building confidence in using Bloomâs Taxonomy. Being able to immediately have students try a Bloom Taxonomy activity further cements this.
For its clarity, methodical training approach, reinforced connections, and classroom integration, I believe this resource merits 5 shining stars. It empowers teachers to turn Bloomâs Taxonomy from an abstract concept into a powerful teaching strategy.
The result is substantial gains in critical thinking and higher order skills among students. When you consider the immense educational benefits unlocked, the resource delivers absolutely top-tier value worthy of the highest recommendations. 5 stars all the way!
The best way to understand the power of this resource is to try it out yourself! You and your students will quickly see the many benefits.
KS1 Introducing Connectives Literacy Booster Pack
This resource is a comprehensive literacy booster designed for Key Stage 1 pupils to introduce and practice the use of connectives in sentence construction. It is aimed at helping pupils progress from writing simple, short sentences to forming more complex, cohesive, and interesting sentences using connectives.
Key Features and Items of Value:
Learning Objectives: Pupils will identify and use simple connectives such as and, but, so, because, and if to combine short sentences effectively.
Step-by-Step Exercises: The resource begins with basic exercises using and to join sentences and progresses to more varied and challenging connectives like but, so, and because, ensuring gradual learning and comprehension.
Practical Sentence Rewriting Tasks: Pupils practice rewriting sentences both by joining shorter ones and breaking down longer sentences into simpler forms, which reinforces their understanding of structure and usage.
Application in Own Writing: Opportunities for pupils to create sentences using specific connectives, fostering their ability to apply knowledge in their writing.
Illustrative Examples: Clear, contextual examples and passages that demonstrate how different connectives can transform writing.
Assessment and Reflection: Exercises where pupils can identify correct and incorrect usage, enhancing their editing and critical thinking skills.
The resource ensures pupils not only learn the mechanics of using connectives but also understand their importance in making writing more engaging. By using this workbook, teachers can guide pupils through structured practice and offer varied activities that build confidence and skills in sentence construction. The exercises can be seamlessly integrated into lessons and provide a valuable reference for pupils as they develop their writing capabilities.
Fractions Jigsaw Practice for Upper KS2
This resource offers a comprehensive set of SATs-style questions on fractions, tailored specifically for Year 6 pupils. Designed with collaborative learning in mind, pupils work in âJigsaw groupsâ of four to solve fraction problems, promoting teamwork and peer-to-peer support.
The resource covers key areas of the KS2 Maths curriculum, focusing on fractions, percentages, and problem-solving. Pupils will engage with a wide variety of tasks, including:
Converting fractions to percentages and vice versa.
Identifying fractional parts of sets and logos.
Solving real-world fraction problems, such as calculating the fraction of a class using iPads.
Performing operations with fractions, including addition and finding fractions of numbers.
Each set of questions is organised to help pupils strengthen their understanding of fractions through practical and visual problems. This resource not only reinforces core concepts but also prepares pupils for the SATs exams by giving them practice with question formats they are likely to encounter.
Key Features:
SATs-Type Questions: Familiarise pupils with SATs-style questions focused on fractions, ensuring they are well-prepared for end-of-year assessments.
Collaborative Learning: Designed for use in Jigsaw groups, encouraging pupils to learn from one another in a structured yet flexible environment.
Comprehensive Coverage: Covers a wide range of fraction-related skills, from simple operations to more complex reasoning problems.
Evidence-Based: Built on research-based learning strategies that support deeper understanding and retention.
This is an essential resource for Year 6 teachers looking to provide engaging, collaborative, and curriculum-aligned practice in fractions, ensuring pupils are confident and ready for their SATs tests.
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupilsâ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination