This is a set of 13 questions about fiction books which aim to prompt discussion. They could be used by groups working independently, for example as a guided reading activity, or in a book corner. They were designed with white space on the right-hand side for the children to write or draw their ideas, and if they are laminated they could then be used repeatedly. Individual sheets might initiate specific pieces of work eg pulling out favourite vocabulary before focussing on what words children might choose to improve their own writing. If you have any suggestions, or would like text specific questions please let me know. Thank you.

Three simple differentiated sheets for fiction book reviews. They have been made with Key Stage 1 in mind and I have used these to make a class book for the book corner or library where children can share their ideas about books.

Editable vocabulary on sweet wrappers for display. The words were brainstormed by my class so obviously you can use them or edit and add your own according to your class. I hope they are useful.

This is a pdf version of my printed book, Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Activity Book which is also available for sale from my website and Amazon. It is linked to (but can be used separately from) the picture book Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure. This is not a lesson resource book, but was written as a fun activity book, which could be used as homework - the contents are listed below and the interior can be seen on the attached video. I am uploading it here for easy, printable purchase, but please note the same copyright applies as if you bought the bound book. It was created so teachers could use the resources in class and this version would be easier to copy for your own use, in your class. It is a black and white book (to reduce cost and allow for colouring-in!) and includes the following pages: What did Florence Nightingale do for us? - pick the correct 5 words to complete the facts (reading/comprehension) Colouring in First Aid - 3 tips on how to treat bleeding, choking and burns Crossword Tortoise shell maze Simple letter sudoku Crutches and Bandages board game - based on snakes and ladders Florence facts - with multiple choice answers Word search Label the map - where are the countries linked to the Crimean War Instructions on how to make a lantern for Florence

This is a pdf version of my printed book,* Vlad and the First World War Activity Book *which is also available for sale from my website and Amazon. It is linked to (but can be used separately from) the picture book Vlad and the First World War. This is not a lesson resource book, but was written as a fun activity book, which could be used as homework - the contents are listed below and the attached video demonstrates some of the activities. I am uploading it here for easy, printable purchase, but please note the same copyright applies as if you bought the bound book. It was created so teachers could use the resources in class and this version would be easier to copy for your own use, in your class. It is a black and white book (to reduce cost and allow for colouring-in!) and includes the following pages: Cryptography - 3 different types of code writing to try Make a biplane - instructions on how to make a WW1 paper aircraft Make a periscopes - instructions and template to make a periscope First World War facts Wordsearch Battleships - can you complete the grid? Military Badges - information on 4 genuine cap badges to inspire designing one yourself Draw Crisp VC the carrier pigeon Trench Maze -find your way through Crossword Answers

This is a set of history plans for the topic of Ancient Egypt. They are linked to Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb picture book, and show how to use the story and facts in this in the lessons. All linked resources (powerpoints, information sheets are available to download for free on the Teacher resource section of the Reading Riddle website Further activities and plans can be found on the shop and on our YouTube channel.

This is one of the resources for the Great Fire of London topic - although any work needing to observe and collect fire words could use it. The full free planning and other linked resources are available to download on the Reading Riddle website in the Free Resources section.

With illustrations and vocabulary from the book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb this word mat is one of the resources created for the ancient Egypt topic. There are many more free resources including planning and lesson resources. The picture book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb is a many layered story that was written to engage, trigger ideas, discussion and help children visualise life for a ancient Egyptian worker. The linked resources help understand the research behind the story. More information about the books, resources and school visits can be found on the Reading Riddle website

This is a free recorded session that I made for the Wandsworth Heritage Festival 2021. I have confirmed that they intend to leave the session up so have linked it on here so it can continue to be used. In the video I compare a Tudor house, which would have been the common structure during the Great Fire of London as much of the housing stock was old and dated from that period. I discuss how houses were built, heated, lit and supplied with water. There is a demonstration of the house Sam Cunningham created especially for this event. A free template is available to download and make from the Reading Riddle website This is a great session to help children understand how very different life was around 350 years ago and how much our homes have changed since then.

This step-by-step video shows how to make an Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus or coffin from cardboard and salt dough. It can be adapted to make without the salt dough. The video is quite long but gives a detailed description of each stage and could be shown in parts at each stage of the make if preferred. It can be used as a creative part of the history topic on ancient Egypt and has been made in connection with the book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb. The book is a story about the artists who were responsible for creating the decorations and art that was discovered in the tomb and is a great starting point for generating vocabulary and thinking about the contrast between the wealth of the pharaohs and the life of ordinary Egyptians. To find out about this and other Flea in History books go to the Reading Riddle website Further planning and ideas are available on the shop and through the website. Other books include Great Fire of London, Florence Nightingale, First World War and Space.

Linked to Vlad and the First World War this is an activity to make a version of Crsip VC the carrier pigeon, that can then zoom down his own zip wire! Lot’s of possibilities to carry out an investigation such as: how fast does he travel? (and how do we measure this accurately?) does the length of the string affect his speed? does the difference in height, from start to finish, affect his speed? does the size/weight of Crisp VC affect his speed? does the type of string affect his speed? The video has step-by-step instructions on creating the mechanism. For more activities and ideas for this and the other books go to the Reading Riddle website. Vlad and the First World War introduces many of the real people caught up in the conflict, such as 2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull, Dr Phoebe Chapple, Captain Thomas Crisp, the Red Baron, the Chinese Workers Corps and the Indian Cavalry. From this children can research, write and dig deeper into a wider range of international experience. Also in the series: Vlad and the Great Fire of London, Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb, Vlad and the Space Race, Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure.

A craft activity to make a light linked to the topic of Great Fire of London and a resource by Kate Cunningham, author of Vlad and the Great Fire of London and the other Flea in History series. This video demonstrates step-by-step how to make the light. Resources needed include jar/bottle, battery operated tea light, cellophane/tissue paper, scissors, glue, pencil and ruler. Go to the Reading Riddle website for information about the other books, visits and resources. Other books include First World War, Tutankhamun, Space and Florence Nightingale.

A vocabulary sheet/word mat using images from the picture book Vlad and the Space Race. Linked free lesson plans and resources are available on the Reading Riddle website. The picture book Vlad and the Space Race is available from the Reading Riddle website, Amazon, or any bookshop. Further information about all the Vlad flea books and my schools visits is available on this website too.

Florence Nightingale demonstrates how to wash hands effectively and uses a song to remember the different stages to ensure your hands are clean. 2020 is the UN Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Handwashing is essential practice to health professionals but should also be important to all of us if we want to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs and diseases. These two films show how to clean hands well using the NHS guidelines on the different steps and a song written by Kate Cunningham to remember them. Film 1 shows why a quick rinse under the tap is not enough, followed by the song. Film 2 is the short version with just the song. Kate is the author of Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure picture book and more information about the books, visits and events can be found on the Reading Riddle website

This is a set of 5 lessons which focus on the personal testimonies of those caught up in the First World War. The activities and objectives are included on the lesson plan and there are resource sheets and a planning sheet. Children work in groups to read and re-enact stories from eye-witness accounts. They then plan and write their own accounts and read them to the class. For other free resources, information about the Vlad history stories school visits and online sessions visit the Reading Riddle website.

This is a word mat including vocabulary needed to write as part of a topic on Florence Nightingale. It uses illustrations from Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure. Look for the other planning and resources on the topic from my shop on TES or on the Reading Riddle website Check out the website for information on the books, author visits and links to other resources.

This is a lesson plan linked to the Florence Nightingale plan but can be used as a stand-alone lesson. The objectives of this lesson are for children to learn a first aid skill and to be able to write instructions on this skill. For further free resources see my TES shop or the Reading Riddle website There is also further information on the other Vlad books and author visits on the Reading Riddle website.

This lesson can be used in connection with the larger Florence Nightingale plan or as a stand alone lesson. Create a poster persuading people to wash their hands properly. Linked to the science investigation on hygiene the aim of this lesson is to produce text for a poster. For other free lesson plans and resources see my TES shop or the Reading Riddle website The website also includes information on the books and author visits.

This planning has the resources and links needed to write a newspaper article about what Dr Phoebe Chapple did to be awarded the Military Medal during the First World War. It would work well with the story book Vlad and the First World War - but does stand alone. Dr Phoebe Chapple was an Australian doctor who paid to travel to England and join the medics serving in the First World War. She was awarded a Military Medal after putting herself in danger during an attack on a medical centre on the Western Front. She survived and returned to Australia after the war. Read about her and other inspirational people from a wide range of backgrounds in Vlad and the First World War, which includes a fact file about the real people included in the story. For information about school visits go to the Reading Riddle website.

These resources support a set of lessons on purposeful persuasive letter writing (KS2). Based on research I did to write Vlad and the First World War, they focus on Walter Tull and Phoebe Chapple. Both could have been awarded the Military Cross, but prevailing attitudes discriminated against them. The lessons support writing a letter to persuade the Ministry of Defence to award them posthumously. It includes a set of lesson plans linked to the literacy curriculum, templates for making notes and crib sheets if you want to focus on the letter writing rather than note taking. There are website links for research and 2 videos summarising their lives. Government offices respond to letters so if sent will receive a letter back. Further resources are available on the Reading Riddle website along with information on my books and school visits.