Exploration and Encounters was developed with the busy teacher in mind and to meet the differentiating needs of individual pupils within the classroom. The pack is divided into twelve units that cover a world history study of the Aztecs, Cortés and Christopher Columbus. Pupils can either work through all the worksheets or teachers can match specific worksheets from each unit to the pupils’ abilities.

Each unit can be taught weekly within the allocated history session and there are suggestions for cross-curricular links. Extension ideas, suggestions for display and resources have also been included in the teacher’s notes.

The photocopiable worksheets are ideal for developing the pupil’s historical vocabulary and communication skills as well as encouraging their curiosity in history. They promote imagination, creativity and thought whilst investigating historical sources to gain an in depth insight of the Aztec civilisation and the reasons for their rise and fall.

Pupils have the opportunity to learn about the past in the wider world and investigate how the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways and the reasons why people explore. The worksheets present complex historical concepts in an enjoyable and meaningful way using a variety of teaching styles and learning approaches. The pupils can evaluate the evidence to draw their own conclusions. Answer sheets have been provided so there are options for pupils to self-mark or teachers can delegate marking to a classroom assistant if required.
 

The Essential Literacy Skills book contains self-explanatory worksheets matched to the KS2 Literacy strategy. This resource can be used by non-specialists and will provide instant cover lessons and stimuli for developing a wide range of important literacy and grammar skills. A full set of answers has been provided.

A similar pack has also been written and published by ZigZag Education for KS3 and is matched to the KS3 Literacy Strategy. It is called Grammar Worksheets for Y7/8. There is also a digital version available. For more information see: www.zigzageducation.co.uk

 Pick Up A Play - Plays for Primary Schools - Ages 9-10

Pick Up a Play is part of a series of differentiated plays at three ability levels for each year of primary school. It contains 27 different plays and can be used for guided reading or performance on stage. Each play is accompanied by detailed teachers' notes that provide suggestions for making costumes and props as well as performance ideas. The plays are closely matched to the new Literacy framework.

Contents:

• Childhood Experiences - friends, school journey, Victorian childhood
• Traditional stories - fairy tales, myths and legends, fables
• Stories form other cultures - creation stories, Chinese festivals, Christmas

Published by Hopscotch Educational Publishing, September 2007.