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Each lesson includes a brief descriptor of the purpose and scope of the lesson. Most lessons are supported with many digital resources indicated by:

Websites           Videos

The first few lessons in each category are available for immediate FREE download.To access the entire lesson library go to our Subscriptions Section where you can purchase a yearly school subscription or individual teacher supscriptions to the full 3000+ lessons library.

Subcriptions for both overseas teachers and overseas schools are also available. Please email us at: starters@reap.org.nz and we will send you full details.

 

English Units


(001)ExploringWater.pdf : [310 KB]

Exploring the Magic of Water: Yrs 1-4

• By observation, students will explore and change the properties of water, including, smell, shape, colour and taste.

• Students will build up a water vocabulary to be able to explain their observations, experiences and properties of water.

A IS FOR APPLE.pdf : [171 KB]

A wide variety of fun language activities based on the apple including: descriptions, painting, research projects and presentations.

 

APPLE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

GROWING APPLE TREES

 

APPLE PICKING IN AN ORCHARD  (Video)

ACTIVITIES FOR AUTUMN.pdf : [77 KB]

Ideas and activities to make autumn a special focus in your classroom.

Website supporting this unit.

AUTUMN CRAFT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

BEACH BAG BOOGIE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [112 KB]

This reading based unit is based on Beach Bag Boogie by Lindsay Wood and Rebekah Holguin. It is an energetic and playful picture book with a repetitive text structure that will simply delight both pre-school and early school-aged children. It is the perfect book for shared class reading, and it will encourage your class to chant along and create their own dances and movements. Full class and individual activities included in the unit.

BECOME A WEEDBUSTER.pdf : [1 MB]

BECOME A WEEDBUSTER! SPREAD THE WORD


Multi-level science, social science, environmental and English based classroom activities. Students explore just what weedbusting is all about, identify weeds to bust and plan and carry out their own weedbusting programme. The unit concludes with spreading the weedbusting message to the local community.

BECOME A WEEDBUSTER LINK

BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [88 KB]

A major unit where we get students to focus on their special day. Students will construct class birthday timelines, design and make cards, compose special birthday messages, plan birthday activities and concludes with; fun' birthday statistics. Strong links to the Visual Arts and Maths.

Websites supporting this unit.

HOME MADE CARDS FOR KIDS TO MAKE

SIMPLE IDEAS FOR ALL SORTS OF CARDS

BOARD GAMES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [138 KB]

Playing games teaches us all valuable skills. In this English based unit we examine what board games can teach us, conduct surveys and display results.

Website to support this unit.

Play Board Games Online

BOOKLOOPS ARE FUN.pdf : Subscription Only Download [86 KB]

What better way to get students interested in, talking about and reading than a bookloop. Tons of activities to inspire students, based on and adapted from the highly popular adult book clubs or loops.

BRIGHT IDEAS FOR READING.pdf : Subscription Only Download [90 KB]

Tons of good ideas for stimulating reading and an interest in words.

Websites supporting this unit.

Six Fun Games for Reading

Teaching Ideas and Game for Reading/Language

BUBBLES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [93 KB]

BUBBLES – A MOTIVATION FOR LEARNING

Website to support this unit.

BUBBLES – RECIPE AND IDEAS

How to make bubbles

Bubble Recipe - Best Bubble Mixture

CALENDARS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [97 KB]

ALL ABOUT CALENDARS

An introduction to calendars for younger students – what are they, what do they tell us, how can we make one, what can we put on it?

Download dozens of calendars from the website below. Calendars can be customised and students can select a theme such as animals, sports, games, music, fantasy …

Website supporting this unit.

CALENDAR DOWNLOADS

CARING FOR PETS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [97 KB]

An english unit with links to the Arts, social sciences, science and maths. The unit focus is on the joys, benefits, care of and responsibilities we have for our pets.

Videos that support this unit.

              

HOW TO CARE FOR CATS

                  HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG

                  HOW TO SET UP A FRESH WATER AQUARIUM

CHRISTMAS IN THE BUSH.pdf : Subscription Only Download [114 KB]

An English/Reading unit based on Christmas in the Bush – written by Lindy Kelly and illustrated by Lyn Kriegler. 

Christmas in the Bush not only allows teachers to focus on gaining meaning from the text, but also to enjoy  a text structure which is sprinkled with some delightful colloquial expressions not often heard in today’s spoken English. While the special illustrations perfectly complement the text and show just how powerful visual language can be, they also provide teachers with a wealth of opportunities to branch out in many other directions, including eliciting predictive, observational and imaginative responses. But most of all it is just a wonderful nature-based story that younger readers can easily relate to, containing the perfect amounts of poignancy, optimism and joy. 



CHRISTMAS MOBILE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [76 KB]

A new English-based twist on making and sending mobiles to friends and family for Christmaas. Mobiles are made from cards and include pictures and captions that send news and greetings to family and friends.

Websites supporting this unit.

FURTHER GREAT MOBILE IDEAS

MOBILES YOU CAN MAKE

DOZENS OF GREAT MOBILE IDEAS

COMMUNICATION TASKS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [71 KB]

Four language ideas where students: match words with pictures, write messages of thanks, record evidence of when they complete a helpful or kind act towards others, and concludes with each student completing their own personal ID card.

Websites/Games/Worksheets supporting this unit.

Vocabulary Builder Online Game

Matching Words with Pictures Worksheets

Graded Matching Words with Pictures Worksheets

CREATING LEGENDS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [80 KB]

Websites supporting this unit.

Historical Legends for Kids

Maori Legends (4)

Animals, Myths and Legends

Videos supporting this unit.

 

The Fish of Maui

Maui and the Sun

DESIGN WITH IMPACT.pdf : Subscription Only Download [78 KB]

So what makes a design have impact? We provide activities where students investigate and evaluate the many ways that a design can give a message real impact. The unit concludes with students using the concepts explored in a practical and useful way.

Website supporting this unit.

ENGINEERING DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR YOUNG STUDENTS

LESSONS AND DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR CHILDREN

earthquake.pdf : [299 KB]

LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTHQUAKES WITH WHAT'S THE PLAN,STAN?

New Zealand experiences thousands of earthquakes every year. Most are either very deep or centred well offshore, causing little damage or injury. However, a severe earthquake can occur at any time with devastating effects. The Kaikoura 7.8M earthquake is yet another reminder of our need to be prepared.

Use this single page live-linked pdf of essential resources at school with students; school leaders; boards of trustees and for your local community and parents.

Make it available by downloading the pdf and placing it on your school/class website and/or facebook pages. It can also be printed out and sent home with school newsletters. More information and relevant links can also be found at:

www.whatstheplanstan.govt.nz

What's the Plan, Stan is linked to the curriculum areas of Health & PE; Social Sciences; Science and English.

EXCITING SOUND EXPERIENCES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [134 KB]

EXCITING EXPERIENCES WITH SOUNDS

A multi-level English based unit with strong links to the arts. Students explore the wonderful world of sound, through listening, creating and expressing ideas, identifying and classifying sounds and recording their findings in many ways. Students will discover that the ‘world of sound’ has not only a rich vocabulary (often heavily onomatopoeic) but can be recorded visually in a unique student-created form called graphic notation.

Students will also learn that sounds can be interpreted, not only in written and spoken form, but through movement and mime. In a musical context, students will develop greater awareness of sounds and become more sound- sensitive – a prerequisite for good music making.

Websites and Videos supporting this unit.

What is Sound (Video)

Sound Waves for Kids (Video)

HIGH AND LOW PITCH GAME (Video))

Teaching Simple Graphic Notation 

EXPERIENCES WITH WATER.pdf : Subscription Only Download [94 KB]

Using the context of water to develop and explore new vocabulary to describe physical observations and feelings. Using the context of water to express and develop science ideas and simple scientific theories to explore and test.

The website link below provides experiments, facts, lessons for teachers and videos on a water theme.

Website supporting this unit.

WATER THEME RESOURCES

FACES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [78 KB]

Dozens of English-based class activities based on faces. The unit concludes with a face-based photography assignment.

Website activity to support this unit.

Creating Faces – Click and Drag!

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [177 KB]

Providing students with meaningful opportunities for speaking, listening, viewing and reading and using these skills to co-operatively investigate and explore ideas and plan a class festival. This includes activities to learn about healthy food choices and the value of exercise.

Video link supporting this unit.

FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

BEST FAMILY FESTIVALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

FRIENDS ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [87 KB]

Students think about and discuss the importance of friendship and how we can show friendship towards others. The unit concludes with a challenge for students to create a friendship charter and develop a strategy to make a new friend.

Websites (including some videos) supporting this lesson

HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND TEACHING IDEAS

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT BEING A GOOD FRIEND

FRIENDSHIP LESSON PLANS AND STUDENT RESOURCES

GRANDMA AND WILLY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [116 KB]

Grandma Joins the All Blacks and Willy’s Dad are two delightful books for shared class reading in the early years and for individual reading for emerging readers. Both are highly visual and laced with humour that will not only appeal to the 4–7 age group but will also delight older students tasked with reading the stories to junior classes

HEAT YOU HURT YOU.pdf : Subscription Only Download [98 KB]

If it can heat you, it can hurt you. This unit is based on an electrical safety theme with scenarios posed for discussion and positive action by students, eg 'what would you do if you were flying your kite and it became entangled in the power line'? Teaching points follow each scenario. Best suited for years 2-6.

Links supporting this unit.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY WORLD

ELECTRICAL SAFETY WORLD TEACHER'S GUIDE

Electrical Safety World

IMAGINATIVE WRITING.pdf : Subscription Only Download [98 KB]

Imaginative writing based on observations of plants and flowers around the school and district. We encourage young students to use their senses and come up with descriptions based on shape, size, colour etc. Poetic writing is encouraged through teacher modeling to give structure to the poem. Students create a 'giant' mural of what they observed and invite other classes to view and enjoy the mural and the garden stories and poems.

Websites Supporting this Lesson

                  10 FIVE SENSES ACTIVITIES

                  HOW TO TEACH ABOUT THE FIVE SENSES

                  FIVE SENSES LESSON IDEAS AND THEMES

Videos Supporting this Lesson


THE FIVE SENSES VIDEO 1

                  FIVE SENSES VIDEO 2

KIDS HISTORY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONA.pdf : [91 KB]

The telephone is a relatively new invention but these days the phone is much more than just a device for getting in touch with people. Modern cellphones do 'just about everything' including texting and photography and even shooting movies. In this major unit we explore the wonderful world of the telephone (even the old fashioned landline)!

Website supporting this unit.

TELECOMMUNICATION HISTORY FOR KIDS

TELECOMMUNICATION FACTS FOR KIDS

LET'S GET BAKING.pdf : Subscription Only Download [104 KB]

English based lesson including maths and cross curricula activities based on the art of baking.

Website supporting this unit.

Chelsea Baking for Kids

LET'S HAVE A PARTY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [69 KB]

Parties are fun? Why are they fun? What do we like doing at parties? OK – now let's plan one!

LET'S SAY THANKS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [67 KB]

It's always nice to thanked and appreciated. It's always nice to thank people who have helped us in some way. Students focus on a special thank you letter.

MEN IN OUR FAMILIES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [96 KB]

CELEBRATING THE MEN IN OUR FAMILIES

Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September each year. It is a time when we can all say thank you to all our Dads for all the things they do for us and our families. In this unit we extend the concept of Father’s Day to embrace all the male members of our extended families – out older brothers, grandfathers, uncles, close family friends and even neighbours who contribute to the richness of our student’ family life. To do this we encourage students to plan and run a celebration morning or afternoon at school – at any time of the year.

Website supporting this unit.

Father's Day (Further Ideas for Teachers)

Fathers Day Craft Activities

5 Fathers Day Teaching Ideas

ONCE WERE BABIES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [72 KB]

WHEN WE WERE VERY SMAll

English activities for speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and presenting based on a 'when we were babies' theme.

SCHOOL POSTAL SYSTEM.pdf : Subscription Only Download [110 KB]

Does anyone send letters any more or do we just txt? A major unit where young students discover the joy and purposes of letters and set up their own school postal system. There's no better way to get young students interested in writing.

School-Wide Mail delivery System

Journey of a Letter Video

Posting A Letter Video

NZ Post Kidzone/Stamps

SENDING CONGRATULATIONS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [97 KB]

Sporting achievements of individuals and our favourite teams are obvious candidates for celebrating, applauding and wishing luck but in this challenge we want our students to widen their horizons to include cultural, civic and simple personal achievements. In this challenge we look for commitment and effort by our fellow classmates, families and the wider community. In this challenge we design cards and combine these with appropriate messages to encourage people to continue to achieve.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN.pdf : Subscription Only Download [90 KB]

Listening is a skill but it's always fun to learn how. A large variety on involving and stimulating activities making a great classroom English focus (and strong links to music as well).

SPECIAL DIARY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [70 KB]

Who has a diary? Why do people keep diaries? What happens at home? What happens and school? Can we record this on a timeline? Is a timeline a type of diary?

SPRING.pdf : Subscription Only Download [99 KB]

A series of fun ideas and activities for a classroom spring focus. Use as short ideas for a series of lessons or for a major focus.

Website Supporting this Unit

TEACHER VISION SPRING TEACHING RESOURCES


TEAM READING.pdf : Subscription Only Download [196 KB]

TEAM READING

A series of multi-level fun ideas for students to encourage them to enjoy their reading by participating as a Reading Team.

250 FREE ebooks on line from Oxford Owl

Please note, to read an ebook you need to visit the 'JOIN US' section and provide an email address, a password and confirm your password to log in for the first time – don't worry – it's all FREE

THE WORD WITCH.pdf : [119 KB]

THE WORD WITCH: An English/Reading Unit

A tribute to the magical verse of Margaret Mahy.Tessa Duder, Margaret Mahy’s literary biographer, has painstakingly collected these poems and stories and combined them with the work of one of our great illustrators, David Elliot. Billed as a celebration of a lifetime’s work and writing, The Word Witch will just captivate any audience, no matter what age, with effortless rhymes and a musicality and joy that leaps off every page.

The Witch in the Cheey Tree (Listen to the Story Video)

THINGS CHANGE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [75 KB]

Using all the language strands to explore the concept of change – both physical change and personal change. A great excuse to write a letter about ourselves and open it in a year to see how we have changed. A motivating project.

Teaching Kids About Change Teaching Ideas

THINGS THAT FLY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [83 KB]

Great ideas to get young students talking, thinking, communicating, explaining, sharing, asking questions and creating – based on a flying centre of interest – and lots of experimental fun.

Website to support this unit.

Simple Fun Paper Airplanes

Video to support this unit.

Amazing Paper Glider

WINTER.pdf : Subscription Only Download [88 KB]

Winter is a special season and very different from other seasons. In this English unit we look at the different games we play during winter, describe and write about storms, make a collection of wet and warm words and explore a winter calendar.

Website (online games) supporting this unit.

Online Winter Games

Videos supporting this unit.

Severe Weather in New Zealand (Teaching Ideas Including Videos)

Storm Batters Wellington

 

 

WRITING TO FRIENDS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [79 KB]

There is no better way to keep in touch and retain a friendship that writing regularly to friends. Using 'friendship' as a motivation for writing.

WRITING LETTERS TEACHER WORKPLANS