If you're considering telling the Christmas or Nativity story to your class, you don't just have to use a book anymore, although obviously children need to regularly hear those read too. There are a good selection of free Christmas story resources available to use online, so have a look and see which one best suits the age group you are targeting or tells the story in the way you prefer.

Topmarks have a fairly wordy version that will suit older KS1 and KS2 children which has fairly traditional pictures, although these could do with being larger. REonline have a simpler version with childrens' drawings used for illustrations, and comes with sound and would be perfect for KS1 or even Reception children.

Ngfl have a great selection of resources attached to their Christmas story, which can also be used with sound, aimed at KS1, which include Arrange the story, Pairs Games, Question Games, a jigsaw and Think and Discuss activities. You could use this story version which tells the story in simple sections to which you can click and drag pictures and add your own text, which would be great for children to do independently on a PC. For older KS2 children try this Bible story with pictures from book of Luke or try this version telling the story with lots of different Bible verses with simple illustrations.

If you don't have a quality internet connection in the classroom download this colourfully illustrated powerpoint which you can find by scrolling down the page.

It's coming up to that fun time of year again, when it's time to decide on which Advent Calendar to choose to use in the classroom. Northumberland still have a selection of four to chose from, although they have not added a new one in recent years. Woodlands however, appear to have updated theirs, and as usual offer an interesting calendar that is only available from December 1st, so no chance for a sneak preview! Nrich have some great advent calendars with maths related activities, suduko's and problem solving activities behind each door, and their selection caters for a range of ability levels. If you use Smartboard, then try this download which, for me opened as a blank template to which I can add my own pictures or activities, although I think it was meant to open as a ready made calendar! Oh well, still a useful template!

If you prefer a calendar to download on powerpoint, then try the one from Communication4all, which teaches the children something about how Christmas is celebrated in a different country behind each door. Fresherschools also have a downloadable powerpoint calendar which is available in 25 or 31 day versions, which looks very colourful. They also offer a version to which children can add their own clipart and pictures which would make a great ICT activity for KS2 children.

KS1 children can try out all the ICT activities behind the doors of the Kent Advent Calendar, either on the interactive whiteboard, or the classroom PC, or try this one from HelpKidzLearn which is similar. Sparklebox have a printable calendar to download and make, but children would probably find it far more interesting to design and make their own, than just glue together a printable - not much scope for learning there, but the Sparklebox one may be useful as a template or to give the initial idea of how a calendar is made. Activity village also have some good craft ideas on their downloadable calendars.

Enjoy advent!

Fireworks will be lighting our skies to celebrate the traditional Hindu festival of light.

You can have your own virtual fireworks display on your interactive whiteboard, courtesy of Woodlands Junior School. Activity village has a range of craft ideas, colouring pages, printables and puzzles. You can download colour topic vocabulary with pictures from Sparklebox, or their colour word mat. The story of Rama and Sita is available from Ngfl for interactive whiteboard, with other accompanying whiteboard activities, including a pairs game and think and discuss ideas. Black and white outline colouring images can be downloaded here and Kent Ed has an online mehindi painting activity available for younger children. Enjoy Divali in your classroom!