Rebecca Taylor

The Foundation Blocks series makes it easy to implement the Department of Education's new, revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (September 2012). The books are clearly laid out, with one activity per page, attractive illustrations and cross references to popular early years topics. Written by experienced early years practitioners, these books will be an invaluable resource for anyone working with 3-5 year olds. This book contains activities for the prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development and the specific areas of Understanding the World and Mathematics. The activities will encourage children to develop self-confidence; to form positive attitudes and relationships; and to learn how to manage their feelings and behaviour within a group. They offer opportunities for children to experience their environment and community; to explore, observe and find out about people, animals and places; to investigate and experiment; and to begin to use technology. They will help children to develop and improve skills in counting, addition and subtraction; in understanding and using numbers; in problem solving; and in describing and comparing shapes, spaces and measures.

In her prayer closet, the author wrote Holy Spirit-inspired messages including encouragement and instruction for prayer and reading and studying the Word of God; praise, worship, and warfare; and repentance and its accompanying freedom and rest. There is encouragement for personal living and for relationship with God and man. The second part of the book deals with times of testing in areas such as preparation before testing occurs, encouragement during difficult times, and instruction on caring for others while being tried. It is not only a book of guidance and instruction excerpts, but also an encouragement for the readers to listen to the Lord's voice themselves. The redemption message throughout is uplifting, regardless of what the reader may be facing.

"... But into such black times, when hearts are at their most despairing, a Child of Light shall come, a power so great that it shall banish the Darkness forever..." Sapphire Delfin's world is thrown into chaos when her village is massacred and all she has ever known and loved is taken from her. Together with two survivors, she must search for answers and find a new destiny in a world of cruelty and uncertainty. But what are these strange powers her companions have noticed in her, and why hasn't anyone seen them before? Meanwhile, far to the north in the near-deserted magical citadel, four lonely sorcerers must face the demons of the past before they can hope to face their perilous future. But have they been hiding for too long, keeping themselves from all other human contact in the hope of avoiding further tragedy? And in the deep south, what is it that Coppelia, the dangerous High Sorceress, thinks is so special about the son of the Lord Chancellor, whose flamboyant and erratic behavior could mean something more sinister than anyone could ever have imagined?

How to Sparkle at Word Level Activities is designed to help children develop phonemic awareness and improve their knowledge of phonics. These tried and tested activities will save you hours of preparation and planning time and will really get your class motivated.