If you are searching for truly interactive, cross-curricular resources, then look no further than these beautifully packaged, highly engaging and wholly original teaching materials by Shoo Fly. Everything about these oozes quality; each animated book begins with a carefully scored piece of music, which creates an immediate impact and hooks all pupils, even before the first line appears on screen.

During shared reading, the animated books allow pupils to develop key skills such as inference, predication, asking questions and emphasising, all of which can otherwise be stifled as pupils struggle laboriously through a page of incomprehensible text. The intricacy of the illustrations, accompanied with the simplicity of the text, facilitates thought provoking reactions from the children, and leads to great discussion which is inclusive of all abilities.

The most striking thing bout this resource and the one which the pupils have found the most enjoyable, is they are being allowed to think and interpret the story in their own way. Both able and less able pupils alike have the opportunity to fill in the gaps, without being spoon-fed by a writer who assumes pupils are incapable.

How would I suggest using these? The teachers' handbook has everything you need to fully utilise the materials, the adaptability of units allows for the resources, and in particular, the photographs to be used in all subject areas, which will fulfil any literacy across the curriculum requirement, especially PSHE and ICT.

I'm integrating Angel Boy into year 7 short stories module (we are working to year 5 and year 6 objectives), where by we will spend a couple of weeks examining the animated book, before pupils use the resource's photographs and music to build on their own story. Finally, they will move onto writing the text – turning the old practice of writing first on its head.

The other unit I am integrating is the Gothic Tale, which will tie up a unit on gothic horror in the same way as Angel Boy. In addition, the historical information which accompanies the resource allows for teachers to contextualise the genre for the pupils without standing at the front, churning out facts they believe should be in a history lesson.

What I hope our pupils will get from this is the belief they can write creatively and produce something original. With pupils being pushed to have a greater understanding of how to adapt writing to consider audience and purpose, Shoo Fly resources illustrate beautifully just how to do this.

I am certain even the most disengaged pupils will gain so much from an alternative approach to reading. Of course, the interactive materials are designed to do just that; however, if you do only have access to a data projector pupils can benefit equally from their own copy of the worksheet (where relevant), which can form part of their reading journal.

Overall, this package from Shoo Fly is a thoroughly refreshing collection of resources, which the department and pupils cannot wait to use!

Angel Boy Connected Learning Resource

Price: Single User £225, Site License, £345
Contact: Shoo Fly www.shooflypublishing.co.uk, 0191 5191800
Reviewed By Nuala Murphy, English Co-ordinator, Howard Middle School