Hello! I am a Sheffield-based Teacher of English from Manchester. I strive to develop lessons which engage students, working within the National Curriculum's guidelines. I teach mostly KS3 at present, and I have a passion for the subject of English!
Hello! I am a Sheffield-based Teacher of English from Manchester. I strive to develop lessons which engage students, working within the National Curriculum's guidelines. I teach mostly KS3 at present, and I have a passion for the subject of English!
This engaging lesson encourages students to explore the debate around compulsory voting, using real-world data and case studies to analyse voter behaviour and political participation.
Through interactive activities such as mind-mapping reasons for and against voting, examining key terms like voter apathy and turnout, and analysing recent UK election data, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing democratic systems.
By studying global examples and reading an opinion piece in favour of mandatory voting, students reflect on its potential impact on civic engagement.
The lesson culminates in writing an opinion piece either supporting or opposing compulsory voting, with a focus on crafting persuasive arguments supported by evidence.
Buy this lesson to inspire critical thinking and meaningful debate about democratic participation and civic responsibility!
ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE PAPER TWO SKILLS - Comparing Writersâ Viewpoints and Perspectives
GUN DEBATE - /teaching-resource/resource-13153078
MONARCHY DEBATE - /teaching-resource/resource-13153080
COMPULSORY VOTING - /teaching-resource/resource-13153075
PAPER 2 BUNDLE - /teaching-resource/resource-13153693
PAPER 1 WORKBOOK - /teaching-resource/resource-13153254
This is from my Edgar Allan Poe SOW which can be found here:
/teaching-resource/resource-13224263
A brief overview of this scheme:
Each lesson is structured with a âDo Nowâ task, a recap-focus or context introduction task, time for reading, a main task and a plenary.
There is also a template for âFrayer Modelâ which you can use as/when you need!
The lessons are as follows:
L1 - An Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe
L2 - Poeâs Death - A Macabre Introduction
L3 - Animals in Gothic Fiction and Poeâs Works
L4 - Establishing a Gothic Setting - âFall of The House of Usherâ
L5 - âThe Ravenâ - Analysis of Character
L6 - âThe Tell Tale Heartâ - Analysis of Madness
L7 - âThe Tell Tale Heartâ - Diary Entry of The Macabre
L8 - âThe Black Catâ - Analysis of Themes
L9 - âThe Black Catâ - Analysis of Symbols
L10 - âThe Pit and The Pendulumâ - Context of The Spanish Inquistion and Rewriting Task
L11 - âThe Cask of Amontilladoâ - Creating Mood through Descriptions and Setting/Gothic Escape Room Writing Task
L12 - Assessment Planning and Preparation
L13 Assessment Planning Sheet and Slide
All of the texts can be found for free online. We are using a copy of âSelected Works of Edgar Allan Poeâ which you may find to be suitable to buy-in!
These lessons can be drawn out over more than one, so this should be enough to get you through a half-term!
There are skills focused on GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section B skills as well as GCSE English Literature skills on comprehension of texts, so you can use this to do a creative writing OR reading task!
FREE - First Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW!
This lesson focuses on Bill Bryson, an introduction to who he is, what his writing is all about as well as an introduction to traveloguesâŠ
LINK TO FULL UNIT - /teaching-resource/-sow-bill-bryson-inspired-travel-writing-scheme-of-work-13149043
Description of Unit:
A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Brysonâs Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response!
The focus of these lessons is to help students write engaging travelogues inspired by Bill Brysonâs style. The lessons emphasise the use of humor, vivid descriptions, character observations, cultural engagement, and personal reflections to create compelling travel narratives. Students are guided through drafting, editing, and refining their work with practical exercises, planning tools, and peer feedback to enhance their storytelling.
I have previously uploaded an earlier version of this SOW, but it was made when I was teaching the class I made it for once a week, so I have heavily edited it, expanded it and made it much more substantial!
Travel Writing Scheme of Work which can be used for Mixed ability Y7 and Y8 groups, or a lower ability Y9. Could even be adapted for GCSE or âflipâ/step-up lower ability KS4 English groups.
FREE - First Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! - /teaching-resource/resource-13149689
FREE -Second Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! -
/teaching-resource/resource-13152951
This lesson focuses on Bill Bryson, an introduction to who he is, what his writing is all about as well as an introduction to traveloguesâŠ
LINK TO FULL UNIT - /teaching-resource/-sow-bill-bryson-inspired-travel-writing-scheme-of-work-13149043
Description of Unit:
A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Brysonâs Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response!
The focus of this lesson is on SENSORY LANGUAGE, how to use it and how Bryson uses itâŠ
This worksheet guides students through analysing John Keatsâ poem La Belle Dame Sans Merci using the PEED structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Development). Students are tasked with answering one of the following questions:
How does Keats present âLa Belle Dameâ as a victim?
How does Keats present the âKnight-At-Armsâ as a victim?
Students are instructed to write one or two PEED paragraphs answering the question(s), using the following framework:
Point: Rephrase the question as a statement.
Evidence: Provide a relevant quotation from the poem.
Explanation: Link the evidence to the theme of victimhood, considering the context of Keatsâ life.
Development: Expand by zooming in on specific words, techniques, or themes, such as love, death, or identity.
Students should aim to write a focused response that demonstrates their understanding of the poemâs themes, Keatsâ life, and poetic techniques, applying critical analysis to present either La Belle Dame or the Knight-at-Arms as a victim.
Just a worksheet to use when watching Simon Armitageâs âThe Pendle Witch Childâ, which can be found on YouTube, free of charge. Great for context lessons on âWitch Childâ, and/or MacbethâŠ