Currently a private tutor, the resources you see available have been adapted from my current practice and when I was teaching as a secondary school English teacher.
I hope the resources are useful and make a difference in your classroom.
Currently a private tutor, the resources you see available have been adapted from my current practice and when I was teaching as a secondary school English teacher.
I hope the resources are useful and make a difference in your classroom.
Three lessons with three different unseen poetry texts to help students prepare for this section of the exam. Generic assessment areas and timings are referred to, but these can be easily adapted to suit your exam board.
These lessons encourage independent work before teacher direction and all lead towards beginning to write a response to a example exam question. These can then be extended for homework tasks, further class time or formal assessment pieces.
Poems covered:
War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy
Reservist - Boey Kim Cheng
The Trees Are Down - Charlotte Mew
Preparing students for the unseen poetry question, this lesson uses 'The Trees Are Down' by Charlotte Mew. Beginning with finding three poetic techniques used in the poem, the lesson encourages more independent analysis before developing ideas in paired work. The lesson develops with class analysis of the poem, concluding with independent planning for a practice exam question which leads to beginning to write their own response. This task can then be extended to the following lesson or become a homework task.
Files in this resource:
The Trees Are Down unseen poem exam question - PowerPoint of lesson
The Trees Are Down - Word document of poem
A fully planned one-hour lesson, this is linked to the 2017 IGCSE English Literature specification, but could be adapted for other exam boards. Allowing students to initially independently analyse the poem before teacher input, this is an ideal group-work lesson. The lesson closes with preparing for an exam-style question, which could be completed as a homework task or in a following lesson.
Files in this resource:
The Trees Are Down - PowerPoint of lesson
The Trees Are Down - Word document of poem
Paper 1 practice for GCSE Edexcel English Language (Fiction and Imaginative Writing), using an extract from âWar of the Worldsâ as stimulus. Lesson begins with exam overview and what is being assessed, before Reading and Writing questions. Lesson finishes with peer assessment to identify revision areas.
Lesson can be used for in-class assessment or easily adapted for a homework revision task. A generic mark scheme has been included for Section A, Q3 and 4, and Section B.
Files in this resource:
English Language Paper 1 practice - PowerPoint of lesson
War of the Worlds extract - Word document of extract
English Language Paper 1 generic mark scheme - PDF of mark scheme (extracted from example papers from Edexcel).
Based on the 2015 specimen papers, this is a mock iGCSE English Language Paper 2 (intended for 2017 examination). Using extracts from 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' and 'The Red Room', the questions follow the same format as to be expected in the 2-hour English Language exam.
A generic mark scheme has been included to provide guidance on skills demonstrated for questions 1, 2 and 3b.
Ideal resource to use in-class as a mock assessment or one that students could complete for homework.
Files in this resource:
iGCSE English Paper 2 questions - Word document
iGCSE English Paper 2 passages - Word document
English Language Paper 2 generic mark scheme Reading passages - PDF
Originally delivered to a weak KS4 group, this lesson could be adapted for KS3. Introducing the term 'presentational devices', the lesson explores how this can be applied to media texts, with an analysis of an Oxfam leaflet. With several questions guiding the students to pick out key features, the lesson leads students to write their own analysis of the text. The plenary encourages personal assessment, comparing their own response to a model answer.
Files in this resource:
Commenting on presentational devices - PowerPoint of lesson
Presentational devices - Word document of leaflet for student annotation
Originally delivered to a weak KS4 class as an introduction to non-fiction and writing to argue, this lesson is a helpful opener into developing these writing skills. The lesson can be adapted to KS3 but teachers may find this too simplistic for more-able KS4 students. This lesson could be used as a way in for debating/persuasive writing work.
The lesson explores what is a counter-argument to then apply this to statements which should generate some interesting class discussion! There is a text to analyse, identifying what the writerâs arguments are for the students to create their own counter-arguments.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
File in this resource: Arguments and Counter-arguments - PowerPoint of lesson.
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2-lesson PowerPoint, originally delivered to KS3, exploring the techniques of writing to argue and persuade. The first lesson analyses an example of persuasive writing through an NHS stop-smoking leaflet. The second lesson develops this understanding by applying knowledge to an example question. Students are encouraged to use the planning frame to help structure their work before using all the techniques learnt in their own writing.
A useful two-parter lesson that introduces students to these writing skills that can be built on when tackling more in-depth writing tasks at KS4.
Files in this resource:
Writing to Persuade and Argue - 2 lesson PowerPoint
Persuasive writing leaflet - PDF of leaflet
Two fully developed lessons, exploring how tension is created and how one event can be reported from two different perspectives. Lesson 1 focuses on analysing how tension is created in a 'Touching the Void' extract, using the Edexcel AOs to help scaffold student response. The lesson works towards writing a plan for the exam question, writing a response, and finishing with peer assessment. Lesson 2 continues this theme by discussing a model answer for Lesson 1's exam question, before looking at different perspectives from 'Touching the Void', again building towards writing an exam response.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
Files in this resource:
TTV Analysing tension - PowerPoint of lesson
TTV Analysing tension - Word document of extract for tension question
TTV Comparative extract -Word document for comparative question
TTV High level answer - Word document of example high level answer
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Using the AQA English Literature Paper 1 as a guide, this lesson focuses on practice for how to answer an extract question. After outlining Paper 1 with a reminder of what is being assessed, students work in groups to analyse the extract from âDr Jekyllâ and prepare a plan in response to an exam question. Following class feedback and a whole-group plan, students finish with writing their own response with peer assessment to help identify areas for improvement. An annotated copy of the extract is also included, along with an optional slide that helps to scaffold the second part of the essay question.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
Files in this resource:
Extract analysis - PowerPoint of lesson
Extract analysis - Word document of extract
Extract analysis annotated - Word document of annotated extract
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Analysis of Chapter 3 (text included in Word document), that allows students to practice their analysis responses. After defining words encountered in the chapter, class reading allows students to consider how language is used for effect. The plenary of peer-marking is intended for students to be more aware of what is expected of them in the exam.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
Files in this resource:
Chapter 3 - PowerPoint of lesson
Dr Jekyll Chapter 3 - Word document of chapter
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Preparing students for the unseen poetry question, this lesson uses 'Reservist' by Boey Kim Cheng. Beginning with brainstorming what students should comment on when analysing a poem, the lesson breaks students into groups to have a go at independently analysing a stanza according to the exam question focus. The lesson develops to lead students to write the opening of their response, which can then be extended to the following lesson or become a homework task.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
**Like what you see? Please check out my other resources at /teaching-resources/shop/sae5 and join my followers.**
Files in this resource:
Reservist unseen poem exam question - PowerPoint of lesson
Reservist - Word document of poem
Reservist - Word document of annotated poem
Originally delivered to a weak KS4 class, this lesson acts as revision on the themes in 'Of Mice and Men'. Checking understanding of what a theme is, the lesson identifies the themes in the novel, leading to group work where students find evidence of their allocated theme.
Whilst the plenary suggests class feedback, this could be extended for more able students, requiring them to answer a question on one of the selected themes. This task could also be used as a speaking and listening assessment opportunity.
File in this resource: Themes PowerPoint of lesson
Introductory lesson on âOf Mice and Menâ, originally delivered to a weak KS4 group. Lesson closely explores the opening setting description, encouraging students to pull quotes from this scene to show what is being described. This knowledge is then pulled together with a PEE analysis, finishing with character profiling.
Files in this resource:
The opening - PowerPoint of lesson
Opening extract - Word document of opening of âOf Mice and Menâ
Close analysis of extracts from section 5 in 'Of Mice and Men'. Lesson designed for group work, leading to class feedback. The outcome of the lesson is that students should have a detailed set of notes on all sections that have been analysed in the lesson, being able to answer a foreshadowing question at the end.
This lesson encourages close analysis of passages and collaborative learning. The extract booklet is set up for A3 size to allow for notes and group work. It should help prepare students to answer extract-based exam questions.
Files in this resource:
Section 5 close analysis - PowerPoint of lesson
Chapter 5 extracts - Word document of extracts
This revision activity encourages students to make links beyond a single quote that has been provided from âOf Mice and Menâ. The task allows students to consider links to plot, character, setting and context; it also develops their familiarity with the text through finding key quotes and creating a useful revision mind-map.
This lesson can be easily adapted for any significant quote in âOf Mice and Menâ, beyond what has been used in this lesson. It can allow for more independent working whilst the teacher âtroubleshootsâ revision areas with individual students. The work produced in this lesson could potentially be used for display purposes as well!
File in this resource: Detailed quote analysis - PowerPoint of lesson
Focusing on Section 2 of 'Of Mice and Men', this lesson encourages close passage analysis in preparation for answering an exam- style question. This lesson allows for independent work or more supported guidance, depending on student ability, with the PowerPoint notes indicating this where necessary. A separate file of suggested extracts has been included with this resource, which could either be used for lower ability students or to allow for more detailed analysis and note-making.
The lesson works towards beginning to answer the question on character relationships in Section 2 that have been analysed during the lesson, which can then be completed as homework, as a plenary activity or in exam conditions.
I appreciate all constructive criticism, so I hope you are able to take time to review this resource.
File in this resource:
Character relationships in section 2 - PowerPoint of lesson
Extracts - Word document of suggested extracts.
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A 6-lesson mini scheme of work, âThe Island Projectâ is a creative writing scheme that imagines the students have been stranded on a deserted island. Written in the form of journal entries, this scheme allows students to develop their creative writing skills, understand how to build descriptions and write to persuade and inform.
Lessons are fully planned with a starter and learning objective. There is opportunity for peer assessment at the end of each lesson to encourage further development.
File in this resource: The Island Project - PowerPoint of all lessons.
Using the medium of Twitter, this lesson allows students to chart a characterâs development over âBlood Brothersâ. This can be done over the course of reading the play or at the end, and can be used as a helpful revision activity.
Differentiation for this task includes the extent to which quotes are used for tweets, assigning characters, and scaffolding key events to signpost students towards.
Files in this resource:
Blood Brothers character analysis - PowerPoint of lesson
Twitter Template - Word document of Twitter template - this activity can then be completed by hand or electronically.
A lesson that allows students to write a âschool reportâ for either Edward or Mickey, this is based on having read the section of âBlood Brothersâ that focuses on their school days. Lesson begins with a class reading opportunity (page numbers as a rough guide), before moving on to a class discussion of the differences between Edward and Mickeyâs education. There is an external link to a Youtube video that shows schools in the 1960s, discussion points in the PowerPoint notes too. This may generate some interesting opinions from your students! The preliminary task prior to writing the school report encourages students to find quotes/stage directions that support their ideas on what to include in their work. The lesson finishes with Parentsâ Evening where students role-play the teacher/parent and discuss Edward or Mickeyâs progress and the report they have received.
Files in this resource:
Blood Brothers School report - PowerPoint of lesson.
Blood Brothers Edward Lyons school report - Word document of school report template for several subjects
Blood Brothers Mickey Johnstone school report - Word document of school report template for several subjects