A selection of words (split into word classes and sub-sections) related to the Gothic genre. Supports pupils with extended their vocabulary, choosing precise language, and demonstrating correct spellings. Works well as a prompt for creative writing. Can be adapted.

A collection of short fiction extracts (19th, 20th, and 21st century) designed to be used as either a quick starter task or a means of getting pupils to focus on language analysis. Generic support and challenge differentiation boxes are provided for each extract. Further differentiation could be provided by underlining/bolding certain words/phrases you want pupils to focus on. Could equally be used as a writing prompt for creative writing/modelling good descriptive writing

A selection of relevant words and phrases for each of the 15 Power and Conflict poems for AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2. Designed to provide a prompt for pupils whilst writing and to encourage them to expand their vocabulary (AKA "I simply cannot read another PEE paragraph in which a pupil writes “Exposure is long because the war was long”) and check their own spelling. Also includes a brief list of poetic devices present in each poem.

Power and Conflict poetry revision session for the AQA GCSE English Literature paper 2 exam. The lesson focuses on comparing three poems (Remains, Bayonet Charge, and Exposure) that all relate to the themes of conflict, effects of war, and soliders’ experiences. Partial model answer provided for comparing ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Exposure’. Annotations for sections of each poem provided. Prepared for a high-ability Year 11 class, but could be adapted for lower-ability.

This PDF contains an abridged version of the Sherlock Holmes short story The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle, and a range of quick vocabulary and retrieval activities. In addition to this, some extended reading and writing activities are suggested. None of the activities make specific references to exact exam boards, thus can be used for AQA, IGCSE, Edexcel etc. and for either KS3 or KS4. However, some wording is taken from the IGCSE English Language (0500) specification.

The first in a series of 3 booklets (currently in progress) that cover the Power and Conflict poetry poems across three years. This booklet contains the following 5 poems: The Prelude London Ozymandias Bayonet Charge Exposure For each poem there is a copy of the poem with space for annotations, a summarising worksheet, quotation explosion task (good for homework) and a differentiated quiz. The booklet also contains support sentence starters and guidance on using comparative discourse markers.

This resource contains two sample answers for IGCSE Literature in English Paper 4 (Unseen Poetry and Prose). The poem is For Julia in the Deep Water by John N. Morris, and the prose is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Due to copyright reasons, a copy of the exam paper has not been provided. However, the paper can be found both on the Cambridge School Support Hub website, and online. Course: IGCSE Literature in English 0475 Series: May/June 2020 Paper: 41 Excerpt from the poetry sample answer: It is clear that the speaker’s lasting memory of this experience is that of powerlessness. The poet uses phrases such as “She is doing nothing”, “We are waiting” to show that the speaker and his wife are unable to act in the face of their daughter’s “screaming”, either because they are frozen by their fear or because the understand that they cannot interfere with the lesson if their want their daughter to learn and survive. Moreover, the use of the present continuous tense creates the image of the speaker and his wife trapped in this moment of powerlessness, seemingly without end. [623 words total] Excerpt from the prose sample answer: Furthermore, the writer creates a sense that the narrator’s acceptance to the college is the start of new chapter in his life. The writer uses the setting of “the morning” with the sun “rising over mountains” to convey a sense of a new beginning for Richard, implying that the experience of the college will be a positive one. This image is reinforced by the narrator’s description of his surroundings as “like a country from a dream” with “impossibly green meadows”; this imagery presents the setting as vibrant yet calm and peaceful. The comparison to something from “a dream” gives the impression that the setting is incredibly beautiful, if a little difficult to comprehend or believe. [730 words total]

A revision lesson to re-introduce the plot for ‘An Inspector Calls’. Includes a 5-a-day revision worksheet and a cut-and-stick plot recall activity.

Four full lessons and accompanying booklet for guided reading and analysis of A Christmas Carol Stave 2. Linked to AQA GCSE assessment objectives throughout Each lessons includes a related SPAG/literacy starter to settle pupils and maintain link to developing AO4/literacy skills.

Suitable for either a first reading of the play or a revision of the character of Sheila Birling/theme of gender and equality. Fully-resourced lesson.

This resource contains a sample answer for the text analysis question on Paper 1 of the CIE AS English Language (9093) syllabus. The text being analysed is: An extract from the short story Royalty by Anita Desai. Due to copyright reasons, a copy of the text has not been provided. However, the text is available: In the CIE AS and A Level English Language (9093) coursebook Online As part of Anita Desai’s collection Diamond Dust and Other Stories Excerpt from the text analysis response: Before he even arrives, the writer foreshadows Raja’s disruptive influence. She describes how Ravi’s falling hands created a “crash” and made everything “rattle and jar”. These onomatopoeic words suggest destruction and discord, and contrast with the earlier order and organisation of the couple’s preparations. This is reinforced by the writer’s reference to the “great shiver” which “ran through the house like a wind blowing”. The image of the “wind” evokes the idea of transformation or change running through the house, and foreshadows the idea that Raja’s arrival will cause disrupt the couple or cause chaos. Having seen in the first paragraph how diligently the couple had worked to create order and prepare for their trip, the reader feels frustrated to see these efforts spoiled by the mysterious Raja. Furthermore, the metaphor of the “radiant serpent” has connotations of an insidious evil, reinforcing the idea that his arrival will not have a positive effect on the couple.

A worksheet for ‘Checking Out Me History’ by John Agard from the ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster of poems for AQA. Pupils are encouraged to think more deeply about the language that Agard has used to present the figures from Black/Caribbean history.

5-A-Day revision questions for ‘An Inspector Calls’, perfect as a starter activity or plenary. A mix of different types of questions that assess both basic recall and higher order thinking. Two sheets per page.

This PDF contains a range of extended writing, vocabulary, retrieval, and reading comprehension activities for all 13 chapters for the novel The Bad Beginning. None of the activities make specific references to exact exam boards, thus can be used to indirectly prepare KS3 pupils for AQA, IGCSE, Edexcel etc. However, some wording is taken from the IGCSE English Language (0500) specification.

12 sets of 12 spellings, each grouped by a common spelling rule e.g. ‘ie’, ‘ent’, dge’ etc. to support pupils in recognising spelling patterns. PowerPoint with answers and instructions provided.

A copy of the poem ‘The Emigrée’ by Carol Rumens with guided analysis questions for lower-ability pupils, designed to help them make meaningful annotations. AQA GCSE English Literature, Paper 2, Part B (Power and Conflict Poetry).

Exploring IGCSE English Language skills through literature A workbook designed to address key IGCSE English Language (0500) reading and writing skills through J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. This workbook contains activities for Act 1 of the play, and is designed to act as a starting point for further teaching/activities.

Resources to support the planning, writing, and reflection of an assessment for An Inspector Calls that focuses on the theme of blame. Includes a teacher feedback sheet and model answer.

First lesson for introducing the novella A Christmas Carol as part of the AQA GCSE English Literature spec. Introduces key ideas and plot points for the texts, and focuses on the character of Scrooge (AO1, AO2 skills focus).

Suitable for both teacher assessment and peer assessment, this resource provides a success criteria and a marking grid for questions 2, 3, and 4 of AQA’s GCSE English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2. The marker highlights the criteria that the response has met, and uses that to assign a final mark. Typically, I will print two copies of each sheet to a page, which will fit neatly into books or stapled to assessments without taking up too much space.

A full lesson based on the poem A Case of Murder by Vernon Scannell. The lesson works towards completing an IGCSE First Language (0500) Question 3-style directed writing piece.