English teacher, CIE Examiner.
Why reinvent the wheel? Here you'll find a treasure trove full of resources which will save you time in the classroom. A huge range of topics and styles are here. Search for your very own pieces of gold...
English teacher, CIE Examiner.
Why reinvent the wheel? Here you'll find a treasure trove full of resources which will save you time in the classroom. A huge range of topics and styles are here. Search for your very own pieces of gold...
A helpful quotation bank, exploring some of the most engaging moments in 'The Tempest' in terms of Caliban's character. All the quotations are included, with helpful referencing to the play so that students can find them easily. There are clear boxes under each quotation, for the teacher to add comments as each is explored, or for the pupils to write their own ideas.
Ideas for use in class:
In pairs, ask pupils to write down what each quotation means to them.
Using the quotation guide to support, each pupil should choose whether they feel Caliban is a victim or villain and defend that position.
The Tempest
Key Quotations
Caliban
Character
Essay preparation
An essay plan designed to scaffold a detailed response from learners. Includes a detailed paragraph support, including ideas for the introduction and conclusion, which many learners find troublesome.
Contains helpful and supportive quotations - simply hand this worksheet to the pupils and they can do the rest!
Poetry
Seamus Heaney
Digging
Follower
Essay
Close reading
A document containing details about the characters in 'All My Sons', with a particular focus on family conflict.
I use this to help pupils prepare for essays/ revision on this text.
Ideas for use in the classroom:
- Ask pupils to find quotations for each of the points listed and justify their points with detailed analysis.
- In groups, assign each group a character and ask them to create a mini-presentation, with quotations and then present their findings at the end of the lesson.
Topics:
- essay planning and preparation
- 'All My Sons'
- Characterisation
- 'All My Sons' family conflict
Use this powerpoint to guide pupils through a study of family conflict in 'All My Sons'. This powerpoint includes a detailed discussion of the definition of conflict and how it applies to the play.
Includes a paragraph by paragraph plan for an essay.
Topics:
Essay planning
Family conflict in 'All My Sons'
Exam practice
A worksheet on William Wordsworth's poem, 'Lines Composed Upon Westminster Bridge'. Questions relating to the poem, with an extension in the form of a diary entry.
A creative writing task which encourages pupils to explore their own ambitions. There is also a short extension, to encourage gifted and talented learners.
Themes: ambitions, future aspirations, creative writing.
A series of questions asking pupils to explore the very heart of 'Vitai Lampada' and to explore language in great detail.
There is an essay title as an extension, for the gifted and talented pupils to explore the poem more thoroughly.
Poetry
War Poetry
Sir Henry Newbolt
Essay
Gifted and talented
Extension
Explore language
A resource designed to encourage pupils to read further into the events surrounding 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' poem and to explore more of Tennyson's life and works.
- Can be used as a pre-reading task for introducing the poem
- Use as a research homework to give pupils a good awareness of the context of the poem
Poetry, Research, Context.
A worksheet helping to guide pupils through devising their own speeches, aimed at advertising a particular service or product. Contains a helpful mnemonic to encourage them to use a wide range of techniques.
Potential teaching topics:
advertising
speaking and listening
persuasive writing
speech
A complete unit of work based on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This scheme of work is aimed at GCSE pupils and can save a huge amount of time. Everything you need is here!
This Scheme of work contains:
- over 30 pages of detailed resources
- clear lesson plans for the whole unit
- differentiated lessons, with different outcomes
- worksheets
- powerpoints
- end of unit test with answers
- sample passages from the test
- useful context
- helpful revision ideas for pupils
How to start a new unit in English? This worksheet enables pupils to discuss what English means to them. Ask pupils to justify their choices and before you know it, a lively debate ensues. An effective starter.
I have also used this as a first homework task for younger pupils who were asked to write a short paragraph explaining which quotation they chose.
This is an overall guide to essay technique, aimed specifically at pupils studying GCSE English Literature.
Ideas for use in class:
- As a revision activity to remind pupils of the key ideas before the examination period
- As a plenary of a lesson on essay technique/ close reading of texts
- Preparation for an essay question or exam practice
This resource is universal, and can be used for any text, or customised to fit.
Topics:
Close reading
Literature
Technique
Exam preparation
Practice essay
An A-Level resource aimed as a introduction to Henry James. A series of questions to help learners be more independent in their initial exploration of Henry James and his work.
Ideas for use:
- As a homework task following a discussion/ lesson on appropriate research methods at A Level.
- During lessons, as a task to encourage independent learners
Topics
Henry James
The Aspern Papers
Daisy Miller
The Golden Bowl
What Maisie Knew
The American
The Ambassadors
The Turn of the Screw
A powerpoint exploring the conventions of drama; ideal as an initial exploration of the genre of Drama.
Perfect for a starter/ intro to drama.
New exam board guidelines for 2015 include an explicit understanding of how drama is different from poetry and prose; this is the perfect presentation to do this. Geared towards students of 'All My Sons', but can be universally used.
Topics:
Drama
All My Sons
Arthur Miller
Conventions of drama
Conflict
A helpful document which expands the mark scheme for the OCR AS English Literature exam specification.
Helps pupils to understand what the exam board is looking for.
Ideas for use:
- After each essay, highlight the areas which each pupil needs to focus on.
- Peer assessment - pupils can read each others' essays and identify areas for improvement.
Topics:
Essay feedback
Exam feedback
Marking and assessment
Peer assessment
OCR
AS Literature
A tried and tested revision timetable which I have used over the years with exam classes. In my experience, it really helps pupils to have their teachers guide them through their revision timetables.
Helpful for tutor sessions with exam classes.
Topics:
Revision
Planning
Exams
Tutoring
An activity designed to help pupils who are studying Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at GCSE.
Ideas for use in the classroom:
- Ask pupils to work in pairs and read through each of the questions.
- They should justify their choices carefully.
- Then invite pupils to share their ideas with the rest of the class.
Topics:
Pre -reading
Preparation for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Justify ideas
Encouraging independence
A 5-page detailed essay plan for pupils studying 'Fasting, Feasting'. Written with more able pupils in mind, this guide takes pupils through an essay on objectification and oppression within 'Fasting, Feasting'.
It contains helpful boxes for pupils to do their own planning, whilst carefully guiding them through the various relevant ideas in the novel.
I have found that using this plan really boosts the confidence of pupils going to sit an examination, or really helps to scaffold coursework. It is a challenging resource and title, but gives them a real sense of pride and achievement.
Engage the interest of pupils by really enabling them to explore the first few moments of Miller's 'All My Sons'.
These searching questions encourage pupils to explore the opening stage directions in good detail, prompting a lively discussion and positive approach to the play.
All My Sons
Arthur Miller
Stage directions
Questions
Worksheet
A resource which outlines some of the key quotations from Act Three.
Have your pupils lost their momentum at this point in the play? Refresh it by cutting out the hard work for them. This worksheet puts the important moments down clearly for the pupils to see. Simply use the boxes underneath each quotation to write notes, and to explore these key moments.
Ideas for use in the classroom:
Hand pupils the worksheet and, in pairs, ask them to write down what they feel is important about each quotation.
For essay practice, ask pupils to think about how they might carefully analyse each quotation that is on the worksheet.
For a little fun, which is their favourite quotation and why? What does it reveal about the play?
All My Sons
Arthur Miller
Close reading