7 lessons on speech writing for Upper Primary/Lower Secondary students, including PowerPoints and resources. Topics include analysing speeches, the languages devices used in speeches and writing a speech. Unit concludes with students writing and recording their own speech.

A class assembly (15-20 minutes) suitable for Years 5-6 on the subject of happiness. Through the funny dramatised tale of a greedy King’s clerk and a ‘highly scientific’ teacher joke-off, this assembly teaches that true happiness lies in friendships and in focusing on what we have rather than what we don’t have. The assembly also incorporates scientific research that has proven that telling other people why we are grateful for them makes us just as happy as the people we tell, giving scope for further PSHE work on empathy and kindness. Enough speaking parts for a class of 30+, or can easily be adapted for smaller numbers.

11 comprehension questions and answers for Saki’s short story, A Shot in the Dark (text included). Hector Hugh Munro (1870-1916), better known by the pen name Saki, was a British writer who was famous for writing witty, mischievous and sometimes macabre short stories. In A Shot in the Dark (1913), a young man, Philip Sletherby, is travelling by train to visit Mrs Saltpen-Jago, an influential lady who he hopes will be able to help him with his desire to become an MP. On the train, he meets another young man who asks Sletherby to lend him some money. Suitable for 11+/Common Entrance preparation and advanced Year 6 and KS3/4.

A 3-lesson unit of work on Lewis Carroll’s ‘The Jabberwocky’ for Years 5 or 6. Easily extended to more lessons. Pupils analyse nonsense words and work out their meaning using knowledge of nouns, adjectives and verbs. They analyse the structure of some of Carroll’s other nonsense poems and write their own version of ‘The Jabberwocky’. Includes all lesson plans, SmartBoard presentations and differentiated worksheets.

Twelve sessions of comprehension questions (with some answers) based on Judith Kerr’s ‘When Hiter Stole Pink Rabbit’, with suggested writing activities. Suitable for use in both small group and guided reading sessions or for whole-class discussion. A range of stretching questions covering textual and thematic analysis, authorial technique, figurative language and imagery. Suitable for advanced Year 6 or upper elementary students; 11+ or Common Entrance practice; and secondary students.

A class assembly (15-20 minutes) suitable for Years 5-6 on the subject of Shakespeare. Shakespeare himself appears, speaking only in lines from his plays, having been brought from Tudor times using a time machine created in a science lesson! The assembly teaches interesting facts about Shakespeare’s life and ends with the message that perseverance is the key to achieving anything. Includes lyrics to a Shakespeare song sung to the theme tune of The Addams Family! There is scope for pupils to create their own mini-sketches if wanted. Enough speaking parts for a class of 30+, or can easily be adapted for smaller numbers.

A class assembly (suitable for Years 5-6) about taking risks in the form of a poem in the style of Dr Seuss. The poem tells the story of the timid Macheroovian people who live on the island of Drum Philly Von Diddly Bom Boo and are too afraid to take risks. One day, a brave girl called Wilhelmina crosses to island to see what’s on the other side. She meets a group of singing nuns at the top of a mountain who teach her the importance of taking risks. Has enough speaking parts for a class of 30+ but could be amended for larger or smaller class sizes.

A 7-question comprehension assessment on an extract from Laurie Lee’s classic, “Cider with Rosie”, including answers. Suitable for 11+ preparation and KS3 and KS4.

Ten sessions of comprehension questions and answers based on Natalie Babbitt’s ‘Tuck Everlasting’, with four additional creative writing homework activities. Suitable for use in both small group and guided reading sessions or for whole-class discussion. A range of stretching questions covering textual and thematic analysis, authorial technique, figurative language and imagery. Suitable for advanced Year 6 or upper elementary students; 11+ or Common Entrance practice; and secondary students. [Page numbers refer to Bloomsbury UK edition (2002) but references easily found in any edition]