About the author:
I am currently a teacher of English in a wonderful West Midlands secondary school, having prior experience as a Literacy Lead, Specialist Leader of Education, SLT Lead, AQA examiner and Head of English. I am in my fourteenth year of teaching and as such am keen to share resources I have used successfully, both in my own lessons and across my school / MAT.
About the author:
I am currently a teacher of English in a wonderful West Midlands secondary school, having prior experience as a Literacy Lead, Specialist Leader of Education, SLT Lead, AQA examiner and Head of English. I am in my fourteenth year of teaching and as such am keen to share resources I have used successfully, both in my own lessons and across my school / MAT.
This resource contains a 30 slide PPT on comparing power and conflict poetry for GCSE AQA English Literature. Updated Jan 2022, it contains tips, techniques, model answers and advice for comparing, with 3 focus questions covering different poems.
NB, this resource is not focused on teaching the poems but is designed to be used AFTER poems have been covered to refine comparison and exam skills.
PPT contains:
Intro to approaching poetry
Possible themes to compare
7 sample questions for discussion
A focus on a question and video link recap on ‘Remains’, presented in a Venn diagram for comparison
2 exemplar paragraphs comparing to ‘Prelude’
Discussion of a question focused on ‘My Last Duchess’
Recap of Last Duchess (video link)
Venn diagram comparing to Ozymandias
Mark scheme
Break down of how to construct a paragraph (PEEZL)
A gap fill exercise that scaffolds this method for weaker pupils
A check list to write the comparative paragraph and some phrases to boost marks
Peer assessment opportunities
A focus question on Bayonet Charge (plus a video link recap)
3 example responses to the question of varied levels
Pupil exercise to craft their own response
Advice for not having a quote to use
A bonus unseen poem at the end (Alpine Letter) and question to work through, if required
This resource was designed as a revision block on Lord of the Flies for higher ability GCSE pupils (grades 5-9), having already studied the novel. (There is also a full scheme of work PPT available for the first teaching of this). Updated Feb 2022
It includes 32 slides of activities and information (approx 6 lessons), including:
plot and character recap
theme recap (group activity)
provocative statements to provoke discussion
Images to prompt discussion of symbols
Recap of allusion (specifically biblical)
historical context - Golding
A nihilist view, Nietzsche
Discussion questions
Advice on exam questions and example questions
Quote finding exercise
2 exemplar responses to exam questions (level 5 and 6)
planning an exam response
advice on thesis statements for good intros
an exemplar high grade paragraph
All of the above is included in the powerpoint file itself, not as separate documents
This resource is a training session on the use of data as both a class teacher and head of department, specifically targeted at secondary school teachers. It includes a comprehensive 16 slide PPT, full of interactive questions and short tasks, designed to be used for staff training (small groups works well), and also includes an Excel resource with fabricated data to use in discussion / for some of the activities. It has been written from the perspective of a Head of English at a secondary school and was originally presented to trainee teachers. The session can last between 1-2 hours dependent on how thoroughly the slides are discussed.
The PPT goes through the following:
pivotal question - why are schools ‘obsessed’ with data?
what exactly we mean by data in a school context
brief literature review - what does pedagogical research say?
data exercise - looking at and discussing the use of different data sets (provided in an excel doc - n.b. utilises sisra style reports, excel sheets, sims data tracking and school headline figures, all fabricated and including no sensitive pupil data)
round up of discussion - suggestions for how each set of data in the packs might be used by a classroom teacher
further examples of data
a short brief on CATs, APS and Scaled scores
4 steps on using data as a classroom practitioner
key questions - why do we need to organise data and how might a class teacher organise theirs? What do you ‘do’ with data? When does it all end?
the problems with using data
Also includes a bonus PPT for a similar session completed across a MAT, with extra slides on:
using data as a primary phase lead
using data as a secondary HOD
key data uses across school
This resource includes a complete lesson looking at analysing the language of an extract from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for AQA English language paper 1, Q2. It is suitable for low to mid ability GCSE learners, as an introduction to the language analysis question or as a revision activity.
The PPT included guides pupils through the process as follows:
break down of the question and how marks are awarded
guided reading of the extract
an approach to answering an exam style question (PEEZL)
a help sheet for lower ability learners (gap fill)
a modelled example paragraph
Peer assessment using marking criteria
Includes a 13 slide PPT for revision of Macbeth for Literature Paper 1 AQA (paper 2 in 2022 due to changes)
Covers exam technique, mark scheme, plot, characters, quotes, themes, tragedy genre, context and an example exam question. New for 2022
This resource is a full lesson PPT on the poem ‘Tissue’ by Imtiaz Dharker for the AQA power and conflict poetry cluster. It includes the following lesson tasks:
connotations of tissue mind map task
link to video of poem and reflections
imagery task, linking quotes to pictures
fully annotated poem
further analysis video link
creative cross-over task (writing a ‘life receipt’ and using inference skills - modelled example)
Imtiaz Dharker biog info
exam question and planning task (NB not a comparison question)
Created April 2022
This resource contains 15 venn diagrams designed for practise of comparing poetry for AQA English Literature, power and conflict cluster. Each page has a question at the top (as pictured), covering every poem in the cluster.
An excellent way to promote independent work and revision of poetry, this way of comparing has been tried and tested by both myself and my department. Venn diagrams can be blown up to A3 to encourage group work, or used in circulation around the room so pupils can build on each others’ ideas.
This resource is a 20 slide revision PPT for Animal Farm AQA GCSE English Literature examination (modern text).
It covers all you need to revise the text with pupils, including:
plot recap task + diagram
key character mind mapping task + quote finding
suggested key character quotes
minor character task + suggested quotes
key context image task
key context information
quote exploding task with modelled example
themes table task with scaffolded option
key vocab task (find definitions)
past exam questions planning task - 8 past exam questions included with 1 modelled planning example
AQA mark schemes
This resource was created April 2022
This resource is a 90 slide PPT full scheme of work on Tom Becker’s novel ‘Darkside’, updated Jan 2022. It is suitable for middle to high ability learners in years 8-10. The novel contains some excellent descriptive language which forms great preparation for studying GCSE literary texts.
The PPT is approx 15-18 lessons, not including the reading of the novel! and all resources are included. It approaches the novel as an analytical reader but also provides opportunities to produce writing, both fiction and non-fiction, in cross-over tasks. The novel provides excellent opportunities for under-pinning context and cultural capital for Victorian novel study at GCSE.
The PPT covers the following:
-inference and predictions from cover
-diary entry writing
-language techniques/ descriptive writing strategies
-discussion of language effect plus exemplar
-presentation of key characters
-comparing characters
-creating suspense
-guided annotation
-peer assessment opportunities
-gothic conventions
links to Frankenstein
built in optional HW tasks
character analysis
PEEZL method of analysing language
finding and locating evidence
descriptive writing
settings
tension tracking
spoken language opportunity - news reports
Victorian Britain
Emotive language
tracing plot developments
Pathetic fallacy
text transformations - travel writing cross-over task
endings
Updated January 2022
This resource contains a 34 slide powerpoint designed to be used for staff training in literacy across the curriculum. It divides literacy into 5 key areas:
Reading and comprehension strategies
Writing fluency strategies
Literacy through DIT (directed improvement time)
Spelling and vocab skill building
Inference and analysis skill building
Each area comprises suggested strategies and tasks suitable for any subject area and teacher across the KS3 and GCSE curriculum, in order to build literacy skills without sacrificing content. It can be used as a ‘pick n mix’ bundle, allowing staff to focus on areas that are not as strong in their current curriculum, or as a package deal looking at all areas.
Examples, worksheets and extra resources are included to aid in the delivery of staff training on this topic. Some have been created from scratch, others have been sourced online and included/ adapted as examples.
Strategies are based heavily in research to improve literacy within school settings, developed by an experienced, current practicing English teacher / former HOD and current literacy lead.
This resource is a full scheme of work for the novel ‘Coraline’ by Neil Gaiman. Originally written for a low ability year 8 group, it is suitable for years 7 or 8, low to mid ability. Updated Jan 2022.
There is a mammoth 93 slide PPT plus all resources included in this bundle. The PPT works through a range of activities designed to develop both reading and writing skills via cross-over creative tasks. Suggested reading chunked to go with lessons.
Topics and tasks as follows:
Pre-reading tasks (book name and cover)
expectations / predictions
characterisation
Effect of language (using the PEEZL acronym)
Example of writing about effect
Inference
Settings
Creative writing - create an ‘other’ you
Improving creative writing
Parallel world theme
formal letter writing
planning and scaffolded writing and peer assessment opportunities
comparing the two worlds
tracking tone changes
creating horror
pre-annotated extract
writing as a character (diary entry)
Use of simile / creating own similes
theme of survival
tracking Coraline’s journey
more in-depth theme investigation
writer’s messages
forming critical opinions
twisted fairy tales (investigation and creating own)
Heroines and stereotypes
quote finding
effective endings
foreshadowing
5 years later - writing a new chapter
Updated Jan 2022
A collection of non-fiction texts around the theme of workhouses. Suitable for KS3 or KS4. Available as Word doc and PDF files.
Can be reduced or used in their entirety for all year groups in comparative non-fiction study, as a stimulus for writing or to supplement Victorian fiction for cultural capital.
Includes:
An extract from the Order of the Poor Law Board (NB this is an image with small font so may require enlarging if it is to be used in its entirety)
A small list of punishments given at a workhouse
A Walk in A Workhouse, by Charles Dickens
An advert for a porter at a workhouse
A report on child labour
This resource includes 1-2 lessons on Amitage’s poem ‘About His Person’, updated March 2022.
It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board).
The PPT includes:
Introduction to the poem through an image
Pupil task to write a suitable question for the poem
guided annotation through a suggested question (as per unseen poetry in the exam)
suggested annotations included on the PPT
Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own poem in a similar style, about themselves)
This resource is a mammoth 100 slide PPT scheme (+ resources) for the novel Of Mice and Men, designed to be studied with mid to high ability year 9 students. It is an excellent novel for wider reading in order to build pupils’ knowledge and skills in preparation for GCSE English Literature. Approx 15-18 lessons worth
The PPT explores the following aspects of the novel:
Initial setting and atmosphere
Language analysis/ effect
Quote finding examining
Themes
Characterisation - George and Lennie
Character relationships
Context - The Great Depression and itinerant workers
Character mini quiz
The bunkhouse
Crooks and Candy analysis and quote discussion
Tracking changes in character
Conflict
Cyclical structures
The brush
Examples of literature style analytical writing
Curley’s wife
Focus on imagery, language and key extracts
Further examples of literature style writing on CW
Crooks’ room and the importance of all settings
The ending - prediction and reflections
Microcosm
This resource is a complete scheme of work to teach the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, including a 118 slide PPT plus all resources.
The scheme is suited for year 8 through to 11, dependent on ability. Teacher discretion is advised with the teaching of the novel and most tasks can be easily adapted for varied abilities.
The PPT includes tasks / lessons on the following aspects:
the detective story genre
inference and deduction
character development
narrative voice
context (autism, the Cottingley Fairies, Hound of the Baskervilles)
language and structure
themes (family, science v supernatural, restriction and more)
spoken language opportunity (speaking in role as a character)
features of descriptive writing vs non fiction writing and analysis of Chris’ style
Writing from a POV
sentence structures and punctuation analysis
cross referencing within a text
analysis of various written styles and comparison to the novel
peer assessment opportunities
All lessons are tried and tested and all paper resources are included as Word, PDF/ publisher files.
Updated May 2022
This resource includes a complete lesson looking at analysing the structure of an extract from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for AQA English language paper 1, Q3. It is suitable for low to mid ability learners, as an introduction to the structure question or as a revision activity.
The PPT included guides pupils through the process as follows:
break down of the question and how marks are awarded
key terminology
guided reading of the extract
an approach to answering an exam style question (PEEZL)
a help sheet for lower ability learners (gap fill)
Peer assessment using marking criteria
Also includes text extract for analysis.
This resource includes a full lesson on Amitage’s poem ‘Hitcher’, updated March 2022. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board).
The PPT includes:
Introduction to the poem through an image
A creative writing task of a 100-200 word story, based around key vocabulary from the poem
guided annotation through a suggested question (as per unseen poetry in the exam)
collated, suggested annotations for the poem, on the PPT
Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own poem from a different viewpoint- including scaffolded gap fill if required)
This resource compiles 3 Christmas themed drama games into a word document, clearly explained. Can take up to around 40 minutes of lesson time to complete
This resource contains 12 examination questions for Inspector Calls. They have all featured on past AQA papers and so are suitable for revision and for seeing what sort of question might be asked.
This resource is an English Language condensed paper 1 created to replicate the style of AQA examination questions. There are more available in this series in my paid shop, alongside a bundle of 4 for a reduced cost.
The text extract is from Orwell’s Animal Farm. The text also has a context blurb at the top and is formatted with line numbers to replicate exam text extracts.
All questions are included (Q1-5) worded to replicate AQA style.
The paper is condensed which means there are no lines for writing - it spans 2 sides in total for cost effective printing.
Perfect for tutoring, exam revision, mock exams, walking-talking mocks or in class study.