A very simple resource selecting key quotes focused around the theme of violence and conflict. 11 quotes in total, available as PDF or Word doc.

This unit of work guides students through the spoken language compulsory requirement of AQA English Language GCSE. It includes: 27 slide PPT working through key aspects Introduction to the unit and requirements for students Exemplar AQA provided responses Flexible task, building suggestions for pupils Strategies for questioning Structuring a talk Examining persuasive non-fiction There are 2 PPT included - one is extensive and the second one is a bonus extra

2 fairly short non-fiction texts on the subject/theme of warehouses. The first text is taken from Dickens’ biographer and recounts his experience of working in a blacking warehouse. The second text is taken from a newspaper in 2017 and is written by a journalist who experienced working in an Amazon warehouse. Both extracts are relatively short and therefore usable in both KS3 and 4 for non-fiction comparison or as context for Victorian text study.

A handout explaining the different types of repetition, with definitions. The ones marked in red are the more useful ones. Suitable for high ability GCSE or A level students.

A matching activity for some basic structure techniques, including: chronological linear cyclical flash back narrative perspective foreshadowing end focus topic, time or place shift focus repetition

This resource includes a checklist for pupils of how to respond to each literature question, including timings and possible approaches to questions. Key texts mentioned can easily be changed to reference those taught in your own school.

A handout for students running through AQA’s English Language paper 1 - timings, marks and methods for answering. Designed to be a revision checklist to give out to pupils.

A booklet designed as revision for English Language paper 1. Could be set as homework, used in lessons, or sent home for parents to work on with students. This booklet was created entirely from scratch and contains a detailed breakdown of all the questions on the paper, including practice questions on mini-extracts, a break down of skills, marks and timings; suggestions for activities to improve learning for each question and further reading/ learning links. Extracts used are from About a Boy, The Story of Everyone Who Ever Lived in Our House and Jamaica Inn. It is self-contained and an excellent way to supplement pupil learning.

This resource includes a 48 slide powerpoint containing 35 fun, literacy-based word game activities, originally designed for years 7 and 8 form time as a competition, but suitable any easily adapted for any secondary year group or as in-lesson tasks. These activities have been based on research into literacy across the curriculum, utilising ideas such as disciplinary literacy to help develop the vocabulary of all pupils involved. There is roughly one challenge per academic week for the entire year (35 tasks). The tasks are divided into different types as follows: synonym finder - a word is given and pupils must submit as many synonyms as possible word ladders - pupils must change one letter at a time to reach the top of the ladder from the bottom caption this - pupils are given an image that they must provide a headline or caption for define it - pupils must define the subject-specific language and identify the subject area missing words - pupils must choose appropriate adjectives or adverbs for the sentence gaps root words - pupils are given a Latin or Greek root word and must submit as many words to include the root as possible seasonal challenges - pupils must identify as many nouns as possible on a seasonal topic Please see the tasks file preview for an example of the sort of thing you receive. Answers are included where appropriate, and all further instructions required to set up the competition element (if desired) are contained within the powerpoint. It can be linked to a Google Form for easy tracking and to encourage competitiveness if using whole school.

This resource is a revision PPT for English Language paper 2, AQA It includes every question on the paper: advice for timings, exam strategy and marks awarded. There are 2 short texts included for practice opportunities - one written by Seigfried Sassoon and one by Willy Russell, providing overlap with poetry, on the topic of war. There are example questions for each question. Each question covered includes a mix of pointers/tasks, some of which include example responses, planning grids, mark schemes and reference to texts.

This resource has been designed as a take home booklet for students studying/ who will be studying GCSE English literature, focused on learning a variety of key vocabulary to assist them with the course. It consists of 10 lists of carefully selected vocabulary, the learning of which will enhance essay writing skills specifically tailored toward literature (although of use to a large portion of the language course also). Each list provides the key word with an example or definition. Most lists have between 10 and 15 words to learn. The lists could be learnt weekly and tested in lessons, or the booklet could just be supplied as a supplementary course resource for those hoping to improve their grades. The lists are titled as follows (with an example word from each list): evaluative verbs (e.g. suggests) key language/ structure terms (e.g. alliteration) Shakespeare (e.g. Jacobean) evaluative verbs - disagreeing with a writer (e.g. conversely) connectives (e.g. consequently) poetry (e.g. enjambement) effect (e.g. empathy) modern/ Victorian texts (e.g. denouement) words of frequency (e.g. recurring) sharpen your vocabulary (e.g. callous) There is also a useful diagram to suggest a way to learn the vocab and a sheet on the back giving 128 alternatives to using the word ‘very’.

This resource is a set of zombie punctuation cards created to assist pupils with punctuation rules. Created as cards to be displayed, cut up or used over by students, each one has themed sentenced which require pupils to work out the punctuation rule from what they can see. There is then a space for them to record their observation. Includes commas, full stops and capitals, semi-colons, colons, brackets, dashes and speech marks.

This resource includes a mini unit on AQA’s English Language paper 1, question 4 - notoriously the most challenging question on the paper. It was originally written for and used with a high ability year 9 group, but is equally suitable for years 10 or 11 classes. There are approximately 3 lessons worth of learning included, with a PPT and all required resources. This includes: A 16 slide PPT a focus on a simple, short extract to begin with (from Harry Potter) to build skills, before moving on to something more challenging (The Book Thief) A possible planning approach to the question through characterisation, setting, perspective and atmosphere Guided questions for reading to enable pupils to think more carefully about and develop their opinions An exam style question for ‘The Book Thief’ extract, worked through with pupils in the PPT Sample ‘points’ that pupils could use to formulate a successful response to the question and used in a group writing activity selected quotes to analyse to help hone pupils’ language analysis skills guidance on extending their ideas to a full response 2 extracts from ‘The Book Thief’ to enable a further extension activity, if desired Updated March 2022

4 extracts from literary fiction books, formatted in the style of the AQA paper 1 examination extracts (with a context box at the top and line numbers). Extracts are as follows: Great Expectations (Miss Havisham) The Shawshank Redemption (opening - only 23 lines long) Dracula (the count scales the castle wall) 1984 (opening) Of Mice and Men (Curley and Lennie fight) Woman In Black (Arthur sees the woman at Eel Marsh) Especially useful for teaching AQA Language paper 1, or doing some cross over work on literature

This resource includes a 113 slide PPT for Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, by John Boyne, approx 20-24 lessons in total. Range of activities and tasks, including: themes (conflict, injustice etc) making predictions writer’s hooks effect on reader literary devices writing skills (e.g. sentence types) describing from an image settings symbolism characters inference using PEEZL perspectives writer’s use of language diary entry analysis comparison historical context Lessons include a variety of tasks integrated with reading chunks of the novel, such as links to videos, images or other sources that can be utilised in lessons. All lessons are tried and tested with a year 7 mid-range ability group, but can be easily adapted to lower or higher ability and would be suitable for any KS3 group.

Approximately 10 lessons worth of lessons tied together on the theme of Romantic poetry, updated March 2022. Originally written for a high ability year 9 group, but would also be suitable for years 10 or 11. 7 full PPTs covering 5 poems. A great introduction to unseen skills but also developing comparing! The scheme contains lots of challenge and stretch and covers the following aspects of poetry: Introduction to Romantic poetry - themes and ideas Analysing unseen poetry skills Key Romantic poets, contextual info Love’s Philosophy Bright Star The School Boy Chimney Sweeper Daffodils How to compare poems for an exam High grade exemplar responses (paragraphs/ more extended pieces) This scheme is an ideal way to provide students with a broader understanding of some of the more difficult poetry they might encounter and to familiarise them with the Romantic genre and movement in a more broad sense. NB: Two acronyms are used within this scheme: STRIVE and PEEZL. STRIVE reminds pupils of aspects of poetry to consider (subject, theme/ tone, rhyme/rhythm, imagery, vocab, effect) and PEEZL is a way to structure response paragraphs (point, evidence, explain effect, zoom into words, link to question).

A full lesson (possibly 2) on John Agard’s Checking Out Me History for the AQA English literature examination (updated Jan 2022), or as an exploratory lesson on poetry for any other exam board. Approaches the poem as an ‘unseen’ to consolidate and practice these skills, before helping pupils build a comprehensive set of notes for the conflict cluster. Includes a 12 slide PPT and the following: A Wordle looking at language patterns A key focus question to help students understand how to approach poetry in their exam Background knowledge of the historical figures mentioned in the poem Discussion of the use of accent and dialect with a video link An activity where students look at culture and identity and how we see it in the poem Guided additional annotation Focus on metaphorical language Suitable for GCSE learners Updated Jan 2022

A lesson looking at comparing poetry and unseen poetry skills, designed for AQA Literature. This lesson is for higher ability pupils who have ideally looked at the poems previously (Bright Star and Love’s Philosophy), though this is not essential. (A Romantic poetry unit is also available for sale, covering these poems in depth). The lesson PPT gears pupils toward planning to compare the poems, before showing a list of comparative points, generating potential questions, discussing exam and planning techniques and honing annotation skills. It then moves to a 2 paragraph typed comparative essay that models a top grade response to a given question. Great as wider literature poetic study in preparation for exams. Updated Jan 2022