This is a high-ability 16-page GCSE Literature booklet on Macbeth. Offered both in Publisher as a fully-adaptable resource, and also as a PDF. Are you new to teaching English? Is this the first time you have taught Macbeth at GCSE? Or have you only ever taught the play to lower- and middle-ability groups, and are worried about pitching it to the new top-set class you’ve been allocated? Concerned as to how to stretch to those 7s, 8s and 9s? Then this guide might be for you. The guide contains detailed analysis of: the theme of masculinity, focusing upon Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the Witches and Macduff the theme of womanhood, focusing upon Lady Macbeth, the Witches and Lady Macduff the significance of children, heirs, legacy and posterity There are also concise explanations of: Types of Kings and Kingship found in the play The Great Chain of Being and the Divine Right of Kings Aspects of the ‘Human Condition’ found in the play Macbeth as part of the tragedy genre: characterisation, tragic flaw and structure inc. anagnorisis, peripeteia and catharsis The guide is not exhaustive, but offers good grounding in higher-level ideas especially surrounding characters as constructs and vehicles for concepts, and also devices within the tragedy genre. In the summer before exams, the guide can be adapted and given to pupils to take away as part of their revision. Original posters on characters can be found at my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-revision-posters-12070022 Best wishes, Englbee x

Six PowerPoint exploring Act 3 ‘Macbeth’ for mid-high level GCSE Engish Literature classes. The PowerPoint contains exploration of themes: Children; Appearance and Reality; Kingship; Gender & Identity; and Ambition, Fate & Freewill Genre, Shakespeare’s Method and Context are also explored. The teacher can choose to focus on some, or all of the slides, as the class requires. Underneath most slides are teacher notes to aid with class teaching. Best wishes, Englbee x

Four PowerPoints exploring Act 2 of ‘Macbeth’ for mid-high level GCSE Engish Literature classes. The PowerPoints contains exploration of themes: Kingship; Ambition, Fate & Freewill; Appearance and Reality; Gender & Identity; and Children Genre, Shakespeare’s Method and Context are also explored. The teacher can choose to focus on some, or all of the slides, as the class requires. Underneath most slides are teacher notes to aid with class teaching. Best wishes, Englbee x

Three PowerPoints exploring Act 4 of ‘Macbeth’ for mid-high level GCSE Engish Literature classes. The PowerPoint contains exploration of themes: Appearance and Reality; Ambition, Fate & Freewill; Gender & Identity; Kingship; and Children Genre, Shakespeare’s Method and Context are also explored. The teacher can choose to focus on some, or all of the slides, as the class requires. Underneath most slides are teacher notes to aid with class teaching. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint for the end of Act Two on Mrs Birling’s involvement with Eva Smith and her condemnation of Eric. Suitable for mid-high GCSE Literature groups Slides include: LOs and Outcomes A prompt slide with focus questions whilst reading pp40-49 (end of Act 2) Questions to explore Mrs Birling’s class prejudice with example ideas in the teacher notes below An exploration of Mrs Birling’s first name -Sybil - and its links to blindness A tension graph (blank) for students to complete if the teacher wishes with the language of the Inspector and Mrs Birling towards the end of Act 2 A completed tension graph A written response to explore Priestley’s method at the end of Act 2 including a focus on the use of narrative gaps and structure A plenary task to reflect on learning regarding context, language and structure from the day’s lesson. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on adjectives. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to five different adjective types: positive; negative; comparative; superlative; and descriptive. Includes: *an explanation of the function of each adjective type within the English language *an example list of the type of adjective discussed *three differentiated challenge exercises for each adjective type with examples for students to choose from (less able might choose challenge one, with increasingly able choosing challenges two and three OR students could work from challenges one to three) Teachers can choose to teach the adjectives types in any order, dip in or out, or select as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding and using different types of adjectives. Best wishes, Englbee x

A high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Andrew Waterhouse’s ‘Climbing my Grandfather’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Before You Were Mine’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the pasy perfect continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to different ways of using the past perfect continuous tense: continuing past actions in the past now completed; questions; verbs that cannot be used in the past perfect continuous tense Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement (always ‘had’ in this instance), the use of ‘been’ , and the forming of gerunds *an explanation of how the past perfect continuous tense is used with examples. Discussion of how when not to use the past perfect continuous. *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past perfect continuous *challenge exercises two and three which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses and understanding of the past perfect continuous tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past perfect continuous tense, dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past perfect continuous tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the past perfect tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to four different ways of using the past perfect tense: to show the sequence of past events; to show a length of time in the past now completed;questions, using the 5Ws1H; the third conditional. Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement (‘had’ in this instance throughout), and the forming of other past participles *a table on how to form questions using the past perfect tense *an explanation of each use of the past perfect tense, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past perfect tense *challenge exercises two-four which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the past perfect tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past perfect tense, dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past perfect tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the past continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to five different ways of using the present continuous tense: basic sentence; interruption of a continuing action in the past by another action; an action which continued to happen at a precise point in the past; questions using past continuous; events repeated habitually in the past. Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to be’) agreement and the forming of gerunds *an explanation of each use of the past continuous, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past continuous *challenge exercises two-five which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present continuous tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past continuous. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable, high-level essay for AQA GCSE English Literature Paper Two Part A. However, it would be useful with any syllabus. The essay is offered as an adaptable Word doc. and a PDF. The essay question is What do you think is the importance of Mr Birling in the play and how does Priestley present him? Themes explored: Blame; Capitalism; Edwardian mores and values Method: Characterisation; Structure/chains-of-guilt; Symbolism; Contrast/Juxtaposition The essay is approximately 900 words; it can be adapted as needed. The preview shows only a part of the essay. Best wishes, Englbee.

Nine Challenge Cards on the theme of Kingship in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The nine Challenge Cards here deal with the theme of Kingship in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on simple past tense verbs. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to the infinitive verb form and explores conjugation for simple past tense. Includes: *an explanation of the infinitive verb *three differentiated challenge exercises: conjugating verbs; conjugating phrasal verbs; free-writing activity using simple past tense verbs. All include with answers/sample answer (less able might choose challenge one, with increasingly able choosing challenges two and three OR students could work from challenges one to three) Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding how to conjugate the infinitive into the simple past tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

Nine Challenge Cards on The Significance of Children in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The nine Challenge Cards here deal with the signifance of children in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

14 Challenge Cards on Gender and Identity on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Detailed sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The 14 Challenge Cards here deal with gender and identity in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the present perfect continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to different ways of using the present perfect continuous tense: past actions continuing now or relevant now; questions; verbs that cannot be used in the present perfect continuous tense Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement, the use of ‘been’ , and the forming of gerunds *an explanation of how the present perfect continuous tense is used with examples. Discussion of how when not to use the present perfect continuous. *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the present perfect continuous *challenge exercises two and three which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses and understanding of the present perfect continuous tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the present perfect continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the present perfect continuous tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the present perfect tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to four different ways of using the present perfect tense: basic sentence; past actions in an unfinished time; questions; events that have happened in the immediate past Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement and the forming of past participles *an explanation of each use of the present perfect tense, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the present perfect tense *challenge exercises two-four which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present perfect tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the present perfect tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the present perfect tense. Best wishes, Englbee x