A fun and challenging lesson in which pupils use sensory detail and imaginative vocabulary to create their own chocolate poem. Pupils will need a small chocolate bar for this lesson. Drag out the torture - they have to smell the chocolate, then describe it, a small bite, then describe it, and so forth. I have done this many times before, and it has always gone down well. This is very good as a memorable Year 6 induction lesson, or a lesson on creative writing.

A lesson which teaches pupil how to analyse a poem for themselves - the teacher should be doing very little in this lesson. Pupils work in groups: each member of the group is assigned a role. A carousel activity follows, ending with a whole class feedback.

Cards that can be cut out and used to practice the full range of punctuation for Level 5-7.

143 word games with answers. Useful to put a couple up at the start of a lesson to get pupils settling down and engaged, or as fun little 'fillers'.

A classic speaking and listening lesson in which pupils have to persuade the rest of the group that they deserve a place on a falling hot-air balloon. The activity includes 30 role play cards, such as 'nurse', 'teacher' etc, and a set of famous people which could be used as an alternative.

A series of lessons in which pupils use persuasive writing. Pupils are to persuade a group of Hollywood producers to turn the class novel into a blockbuster film. A useful end of topic activity.

A whole lesson in which pupils think independently about the connotations of vocabulary in William Blakes's London. Included: model response, self assessment, contextual information.

Lots of ideas for 'bell work', that 2-5 minutes of dead time while you wait for other students to arrive. Great for embedding literacy skills, engaging the class, calming and settling challenging classes, and providing reasons to get to lessons on time!

Designed for the new Eduqas/WJEC exams from 2015, but could be adapted easily for AQA, this scheme includes lesson by lesson resources, lots of example assessments, model answers, homework tasks, creative writing tasks, links to non-fiction and poetry and wider reading.

Make marking easier by using these tick sheets. You do not need to write down what they have done well, just tick. Pupils can even write their own E.B.Is once their work has been returned.

Includes: visual information on his life and times, the workings of Tudor/Jacobean theatre, and how to get to grips with Shakespeare's language.

A pupil friendly guide to the course, with example question types, model answers, pupil friendly mark schemes, and tips on how to answer each question.

A whole lesson the poem Quickdraw by Carol Ann Duffy. A discussion and analysis of key imagery and writer's ideas. Includes an activity where pupils have to get out of their seats to discuss some of the issues in the poem.

A creative writing lesson based on the poem The Deserted House. Resource includes presentation including starter, activities etc, copy of the poem and a lesson plan (this was a an observed lesson which was judged outstanding). Focus for the lesson is on sensory detail and ambitious vocabulary.

Lots of words to help students write their own Gothic/ghost story. Includes ambitious vocabulary such as 'lugubrious' to push higher attaining students and encourage students to think carefully about their vocabulary choices.

For creative writing and analysing characters.

A handy 2 page worksheet taking pupils through the steps of analysing any non-fiction text.

A unit of work on myths and legends to last around 3-4 weeks. Includes: background to Greek mythology, British and European myths, modern myths and legends, research task, and a creative writing task over several lessons in which pupils create their own myth or legend. Writing skills are built into this., including characterisation, sentence structure, and settings. Darken the classroom, open up the fireside reading animation, and allow pupils to regale the class with their own myths and legends.

A poetry slam is competitive performance based poetry. Pupils work individually on their own poems, then work collaboratively to create a group performance. This works very well at the end of a term, or at the end of a unit of work on poetry. Works with any year group. Highly engaging for pupils. Allows pupils to be independent. A lesson is needed to plan and write the poems, then a lesson to practice and work in groups, and a lesson in which to perform. I award points out of 10 for the performance. A mark out of 5 for the quality of the poems, and a mark out of 5 for the quality of the performance.

A book I've written to be given to all staff and students. Topics include:What is literacy?\tHow to improve your work: responding to feedback\tMaking your writing more interesting: Sentence Variety\tThree tips for improving your writing style\tMaking your writing accurate: Punctuation\tCommas\tSpeech Marks\tColons and Semi-colons\tApostrophes\tMaking your writing flow: Paragraphs\tMaking your work flow: connectives\tHow to develop your answers\tMaking your writing accurate: Spellings\tSpelling strategies\tNine spelling rules to learn\tHomophones\tHomonyms\t25 commonly misspelt words\tHow to improve your work: Redrafting\tHow to improve your word power\tWorn out words\t70 words to sharpen your expression\tCommon literacy errors