An engaging 30-45 minute activity in which pupils work in groups to conduct a detective style investigation, culminating in a class vote to decide which character was most responsible for Eva Smith’s death. This resource includes: A title, WALT and WILFs A themed PowerPoint presentation Scaffolded worksheets for pupils A speaking and listening component This activity can easily be used as the basis for a whole lesson once pupils have read the play, as a revision activity to recap characters or as a starting point for pupils to attempt an exam-style question on characters, guilt or responsibility.

A reading lesson based on Chapters 1-4 of ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar. Aimed at a mixed-ability Y7 cohort, the lesson includes: A starter task focusing on capital letters and punctuation A ‘predict’ task to help pupils activate prior knowledge about key themes and to maximise engagement. A reading slide with challenging vocabulary clarified. A ‘true or false’ progress check for AfL 5 comprehension questions with sentence starters and a challenge task A gap fill plenary to summarise reading for the lesson Worksheets for the lesson are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading lesson based on Chapters 5-6 of ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar. Aimed at a mixed-ability Y7 cohort, the lesson includes: Starter task focusing on compound sentences ‘Predict’ activity to activate prior knowledge of key themes and to maximise engagement Reading slide with clarification of difficult vocabulary ‘True or False’ progress check for AfL 5 comprehension questions with sentence starters and a challenge task A plenary to summarise key events and ideas Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

In this engaging and fun revision game for GCSE students, pupils need to match the key quotation from Macbeth with a relevant character, theme or method. This game can be used as a fun starter, plenary or even a planning activity, as well as being a useful revision tool. It is designed to aid pupils with quotation recall, as well as being able to understand how they can relate these to characters, themes and methods in their writing. This resource includes: A clear instruction page 60 dominoes, pre-filled with quotations (including act and scene numbers) 10 blank domino templates for pupils or teachers to complete themselves

A character revision task for ‘An Inspector Calls’ where pupils complete and annotate Top Trumps style cards for each of the characters. This revision task is suited to KS4 pupils and can be completed individually, as a group or be set as a homework. This resource includes: A title slide with instructions, a WALT and WILFs. A class model slide which breaks down what pupils should be considering for each category. A ‘Top Trumps’ style card for each character with a space for key quotations. An A3 revision sheet including the card for each character as well as room to annotate them. Instructions to print in A3 include in the notes section.

‘After the War: From Auschwitz to Ambleside’ by Tom Palmer. A reading lesson designed for English, following a reciprocal reading structure and inclusive of an independent task for pupils to complete. This book tells the story of a young teen, Yossi, who is taken to the Lake District after being liberated from Auschwitz. Based on true event, this is a wonderful and moving introductory text to engage pupils in the Holocaust and to build links between English, History or Citizenship. Lesson 1 includes a prediction starter where pupils make a prediction based on the book cover and covers the foreword as well as chapters 1 and 2. It also covers key contextual information to allow pupils to access the historical content.

A character revision task for ‘Macbeth’ where pupils complete and annotate Top Trumps style cards for each of the characters. This revision task is suited to KS4 pupils and can be completed individually, as a group or be set as a homework. This resource includes: A title slide with instructions, a WALT and WILFs. A class model slide which breaks down what pupils should be considering for each category. A ‘Top Trumps’ style card for each character with a space for key quotations. An A3 revision sheet including the card for each character as well as room to annotate them. Instructions to print in A3 include in the notes section.

A ‘How to Annotate’ Step-by-Step A4 Poster, with step-by-step examples based on the poem ‘Ozymandias’ and mini versions of the handout to stick in pupils books or to send home as a revision resource. Perfect for GCSE pupils, as it helps to build independent annotation skills vital for Unseen Poetry. Bright and appealing colours and simple icons make it a perfect resource to display in the classroom, and an excellent revision resource for pupils.

In this engaging and fun revision game for GCSE students, pupils need to match the key quotation from ‘An Inspector Calls’ with a relevant character, theme or method. This game can be used as a fun starter, plenary or even a planning activity, as well as being a useful revision tool. It is designed to aid pupils with quotation recall, as well as being able to understand how they can relate these to characters, themes and methods in their writing. This resource includes: A clear instruction page 60 dominoes, pre-filled with quotations (including stage directions) 10 blank domino templates for pupils or teachers to complete themselves

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter seven of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task focusing on using similes for effect a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the lesson are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for the introductory chapter of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a vocabulary starter task focusing on genre an inference task using the front cover a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the starter task are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter three of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task recapping first impressions of characters a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version) are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter one of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task focusing on verbs, with guided self assessment a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the starter task are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter five of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task focusing on vocabulary, with guided self assessment a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 9 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the lesson are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter two of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task focusing on using adverbs a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the starter task are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter four of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task based on acquiring new vocabulary a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the lesson are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.

A character revision task for ‘The Sign of Four’ where pupils complete and annotate Top Trumps style cards for each of the characters. This revision task is suited to KS4 pupils and can be completed individually, as a group or be set as a homework. This resource includes: A title slide with instructions, a WALT and WILFs. A class model slide which breaks down what pupils should be considering for each category. A ‘Top Trumps’ style card for each character with a space for key quotations. An A3 revision sheet including the card for each character as well as room to annotate them. Instructions to print in A3 include in the notes section.

A reading and comprehension lesson for chapter six of ‘Cirque du Freak’ by Darren Shan. Aimed at a nurture or low-ability KS3 cohort, the lesson includes: a starter task focusing on vocabulary, with guided self assessment a reading slide with focus questions to prompt engagement a hinge question for AfL 10 comprehension questions with a challenge task a plenary. Two lots of differentiated worksheets (including a multiple choice version), as well as hand outs for the lesson are included. Easily adapted for cover lessons or learning at home booklets.