A list of silent letters - that cause a problem so often for the pupils. The list is logically organised, the patterns become visible for understanding. This resource can be a reference for teachers or students as well.

This resource introduces/reminds students of what proper nouns are and the rule of capitalisation. It goes through each item with examples and tasks. Probably a 2-3 lesson length As much as it is a simple thing, I had to teach this at many levels.

This resource is a series of lessons worth (I have developed this series through years of teaching) - it explores all the great techniques that create good writing - you may pick and choose or simply go from beginning to end in installments. In my experience, students enjoy the lessons; there are plenty for them to do after explanations and demonstrations. Great examples are used for the students. Also suggested: Striking openings The rule of three The power of the noun phrase

This is a whole lesson resource on the topic of the rule of three. It introduces it and then puts it in context: What does it mean if we say one thing about something, what if we use two, then three and even 4 or more. It shows the technigue on word, sentence and whole text level. Finally as a bonus, the technique is shown to be used in the arts as well.

This is a fully developed series of lessons for teaching what noun phrases are, how they work, how they can be built, what effect they can create. In other words, how noun phrases can create atmosphere especially for writing to describe. It depends on you how much you want to go into details. In my experience, a bit of depth is only good as it makes the students really understand the possibilities of noun phrases. Delete what you do not need. I usually teach all of this in KS3 and KS4. The skills of the students have shown remarkable improvement.

This lesson material is to teach students about the importance of their first sentences into any piece. It also teaches, through great examples, how to make striking opening lines. Have fun with it, make the students experiement. Students enjoy this lesson; they become more thoughtful about their beginning sentences - and create some fantastic first sentences.

This reference 2-pager shows the nine possible sentence structures in an organised fashion: simple, compound and complex -- three patterns each. The patterns are explained, examples are given. The compound and subordinate conjunctions are given as well organised by logic used. This is a very useful material for students to consider their options for variety -- for effect and clarity. It also can be used as revision material. I plan to add PPT materials that teach the patterns.

Sentence structures - compound sentences with coordinating connectives Using the FANBOYS - with meanings of linking word and an example - then, students must create their own examples. Pdf file - as print out included I recommend Vary your sentences for effect and clarity - 9 patterns of sentence structures presented in an organised fashion - reference material

English, GCSE, grade A English Language AS/A2 level This is a whole lesson on syntax in practice. Students of English usually find it hard to think in syntax term and how that builds thought. This exercise helps them understand this. Using a thought provoking text - Cogito ergo sum (I think; therefore, I am.) - students (best in small groups) identify sentence structures 1. Identify Subject and Verb which then helps identify clauses 2. Identify linking words that determine the relationships between clauses. I also included a PDF file with solutions so that students can reflect on lesson.

This resource is a compilation of slides on the topic - more than a lesson's worth. Depending on the group's level, one can decide what to use. Some can be dealt with at GCSE level, but I actually taught these at AS/A2 level. The resource looks at descriptive techniques going as far as showing sample commentaries of techniques. It is a good 2-lesson material to consider or reconsider description and its uses, including travel writing. The accompanying reference material of sentence structures is for the last slides that looks at the sentence structures. Also the extracts with comments (maybe for after lesson distribution?) are included. Also the extract for sentence structure identification task are included. Any questions about the resources, please contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

AS English Language This exercise uses an extract from a real-life article and dissects its sentences. The exercise asks students to examine the sentences, identify them and comment on how they contribute to or create meaning. Solutions are given afterwards so that students can confront what they have missed. The exercise shows how sentence structure - syntax - can contribute to meaning. Very often disregarded, worth writing about though. One Pdf file - 4 pages - task and solutions (to be given out for reflection afterwards) The Powerpoint presentation - use the text to read extract together; then only use the rest when students have tried to dissect the sentences. make them identify sentences, then consider how syntax effects meaning. I have included a reference material I have created that shows the nine patterns of possible sentence structures to help identification. (maybe a good thing could be to spend a lesson beforehand to learn these patterns.) If you have any questions about the resource, please contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

This is a lesson designed for AS/A2 classes of English Language and English Literature. The included lesson plan details the motives/steps of the lesson. The lesson aims to make students realise that a text needs to be looked at and considered all its angles/aspects - only by considering all aspect one can really see how it works as a whole. Using three very different resources (I included a lovely English poem); for the other two I used a printed ad and a travel writing piece. By making the student look at only one aspect each - when they report back, it has to be evident that they actually had to consider the other two aspects as well, even if subconsciously :) PURPOSE - TECHNIQUES - EFFECT Their commentaries will also be whole when they let all three aspects create it. If you have a question about the resource, please contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

This a unit of several lessons for GCSE English Language students learning what to analyse - writing techniques - and how to write effective analysis, including the structuring of an essay. The booklet and the essay writing frame makes it a great help for especially middle and lower ability students to learn how to analyse, what to look at, and how to write about literary devices - the material closely helps them make notes with leading questions through the chapter looking at almost every paragraph. It leads the analysis of the text and it teaches them how to write their paragraphs (writing frame is optional - the thing is even better students appreciated it as it is a step by step guide if they need it). The material is a great help for teachers as well, basically the analysis of the text is done by following the booklet and the PPT presentations. Structure and Effect - though it was created for an AS/A2 lesson - I based it on how I taught the devices used in that famous paragraph describing the convict for the first time. Additional materials are added that I used for the unit. Planning and drafting - you may help them by showing them a student essay and make them see what is good about it, what could be improved - students said it was great to actually see an essay and based on the essay guide in the booklet and the essay writing frame - realise that the task is doable and they could do better. Booklet should be printed as A3 booklet (total page number must be dividable by 4) If you have any questions, please contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

This resource can be used maybe in year 6, but better in Key Stage 3 Weak GCSE students might improve with this as well The presentation covers a series of lessons - 6 - but can be as many as 8 which leads teacher and students through several extracts while looking at literal information vs clues that lead the thoughts not written but implied. Students have to understand what inferring and deduction is as a process. They also practice basic PEE style answering of question regarding text. The program I took long time ago from a government material with some added things (deduction). I have used this both in school and private tutoring with success. Students relate to the texts easily.

This resource is for AS/A2 levels. It may, to a certain extent, be used for GCSE English Language Writing techniques/devices and their effects including sentence structure comments I have used this text to make students use/improve their skills of close text analysis. The text has many things to comment on and students engaged very well with the text. I made them consider things they would not notice. I have included a PPT presentation with the text enlarged leaving space to add comments on board. There is a student and teacher copy. The teacher copy has my comments which may be given out at the end of the activity for further reference. Teacher could use my notes to ask leading questions or suggest areas to examine further. There is a lot of flexibility here. I have included quite a few structural device comments as well, as I have found that these are often neglected while they can gain good points for them. (see my other A-level materials, too) If you have any questions, you may contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

English Language - AS/A2 level This revision lesson (or two) was created to make students aware of advanced terminology and how they can easily use them in their analysis I included the lesson plan - this was a successful observed lesson Cards are distributed for groups/individuals to match descriptions to terminology - there is one with a question mark as a final challenge, drawing attention to proper name for personal pronouns. Make them push themselves to discuss possible effect/use of terminology. Also let them create memory cards for themselves. I have several other A-level lesson materials, check them out. If you have any questions, please contact me at gykinga@yahoo.co.uk

A short exercise that can be used to revisit issues with the usage of the apostrophe Can be used at many levels.

A one-page description of the two main usages of the apostrophe: contraction and possession. With examples it explains the usages. The sheet also includes when not to use it - mistakes that are often committed. The resource can be used at many levels.

Spelling is an evergreen issue in English. I have prepared several interactive presentations that deal with common issues. This is a resource for a lesson that teaches or revisits spelling issues. This particular PowerPoint document explores the sound and the letter P and its combinations, including when to double it. There are short tasks as well to make a point - in doing them, the students (maybe with some direction) can establish the rules, rules are then demonstrated. This resource can be used as a longer starter in lessons or can be a base of a lesson as well. It can be used at several levels.