Resources I’ve been using successfully with Scottish Higher pupils (age 16/17) in order to support their writing of critical essays. The pack includes templates for initial internet research, 2 model essays, detailed notes on the whole poem, questions on each part of the poem, a step by step essay plan and more… (If Miss Reid, who uploaded my accidentally incomplete first unit is able to contact me, I will email her this full version)

A great booklet to keep pupils focused when viewing the film for the first time. Analysis of which parts effectively create tension in the viewer.

Some resources to support the teaching of this brilliant Scottish short story. Discussion questions, analysis, essay plan etc.

Work to suit secondary pupils in S3/4 (age 14+) A set of questions to support pupil analysis of the text, and then a detailed essay plan to help pupils write an essay about the range of feelings communicated in the poem.

A powerpoint to introduce Anthony Burgess's 'A Clockwork Orange'. Key information about characterisation, plot, theme, and explanations of dystopia, totalitarianism etc. Youtube links to other supporting materials.

A unit of work for S1 pupils (age 11-13) based on the play by Anne Fine. Questions on each act and discussion activities.

A teacher's 'model' of a potential national 4 Added Value unit (a Scottish assessment which requires pupils to analyse/compare two texts). Compares the Jimmy McGovern drama 'Common' with a newspaper article. Suitable for any media study.

A good introduction to ‘The Winter’s Tale’, offering historical context, characters, themes, plot synopsis and some youtube link to give pupils a taster of what’s to come.

A detailed set of notes about Caliban, focusing on his pivotal role throughout the whole of the play. Important quotations recorded in bold with text references. Summary of his key contribution to the drama. My pupils collaborated on this, in preparation for writing an essay about significant characters in two plays (see my other notes on Camillo and Paulina from 'The Winter’s Tale).

A set of questions to accompany the fantastic short film New Boy written by Roddy Doyle.

This really helps pupils to focus on the use of the apostrophe. extremely useful.

A passage and question based on a newspaper article about the dark side of Roald dahl’s stories. We use it with S1 - 3 (age 11 - 14) high school pupils.

Close Reading passage and questions with use with S1 -3 (age 11-14) lower ability sets. (NB. there is a more challenging Roald Dahl test available)

A short reading assessment. The topic is about what happens when you lose your mobile phones. Pupils find it interesting and we use it as a high school test with lower ability sets in S1-3

A model to show pupils before they present their own talks exploring protagonist, antagonist, conflict etc. in a film.

Lots of resources that I use when teaching 'The Merchant of Venice' to S4 (age 15/16) pupils. Questions on each scene, group discussion tasks on key themes, essay plans on several topics and more...

Pages of important quotations for each character, essay plan , group discussion questions, setting and symbolism notes.

A Power point with background information about the life of Christy Brown. A great resource for introducing the autobiography or the film.

A fun activity for new secondary pupils. I get them to complete this first and then use it as a stimulus for a group discussion activity.

A detailed help sheet to scaffold pupils in the writing of a reflective essay about friendship.