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I'm an English teacher in a Scottish high school. I teach all years and mark both National 5 and Higher papers for the SQA.

I'm an English teacher in a Scottish high school. I teach all years and mark both National 5 and Higher papers for the SQA.
'Death of Marilyn Monroe'  poem Edwin Morgan, critical essay N5
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'Death of Marilyn Monroe' poem Edwin Morgan, critical essay N5

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This unit introduces the class to the poem ‘The Death of Marilyn Monroe’ by Edwin Morgan. It introduces Marilyn’s history and the corruption of Hollywood and comments on the structure of the poem. Then it takes the class through the writing of a critical essay on a Memorable Event. **Important: **this does not include the annotation of the poem- there are other powerpoints by others for that available. This is focused on how to write a National 5 essay.
Mary Moon and the Stars National 5 Critical Essay, Janice Galloway
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Mary Moon and the Stars National 5 Critical Essay, Janice Galloway

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This is a powerpoint with notes on the Janice Galloway short story ‘Mary Moon and the Stars’. It includes a how to guide on critical essays on an Interesting Character, and the Theme of Neglect. There is also a quote guide. I have also included a powerpoint about common mistakes my class were making- summarising the story, no techniques- so use this if your class are similar!
The Great Gatsby, Setting Ch1-3 Critical Essay, & Character Including Quote Sheet for entire novel!
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The Great Gatsby, Setting Ch1-3 Critical Essay, & Character Including Quote Sheet for entire novel!

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This is a setting essay on the early chapters of Gatsby. It’s my experience when tackling a novel that I like to get pupils to tackle an essay quite early on rather than wait until the finishing the novel- it makes me feel more secure. Setting is a popular Higher question and these paragraphs can easily be tweaked into other questions- character, theme etc. The powerpoint takes the class through different settings with hints of analysis that can be used. It encourages pupils to find their own quotes and gives PEAR paragraph examples. I’ve also included a Key Quote booklet for help, and a list of popular previous essay questions that work for Gatsby. After this, I’ve added a Character question on Complex character whom you feel sympathy for- and detailed slides to help my class who were struggling. This is for when you have finished the whole novel.
RUAE skills for S3 and N5/Higher
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RUAE skills for S3 and N5/Higher

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These lessons focus on breaking down the RUAE skills into formula for National 5 and Higher. To keep learning consistent, I have used the same formulas and created easier S3 lessons so as to prepare them for National 5. The N5/H resource also includes print outs for a wall display in your class.
S1 S2 S3 Gothic Story writing, creative scary spooky unit. N4
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S1 S2 S3 Gothic Story writing, creative scary spooky unit. N4

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This S1/S2 Gothic story unit guides pupils through writing a Gothic story, looking a the idea of genre, then Setting, Character and Plot. It includes looking at the story The Monkey’s Paw, a short sequence from Woman in Black (if you have a copy), and builds up to writing creatively about being in a haunted house. I suggest for the writing to buy some LED candles and play spooky music! Could also be used for N4 Writing.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban S2/ S3 unit of work
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban S2/ S3 unit of work

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This is a lower/ mixed ablility unit that I made initially for S3, but could be used for a S2, or perhaps a N4 S4. This has several starters, fun and interesting tasks as well as a focus on RUAE skills - In Your Own Words, Word Choice, Sentence Structure, Imagery. We look at Theme and Characterisation as well. I’ve included group tasks of a Tarsia puzzle, a Hot Seating task, a Homework research task and the final outcome is a critical essay on the theme of good versus evil.
Frankenstein Philip Pullman Drama Play Unit
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Frankenstein Philip Pullman Drama Play Unit

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This is a unit of work for the play Frankenstein by Philip Pullman/ Mary Shelley. This includes some guided questions for each Act, group discussion tasks, Understanding questions, a task to design a set, a storyboard and the final outcome is a critical essay on Sympathy. This could be used with S1-S3. I’ve included the SchoolTube link to the play starring Benedict Cumberbatch but I wouldn’t recommend watching the entire play- parts are not appropriate for lower school. I suggest you watch ahead and decide which are suitable.
Ultimate RUAE formula guide, N5 Higher (Including wall display!)
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Ultimate RUAE formula guide, N5 Higher (Including wall display!)

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This is a simple guide to RUAE, breaking each question down using a formula. I’ve covered every question type that has appeared in the last few years of N5 and Higher. The powerpoint also includes questions and example answers. I have also included print outs of each formula for your wall and an example from my wall.
Frankenstein drama play & Gothic Creative Writing
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Frankenstein drama play & Gothic Creative Writing

2 Resources
This is my lower school unit of work for the play Frankenstein, using guided reading of the play with the end result being a critical essay. The Gothic writing takes you through the elements of the Gothic genre and the final outcome is an imaginative spooky story. These pair nicely together.
'Jaws' National 5 English Media Essay, focus on beach scene
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'Jaws' National 5 English Media Essay, focus on beach scene

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This is a guideline for a National 5 essay on the beach shark attack in Jaws. This guides you through 4 main techniques- character, sound (diegetic and non-diegetic) and camera angles. This can be used to produce a very quick National 5 essay. You wouldn’t even need to watch the whole film with a class. I’ve included the analysis of each of these, an essay paragraph plan and activity board. This is very teacher-lead- my class were a repeat N5 and needed a lot of support.
S1/2 Highwayman Poetry Online Learning Unit
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S1/2 Highwayman Poetry Online Learning Unit

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This is based on Alfred Noyes’ poem ‘The Highwayman’. This can be used for online lessons or in class. This is a 8 lesson unit which has some Close Reading, discussion of techniques used in the poem and some fun tasks of Wanted Posters and Leaflet creation.
Sailmaker Nat5 5 Exam unit 8 marker help
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Sailmaker Nat5 5 Exam unit 8 marker help

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This is a small unit on preparing pupils for their National 5 Set Text exam on Sailmaker. It includes several practice papers and a powerpoint on how to do the 8 marker, plus Key Quotes and analysis. UPDATED- I have added a Kahoot quiz for revision of the 2022 Nat 5 Exam Extract.
S2/ S3/ N4 S4 Reality TV Unit Discursive Writing
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S2/ S3/ N4 S4 Reality TV Unit Discursive Writing

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This is a unit made for S2/ S3 on Reality TV to get pupils to think critically about this genre. It includes a fun Group task, articles for gathering information, discussion of reality TV moments and the end result is a discursive essay. Could be used for a N4 S4 class too.