How can you get your students to understand what Victorian poverty actually looked like, and have fun at the same time? Students are given the challenge of surviving a week as a child in a working class Victorian family. To survive, they must spend their money wisely, navigating through a series of choices and decisions. For example, will they choose to go to school, or go out and work? By showing students what Victorian poverty looked (and felt) like, this fun lesson helps their understanding of the context of 19th century literature, particularly Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”! All you need is this powerpoint, and a printer to print off copies of the budgeting table (included on slide!) (An extension activity is included, but this game should last all lesson! Feel free to rearrange the slides or include your own obstacles so that you can play it again and again!) Have fun! :)

What do sport and English have in common? This lesson encourages students to consider the links between language and sport. Examples of effective commentary are used to show how language can make sport even more exciting. Students complete the lesson by writing their own commentaries! Students are able to choose which sports they’d like to focus on, with plenty of opportunities for self and peer-assessment. All you need is a printer, a powerpoint projector, and access to youtube! Have fun! :)

Develop students’ skills of evaluation and persuasive writing, as well as their understanding of what a CV is and what a good one looks like. Students start by thinking about their own aspirations. They are then given the chance to read snippets from eight very different CVs, which they use to make an Lord Sugar-style decision about which of the eight candidates they would hire for the role! The lesson concludes with a writing task for students to demonstrate their writing and evaluation skills. All you need is a printer for the resources, blue tac to stick the CVs around the room, and a powerpoint projector! Have fun! :)

This booklet provides structured and engaging revision exercises covering many of the key characters & themes of An Inspector Calls: Plot, Mr Birling, Sheila & Eric, and Inspector Goole, as well as a bonus activity grid! Designed to engage your students’ critical thinking through a range of engaging independent tasks. Perfect for independent revision, homework or as a cover activity! Ranging from quote-memory tasks, picture-based evaluation and practise essay questions, the activities in this booklet can also be used as inspiration for lessons. These activities are accessible for many ability levels and offer many opportunities for stretch and challenge. But for even further differentiation, this pack includes both a printer-friendly PDF version of the booklet as well as the original word document, enabling you to edit and add as much as you like! Have fun! :)

In this three lesson mini-scheme, students will understand, analyse and evaluate the characters of Oliver, Nancy and the Artful Dodger. They will learn the story of Oliver Twist, as well as the historical context of the novel - all while having fun! Just three lessons long, this scheme is great for breaking up long schemes of work, and offers students critical exposure to 19th century texts. There are also plenty of ways that this scheme can be extended! From documentary clips to class debates and whiteboard work, these lessons are full of clear AfL and engaging activities, as well as suggestions for even more! The notes on the slides provide opportunities to differentiate, extend or adapt the lessons to suit your classes’ needs and boost engagement - for example by making the activities more physical! No prior knowledge of the story is needed. These lessons are not exclusive to any one exam board, but instead aim to develop core English Literature/Language skills such as comprehension, analysis, evaluation and extended writing. This pack includes three extracts from the novel. All worksheets are included in the powerpoint, and video URLs are clearly provided in the slide notes. Have fun! :)

How much has love changed since 1600? Students are asked to compare Shakespeare’s presentation of love in Romeo & Juliet to a very modern example of love. Context, evaluation, comparison and fun all in one! After a dynamic group starter, the lesson moves onto guided and independent textual analysis, before a final comparison of a shakespearean passage to a much more modern declaration of love. The lesson involves peer work/assessment, and a final written task. This lesson aims to build key skills that are crucial across all exam boards. Created for year 8 but could be used/adapted for KS3/4. All you need is this powerpoint, access to youtube , and a printer! Thanks! :)

A great (and simple) introduction to An Inspector Calls! Students are given a range of engaging activities, from video clips, to discussion tasks, card sorts and a storyboard activity to finish! There is an extension activity included that asks students to consider the message of the play. Simple, fun and engaging - tried and tested! Have fun :)

In this lesson, students develop their skills of reading, analysis, and evaluation to answer the exam style question: How powerful is Macbeth in Act 4 Scene 1? Starting with a quick translation exercise, the lesson moves into whole class reading, followed by a quick round of evaluation questions, some peer sharing, and finally a writing task! A clear and simple lesson that also offers plenty of opportunity for fun and engagement. Structured to offer clear support throughout, and guide students’ thinking as they approach the final task, this lesson can also be adapted to offer increasing challenge. All that is needed for this lesson is a powerpoint projector and a printer. Have fun! :)

Based on the popular TV quiz show, this lesson gets students to face off over five rounds of questions. Test their knowledge on everything from English Language to General Knowledge! The rules are clearly explained on the slides. Everyone can take part, but this is a great opportunity to let students lead the action! Five rounds of questions: English Language English Literature Sport Film / TV General Knowledge Can be adapted to all age groups, and feel free to change up the questions so you can use it again and again! This lesson is great for the end of year/term, or even just as a break between topics! All that is required is: a Powerpoint projector, 2 x miniwhiteboards & pens, and A4 paper for each student. (Optional: raffle tickets, for prizes) Enjoy! :)

Planning lessons on Oliver Twist? Dickens? Or just 19th century literature in general? Save some time with these 3 extracts! Save even more time by downloading a mini-scheme of 3 premade lessons based on these extracts HERE. These extracts cover three of the most important characters of the novel: Oliver asks for more Oliver meets the Artful Dodger Nancy defends Oliver from Sikes and Fagin Extracts come complete with line numbering, an opening introduction/summary, and a glossary of tricky terms.