This is high-level revision sheet of Owen Sheers’ ‘Winter Swans’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Neutral Tones’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘Winter Swans’ in preparation for the AQA Literature Examination The PowerPoint and accompanying teacher notes are aimed at high-level GCSE candidates aiming for grades 6-9 The resource contains the following: AQA Assessment objectives for the poetry anthology examination paper Warm-up activity A brief biography of Owen Sheers A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A list of high-level terminology for this particular poem as required for higher grades A pyramid of questions which moves from knowledge to evaluation as a way of stretching students’ thinking A link to a copy of the poem (due to copyright; you can easily copy and paste into PowerPoint) A student sheet which can be printed off or projected onto the board to record ideas whilst working through questions A short plenary Followed by: Teacher notes - two slides containing ideas for understanding the poem and its methods at a high level which you should likely read before the lesson as preparation for discussion and teaching. How much you ‘teacher-lead’ using these notes, or how much you use them to aid independent learning is up to you. Notes are not definitive, but offer good-grounding in understanding Sheers’ use of method in the poem, with detail on structure and form as well as language in order to reach higher grades (e.g. Use of juxtaposition; symbolism, non-rhyming end-couplet etc…) NEW: THREE PAGE LESSON PLAN ON HOW TO USE EACH SLIDE INCLUDING KEY QUESTIONS, LEARNING AND OUTCOMES The lesson presumes that some previous learning has taken place on what language, form and structure mean, and that students have a good level of understanding of what questions they should ask of poems in order to explore them (e.g. when was it written? how might that influence language choices? is there a specific form? what relevance is the form? how is the poem’s narrative structured? Is there a clear structure? etc.) Best wishes, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘Before You Were Mine’ for students aiming for grades 6- 9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a easy format rather than being too colour-heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Eden Rock’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Kind regards, Englbee x

A high-level GCSE essay for those studying Much Ado about Nothing for AQA English Literature Paper 1 The resource offers an extract from Act 4 scene 1 with an AQA-style examination question on the characterisation of Benedick (small amount shown in synopsis). There follows an essay which focuses on the question. The essay is written to a high-level for those aiming for grades 7-9 (although might help aspiring grade 6 also). The essay is around a side-and-a-half typed, meaning handwritten it would be about four sides (in keeping with high-level candidate expectations). After the essay, there is discussion as to: how the essay’s approach fits AQA’s ‘extract to whole’ further insight booklet on GCSE English Literature how the essay hits AO1, AO2 and AO3. how the essay covers higher band criteria The resource is fully-adapatable for you to change as needed for your OWN classroom use. Best wishes, Englbee x

Al revision sheet of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Neutral Tones’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Winter Swans’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘Neutral Tones’ in preparation for the AQA Literature Examination The PowerPoint and accompanying teacher notes are aimed at high-level GCSE candidates aiming for grades 6- 9 The resource contains the following: AQA Assessment objectives for the poetry anthology examination paper A warm-up acitvity A brief biography of Thomas Hardy A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A list of high-level terminology for this particular poem as required for higher grades A pyramid of questions which moves from knowledge to evaluation as a way of stretching students’ thinking A copy of the poem A student sheet which can be printed off or projected onto the board to record ideas whilst working through questions A short plenary Followed by: Teacher notes - two slides containing ideas for understanding the poem and its methods at a high level which you should likely read before the lesson as preparation for discussion and teaching. How much you ‘teacher-lead’ using these notes, or how much you use them to aid independent learning is up to you. Notes are not definitive, but offer good-grounding in understanding Hardy’s use of method in the poem, with detail on structure and form as well as language in order to reach higher grades (e.g. cyclical structure, time shift, enclosed rhyme, symbolism, unusual language collocations etc…) NEW: THREE PAGE LESSON PLAN ON HOW TO USE EACH SLIDE INCLUDING KEY QUESTIONS, LEARNING AND OUTCOMES The lesson presumes that some previous learning has taken place on what language, form and structure mean, and that students have a good level of understanding of what questions they should ask of poems in order to explore them (e.g. when was it written? how might that influence language choices? is there a specific form? what relevance is the form? how is the poem’s narrative structured? Why? Is there a clear structure? etc.) Best wishes, Englbee x

It’s hard work finding quality GCSE model writing answers for AQA English Language Paper 2, and even harder work writing them yourself, especially at a high level. Here, you will find a high-level model answer: a letter to persuade. The topic is homework. Pupils are asked to reflect on the significance of style and genre at the end as a self-reflection exercise. Please note the preview shows only a section of the sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

It’s hard work finding quality GCSE model writing answers for AQA English Language Paper 2, and even harder work writing them yourself, especially at a high level. Here, you will find a high-level model answer: a leaflet to advise with a clear point-of-view. The topic is homework. Pupils are asked to reflect on the significance of style and genre at the end as a self-reflection exercise. Please note the preview shows only a section of the sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

It’s hard work finding quality GCSE model writing answers for AQA English Language Paper 2, and even harder work writing them yourself, especially at a high level. Here, you will find a high-level model answer: an essay to explain. The topic is homework. Pupils are asked to reflect on the significance of style and genre at the end as a self-reflection exercise. Please note the preview shows only a section of the sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s 'Sonnet 29: I think of thee…’ for students aiming for grades 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Love’s Philosophy’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘Sonnet 29 'I think of thee…’ in preparation for the AQA Literature Examination The PowerPoint and accompanying teacher notes are aimed at high-level GCSE candidates aiming for grades 7, 8 & 9 The resource contains the following: AQA Assessment objectives for the poetry anthology examination paper Warm-up activity A brief biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A list of high-level terminology for this particular poem as required for higher grades A pyramid of questions which moves from knowledge to evaluation as a way of stretching students’ thinking A copy of the poem A student sheet which can be printed off or projected onto the board to record ideas whilst working through questions A short plenary Followed by: Teacher notes - three slides containing ideas for understanding the poem and its methods at a high level which you should likely read before the lesson as preparation for discussion and teaching. How much you ‘teacher-lead’ using these notes, or how much you use them to aid independent learning is up to you. Notes are not definitive, but offer good-grounding in understanding Barrett Browning’s use of method in the poem, with detail on structure and form as well as language in order to reach higher grades (e.g. use of the ‘abstract thought/empirical being’ structure; breaking of the Petrarchan sonnet form; use of extended metaphor/symbolism. NEW: THREE PAGE LESSON PLAN ON HOW TO USE EACH SLIDE INCLUDING KEY QUESTIONS, LEARNING AND OUTCOMES The lesson presumes that some previous learning has taken place on what language, form and structure mean, and that students have a good level of understanding of what questions they should ask of poems in order to explore them (e.g. when was it written? how might that influence language choices? is there a specific form? what relevance is the form? how is the poem’s narrative structured? Is there a clear structure? etc.) Best wishes, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s ‘Love’s Philosophy’ for students aiming for grades 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to Sonnet 29 and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Kind regards, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘Love’s Philosophy’ in preparation for the AQA Literature Examination The PowerPoint and accompanying teacher notes are aimed at high-level GCSE candidates aiming for grades 7, 8 & 9 The resource contains the following: AQA Assessment objectives for the poetry anthology examination paper A warm-up activity A brief biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A list of high-level terminology for this particular poem as required for higher grades A pyramid of questions which moves from knowledge to evaluation as a way of stretching students’ thinking A copy of the poem A student sheet which can be printed off or projected onto the board to record ideas whilst working through questions A short plenary Followed by: Teacher notes - a detailed slide containing ideas for understanding the poem and its methods at a high level which you should likely read before the lesson as preparation for discussion and teaching. How much you ‘teacher-lead’ using these notes, or how much you use them to aid independent learning is up to you. Notes are not definitive, but offer good-grounding in understanding Shelley’s use of method in the poem, with detail on structure and form as well as language in order to reach higher grades (e.g. Use of structure/argument, use of irregular couplets, plosive and sibilant sounds etc…) NEW: THREE PAGE LESSON PLAN ON HOW TO USE EACH SLIDE INCLUDING KEY QUESTIONS, LEARNING AND OUTCOMES The lesson presumes that some previous learning has taken place on what language, form and structure mean, and that students have a good level of understanding of what questions they should ask of poems in order to explore them (e.g. when was it written? how might that influence language choices? is there a specific form? what relevance is the form? how is the poem’s narrative structured? Is there a clear structure? etc.) Best wishes, Englbee x

This resource offers two comprehensive PowerPoints for English Language GCSE AQA: one for you to teach to your class, and the second with exemplar responses for you to share with your class as you see fit. The resource is most suitable for introducing a strong summer Year 9 class to GCSE skills needed next year, or as an introduction to a high-ability autumn Year 10 class just starting GCSE. The resource allows students to consider the GCSE as a whole, and the AOs as overlapping, before dividing them between the two papers later on in their GCSE studies How the PowerPoint works: The Learning Objectives and AOs are colour-coded to link with AQA’s symmetry grid (hyperlink provided in PowerPoint) Resources out of copyright are provided within the PowerPoint Resources in copyright are hyperlinked for you. You can copy and paste into the PowerPoint onto new slides should you wish, or you can continue to use the hyperlinks (I have had to hyperlink to avoid copyright breach) Questions are curriculum-aligned The PowerPoint works through AO1, AO2, AO4, AO3, AO5/6 The second PowerPoint contains high-level exemplar answers for AO1-4 questions, and detailed exemplar paragraphs for writing tasks covering AO5/6. If exemplars are too difficult for your class, you can adapt downwards as needed, but showing good quality ‘top’ answers may benefit most pupils aiming for 5+. I have used this myself with high-ability classes who have found it useful as an introduction to their GCSE English Language. The texts are: the opening two/three pages of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; two linked 19th century letters on hanging; and a Guardian article on capital punishment. Links to 20th/21st Century articles necessary due to copyright. Please note the links to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are sometimes temperamental. There is a copy here: https://archive.org/stream/JamesBondBooks/OHMS_0020#page/n7/mode/2up and here (also on PowerPoint): https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MkH504QgSKsC&pg=PA1&source=kp_read_button&redir_ese=y However, as with all things internet, sources disappear from time-to-time. Purchasing a cheap paperback copy of OHMSS might be an idea… Best wishes, Englbee

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint of Shakespeare’s Richard II for A level English Literature B, Paper 1A Literary genres, Aspects of Tragedy, Part C These are my notes used with a mid/high A level class. Each scene of Richard II has an individual slide covering the following: structural points, language choices, thematic points. The first two points are significant in making sure students cover ‘the ways in which…’ Shakespeare explores themes. There is also reference to the dramatic tragedy genre as appropriate with thoughts and comments on peripeteia, anagnorisis and catharsis on some slides At the beginning of the PowerPoint there are two additional slides: 1) contextual ideas that students should research prior to reading in order to understand kingship 2) an outline of some dramatic methods within the play to continue to explore the significance of ‘the ways in which…’ the play is constructed / crafted. The PowerPoint might be used in the following ways: as a starting point for you as a teacher new to the play; as a starting point for pupils to read through prior to their own group reading; as a basis for initial ‘teacher-talk’ followed by class discussion (a group could take an area each to build upon - structure, language, theme); as support for independent study of a scene outside of class time; as a starting point for revision. The PowerPoint is fully-adaptable for you to add your own ideas or insert additional slides as needed. Ideas are not definitive, but rather act as a thorough spring-board for further discussion and exploration of Shakespeare’s method and themes. An introduction to Tragedy as a dramatic genre can be found at my shop here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/dramatic-tragedy-genre-an-introduction-12019491 I hope you find this useful. Best wishes, Englbee x

A high-ability knowledge organiser for Much Ado about Nothing for AQA GCSE English Literature Offered as a PDF This is a high-ability revision tool (aspiring grades 7-9) which presumes students are competent already with the basic structure of the plot and basic character roles. The knowledge organiser has two sides which can be copied back-to-to-back on A3 or simply put on your school’s intranet . Side one offers analysis on the following four sections: Characters as concepts (11 characters) with significant key quotations and act/scene Significant Elizabethan contextual factors including: legitimacy, marriage, religion, humanism and patriarchal hegemony Significant themes including: constructive/destructive/self deception, love and marriage, transformation and gender (with act/scenes as relevant) High-level key vocabulary to help discuss the play conceptually Side two offers analysis of method specifically dramatic comedy devices: Metadrama, deception and artifice Self-reflexive language / metalanguage Pairs and Parallels (structure) ‘Happy’ endings Green World If you are new to teaching Much Ado about Nothing at a high-level, this would be a great tool for you as a teacher also to use as a planning aid and way into the text before giving to students for revision. I hope you find it useful. Best wishes, Englbee x

A high-level GCSE essay for those studying Much Ado about Nothing for AQA English Literature Paper 1 The resource offers an extract from Act 2 scene 2 with an AQA-style examination question on attitudes towards Deception There follows an essay which focuses on the question. The essay is written to a high-level for those aiming for grades 7-9 (although might help aspiring grade 6 also). The essay is around a side-and-a-half typed, meaning handwritten it would be about four sides (in keeping with high-level candidate expectations). After the essay, there is discussion as to: how the essay’s approach fits AQA’s ‘extract to whole’ further insight booklet on GCSE English Literature how the essay hits AO1, AO2 and AO3. how the essay covers higher band criteria The resource is fully-adapatable for you to change as needed for your OWN classroom use. Best wishes, Englbee x

A high-level GCSE essay for those studying Much Ado about Nothing for AQA English Literature Paper 1 The resource offers an extract from Act 3 scene 2 with an AQA-style examination question on attitudes towards Hero. There follows an essay which focuses on the question. The essay is written to a high-level for those aiming for grades 7-9 (although might help aspiring grade 6 also). The essay is around a side-and-a-half typed, meaning handwritten it would be about four sides (in keeping with high-level candidate expectations). After the essay, there is discussion as to: how the essay’s approach fits AQA’s ‘extract to whole’ further insight booklet on GCSE English Literature how the essay hits AO1, AO2 and AO3. how the essay covers higher band criteria The resource is fully-adapatable for you to change as needed for your OWN classroom use. Best wishes, Englbee x