A high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Andrew Waterhouse’s ‘Climbing my Grandfather’ 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 ‘Before You Were Mine’ 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 on the past perfect tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to four different ways of using the past perfect tense: to show the sequence of past events; to show a length of time in the past now completed;questions, using the 5Ws1H; the third conditional. Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement (‘had’ in this instance throughout), and the forming of other past participles *a table on how to form questions using the past perfect tense *an explanation of each use of the past perfect tense, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past perfect tense *challenge exercises two-four which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the past perfect tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past perfect tense, dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past perfect tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the past continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to five different ways of using the present continuous tense: basic sentence; interruption of a continuing action in the past by another action; an action which continued to happen at a precise point in the past; questions using past continuous; events repeated habitually in the past. Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to be’) agreement and the forming of gerunds *an explanation of each use of the past continuous, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past continuous *challenge exercises two-five which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present continuous tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past continuous. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable, high-level essay for AQA GCSE English Literature Paper Two Part A. However, it would be useful with any syllabus. The essay is offered as an adaptable Word doc. and a PDF. The essay question is What do you think is the importance of Mr Birling in the play and how does Priestley present him? Themes explored: Blame; Capitalism; Edwardian mores and values Method: Characterisation; Structure/chains-of-guilt; Symbolism; Contrast/Juxtaposition The essay is approximately 900 words; it can be adapted as needed. The preview shows only a part of the essay. Best wishes, Englbee.

Nine Challenge Cards on the theme of Kingship in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The nine Challenge Cards here deal with the theme of Kingship in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

Nine Challenge Cards on The Significance of Children in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The nine Challenge Cards here deal with the signifance of children in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

14 Challenge Cards on Gender and Identity on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Detailed sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable. Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group. Ideas on how to use… Classroom: The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets. A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon. After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s). Home-learning or remote learning: Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live. Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc. The 14 Challenge Cards here deal with gender and identity in the play only. Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the present perfect tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to four different ways of using the present perfect tense: basic sentence; past actions in an unfinished time; questions; events that have happened in the immediate past Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement and the forming of past participles *an explanation of each use of the present perfect tense, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the present perfect tense *challenge exercises two-four which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present perfect tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the present perfect tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the present perfect tense. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on simple present tense verbs. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to the infinitive verb form and explores conjugation for simple present tense. Includes: *an explanation of the infinitive verb *three differentiated challenge exercises: conjugating verbs; conjugating phrasal verbs; free-writing activity using simple present tense verbs. All include with answers/sample answer (less able might choose challenge one, with increasingly able choosing challenges two and three OR students could work from challenges one to three) Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding how to conjugate the infinitive into the simple present tense Best wishes, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Charles Causley’s ‘Eden Rock’ 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 ‘Before You Were Mine’ 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 high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Daljit Nagra’s ‘Singh Song!’ 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 ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ 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 ‘Follower’ 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 Seamus Heaney A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A link to a copy of the poem (due to copyright; you can easily copy and paste into PowerPoint) 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 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 Heaney’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. symbolism, juxtaposition, enjambment, 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.) Kind regards, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Maura Dooley’s ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ 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 ‘Netural 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 ‘Singh Song!’ by Daljit Nagra 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 Daljit Nagra A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A link to a copy of the poem (due to copyright; you can easily copy and paste into PowerPoint) 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 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 Nagra’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. Phonetic spellings/Punglish, structure/refrain 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.) Kind regards, Englbee x

A high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Simon Armitage’s 'Mother, any distance…’ 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 ‘Walking Away’ 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

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

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘Mother, any distance…’ by Simon Armitage 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 brief biography of Simon Armitage A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A link to a copy of the poem (due to copyright; you can easily copy and paste into PowerPoint) 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 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 Armitage’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. subversion of form, use of rhyme, fricative 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.) Kind regards, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Seamus Heaney’s 'Follower’ 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 ‘Walking Away’ 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