Get SET to teach secondary English with Sian's English Toolkit.
These resources are based on my experience teaching secondary English for thirteen years. During this time I gained experience teaching language and literature to all ability levels within the age range 11-18. I also have extensive experience of writing schemes of learning as I was a department lead for ten of those years.
Get SET to teach secondary English with Sian's English Toolkit.
These resources are based on my experience teaching secondary English for thirteen years. During this time I gained experience teaching language and literature to all ability levels within the age range 11-18. I also have extensive experience of writing schemes of learning as I was a department lead for ten of those years.
A Christmas Carol annotated extracts. These worksheets are designed to help GCSE English Literature students practise extract analysis/annotation in preparation for analysing a specific extract in the exam. There are differentiated resources per extract depending on pupils’ ability and the learning intention of the lesson. Each extract has a specific question attached to it. The duration of the worksheet will depend on the learning intention of the lesson, but would take approximately 15-25 minutes to annotate and go through as a class as a revision activity.
There are three versions of each sheet:
blank extract and the question for use as an individual assessment
differentiated highlighted version to guide less confident students towards important quotations
highlighted and annotated version as a teacher guide, a good example of annotation to display to pupils/for self-assessment, or a revision handout to give to pupils
There are five annotated extracts, each one from a highly significant event in the plot:
Stave 1 - first description of Scrooge
Stave 2 - when he tries to extinguish the light from the Ghost of Christmas Present
Stave 3 - Ignorance & Want
Stave 4 - the graveyard scene
Stave 5 - description of Scrooge
If you have found these useful, take a look at the revision materials that accompany the text, also available in my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-revision-board-game-12989845 - a board game is a brilliant way of engaging learners with revision without it feeling like work!
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-revision-worksheets-12942672
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-quotes-revision-12938348
GCSE English Language Bundle (WJEC) provides different materials to support learners in revising for their Unit 2 and Unit 3 exams.
This bundle includes four resources:
an overall revision pack, including key materials for reading and writing
a card sort to support the revision of reading skills and their success criteria
a resource containing four Unit 3 writing tasks to plan, including modelled planning
general tips and tricks to support pupils in attaining SPG marks in the written sections of the exams
As a bonus, there is also a booklet to support individuals with IRP planning.
These resources have particularly supported C/D borderline learners.
GCSE English Language Exam Revision Pack - WJEC Exam Board
This resource contains eight pages of revision notes for learners sitting the GCSE English Language exams in Wales. This has been used successfully to support revision prior to the exam, in addition to completing exam practice questions in class. It can be used to teach/remind learners of success criteria, support the transition from modelled/supported activities and aid independent revision. They can be used as individual sheets or copied together to provide a support pack for learners.
The pack includes:
an overview of what to expect on Unit 2
an overview of what to expect on Unit 3
two pages of notes guiding learners through different reading skills
a page of notes guiding learners through success criteria for Unit 2 writing
a page of notes guiding learners through success criteria for Unit 3 writing
a suggested method for planning non-fiction writing (one of the most useful exam preparation tools I have shared with my learners)
a list of language features that could be used
Heroes Essay Structures provides essay structures for learners who are fairly confident with writing essays, or as a quick revision tool. There is an essay structure for each character, in addition to four thematic structures. This has worked well as a revision resource for all abilities, and as a lighter form of scaffolding for B+ grade learners when beginning to produce essays (GCSE - Wales).
Romeo and Juliet Annotated Extracts
Get your students analysing some of the most important and iconic scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This pack contains 6 no-prep scenes for students to analyse. With only printing required, you can have students on-task within seconds of walking through the door.
Three versions of each extract are included: blank, highlighted and fully annotated.
Blank - for those students who will benefit from the challenge
Highlighted - for those who may need some support in identifying the quotes on which they should focus
Fully annotated - great for self-checking or as part of a revision pack. They are also really useful teacher notes to give you confidence when guiding your students, especially for teachers new to the play.
Extracts are taken from:
Act I.v - when Tybalt and Capulet argue at the masked ball
Act II.ii - the iconic balcony scene
Act III.i - Tybalt and Mercutio duel
Act III.v - Juliet and her parents argue
Act IV.v - Capulet, Lady Capulet, the Nurse and Paris grieve for Juliet
Act V.iii - the final scene of the play
Prep is quick and easy. Just print and go!
The Merchant’s Tale (Chaucer) annotated extracts. These worksheets are designed to help GCE English Literature students practise extract analysis/annotation in preparation for analysing a specific extract in the exam. There are differentiated resources per extract depending on pupils’ ability and the learning intention of the lesson. Each extract has a specific question attached to it. The duration of the worksheet will depend on the learning intention of the lesson, but would take approximately 15-25 minutes to annotate and go through as a class as a revision activity.
There are three versions of each sheet:
blank extract and the question for use as an individual assessment
differentiated highlighted version to guide less confident students towards important quotations
highlighted and annotated version as a teacher guide, a good example of annotation to display to pupils/for self-assessment, or a revision handout to give to pupils
There are five annotated extracts:
33-54: presentation of January
318-341: presentation of marriage
611-638: presentation of January
948-972: presentation of January
1108-1133: presentation of January and May
If you haven’t seen it already, there’s also a free annotated extract available - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13030820
‘King Lear Revision PowerPoint’ provides a range of activities to help learners target the following areas:
narrative recall
characters and relationships
themes
quotation
language/terminology
This has been trialled successfully with an A2 group completing the WJEC GCE English Literature Unit 4 exam.
Activities include:
answering key questions
filling in blank spaces in key quotations
identifying types of language that can be discussed in whole text question responses
matching terminology to definitions
linking quotations to characters and/or themes
This has been uploaded as an editable PowerPoint so that it can be modified/edited/added to for the needs of the learners in your settings.
King Lear A-Level Revision Bundle contains four resources to support learners in revising for their exam. This resource is targeted towards WJEC GCE English Literature Unit 4.
It contains:
Revision PowerPoint that focuses on key characters, events, themes, quotes and terminology
A thorough narrative overview and quote pack, organised by character and theme
Five annotated extracts linked to example exam questions (also includes blank and highlighted versions, depending on the needs of the learners)
A pack of quotes from critics to support learners with AO5
Euro 2024 Literacy Activities
This editable PowerPoint contains 20 literacy-based activities based on the countries involved in Euro 2024. These make perfect starter activities or form time tasks. Slides have a simple colour scheme so that they can be printed at a lower cost if hard copies are needed.
As well as being enjoyable and competitive, these activities will encourage learners to apply their knowledge of the alphabet, vowels, consonants and languages.
Activities include:
placing words into alphabetical order
matching terms to different languages
anagrams
identifying missing vowels/consonants
word grids
creating their own words
Christmas Wordsearch | Aimed at KS3/11-14 Year Olds
This Christmas wordsearch contains 45 seasonal words to find. Once they have been found, there are instructions for how to colour-code the remaining spaces to reveal a Christmas-related image.
This resource includes:
the list of words and instructions for the whole activity
the word grid
a completed example of the wordsearch, including the colouring of the image
This worksheet could be used in the following ways:
as a quiet, individual activity during a lesson or form time
as a paired/group activity to include a competitive element
as a ‘reward’ task before the holidays or for completing all other work
You may also be interested in this Christmas literacy activity pack, which contains 20 seasonal tasks: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13128246
I also have some festive anagrams available: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12942667
‘Heroes’ revision activities includes ten different worksheets for learners to complete after reading the novel. Some encourage learners to think critically about the text, whilst others test their recall of key events, characters and quotes. The time taken for each activity will vary, depending upon the level of confidence. Times are likely to vary between 5-20 minutes. Worksheets could be given as individual resources or used to produce a revision booklet for learners. Answer keys are provided for all tasks, where needed.
Activities require:
sequencing of key events
sequencing of key quotes
linking quotes to characters
thinking critically of characters and their personality traits
considering essay structures for the exam (WJEC)
£2.50 for the resource means that each activity costs only 25p!
If you find this resource useful, you may be interested in other Heroes resources available in my shop:
Essay structures - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/heroes-robert-cormier-essay-structures-12973423
Narrative Overview - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/heroes-by-robert-cormier-narrative-overview-12970174
Christmas/Festive Anagrams includes two different anagrams worksheets all connected to Christmas and the answer sheets. These worksheets are designed to help KS3 pupils develop their language skills (such as the alphabet) and extend their vocabulary. The anagrams on each worksheet are listed in alphabetical order. Each sheet will take 10-20 minutes to complete, depending on the age/ability of the class.
In these tasks, pupils will unscramble the letters to identify the words. They will also be required to apply their knowledge of the alphabet and elements of language to help them unscramble less familiar words. An answer key for staff is included for both worksheets.
General anagrams are also available in the following:
Anagrams 1-3
Anagrams 4-6
Anagrams 1-6 (bundle)
GCSE English Language Individual Researched Presentation Booklet (WJEC)
This eight page resource supports students whilst they prepare their individual researched presentations, worth 10% of their English Language GCSE (in Wales). This can be used as a resource with the whole class to ensure they consider all required elements during the planning stages.
This is also a useful resource for any student who is absent from preparation lessons, as they can still be guided through the stages of planning through accessing this booklet.
King Lear annotated extracts. These worksheets are designed to help GCE English Literature students practise extract analysis/annotation in preparation for analysing a specific extract in the exam. There are differentiated resources per extract depending on pupils’ ability and the learning intention of the lesson. Each extract has a specific question attached to it. The duration of the worksheet will depend on the learning intention of the lesson, but would take approximately 15-25 minutes to annotate and go through as a class as a revision activity.
There are three versions of each sheet:
blank extract and the question for use as an individual assessment
differentiated highlighted version to guide less confident students towards important quotations
highlighted and annotated version as a teacher guide, a good example of annotation to display to pupils/for self-assessment, or a revision handout to give to pupils
There are five annotated extracts, one from each act.
Act 1 - Lear banishes Cordelia
Act 2 - Lear’s knights are taken away from him by Goneril and Regan
Act 3 - Lear facing the storm
Act 4 - Lear reawakens after being rescued by Cordelia
Act 5 - Edgar enters to challenge Edmund to a duel
If you have found these useful, take a look at the revision materials that accompany the text, also available in my shop:
Revision PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13013430
Revision materials: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12969963
Critical Approaches: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12970159
King Lear Revision Materials for A-Level contains two different resources that have been proven to support exam practice and revision for A-Level students, in particular for whole text responses where the text isn’t allowed into the exam. This is 15 pages of support, in total.
This includes:
A thorough narrative summary detailing key events, divided by Acts/Scenes, including a character-web activity at the end
A comprehensive quote pack including quotes characterised by character, theme and imagery/language
If this is useful to you, have a look at the ‘Critical Approaches’ resource in my shop, which also support A-Level teaching of the play.
An Inspector Calls Essay Planning Tool support learners to plan responses for whole text questions in the GCSE English Literature Unit 2 exam (WJEC).
The use of shapes supports some learners in planning more effectively than bullet points/mind-maps. In this resource, the triangle shape reminds learners of the importance of the rule of three when producing whole text responses. Additionally, having a set space for each element of planning ensures that no element of the success criteria is missed.
This resource helps learners to plan for:
context
content
analysis/evaluation
quotation
This pack contains:
a blank template
a labeled template
a plan for a Mr Birling question
a plan for a Sheila question
a plan for a Gerald question
a plan for a Mrs Birling question
a plan for an Eric question
At the end, there is a blank circle template in case any learners find this shape more manageable when planning.
The Olympics 2024 Literacy Activities
This editable PowerPoint contains 20 literacy-based activities based on the Olympics 2024. These make perfect starter activities or form time tasks. Slides have a simple colour scheme so that they can be printed at a lower cost if hard copies are needed.
As well as being enjoyable and competitive, these activities will encourage learners to apply their knowledge of the alphabet, vowels, consonants and languages.
Activities include:
placing words into alphabetical order
matching terms to different languages
anagrams
identifying missing vowels/consonants
word grids
creating their own words
You can also find a series of literacy activities relating to the Paralympics 2024: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13039163
Group Discussion Activity Worksheets comprises of two discussion activities. Each sheet is set up similarly to the WJEC GCSE assessment sheets to help students familiarise themselves with the format. There are five sources on each sheet, including two links to audio-visual clips. **Note - your school must have enabled YouTube access for staff for you to access these clips.
The first worksheet promotes discussion around the question, ‘What makes a good citizen?’ which is directly linked to one of the speaking and listening topics given by the exam board for the individual researched presentation. The second worksheet leads students to discuss, ‘What makes a hero?’ which can be connected to the novel Heroes for any pupils studying that text as part of the Literature course.
Whilst there are strong connections to the WJEC English courses, both resources stand in their own right to support pupils in developing their discussion skills and can be used with higher ability KS3 pupils in addition to KS4 pupils.
GCSE English Language Revision Checklists (WJEC)
These checklists are to support learners in the build-up to mock exams and external exams.
They can be used by individuals to identify gaps in their own knowledge, or they can be used on a whole class level to identify areas of concern across the class to guide targeted teaching/learning/revision in the build-up to exams.
If a student cannot tick all columns for a skill, they should focus on that skill until they can. Once all columns have been ticked, they can move on to the next row.
The first checklist focuses on reading skills required across Units 2 & 3, including the editing section of Unit 2. The second checklist focuses on the writing skills required across Units 2 & 3, including the proofreading task on Unit 2.
Once gaps have been identified, some of these resources may be useful in addressing them:
Revision Pack: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-exam-revision-pack-wjec-12969501
Reading Skills Success Criteria Card Sort: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-reading-skills-wjec-12979433
How to plan writing task responses effectively: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-writing-planning-wjec-12984776
A GCSE English Language Resource Bundle, containing the above: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-bundle-wjec-12986501
Inference Worksheets 5 - Little Women / Black Beauty
These worksheets support learners in developing the skills of reading for meaning and making inferences. The teacher guide at the start helps you navigate through a series of activities that support learners in understanding a text. Each text will take approximately an hour to complete. These work particularly well with groups of 3-6 learners but can also be used 1-1 and with larger groups.
These activities help learners to practise:
making connections with current knowledge
visualising
questioning
word meaning
explaining subtext
empathy
prioritising
summarising
The two texts in this pack are extracts from Little Women and Black Beauty.
Also available in my shop are:
Inference Worksheets 1: Peter Pan & The Wind in the Willows
Inference Worksheets 2: Treasure Island & The Secret Garden
Inference Worksheets 3: A Christmas Carol & The Wizard of Oz
Inference Worksheets 4: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & What Katy Did
A bundle offer including six extracts