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.
Reading Skills War of the Worlds is a resource aimed towards KS3 learners in Wales. Answers are included.
The questions are based upon the style of those that learners will see in the National Reading Test (now called Personalised Assessments). The resource has been used successfully with a Year 9 group, and a more able Year 8 group. Using this resource will leave teachers able to use the old paper tests for internal assessment purposes.
Questions encourage learners to practise:
extracting information
reading for meaning
inference
word definitions
sequencing
true/false
At the end of the resource there is an area to encourage learners to reflect on their own learning and identify skills areas in need of improvement.
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.
Punctuation of Speech Peter Pan Worksheet
This worksheet comprises an extract from ‘Peter Pan’ which contains 50 errors relating to the punctuation of speech. There is also an answer sheet. This is a good starter activity for learners who are developing confidence with punctuating speech or a more substantial activity for those who are less confident.
The errors include:
speech marks before and after direct speech
capital letters to begin speech
a form of punctuation mark before the closing speech mark
Sport Events Literacy Activities Bundle contains a series of literacy activities for Euro 2024, the Olympics 2024 and the Paralympics 2024.
These editable PowerPoints each contain 20 literacy-based activities. 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
English Anagrams 1-6, includes six different anagrams worksheets 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 have a common theme and 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. Once they have unscrambled a few, they will be able to identify the common theme. 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 all three worksheets.
Also available as two separate resources: English Anagrams 1-3 and English Anagrams 4-6.
A Christmas Carol revision worksheets 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
considering mood and atmosphere
thinking critically of characters and their personality traits
£2.50 for the resource means that each activity costs only 25p!
If you find this resource useful, you may be interested in other A Christmas Carol resources 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 in revision without it feeling like work!
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-annotated-extracts-12933695
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-quotes-revision-12938348
‘A Christmas Carol’ Colour by Number is a revision activity to support recollection of key characters and plot points. Whilst learners of all abilities can complete this activity, it may support revision amongst lower ability pupils best.
It will take 15-30 minutes to complete, depending on the learner’s level of confidence with the book. An answer key is included for both elements of the worksheet.
If you like this activity, have a look at the other ‘A Christmas Carol’ resources in my shop:
Revision activities
Quotes revision
Extract analysis
There is also a board game, which I find particularly useful in engaging learners in revision in a less traditional form:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-revision-board-game-12989845
GCSE English Language Writing Tips & Tricks (WJEC) is intended to give specific instructions for less confident students to follow to help improve their mark for accuracy in the written elements of the exams. In my experience, this has a positive impact, in particular, with learners who have C targets or below.
It includes some very specific rules to follow to help show accuracy with some aspects of spelling, punctuation and grammar that were recurring issues amongst some of the learners in key classes.
It includes:
some key spellings
aspects of sentence structuring
including different vocabulary/language features
If you are interested in this resource, you may also want to look at the detailed GCSE English Language exam revision pack also available from my shop:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12969501
Heroes by Robert Cormier Narrative Overivew is a four page account of the novel.
This is particularly useful to give to GCSE English Literature students prior to reading the text, to provide them with an overview of key characters and events.
This is also helpful during the revision stage when students can get confused about the order in which events appear in the text as the narrative isn’t linear.
Sense and Sensibility Narrative Overview is a comprehensive account of key events within each chapter. It is divided by volume and chapter. When a new character is first mentioned, their name appears in bold so that students can create character webs/lists prior to reading the novel.
This is ideal for:
students to read before they read the book so that they can be clear on character and plot points
for essay writing when they need to practise quickly locating key scenes
as a revision guide (plot overview and to locate key extracts)
Keats Revision Sheets for Key Poems contains key points and notes for nine of his poems:
Bright Star
Burns’ Tomb
Chapman’s Homer
Imitation of Spenser
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again
On the Sea
To Sleep
When I have fears that I may cease to be
These are useful overviews when initially reading one of these poems, and are also useful revision sheets once poems have been studied.
They contain a copy of the poem itself, in addition to notes on content, analysis, context, language and form.
An Inspector Calls Revision Activities Bundle includes a range of different ways in which learners can revise for their GCSE English Literature Unit 2 exam (WJEC).
This bundle includes:
a narrative overview of the play
five part essay structures for each character and four key themes
an essay planning tool that enables learners to incorporate all elements of success criteria, and using shapes to support different learning styles
a range of revision activities that can be used as a pack or as classroom activities
All of the above have been tried and tested in a classroom environment.
Inference Worksheets 2 - Treasure Island / The Secret Garden
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 small groups of 3-6 learners but can be used 1-1 or 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 Treasure Island and The Secret Garden.
Also available in my shop are:
Inference Worksheets 1: Peter Pan & The Wind in the Willows
Inference Worksheets 3: A Christmas Carol & The Wizard of Oz
A bundle offer including all six extracts
GCSE English Language Reading Skills (WJEC)
This card sort contains the success criteria for the main reading skills that feature in the GCSE English Language Unit 2 & 3 exam papers. This is for the WJEC - Wales - specification. A colour-coded version is also included to support with self-/peer-/teacher assessment.
The reading skills included are:
identifying information
interpreting information
true/false
sequencing
summarising
explain how
explain cause & effect
word definitions
synthesis
comparison
This is a useful revision activity in the build-up to exams. It is also a useful progress tracker throughout the course to ensure that learners retain the success criteria.
GCSE English Language Writing Planning (WJEC) is a resource to support learners with preparation for the writing section of Unit 3. It is particularly useful as a revision activity for learners at the C-D borderline.
There are four separate writing tasks included in this resource, three sheets per task.
Sheet 1 - a blank worksheet with the writing task at the top for learners to fill in
Sheet 2 - scaffolding with general advice on planning
Sheet 3 - an exemplar essay plan for the task
There are two ‘persuade’ tasks and two ‘argue’ tasks. The genres covered include:
article
speech
formal letter
If you find this resource useful, you may want to look at the other GCSE English Language (WJEC) resources in my shop:
Revision Pack - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-exam-revision-pack-wjec-12969501
Writing Support for C/D Borderline Learners - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-writing-tips-and-tricks-wjec-12969667
Reading Skills Card Sort - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-reading-skills-wjec-12979433
Individual Presentation Preparation Booklet - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-english-language-irp-booklet-wjec-12970177
The Paralympics 2024 Literacy Activities
This editable PowerPoint contains 20 literacy-based activities based on the Paralympics 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
There is also an Olympics 2024 Literacy Activities resource available - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13036737
A Christmas Carol Activity Bundle contains multiple resources to support GCSE learners with their revision.
It includes:
annotated extracts for the most important scenes in the novel
quotes revision in two different formats
revision activities to suit different learners and learning styles
a colour by number activity which tests understanding of characters (especially useful for lower ability/less engaged learners)
All activities have been tried and tested in the classroom setting.
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
Capital Letters Worksheet - The Secret Garden
This worksheet comprises an extract from ‘The Secret Garden’ which contains 19 errors with capital letters. There is also an answer sheet. This is a good starter activity for learners who are developing confidence with capitals or a more substantial activity for those who are less confident.
The errors include:
starting new sentences
use of the pronoun ‘I’
proper nouns
punctuation of speech
Sentence Punctuation Colour by Number worksheet, including answer key. This worksheet is designed to help KS2-3 pupils learn more about sentence punctuation. This resource is suitable for upper ability KS2 and lower ability KS3 pupils. It will take about 30 minutes to complete.
In this task, pupils will select the correct punctuation mark to end different sentences. Correct answers will provide a key to use to colour in the image. The image is of a number of presents so is suitable as a general or a festive activity. An answer key for staff is included for both elements of the worksheet.