I am an experienced English teacher and Literacy Coordinator. All of my resources are organised, engaging, ready to teach and designed to save you - the teacher - your valuable time!
Please have a look at all of my resources - at least 20% of which are free.
I am an experienced English teacher and Literacy Coordinator. All of my resources are organised, engaging, ready to teach and designed to save you - the teacher - your valuable time!
Please have a look at all of my resources - at least 20% of which are free.
A detailed one hour lesson to support students to explore the theme of curiosity and investigation as preparation for the IGCSE exam for Edexcel English Literature 4ET1 on the question on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) .
This lesson explores the term ‘marking the moment’, and also prompts students to consider how the play has conventions of both a murder mystery and an anti-murder mystery.
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A thorough revision quiz that covers all 30 of the Gillian Clark poems on the CIE AS level English Literature syllabus (9695).
This takes between one and two hours to complete. Round one asks students to identify the poem and the poetic techniques used in quotes from the poems. Round two asks them to identify poems with specific themes.
Poems covered:
Advent
Apples
Baby-sitting
Blaen Cwrt
Burning Nettles
Catrin
Climbing Cader Idris
Cold Knap Lake
Death of a Cat
Death of a Young Woman
February
Hare in July
Hearthstone
Icthyosaur
Journey
Lunchtime Lecture
Miracle on St David’s Day
My Box
Neighbours
Pipistrelle
Post Script
Ram
Scything
Seal
Stealing Peas
Sunday (‘From the mahogany…’)
Sunday (‘Getting up early…’)
The Lighthouse
Times Like These
White Roses
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This is a home learning workbook that contains 20 lessons that are a mixture of live and independent work from home. This is aimed at students studying The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) for Edexcel English Literature IGCSE 4ET1.
This also works well as a revision guide for students to work through independently.
This workbook has 12 live lessons for delivery in class or online (I have delivered them all online) and 8 for independent home learning. It would be easy to adapt lessons to make them live or independent. This resource is an adaptation of my original Curious Incident lesson bundle available here.
This resource includes:
A Powerpoint workbook with 175 slides which covers 20 lessons. Students complete all of their work directly into the Powerpoint (I have found that this saves a lot of stress and time when students have all of their work in one place).
An overview of the scheme of work.
A video that simulates the feeling of sensory overload Christopher experiences in the train station (this is embedded within the Powerpoint, but I have added it here in case there are problems).
A more detailed knowledge organiser that can be used alongside the simplified knowledge organiser found in the workbook.
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A detailed and comprehensive knowledge organiser/revision mat for the unseen poetry and poetry anthology questions for Edexcel English Literature IGCSE 4ET1. This is comprised of two A3 pages of information.
This knowledge organiser contains the following sections:
Form and structural terms
Language terms
An overview table with all the poems, their themes and the poetic form of each.
I have included it as a Powerpoint (for easy editing) and a PDF (for easy printing).
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A detailed one hour lesson to support students to write their strongest answers in the IGCSE exam for Edexcel English Literature 4ET1 on the question on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) .
This lesson gives students a clear five step technique for approaching the exam in order to maximise their own critical engagement and language analysis skills. This resource contains a ready-to-teach Powerpoint with all teacher and printing instructions included.
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A detailed homework/online -learning resource for students to learn about the context of the black historical figures in John Agard’s poem ‘Checking Out Me History’. Answers are provided on a separate PDF.
Students complete tasks on the following four figures:
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Shaka Zulu
Nanny de Maroon
Mary Seacole
I use this to ensure that students have an understanding of who these figures were and their importance in history. This leads to a greater understanding of the poem.
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Two engaging and fully-resourced back to school English lessons with PowerPoints and worksheets which support students to write a slam poem about their identity. This allows the class to get to know each other, reminds students of poetic techniques and analysis and gives them the opportunity to do some creative writing through writing a slam poem.
I have used it regularly with key stage 3 and key stage 4 classes as it can be easily adapted to the poetic knowledge and ability of each class.
LESSON ONE
Learning Objective: Analyse the effect of poetic techniques used in a slam poem.
Learning Outcomes:
Bronze: Identify poetic techniques in a slam poem.
Silver: Explain the effect of vocabulary and poetic techniques in a slam poem.
Gold: Explain how the poet uses rhythm and structure for effect in a slam poem.
Lesson Overview:
Do it now: Vocabulary stretcher: how would you describe yourself in three words? Talk to the person next to you and share examples on a post-it note.
Starter: Think – pair- share: discuss images and techniques used in lines of poetry followed by teacher modelling.
Activity one: Watch example slam poem and discuss meaning and techniques. Teacher leads discussion and models some answers.
Activity two: Based on the slam poem you’ve watched, what would you say are some of the main features of slam poetry?
Plenary: Class tries to match the post-it note from the ‘do it now’ exercise to the correct student.
LESSON TWO
Learning Objective: Write a Slam Poem about your Identity
Learning Outcomes:
Bronze: Use a range of vocabulary and poetic techniques in your slam poem.
Silver: Use rhyme and rhythm to achieve a desired effect.
Gold: Write powerful stand-out lines that get stuck in the listeners’ minds.
Lesson Overview:
Do it now: What features of slam poetry do you remember from the previous lesson?
Starter: Think – pair- share: what language techniques can you identify in quotes from last lesson’s poem? Can you explain the effect?
Activity one: Use the graphic organiser to start planning your slam poem and then begin to write it.
Plenary: Share your most powerful line
Homework: Complete your slam poem
More Resources:
Check out this lesson which explores writing slam poems in more detail.
If you find this lesson useful, have a look at other resources available in my shop. .
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An interactive advent calendar for use in English lessons or as literacy activities in form time. Each day links to a new literacy or English activity such as descriptive writing, comprehension questions, games or critical thinking exercises.
These work especially well as 10 minute starters for the beginning of your lessons.
Happy Christmas!
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A scheme of learning overview document and end of unit assessment for an introduction to poetry; this unit is suitable for key stage 3 (particularly year 7) to build upon what they have learned in key stage 2. It embeds knowledge of poetic techniques, whilst also introducing them to poetic analysis.
All the resources for teaching this scheme of learning are available in my shop (some of them are free!)
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A simple match-up activity with 16 poetic terms and their definitions. I keep a couple of sets laminated and use them for speed matching; over time my students have shown a real improvement.
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This resource includes:
* A 1 hour lesson on complex sentences
* A 1 hour lesson on compound sentences and FANBOYS
* A writing skills knowledge organiser
* A 1 hour assessment that questions students on sentence types.
* Images that can be used to teach sentence structures using dual coding.
All lessons are designed to be one hour long, easily adaptable and contain teacher instructions.
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This bundle includes fiveone hour lessons on the following topics:
1) Compound sentences and FANBOYS
2) Complex sentences
3) Colons vs semicolons
4) Commas, dashes and brackets
5) Punctuating dialogue
It also includes a writing skills SPAG knowledge organiser, dual coding images for sentence structures and a 1 hour assessment, which assesses all the skills taught in these lessons.
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One academic year’s worth of Word Root of the Week slides (36 weeks) for displaying in during assembly and/or form times. These are very effective for normalising the breaking down of words into their component parts and digging deeper into how they affect the word’s meaning.
Each slide displays the definition of the word root followed by three examples of words containing it which are broken down into their component parts.
These words correspond with this free Excel file which provides a yearly plan with 36 word roots and example words.
For more Word Root of the Week resources, have a look at this bundle.
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This bundle includes everything you need to start a Word Root of the Week programme in school for explicit vocabulary building.
This bundle includes:
An Excel yearly plan outlining which word root should be taught each week of the school year.
Assembly slides or bulletin board posters for each of the 36 word roots. These are a great resource for displaying in assemblies or at the start of lessons to embed vocabulary.
36 lesson starters to explicitly teach and embed the understanding of each word root.
If you would also like two full CPD sessions for staff in addition to the resources above, have a look at this Whole-School Literacy Resources Bundle.
If you have any questions about how to use these, please don’t hesitate to email likeanexpertresources@gmail.com.
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One academic year’s worth of Word Root of the Week lesson starters (36 weeks). Each starter prompts students to explore and practise using a root word in more detail to explicitly build in teaching vocabulary over the year.
Each week has a starter that lasts between 5-15 minutes. There are 165 slides in total.
If you wish to purchase further resources to support your Word Root of the Week programme, have a look at these word root slides for displaying in assembly. or a complete bundle of resources.
These words correspond with this free Excel file which provides a yearly plan with 36 word roots and example words.
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A spreadsheet plan for an 36 weeks of explicitly teaching word roots. This spreadsheet allocates each week a word root and gives examples of three words that contain this root and are used across a range of subjects across the school.
This can support you to explicitly teach students a word root per week to unlock thousands of words for your students.
Have a look at this bundle of resources for embedding Word Root of the Week in your school.
Related Resources
* Word Root of the Week assembly/form time slides for the whole academic year.
* Staff CPD on Whole-School Reading Strategies
* A bundle of whole-school literacy resources including this CPD, CPD on Reading Strategies and resources for implementing a Word Root of the Week in your school.
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A collection of knowledge organisers about various topics that are commonly taught in secondary English Language and Literature. If you purchase this bundle, you will also be able to download any additional knowledge organisers that I add in the future.
This bundle includes knowledge organisers on the following topics:
Introduction to Poetry
Macbeth
Of Mice and Men
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
The Merchant of Venice
Writing Skills (SPAG)
World War 1 Poetry
Cambridge IGCSE 0500 English Language
Romeo and Juliet
Horror Writing
Analytical writing
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Revision cards/posters for the five main characters in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare - great for quizzing, introducing characters or as prompts for lessons or homework. These posters contain visual clues about the characters plus four important character quotes for students to remember.
The characters included are:
Antonio
Bassanio
Shylock
Jessica
Portia
More Merchant of Venice Resources:
A complete bundle of resources for The Merchant of Venice which includes lessons to take you through the entire play, a quiz, knowledge organiser and revision posters. .
This bundle includes:
1) A 40 Question Shakespeare Quiz
2) Introduction to Characters and Themes in The Merchant of Venice
3) Act 1 Scene 1 (Antonio and Bassanio)
4) Portia’s Choice in Act 1 Scene 2 (FREE)
5) Shakespeare’s Portrayal of Shylock in Act 1 Scene 3
6) Jessica’s Character in Act 2 Scenes 1-3
7) The Casket Test in Act 2 Scene 7
8) Shylock’s Portrayal in Act 2 Scene 8
9) Prince Arragon in Act 2 Scene 9
10) Interpretations of Shylock in Act 3 Scene 1
11) Dramatic Irony in the Casket Scene in Act 3 Scene 2
12) Independently Interpreting Shakespeare Using Act 3 Scenes 3-5
13) Act 4: The Courtroom Scene
14) Evaluate the Ending of the Play in Act 5
15) A 35-Question Quiz on the Play with Answers Included
16) A knowledge organiser with key information for studying the play.
Merchant of Venice Freebies:
For character revision posters for your classroom, click here.
For an English/Drama lesson based on Portia’s choice in Act 1 Scene 2, click here.
For a Scheme of Work overview for the unit, click here.
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A 15 lesson scheme of work designed to support students through the entire play of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. This is aimed at high-ability key stage 3 (it was originally designed for a high ability year 9 class), but it would be easily adapted for key stage 4. It contains a range of tasks that have been modelled on GCSE literature tasks.
All of the lessons are available to download - some of them are free.
Resources for the lessons on the scheme of work:
Click here for a bundle of all the lessons to take you through the play plus a quiz, knowledge organiser and character revision posters.
1) A 40 Question Shakespeare Quiz
2) Introduction to Characters and Themes in The Merchant of Venice
3) Act 1 Scene 1 (Antonio and Bassanio)
4) Portia’s Choice in Act 1 Scene 2 (FREE)
5) Shakespeare’s Portrayal of Shylock in Act 1 Scene 3
6) Jessica’s Character in Act 2 Scenes 1-3
7) The Casket Test in Act 2 Scene 7
8) Shylock’s Portrayal in Act 2 Scene 8
9) Prince Arragon in Act 2 Scene 9
10) Interpretations of Shylock in Act 3 Scene 1
11) Dramatic Irony in the Casket Scene in Act 3 Scene 2
12) Independently Interpreting Shakespeare Using Act 3 Scenes 3-5
13) Act 4: The Courtroom Scene
14) Evaluate the Ending of the Play in Act 5
15) A 35-Question Quiz on the Play with Answers Included
16) A knowledge organiser with key information for studying the play.
Freebies:
For character revision posters for your classroom, click here.
For an English/Drama lesson based on Portia’s choice in Act 1 Scene 2, click here.
For a Scheme of Work overview for the unit, click here.
Please leave a review as I value all the feedback I receive, and have a look at other resources available in my shop.
This bundle will take you through the entire play of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. This is aimed at high-ability key stage 3, but it could be easily adapted for key stage 4. It contains a range of tasks that have been modelled on GCSE literature tasks.
The bundle contains:
* A detailed knowledge organiser containing key quotes, facts about Shakespeare and a character summary
* Detailed character profiles of the five main characters: Antonio, Bassanio, Shylock, Jessica and Portia.
* Character revision poster/study cards.
* 15 engaging and ready to teach lessons
Lessons:
1) A 40 question Shakespeare quiz
2) A lesson introducing the characters and themes of the play
3) A lesson introducing act 1 scene 1 of the play focusing on the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio.
4) A lesson exploring act 1 scene 2 (Portia's choice)
5) A lesson exploring anti-Semitism and Shylock's portrayal in act 1 scene 3.
6) A lesson exploring Jessica's character in act 2.
7) A lesson exploring the casket test in act 2 scene 7.
8) A lesson exploring to what extent Shakespeare was anti-Semitic focusing on act 2 scene 8
9) A lesson considering how the Prince of Arragon is presented in act 2 scene 9.
10) A lesson considering Shylock's "Hath not a Jew" speech in act 3 scene 1
11) A lesson considering how dramatic irony is used in Act 3 Scene 2 in which Bassanio chooses the lead casket.
12) A lesson to support students in independently interpreting Shakespeare using Act 3 Scenes 3-5
13) A lesson on the courtroom scene in Act 4 whereby students consider to what extent they feel sympathy for Shylock.
14) A lesson on the ending of the play where students reflect on the play as a whole.
15) A 35 question quiz with answers on the entire play.
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