Singh Song! This two-lesson mini-unit covers Daljit Nagra’s ‘Singh Song!’ in detail. Designed for GCSE pupils studying AQA’s Love and Relationships poetry, this resource explores the poem in depth and explains how to compare it to other poems from the anthology. The resource is made up of a 48-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 4 accompanying worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Context – A brief outline of Daljit Nagra and British immigration in the 1950s and 1960s. First Reading – A reading of ‘Singh Song!’ and discussion of the poem’s inspiration by the poet Daljit Nagra. Language and imagery – Analysing ‘Singh Song!’ in detail. Exploring key imagery and answering questions that delve deeper. Model answers provided. Essay Writing – An essay question to assess initial understanding. An example answer is included. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the themes of ‘Singh Song!’ – Romantic love and family relationships. Structure and Form – How Daljit Nagra uses structure, rhythm and rhyme. The GCSE Exam – Comparing ‘Singh Song!’ with ‘Winter Swans’ and ‘Letters From Yorkshire’. Model answer included.

Letters From Yorkshire This two-lesson mini-unit covers Maura Dooley’s ‘Letters From Yorkshire’ in detail. Designed for GCSE pupils studying AQA’s Love and Relationships poetry, this resource explores the poem in depth and explains how to compare it to other poems from the anthology. The resource is made up of a 45-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 4 accompanying worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Context – A brief outline of Maura Dooley and influences behind the poem. First Reading – An initial reading of ‘Letters From Yorkshire’ with a glossary included. Comprehension questions with example answers. Language and imagery – Analysing ‘Letters From Yorkshire’ in detail. Exploring key imagery and answering questions that delve deeper. Model answers provided. Essay Writing – An essay question to assess initial understanding. An example answer is included. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the themes of ‘Letters From Yorkshire’ – family relationships, nature, distance and longing Structure and Form – How and why Dooley uses free verse and enjambment. The GCSE Exam – Comparing ‘Letters From Yorkshire’ with other poems from the anthology. Model answer included.

Walking Away This two-lesson mini-unit explores Cecil Day-Lewis’s ‘Walking Away’ in detail. Designed for GCSE pupils studying the AQA Love and Relationships cluster, this resource studies the poem in depth and explains how to write an essay comparing it to other poems from the anthology. The resource is made up of a 59-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 7 accompanying worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Context – A brief outline of Cecil Day-Lewis’s life and factors that may have inspired the poem. First Contact – An initial reading of ‘Walking Away’ with a glossary included. Comprehension questions with example answers. Exploring Meaning – Analysing ‘Walking Away’ in detail. Exploring key imagery and answering questions that delve deeper. Model answers provided. Essay Writing – An essay question to assess initial understanding. A model answer is included. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the themes of ‘Walking Away’: parent/child relationships, memory, time, distance and growing up. Language – Exploring Day-Lewis’s use of language. An analysis of imagery and a line-by-line examination of the poem, with questions and answers. Structure and Form – How Day-Lewis uses the first-person perspective, direct address, caesura, rhyme and enjambment. The GCSE Exam – How to write a comparison essay. Comparing ‘Walking Away’ with ‘Before You Were Mine’ and ‘Mother, Any Distance’. Model answers included.

Winter Swans This two-lesson mini-unit explores Owen Sheer’s ‘Winter Swans’ in detail. Designed for GCSE pupils studying AQA’s Love and Relationships Poetry, this resource looks at the poem in depth and explains how to compare it to other poems from the anthology. The resource is made up of a 52-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 4 accompanying worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Context – A brief outline of Owen Sheers and factors that may have inspired the poem. First Contact – An initial reading of ‘Winter Swans’ with a glossary included. Comprehension questions with example answers. Language and imagery – Analysing ‘Winter Swans’ in detail. Exploring key imagery and answering questions that delve deeper. Model answers provided. Essay Writing – An essay question to assess initial understanding. An example answer is included. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the themes of ‘Winter Swans’ - Romantic love, nature and distance Structure and Form – How Sheers uses rhyme, rhythm, caesura and enjambment. The GCSE Exam – Comparing ‘Winter Swans’ with other poems from the anthology. Model answer included.

Eden Rock This two-lesson mini-unit explores Charles Causley’s ‘Eden Rock’ in detail. Designed for GCSE pupils studying the AQA Love and Relationships cluster, this resource looks at the poem in depth and explains how to compare it to other poems from the anthology. The resource is made up of a 57-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 7 accompanying worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Context – A brief outline of Charles Causley’s life and factors that may have inspired the poem. First Contact – An initial reading of ‘Eden Rock’ with a glossary included. Comprehension questions with answers. Exploring Meaning – Analysing ‘Eden Rock’ in detail. Exploring key imagery and answering questions that delve deeper. Model answers provided. Essay Writing – An essay question to assess initial understanding. An example answer is included. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the themes of ‘Eden Rock’ - parent/child relationships, memory, distance and death. Language – Exploring Causley’s use of language. An analysis of imagery and a line-by-line examination of the poem, with questions and answers. Structure and Form – How Causley uses the first-person perspective, caesura, rhyme and enjambment. The GCSE Exam – Comparing ‘Eden Rock’ with ‘Neutral Tones and ‘Mother, Any Distance’. Model answers included.

Writing a Formal Letter - Year 7/8 (33-slide PowerPoint and 3 worksheets) This three lesson mini unit of work explains how to write a formal letter, how to use effective vocabulary and how to draft and redraft. Contents include: The difference between formal and informal writing How to write formally with appropriate vocabulary How to set out a formal letter on the page How to draft and redraft to improve writing Related Resources

Writing a Formal Letter - Year 5 and 6 'Writing a Formal Letter - Year 5 and 6’ is a mini unit of work containing 3 lessons which teach pupils how to write a formal letter and covers many of the curriculum objectives in the year 5 and 6 English programme of study (Writing - composition). Content includes: The difference between formal and informal writing How to write formally How to lay out a formal letter The dos and don’ts of writing a formal letter How to draft and redraft ‘Writing a Formal Letter - Year 5 and 6’ is fully editable allowing teachers to adapt the resource if needed to suit each class they teach.

KS4/GCSE English Teaching Resources: Macbeth – The Witches (24-slide PowerPoint and 8 worksheets) This KS4/GCSE teaching resource explores the significance of the witches and the theme of the supernatural in Macbeth via a range of differentiated activities. This lesson situates both the role of the witches in Shakespearean times and in the text and makes links between these ideas in order that discussion of contextual factors is not ‘bolted on’ in the exam. Differentiated worksheets (Bronze, Silver and Gold) are included for students working towards a band 3, pushing beyond a band 3 and heading towards a band 4, and for students aiming for the very top grades. These activities culminate in a concluding task that evidences and secures learning from across the entire lesson.

Limericks - Year 5 / Year 6 This KS2 lesson teaches children about limericks in a fun and engaging way. First, it provides examples of limericks and explains what the ‘rules’ of limericks are. It then provides a task that requires children to explore the examples and discuss the poems regarding layout, structure and language. The second half of the lesson explains how to write a limerick. Pupils are given a scaffolded approach and an example to help them construct a class and then individual limerick. The resource contains a 23-slide PowerPoint and 3 worksheets. It is differentiated using ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Bronze’ activities to help all children achieve.

Macbeth - The Extract Question (Edexcel / Pearson GCSE English Literature) (45-slide PowerPoint presentation with 9 worksheets) This PowerPoint-based teaching resource offers a detailed, step by step guide to the Edexcel / Pearson GCSE English Literature examination extract question on Macbeth. The resource works through a demonstration of how to analyse an extract, before asking students to apply their learning in a range of individual and paired activities. Visual images are used to extend the range of ways students can engage with an extract as well as a number of active learning methods to secure learning and aid easier recall on future tasks. The lessons and activities within this resource are engaging, well-paced and fully differentiated.

Mother, Any Distance - GCSE English (26-slide PowerPoint and 5 worksheets) This two-lesson mini unit enables GCSE students to explore Simon Armitage’s ‘Mother, Any Distance’ in detail. The first lesson covers the context of the poem and introduces the sonnet form. After a differentiated ‘Do Now’ activity, students undertake tasks in response to information about Armitage’s ‘Book of Matches’. Following this, they are introduced to the Italian and English sonnet and the concept of iambic pentameter. The lesson concludes with a brief ‘true or false’ activity as a learning review. In the second lesson, students apply what they have learnt to an exploration of Armitage’s poem. After a similarly differentiated ‘Do Now’ activity, students undertake a double-sided worksheet and respond to a range of questions that cover content, structure and form and finally, language and imagery. At the end of the lesson, students summarise what the poem is about in no more than 20, 15 or 10 words. Suggested answers are provided for all tasks.

Macbeth’s House of Games (140-slide PowerPoint presentation) Welcome to Macbeth’s House of Games - an animated Macbeth themed quiz inspired by the House of Games television show. The quiz works with both individuals and groups and is a fun way to recap and revise the text.

Macbeth - Loyalty (GCSE teaching resources) ‘Macbeth - Loyalty’ uses a range of teaching methods and strategies to ensure that learners enjoy exploring the theme of loyalty in Macbeth. The lesson starts with a discussion about loyalty before students are required to apply their understanding of the term to the text using a sliding scale and a list of characters. The 32-slide PowerPoint presentation and 10 worksheets contain differentiated activities which allow all students to access the topic regardless of ability - as do creative tasks such as making a ‘shop’ of comments and drawing a maze which conveys pupils’ gained knowledge. As the resource is designed to help pupils respond to exam style questions, the lessons include extract analysis and question prompts to allow students to find their own knowledge - with plenty of hints and tips to keep them on track.

When We Two Parted This two-lesson mini-unit of work explores Byron’s ‘When We Two Parted’ in detail. Designed to teach pupils studying the AQA GCSE English Literature Love and Relationships Anthology, this resource analyses the poem in depth and explains how to write a comparative essay in the exam. The resource is made up of a 71-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and eight worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Making predictions – From the title alone ‘When We Two Parted’, what do you think the poem is about? Context – Learning the importance of context. How knowledge of context helps us understand the poem in detail. Here we explore Lord Byron, the Byronic hero, the Romantic movement and the social and historical context – the age of revolution. First Contact – An initial reading of the poem with a glossary included. A 2022 retelling of the narrative in modern prose. Comprehension questions with answers to assess understanding. A general summary/synopsis of the poem. Exploring Meaning – Analysing the poem in more detail. Exploring key quotes and discussing them with comprehensive questions that delve deeper. Model answers are provided. Essay Writing – An essay question task to assess initial understanding. Includes model answers and peer assessment opportunities. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the poem’s themes: love and the end of a love affair, secrecy, abandonment, disillusion, fidelity, separation and pain and suffering. Language – Exploring Byron’s use of archaic language, semantic fields and poetic techniques. A line by line annotation of the poem and comprehension questions with detailed answers. Structure and Form – How Byron uses the lyric form, perspective, punctuation, rhyme and enjambment and how he structures the stanzas and uses a cyclical narrative. The GCSE Exam – How to write a comparison essay with model responses. Comparing ‘When We Two Parted’ with ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ and ‘Neutral Tones’.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s House of Games (127-slide PowerPoint presentation) Welcome to A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s House of Games - an animated A Midsummer Night’s Dream themed quiz inspired by the House of Games television show. The quiz works with both individuals and groups and is a fun way to recap and revise the text.

Follower by Seamus Heaney This two-lesson mini-unit of work explores Seamus Heaney’s ‘Follower’ in detail. Designed to teach pupils studying the AQA GCSE English Literature Love and Relationships Anthology, this resource analyses the poem in depth and explains how to write a comparative essay in the exam. The resource is made up of a 72-slide editable PowerPoint presentation and 10 worksheets. The two lessons contain the following: Lesson One Making predictions – From the title alone, what do you think the poem is about? Context – Learning the importance of context. How knowledge of context helps us understand the poem in detail. Here we explore Heaney and the disappearing world of traditional Irish rural life First Contact – An initial reading of the poem with a glossary included and comprehension questions with answers to assess understanding. Exploring Meaning – Analysing the poem in detail. Exploring key quotes and discussing them with comprehensive questions that delve deeper. Model answers are provided. Essay Writing – An essay question task to assess initial understanding. Includes a model answer and peer assessment opportunities. Lesson Two Themes – Analysing the poem’s themes: parent/child relationships, youth, age and time, agricultural traditions and identity. Language – Exploring Heaney’s use of language and poetic techniques. A line-by-line annotation of the poem and questions with detailed answers. Structure and Form – How Heaney uses the lyric form, perspective, punctuation, rhyme, rhythm, and enjambment and how he organises the stanzas and uses a cyclical structure. The GCSE Exam – How to write a comparison essay with model responses. Comparing ‘Follower’ with ‘Climbing My Grandfather’, ‘Mother, Any Distance’ and ‘Eden Rock’.

A Christmas Carol - WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Exam Question (67-slide editable PowerPoint with 9 worksheets) This teaching resource provides a step-by-step guide to the Eduqas GCSE English Lit exam question on A Christmas Carol. It tracks through the paper and explains how to produce an effective answer under exam conditions. It offers guidance on approaching the question, planning and managing time effectively. It explains how to structure and write a higher band answer and asks students to study a range of exemplar exam responses which they are required to mark using the Eduqas GCSE English Literature mark scheme. Learners are then given an exam question and extract and are required to write a response under exam conditions. The resource includes an editable PowerPoint presentation, question papers, mark schemes, extracts and exemplar responses in PDF format.

A Letter to Father Christmas - KS1 This festive writing teaching resource has been designed for pupils to develop their writing composition and SPAG skills, covering the objectives in the Year 1 and 2 English programme of study. Content includes: Using capital letters and full stops, question marks and exclamation marks with an activity and an accompanying worksheet Verbs in sentences with an activity and an accompanying worksheet Ordering words in a sentence with an activity and an accompanying worksheet Using commas to separate items in a list with an activity and an accompanying worksheet An exemplar letter to Father Christmas with word bank worksheet to accompany the writing to Father Christmas activity 3 differentiated letter to Father Christmas templates ‘A Letter to Father Christmas - KS1’ is a fully editable resource so you can adapt, personalise and differentiate it to suit your teaching requirements.

GCSE English - Reading Fiction This three-lesson mini-unit is designed to help GCSE students develop their reading assessment skills. It is made up of a 44-slide PowerPoint presentation, 8 worksheets and a reading assessment task using an extract from the novel Frankenstein. Contents: Lesson One An introduction to the ‘Reading Fiction’ section of the GCSE English exam How to approach the exam task Analysing an extract - first and second reading Understanding unfamiliar vocabulary, consolidation and using deduction skills How to write an extended answer about language Lesson Two How to refer to the text and use quotes effectively How to write about structure A 45-minute assessment task Lesson Three Feedback and discussion of student responses All five GCSE-type assessment questions and answers explored in detail Exemplar answers for all five questions GCSE Reading Fiction Skills has everything you need to help you develop essential exam skills.

This teaching resources is a 42 slide PowerPoint analysis of the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson and an accompanying 15 page worksheet booklet. The Charge of the Light Brigade includes: A brief biography of Alfred Lord Tennyson Social and historical context of the poem Analysis of the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade and discussion of ideas and consolidation Structure & language - Discuss how Tennyson employs structure and analysis of imagery in The Charge of the Light Brigade. Style and form - Analysis of Tennyson's style and form and the use of poetic devices in The Charge of the Light Brigade. Language - Exploration of word choices, using P.E.E. to write about Tennyson's poem. Themes of The Charge of the Light Brigade explored, consolidation of meaning and purpose.