Three resources (example essay, checklist and seven slide PowerPoint) for one revision lesson and homework where students revise the poems through a discussion of the visual starter activity, then use a reverse planning activity and checklist to help them focus on the content and structure of a comparative poetry exam essay for the new AQA English Literature Paper 2 GCSE exam (Section B). Students use this newly gained knowledge and understanding to write their own timed essay at home (or in the following lesson). There is a choice of essay titles for differentiation by choice. The main reverse planning activity ensures students read the example essay (comparing ‘Tissue’ and ‘Ozymandias’) carefully; see how relevant context can be integrated into an essay; understand how students can ensure they include relevant comparisons as well as detailed analysis of a range of methods and precise, integrated quotations. Moreover, the activity helps students focus on the importance of a well-structured essay to help gain higher marks. The checklist helps remind students of the key features necessary to gain marks in AO1, AO2 and AO3. Students then reflect on how the lesson activities have helped them before choosing their essay title. This lesson was created for a mixed ability Year 11 class starting to revise for their GCSE exams. It led to the production of some excellent timed student essays.

31 ready-made tried and tested homework tasks for essential AO6 skills (new English Language GCSEs). These tasks help KS4 students develop a useful repertoire of ambitious vocabulary. In addition, they increase a student’s ability to use a range of sentence structures and are beneficial in developing punctuation proficiency. The first 15 tasks focus on narrative, descriptive or viewpoint writing. The rest link with specific English Lit set texts - so also useful for revision. Each homework task gives students at least three words to find a dictionary definition for and then place into a sentence. Extension tasks encourage punctuation variety or more extended writing. Some tasks include differentiation by choice. Moreover, key skills of close reading and following instructions are boosted with set rules (such as one sentence must be a complex sentence beginning with a subordinate clause) to be followed. Rules vary across the tasks. If students misread or ignore the rules, I make them redo the homework. I created these for mixed ability GCSE classes. Over time, the tasks led to significant improvements in each student’s use of more ambitious vocabulary, sentence variety and accuracy in a wider range of punctuation. I print out the tasks for the first few weeks, then refer students to their virtual learning environment to save my photocopying bill. Marking is straight forward with definitions checked through peer assessment. Eventually all main tasks can be peer assessed with teacher marking of extension tasks only. I also issue students with an AO6 homework help sheet (included) to refer to if needed. Set texts covered: A Christmas Carol (2), Frankenstein (2), Great Expectations (2), Macbeth (2), Romeo and Juliet (2), AQA Power and Conflict Poetry - also relevant for Edexcel Conflict Poetry (2), An Inspector Calls (2), Lord of the Flies (2).

An excellent range of tried and tested resources for three engaging revision lessons on the key skills for AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 (Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing) Section A: Reading. These lessons require no additional prep - just download, print out the word docs and you’re good to go. Resources: a detailed PowerPoint for each lesson ( 16, 11 and 13 slides each), an extract from Game of Thrones, a question/answer booklet plus exemplar answers. These lessons include a range of interesting pair and whole class activities as well as individual tasks, self and peer assessment and reflections. Mark schemes for levels 2-4 are on the PowerPoints to aid assessment of student work and exemplars. Several activities have differentiation. Most slides have extra information in the notes sections to aid the busy teacher and task timings on relevant slides. Lesson 1 focus is an overview of Paper 1 plus close attention to questions 1 and 2. Lesson 2 focuses on question 3. Lesson 3 on question 4. Each lesson fits into one hour with a starter task to help settle the class and encourage thinking about or using relevant skills. Each lesson also involves timed individual work on the relevant question. Self and peer assessment (guided by peer assessment of the exemplar answers) of all tasks cuts down teacher marking. DIRT is factored into lesson 2 (question 3) and homework tasks for lessons 1 and 3. These lessons have proved highly successful with my Year 11 English classes in the final weeks before their GCSE exams.

Seven resources covering three lessons: two preparing students for a timed GCSE Lit exam style essay and one where students write the essay. Resources: three PowerPoints (one for each lesson: 15 slides, 6 slides and 1 slide); two example extracts with essay question (based on format from the new AQA GCSE English Literature specimen Paper 1 exam paper); example essay response to one of the example questions; the same example essay response to one of the example questions with key aspects of AOs high-lighted. The lessons go over key success criteria from the AOs including some useful details on what could gain marks for AO3 (context). Also included is a checklist of success criteria, for example: WLA (word level analysis); subject terminology; effect on the audience. Differentiation ideas and extension tasks included. Link to new AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 specimen mark scheme also included. Lessons and resources specifically created as a pre-mock activity for my Year 10 class once we had finished studying the play.

5 charts (to be enlarged to A3) with proven success for revising the 15 poems from the new English Lit poetry anthology: Power and Conflict (AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2). Some details are already included to get students started - including some relevant context - and to support less able students. You could remove some of the information for more able groups. The poems are grouped together so students can see clearer links between each group of three poems. The first two charts (effects of conflict) were prepared to help my mixed ability Year 10 class revise the poems we had covered ready for end of year exams. The remaining three charts (power poems) were created for Year 11 revision. The class these charts were originally created for achieved outstanding results in their poetry comparison essays in their GCSE English Lit in 2018. Each time I have used these charts, I have divided the class into groups, allocating poems for students to teach to the rest of the class. Not only do students learn their allocated poems better having to teach them again to others, but after feedback they have explored links between the poems with more confidence because the students know and understand the poems and methods used in more detail. As an extra challenge (if a group complete their allocated poems quickly), they have to discuss and add elements of conflict in the power poems and power in the conflict poems. I also photocopy these single sided so students can display them at home for revision.

An outstanding lesson on I Love Me Mudder for Year 7 during Black History Month. Includes a range of engaging activities, differentiation tasks, a pre-lesson research worksheet (could be used in class or for homework) and guided self assessment. Tried and tested with great success in the classroom for the last three years.

Three lessons and a copy of the poem. Created for part of a Year 8 ballads scheme of work. Extension tasks are included. Although the lessons show progress through my school's adapted APP levels, each could easily be adapted. The first lesson focuses on reading the poem and understanding the poet's choice of viewpoint and possible effect on the reader. The two following lessons focus on writing skills -specifically correct use of the semi-colon.

Introductory lesson to A Streetcar Named Desire. This lesson forms lesson 1 of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature AS/A Level spec. However, it would also work for the new AQA spec. Three resources: 21 slide PowerPoint, homework sheet and comprehensive lesson plan. There are differentiation by task opportunities for the homework task - setting students more challenging topics to research and then present to the class. The background information sheet is not included as this was taken from a free Teachit resource. Details on how to find this on the Teachit website are included in the lesson plan. This introductory lesson has proved hugely successful both times I have taught it. Students were really engaged and gained much more from watching the 1951 film in the following lessons than previous students had.

Resources (12 slide PowerPoint and comprehensive lesson plan) for a lesson analysing Scene 11 of A Streetcar Named Desire. This is lesson 16 of my SOW for Other Drama for the new Edexcel English Literature AS/A Level. However, it would be just an effective for the new AQA spec. Extension tasks are included and there is a differentiation by task/group activity detailed. Assessment objectives 2 and 3 are the focus of the lesson.

Two lessons (lessons 13 and 14 of my Year 10 SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec) covering key aspects of plot, character, relationships, themes, language and structural devices in Chapters 14 - 19 (final chapters of Volume One). The specific AO focus for both lessons is AO2 (language and structure). Both lessons include differentiation (extension tasks) and engaging starter tasks. Details of some student questions/tasks are written below the slides rather than on them. Both lessons proved extremely successful with my Year 10 class this year.

Two lessons (lessons 11 and 12 of my Year 10 SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec) covering aspects of Chapters 8-13. Lesson 11 focuses on character and the theme of social class. Lesson 12 focuses on helping students develop annotation skills and understanding of what to look for in the AQA GCSE English Lit Paper 1 Section B extract (19th century novel - Great Expectations). The specific AO focus for the lesson is AO2. Both lessons include differentiation tasks - extension task and differentiation by choice of extract in lesson 12. A homework task is also included. Both lessons proved extremely successful with my Year 10 class this year.

Six resources detailing activities on Chapters 4, 6, 10, 11, 16 and a final choice of written task options after completing class reading of the novel. Sheets on Chapters 4, 6, 10 and 11 include extracts from the novel I typed up to help focus pupils on specific significant sections of those chapters. Most resources include extension tasks and the final chapters task sheet has differentiation by choice.

An outstanding lesson exploring the use of generic conventions (AO2) in Wuthering Heights. This lesson, containing 5 resources including a comprehensive lesson plan and 13 slide PowerPoint, is part of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature A Level spec - teaching Wuthering Heights as one of the two coursework texts. However, the lesson can easily be used for the new AQA spec. Extension tasks and independent study task included as well as opportunities for differentiation by group/task. In a mixed ability class, students all made progress during the lesson (clearly demonstrated to the students and lesson observers in the mini plenary and plenary). Plus the subsequent essay also revealed much improved understanding and analysis skills for AO2. Lessons 1-12 of my Wuthering Heights SOW have also been uploaded to TES Resources as two separate bundles.

Two resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B). Lesson 17 covers Chapters 26 and 27 (Volume Two); it focuses on helping pupils explore alternative interpretations and achieve level 5 AO1 - thoughtful, developed responses. A variety of activities are included with extension tasks. Lesson 18 covers Chapters 28-31 with an AO2 (exploring language and structure) focus. It also builds on the alternative interpretations work from the previous lesson. Extension tasks are included for the more able. A homework task is also included. All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.

Three resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B). Lesson 21 covers significant aspects of Chapter 39 (the final chapter of Volume Two) with an AO2 focus. A variety of activities are included with extension tasks and a homework task. A pupil handout of the key quotes explored in the main lesson tasks is also included. Lesson 22 covers Chapter 40 (the first chapter of Volume Three). Extension tasks are included for the more able. Whilst pupils were given specific quotes/episodes to explore in lesson 21, lesson 22 encourages pupils to find the evidence themselves. The final task involves pupils (in pairs/small groups) choosing an extract (guided by the teacher) to explore for AO1 and AO2 marks using numbered tasks on the last PowerPoint slide to help them. All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.

6 resources covering 3-4 lessons (lesson 7 could be split into two separate lessons) preparing students for the new AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 exam (Section B - the 19th century novel). These are lessons 6-8 of the successful SOW I created for my current Year 10 class and focus on key aspects of Chapters 3-8 of Great Expectations Volume One. Moreover, they really helped students develop understanding of the novel, Dickens' techniques and key analysis skills needed for AO1 and AO2. Resources include: 3 detailed PowerPoints (lesson 6 = 9 slides; lesson 7 = 15 slides; lesson 8 = 9 slides); a starter worksheet for lesson 7; extracts from Chapter 8 and lesson plans giving extra information and assessment objective/skills focuses. All lessons include extension tasks for the more able. There is also some scaffolding to help students plus a homework task offering differentiation by choice. Please note that the themes handout for lesson 7 is not included as this is a Teachit resource. It can be obtained as a free PDF from Teachit once you register with them.

6 resources covering 3 lessons (lessons 3, 4 and 5) in my Year 10 SOW teaching Great Expectations (AQA GCSE English Lit Paper 1 Section B - 19th century novel). Resources include: 3 detailed PowerPoints (lesson 3 = 17 slides; lesson 4 = 8 slides; lesson 5 = 15 slides); lesson plans with differentiated activities flagged; example PEE paragraph to help students write their own and an extract from the novel for students to highlight and annotate. The lessons focus on the opening chapters (establishing character and use of setting) and developing students' AO1 and AO2 skills. Homework tasks are included with each lesson. These lessons worked really well with my Year 10 class this year. They especially liked lesson 5 exploring setting and use of pathetic fallacy.

Four resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B). Lesson 15 covers Chapters 20-22 (start of Volume Two); it focuses on Dickens' use of setting and analysis developing AO2 skills. A variety of activities are included with extension tasks and differentiation by choice for the main written task based on the description of Mr Jaggers' office (copy of the extract included for pupils to highlight and annotate). A homework task is also included with differentiation by pupil choice of quotes to answer the question about Herbert Pocket. Lesson 16 covers Chapters 23-25 with a specific focus on how Dickens uses setting (Wemmick's castle) and contrasts. Extension tasks for differentiation and a homework task looking back to Chapter 22 (Miss Havisham's story). All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.

8 resources for 3 lessons helping pupils prepare for the AQA KS3 assessments (reading). Tasks are based on the Paper 1 format, although the source is non-fiction rather than fiction (local news article) as I had just completed a non-fiction SOW with the class. Lessons 1 and 2 take pupils through the main tasks, with whole class modelling of the longer answers to support all pupils. Pupils then individually complete a task at a time in timed conditions. This also helped focus pupils on how long to spend on tasks with different marks. Peer assessment is used for the shorter tasks to cut down teacher marking time. There is a mark scheme (again based on the AQA KS3 assessments) which can be matched to APP levels or school flightpath skills. For lesson 3, I gave pupils copies of example answers to focus on key skills in the mark scheme and to support their DIRT. This lesson has differentiation by task to enable more able pupils the challenge of answering a language and structure task without teacher guidance - so building resilience in addition to analysis skills. During lessons 1 and 2 there are also extension tasks (and skills reminders) for the more able, plus modelling examples to support all pupils. Most activities are self-explanatory, but I have included some additional details and ideas for teachers below some slides. I have also included a sheet of all the questions that could be issued to pupils - although I only used the PowerPoints with my class. These resources were produced for a mixed ability Year 7 class (APP level range from 3 to 6) and it proved highly successful in focusing pupils on comprehension and PEE analysis of language and structure. Moreover, confidence has been increased in their ability to succeed in the forthcoming end of year exams. The lessons could easily be adapted for set ability groups.

2 lessons showing all pupils making progress and developing resilience skills. Pupils demonstrate improved inference and deduction skills using relevant quotes to support their comments in PEE responses to parts of Act 2, Scene 1. The lessons also incorporate self-assessment, peer assessment and pupils completing DIRT on peer/teacher formative feedback. A homework task, with an extension task for the more able, is included. The lessons offer a range of differentiation strategies: extension tasks for the more able; starter sentences to support the less able; differentiation by choice in use of quotes for PEE task on Helena; pupils working at different levels based on self/peer assessment and modelling examples of different levels to support pupils in their progression and increased resilience. I kept pupils in mixed ability pairs/groups to support the less able, but you could also use ability groupings if you have TA support. The lessons were produced for a mixed ability Year 7 class and proved very successful. My centre still uses APP, so these lessons have a RAF3 focus. However, they could easily be adapted for KS3 flightpaths.