FREE - First Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! This lesson focuses on Bill Bryson, an introduction to who he is, what his writing is all about as well as an introduction to travelogues… LINK TO FULL UNIT - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-sow-bill-bryson-inspired-travel-writing-scheme-of-work-13149043 Description of Unit: A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Bryson’s Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response! The focus of these lessons is to help students write engaging travelogues inspired by Bill Bryson’s style. The lessons emphasise the use of humor, vivid descriptions, character observations, cultural engagement, and personal reflections to create compelling travel narratives. Students are guided through drafting, editing, and refining their work with practical exercises, planning tools, and peer feedback to enhance their storytelling. I have previously uploaded an earlier version of this SOW, but it was made when I was teaching the class I made it for once a week, so I have heavily edited it, expanded it and made it much more substantial! Travel Writing Scheme of Work which can be used for Mixed ability Y7 and Y8 groups, or a lower ability Y9. Could even be adapted for GCSE or “flip”/step-up lower ability KS4 English groups.

A lesson which explores the theme of inequality in the Hunger Games, no printing needed. Purely thematic lesson!

FREE - First Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE -Second Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951 This lesson focuses on Bill Bryson, an introduction to who he is, what his writing is all about as well as an introduction to travelogues… LINK TO FULL UNIT - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-sow-bill-bryson-inspired-travel-writing-scheme-of-work-13149043 Description of Unit: A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Bryson’s Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response! The focus of this lesson is on SENSORY LANGUAGE, how to use it and how Bryson uses it…

A worksheet which can be used when doing dystopian literature or when studying The Hunger Games. Students are to design their own Tribute/character. They can then use the character in a writing assessment!

This lesson introduces students to the concept of civility and encourages thoughtful engagement with differing perspectives. Through paired discussions, case studies, and comprehension exercises, students will learn the importance of empathy, respectful dialogue, and critical thinking when debating opposing views. Learning Objectives To understand the meaning of civility and why it is crucial in discussions. To develop the ability to engage with differing viewpoints respectfully and thoughtfully. To practice language that promotes civil discourse. To reflect on how differing views can challenge and refine personal beliefs. Documentary Activity: America’s New Female Right Watch a portion of the documentary about the rise of right-wing views among women. (REQUIRES ERA LOG-IN) Prompt: “Some of the views may differ from your own. Listen to understand, rethink, and refine your stance while ensuring civil discussions.” Comprehension Sheet Task: Note instances where civil discussion takes place (e.g., no insults or shouting). This lesson encourages respect, empathy, and critical thinking, equipping students to engage with diverse perspectives in a civil and meaningful way.

This worksheet guides students through analysing John Keats’ poem La Belle Dame Sans Merci using the PEED structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Development). Students are tasked with answering one of the following questions: How does Keats present ‘La Belle Dame’ as a victim? How does Keats present the ‘Knight-At-Arms’ as a victim? Students are instructed to write one or two PEED paragraphs answering the question(s), using the following framework: Point: Rephrase the question as a statement. Evidence: Provide a relevant quotation from the poem. Explanation: Link the evidence to the theme of victimhood, considering the context of Keats’ life. Development: Expand by zooming in on specific words, techniques, or themes, such as love, death, or identity. Students should aim to write a focused response that demonstrates their understanding of the poem’s themes, Keats’ life, and poetic techniques, applying critical analysis to present either La Belle Dame or the Knight-at-Arms as a victim.

RESEARCH SHEET INFO: This Travelogue Research Worksheet is a comprehensive resource designed to guide students through exploring and organizing information about a chosen country. It includes sections on basic details, geography, culture, cuisine, history, transportation, climate, and social activities, helping students develop a detailed and vivid understanding of the country. Additionally, it encourages creativity by asking students to imagine their own travel experiences. This tool is perfect for fostering research, critical thinking, and creative writing skills in a structured, engaging way. PLANNING SHEET INFO: The Travelogue Assessment Planning Sheet is a structured and engaging tool designed to help students craft compelling travelogue entries. By guiding them through key elements such as an engaging opening, sensory-rich descriptions, memorable anecdotes, and personal reflections, this sheet encourages creativity and thoughtful storytelling. Features: Clear Structure: Students are prompted to think about their title, setting, characters, events, and conclusions step-by-step. Creative Prompts: Example sentences provide inspiration for vivid language and engaging storytelling. Reflection and Humor: Encourages personal connections and optional humor to make the writing lively and relatable. Checklist: Ensures students include all essential elements and edit their work for clarity and grammar. This planning sheet is perfect for fostering imagination and narrative skills while helping students transport their readers to exciting places through their writing! FULL SOW - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-13149043 FREE FIRST LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE SECOND LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951

This is a poster outlining the PEED writing structure (Point, Evidence, Explain, Development), with prompts and sentence starters to guide students in analytical writing. PEED stands for Point, Evidence, Explain, Development, a framework commonly used to structure paragraphs in essays and analytical writing. The poster provides a clear breakdown of what is required for each part of a paragraph, reducing confusion and ensuring students stay focused. Encourages Analytical Thinking: By including prompts, it guides students to think more deeply about their writing, such as how evidence supports their point or how their ideas connect to broader concepts. Supports All Learners: The inclusion of sentence starters is particularly useful for students who struggle with beginning their responses, making this a great tool for mixed-ability classrooms. Promotes Independence: With this poster, students have a handy reference to structure their work without constant teacher input, fostering self-reliance. Visually Engaging: The icons and layout make it an attractive and memorable resource that is easy to understand at a glance. This poster is an invaluable classroom tool for improving student writing. It simplifies essay planning, supports structured thinking, and provides scaffolding for students who need extra help. By using this resource, teachers can ensure that students consistently produce well-organized, analytical paragraphs, making it an essential addition to any English classroom.

This engaging and imaginative lesson combines literary analysis with creative persuasive writing, inspired by 1984’s infamous Room 101. Students will explore George Orwell’s dystopian concept of exploiting personal fears before crafting a persuasive letter aimed at convincing the Prime Minister to consign their three chosen “worst things” to Room 101 forever. Learning Objectives To understand the concept of Room 101 and its symbolic significance in Orwell’s 1984. To develop persuasive writing skills by employing a variety of techniques. To write creatively and persuasively, tailoring their arguments for a specific audience (the Prime Minister).

A fun lesson that I made for my Year 9 class whilst doing a scheme of learning on People and Relationships Poetry. It uses the song ‘Exile’ by Taylor Swift to teach perspectives in poetry, as well as to help sell the idea that modern poetry/songs wouldn’t be possible without the poets of the past! Can be used for unseen poetry for a bit of end of term fun at GCSE, half-term homework, or just general poetry lesson!

This dynamic lesson on travel writing focuses on honing students’ observational skills and crafting engaging anecdotes, inspired by the style of celebrated travel writer Bill Bryson. Through interactive tasks, students learn to notice and describe overlooked details, bringing scenes to life with sensory-rich descriptions and humour. The lesson emphasises Bryson’s techniques, including self-deprecating humor and observational storytelling, helping students craft their own memorable anecdotes. By weaving together observation, humor, and personal reflection, students develop their creative writing abilities while learning to make travel narratives vivid, relatable, and impactful. This captivating lesson is perfect for sparking a love for storytelling and enhancing descriptive writing skills. Buy this lesson to transform your students into engaging travel writers! FREE - First Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE -Second Lesson from Bill Bryson Travel Writing SOW! - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951 This lesson focuses on Bill Bryson, an introduction to who he is, what his writing is all about as well as an introduction to travelogues… LINK TO FULL UNIT - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-sow-bill-bryson-inspired-travel-writing-scheme-of-work-13149043 Description of Unit: A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Bryson’s Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response!

A lesson which focuses on ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ by Wilfred Owen. I used this with my Year 8 class whilst doing a scheme of work around War Poetry

A comparative worksheet which focuses on the poem Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney and Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. The focus of this lesson is on comparing poems, using unseen poetry skills. Great for GCSE, also good for KS3 Year 9 English.

A worksheet for comparing the ideas and techniques explored in the poems ‘Valentine’ and ‘Quickdraw’ by Carol Ann Duffy. This can be used at GCSE for practising unseen poetry skills, or at KS3 for People and Relationships poetry schemes of work.

A lesson I made for my Y9 class which focuses on Sylvia Plath’s poem, ‘Mad Girl’s Love Song’, focuses on how people can become victims of relationships. The Unit this originates from is a People and Relationships Poetry SOW Can be used to practise English GCSE Poetry analysis skills, I taught to KS3 Y9, but can be adapted.

Lesson Series: Exploring ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ by Edgar Allan Poe Learning Objectives: Understand how Edgar Allan Poe explores Gothic literature, the concept of madness, and macabre themes in “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Lesson 1: Introduction to Gothic Literature and "The Tell-Tale Heart" Discuss and write down initial thoughts on how “The Tell-Tale Heart” might fit into the Gothic genre based on these features. Lesson 2: The Concept of Madness in "The Tell-Tale Heart" Number key events in the story to arrange the plot in chronological order. Using these events, create a “Madness Progression” graph, plotting the narrator’s descent into madness on a scale of 1 to 10. Lesson 3: Symbolism and Atmosphere in "The Tell-Tale Heart" Students create a movie poster that captures the story’s themes, focusing on madness, obsession, and Gothic elements. Encourage use of dark colours, shadowy figures, and symbolic imagery (like the eye or heart) to convey the atmosphere.

This immersive lesson offers students a deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic short story “The Black Cat.” By examining Poe’s use of symbolism, themes, and narrative style, students uncover the psychological and moral complexities of the narrator’s descent into madness. Engaging activities include analysing imagery, discussing the symbolism of the black cats and the wall, and exploring how alcohol influences the narrator’s unraveling psyche. Students analyze key themes like guilt, violence, and unreliable narration, using textual evidence to support their interpretations. Through a blend of individual, pair, and visual storytelling tasks, students also plan and create their own comic adaptation of the story, making complex literary elements accessible and memorable. Buy this lesson to captivate your students with the dark intricacies of Poe’s Gothic world while enhancing their analytical, creative, and interpretative skills! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971

This engaging lesson invites students to step into the role of investigators to unravel one of literature’s greatest mysteries: the death of Edgar Allan Poe. Through interactive activities such as evidence analysis, video viewing, and crafting newspaper reports, students explore historical theories ranging from alcohol poisoning and illness to political foul play, delving into the macabre intrigue surrounding Poe’s final days. The lesson encourages critical thinking, historical analysis, and creative writing, culminating in a student-led newspaper piece mimicking 19th-century journalistic style. By merging Gothic literary elements with historical detective work, students gain a deeper appreciation of Poe’s enduring influence and mysterious legacy. Buy this lesson for a memorable, thought-provoking exploration into the enigma of Poe’s death! For teachers who love a bit of True Crime…I taught this after my Y8 class had finished reading “The Raven” in-between teaching them “The Tell-Tale Heart” as a one-off bit of fun… SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 The Black Cat Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971