Melissa Victoria is a former English teacher with over 15 years' experience in a variety of secondary school settings, including comprehensive and grammar schools. She provides English resources mainly for high-ability students studying for GCSE and A level (AQA).
Melissa Victoria has an MA in English from the University of Birmingham, UK.
Melissa Victoria is a former English teacher with over 15 years' experience in a variety of secondary school settings, including comprehensive and grammar schools. She provides English resources mainly for high-ability students studying for GCSE and A level (AQA).
Melissa Victoria has an MA in English from the University of Birmingham, UK.
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on Sheila’s involvement with Eva Smith in Act One of An Inspector Calls. The resource is suitable for a mid-high level group studying the text for GCSE Literature.
The resource contains:
LOs/Skills slide
A quick exploration of the Inspector’s sardonic language and why Priestley uses this method to characterise him (might be done prior to lesson as a homework; could be done as a separate lesson prior to the ‘Sheila’ lesson; answer slide could be given as handout if pushed for time)
A slide to briefly note down Sheila’s involvement with Eva Smith
A slide to explore Sheila’s characterisation and role in the play at this point
An exemplar answer slide to previous
An exploration of the play’s structure and its symbolic significance (parts making the whole)
A plenary in which students reflect on Sheila’s role and the skills of noticing, analysing and making links made today to further understand Priestley’s methods.
As well as answer slides, other slides have teacher notes underneath with sample ideas and answers.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores the changes in Sheila and Eric from the start of the play for mid-high level GCSE groups.
Resource includes:
LOs and outcomes
A prompt slide to read pp.57-61 with focus question
A blank table to complete comparing language choices from Act 1 and Act 3
A completed table of ideas with a prompt question
A short sample response exploring the changes in Sheila and Eric, and their juxtaposition to Gerald in Act 3.
A plenary slide
Best wishes,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet of Robert Browning’s ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ for students aiming for grades 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet.
Kind regards,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet of Charlotte Mew’s ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ for students aiming for grades 6- 9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a easy format rather than being too colour-heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet.
Kind regards,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on adjectives. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to five different adjective types: positive; negative; comparative; superlative; and descriptive.
Includes:
*an explanation of the function of each adjective type within the English language
*an example list of the type of adjective discussed
*three differentiated challenge exercises for each adjective type with examples for students to choose from (less able might choose challenge one, with increasingly able choosing challenges two and three OR students could work from challenges one to three)
Teachers can choose to teach the adjectives types in any order, dip in or out, or select as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding and using different types of adjectives.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the pasy perfect continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to different ways of using the past perfect continuous tense: continuing past actions in the past now completed; questions; verbs that cannot be used in the past perfect continuous tense
Includes:
*a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement (always ‘had’ in this instance), the use of ‘been’ , and the forming of gerunds
*an explanation of how the past perfect continuous tense is used with examples. Discussion of how when not to use the past perfect continuous.
*challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they
understand how to form the past perfect continuous
*challenge exercises two and three which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses and understanding of the past perfect continuous tense
*sample answers after each exercise
Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past perfect continuous tense, dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary.
Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past perfect continuous tense.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the past perfect tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to four different ways of using the past perfect tense: to show the sequence of past events; to show a length of time in the past now completed;questions, using the 5Ws1H; the third conditional.
Includes:
*a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement (‘had’ in this instance throughout), and the forming of other past participles
*a table on how to form questions using the past perfect tense
*an explanation of each use of the past perfect tense, with an example
*challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they
understand how to form the past perfect tense
*challenge exercises two-four which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the past perfect tense
*sample answers after each exercise
Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past perfect tense, dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary.
Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past perfect tense.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the present perfect continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to different ways of using the present perfect continuous tense: past actions continuing now or relevant now; questions; verbs that cannot be used in the present perfect continuous tense
Includes:
*a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to have’) agreement, the use of ‘been’ , and the forming of gerunds
*an explanation of how the present perfect continuous tense is used with examples. Discussion of how when not to use the present perfect continuous.
*challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they
understand how to form the present perfect continuous
*challenge exercises two and three which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses and understanding of the present perfect continuous tense
*sample answers after each exercise
Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the present perfect continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary.
Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the present perfect continuous tense.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the present continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to six different ways of using the present continuous tense: basic sentence; actions happening now; actions happening in the near future; planned future actions; questions; repeated events
Includes:
*a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to be’) agreement and the forming of gerunds
*an explanation of each use of the present continuous, with an example
*challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they
understand how to form the present continuous
*challenge exercises two-six which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present continuous tense
*sample answers after each exercise
Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the present continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary.
Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the present continuous.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on simple present tense verbs. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning.
The PowerPoint introduces the student to the infinitive verb form and explores conjugation for simple present tense.
Includes:
*an explanation of the infinitive verb
*three differentiated challenge exercises: conjugating verbs; conjugating phrasal verbs; free-writing activity using simple present tense verbs. All include with answers/sample answer (less able might choose challenge one, with increasingly able choosing challenges two and three OR students could work from challenges one to three)
Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise
The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding how to conjugate the infinitive into the simple present tense
Best wishes,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Charles Causley’s ‘Eden Rock’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Before You Were Mine’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Maura Dooley’s ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Netural Tones’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Simon Armitage’s 'Mother, any distance…’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Walking Away’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet of Owen Sheers’ ‘Winter Swans’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Neutral Tones’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Seamus Heaney’s 'Follower’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2
The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method.
Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory
The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades.
There are suggested links to ‘Walking Away’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion.
The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the significance of the opening stage directions of An Inspector Calls
Prior to the lesson, students will need to have read to the opening stage direcitons
Includes:
LOs and skills
Whole class modelling activity
Group work and discussion to explore the opening stage directions
Model Answers
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint for the opening of An Inspector Calls before the Inspector arrives aimed at higher-level groups.
Prior reading up until the stage-direction ‘We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell’ will need to have occurred before the PowerPoint is used.
The PowerPoint contains:
LOs followed by a slide outlining the four key themes in this section: Privilege, Class Struggle, Snobbery and Self-Serving Idealism. Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony are also introduced and will need to be explored by the teacher.
A table in which students are asked to consider key character language and place the language under either Privilege, Class Struggle, Snobbery or Self-Serving Idealism. This can be done either as a cut-and-paste activity or on the computer as a drag and drop. The slide could be printing out and students could write answers in also if the two above options are not available
A completed slide of the above task for the teacher to talk through/take feedback etc.
Further discussion of Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony
A table in which students explore key language from the opening act and decide whether it is an example of foreshadowing or dramatic irony. They then need to give an insightful comment as to what the device is demonstrating/why it is an example of such a device. There are two differentiated slides here. The harder one asks the students to identify who said the line before analysing it, and there are no hint questions. The other identifies the speaker and asks ‘Withholding of further information or contextual events the audience would have knowledge about?’ as a guide for students to explore which of the two devices the language is an example of
The next slide gives example ‘insightful comments’ which students can check against their own or add to during a class discussion / feedback.
The final slide is a reminder of their LOs and some questions to explore the skills they used in the lesson to analyse the play today.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores Eric’s involvement with Eva and the Inspector’s final speech
Resource includes:
LOs and Outcomes
A prompt-slide to read pp.50-56 with focus questions
A slide to complete the ‘chain of events’ (with a following completed slide)
An exploration of Birling and Eric’s relationship (with sample ideas for teacher in notes)
An exploration of the Inspector’s commanding use of language (with sample ideas for teacher in notes)
A prompt slide for discussion regarding what or who the Inspector actually is (with ideas in notes for teacher)
A Word cloud of key language ideas to explore in the Inspector’s final speech
A two-slide exemplar essay exploring and analysing the Inspector’s final speech
Plenary slide
The PowerPoint is likely to take two lesson so split between focus on Eric followed by focus on the Inspector if necessary.
Best wishes,
Englbee x
A fully-adaptable, high-level essay for AQA GCSE English Literature Paper Two Part A. However, it would be useful with any syllabus.
The essay is offered as an adaptable Word doc. and a PDF. The essay question is What do you think is the importance of Mr Birling in the play and how does Priestley present him?
Themes explored: Blame; Capitalism; Edwardian mores and values
Method: Characterisation; Structure/chains-of-guilt; Symbolism; Contrast/Juxtaposition
The essay is approximately 900 words; it can be adapted as needed. The preview shows only a part of the essay.
Best wishes,
Englbee.
Nine Challenge Cards on the theme of Kingship in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Sample answer ideas provided. Ideal for revision. Fully-adaptable and editable.
Suitable for 6-9 GCSE or a very able Year 9 group.
Ideas on how to use…
Classroom:
The Challenge Cards can be prinited off and laminated as individual or class sets.
A more covid secure way: The Challenge Card PowerPoint has been set on a timer (can easily be removed). If you play it from the beginning as a slideshow, it will go through the challenge cards quickly. Press esc at any point to select a question for your class. The class can attempt a question as a whole, or you could repeat the selection process to give different groups a challenge card question to focus upon.
After group or class feedback, find the appropriate sample answer slide on the second PowerPoint and go through some of the ideas found there. Adaptable for you to add your own or delete as you feel necessary for your group(s).
Home-learning or remote learning:
Teacher selects an individual slide from the PowerPoint to email home to entire class or to anyone not in school. Teacher to decide on level of written work required e.g. detailed plan of answer, or full written response. Online learning might also take place as a discussion via Microsoft Teams if lesson is live.
Teacher can then support assessment for learning by emailing the corresponding answer slide from the PowerPoint to students at home, or can present it via an online lesson on Microsoft teams for discussion etc.
The nine Challenge Cards here deal with the theme of Kingship in the play only.
Further Macbeth challenge cards with sample answers will be available in the future on different themes - so keep a lookout.
Best wishes,
Englbee x