Unlock your students’ critical thinking skills with this 90-minute, fully resourced lesson focused on teaching inference through crime scene investigation. Designed to captivate students’ imagination, this lesson challenges them to propose solutions to a fictional crime based on evidence found at the scene, before creating their own crime scene scenarios. The lesson ends with students inferring information about their classmate’s criminals based on the clues at the crime scene. Perfect for a range of settings, this versatile lesson can be easily adapted for different age groups and abilities. It provides a balanced mix of independent and group work, with both oracy and writing activities included to reinforce learning. Ideal as part of a detective fiction unit, a precursor to crime writing, or as a standalone lesson dedicated to honing inference skills. This resource includes: An 18-slide PowerPoint presentation guiding the entire lesson. A scaffolded inference worksheet for individual student use. Leave a review and choose any other resource for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

Engaging and ready to teach one hour lesson to cover chapter five of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne. This lesson teaches students the difference between direct and indirect characterisation (with an exercise to practise writing their own examples). It then prompts them to consider the characterisation of Father. Students then write a personal response to an emotional extract from the text in which Father expresses his opinion on the Jewish people in Auschwitz. Learning Objective: Write a personal response explaining how I feel about an extract. Learning Outcomes: Bronze: Describe how you feel about an extract. Silver: Explain the reasons for your feelings. Gold: Ask questions and make links between what you know from the text and your other background knowledge. Lesson Overview: Do It Now: True or false questions about the Holocaust Starter: Indirect vs direct characterisation – explanation and whole-class activity. Activity 1: Popcorn reading and class discussion of how Father is characterised. Activity 2: Write a personal response to an extract from the text. Plenary: Think-pair-share: how did this extract make you feel? What do you think the author wants us to feel? Freebies: Two pre-reading lessons to introduce students to the context of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is available for free here. A lesson on chapter 1 of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is available for free here. A scheme of work for teaching the entire novel is available for free here. If you find this lesson useful, please consider purchasing this ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ Bundle or have a look at other resources available in my shop. . Leave a review and choose any other resource of up to the same value for free from my shop.

This engaging lesson explores Macbeth’s psychological descent in Act 3, Scenes 1 & 2. Students will analyse Macbeth’s increasing corruption and guilt, especially through key quotes like “full of scorpions is my mind.” This is ideal for students reading these scenes for GCSE/IGCSE or for key stage 3 students approaching the play. This Resource Includes A summary of Act 2, Scene 4 to discuss supernatural events. Abridged readings of Act 3, Scene 1 & 2. Comprehension questions and class discussions on Macbeth’s actions and moral descent. Learning Objective: Analyse Macbeth’s Evil Descent in Act 3 Scenes 1 & 2. Learning Outcomes: - Students will read a summary and discuss the strange events in Act 2 Scene 4. Students will independently and as a class explore Act 3 Scenes 1 and 2. Students will consider how Macbeth is changing psychologically and consider his abhorrent behaviour. Lesson Overview: Do it now: Recall task about what the students know about the Jacobean beliefs in witches and the supernatural. Starter: Students read summary of Act 2 Scene 4 and translate the Shakespearean English to work out the unnatural events that have been happening. Class discussion about what this means. Activity one: Read an abridged version of Act 3 Scene 1 (worksheet). Students complete comprehension questions followed by class discussion. Activity two: Class discussion on which is more evil: Macbeth killing the King or a friend. Activity three: Read and discuss abridged version of Act 3 Scene 2 and explore quote ‘full of scorpions is my mind’. Plenary: Summarise Act 3 Scenes 1 and 2 in 2 sentences and draw a picture to represent the scorpion quote. Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This comprehensive one-hour lesson is perfect for exploring the Banquo’s Ghost scene in Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth. Students will focus on key quotes and engage in close language analysis of this pivotal scene, making it ideal for Key Stage 3 and 4 learners. The lesson includes: Abridged version of the scene for easier understanding. Comprehension questions and group tasks to ‘explode’ quotes for detailed analysis. Learning Objective: Analyse Key Quotes in Banquo’s Ghost Scene. Learning Outcomes: Students will read and understand Act 3 Scene 3 and an abridged version of Act 3 Scene 4. Students will independently complete comprehension questions on Act 3 Scene 4 and share their ideas in a class discussion. Students will practise close analysis of language by ‘exploding’ key quotes from the scene. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Think – Pair – Share recall questions from previous scenes. Starter: Reading and discussion of Act 3 Scene 2. Activity One: Students perform Act 3 Scene 4. Activity Two: Students work in groups to ‘explode’ quotes from the scene and then carousel around to add to each other’s ideas. Then a discussion as a class. Plenary: Students vote on the question - Was Banquo’s Ghost a ‘real’ ghost that only Macbeth could see? Or was it just a hallucination showing how Macbeth’s mind is deteriorating? Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This comprehensive, ready-to-teach Macbeth lesson focuses on how Shakespeare uses structure to create tension, specifically in Act 5. Ideal for Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 4 students studying Macbeth, this resource includes a PowerPoint, two worksheets, and a structured lesson plan designed to deepen students’ understanding of dramatic tension and structural analysis. Learning Objective: Analyse how Shakespeare uses structure to build tension in Act 5. Learning Outcomes: Students will read and understand Act 5 Scenes 1-5 of Macbeth. Students will analyse how Shakespeare builds tension in these scenes. Students will apply Freytag’s Pyramid to the plot of Macbeth so far. Students will discuss the imagery in Macbeth’s soliloquy. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Check understanding of Freytag’s pyramid. Starter: Students complete Freytag’s pyramid worksheet for Macbeth so far. Activity 1: Read and discuss Act 5 Scene 1 focusing on the change in Lady Macbeth. Activity 2: Read Scenes 2-5 and complete worksheet to show how Shakespeare builds tension in each scene. Activity 3: Brief analysis of Macbeth’s soliloquy. Plenary: Students add any further examples of rising action to their Freytag’s Pyramid worksheet. Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This detailed and ready-to-teach one-hour lesson guides students through Act 3, Scenes 5 & 6 of Macbeth. Perfect for developing inference and prediction skills, this resource is ideal for GCSE/IGCSE students and key stage 3 students. Learning Objective: Develop inference and prediction skills when reading Macbeth Act 3 Scenes 5 & 6 Learning Outcomes: Students will be introduced to the character of Hecate and understand her plans to meddle with Macbeth. Students will complete comprehension questions on Act 3 Scene 5. Students will find key quotes from Act 3 Scene 6. Using the knowledge they have gained, students will make predictions about what will happen next in the play. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Wordsearch of character names in Macbeth. Starter: Students design the set and character of Hecate to create maximum fear in the audience. Activity One: Read and discuss questions based on Act 3 Scene 5. Activity Two: Read a summary of Act 3 Scene 6. In pairs, students then read the scene and search for quotes which match the statements on the board. Activity Three: Students write their predictions for the end of the play. Plenary: Recall questions based on this lesson Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

A detailed and ready-to-teach lesson to support students in their analysis of Act 4 Scene 1 of Macbeth. This engaging, interactive lesson allows students to act, analyse, and discuss this critical moment in Macbeth. This is great for key stage 4 students studying the play for GCSE/IGCSE or for key stage 3 students too. **Learning Objective: **Analyse Act 4 Scene 1 of Macbeth Learning Outcomes: Students will understand the key events and themes in Act 4, Scene 1. Students will analyse Shakespeare’s use of language and imagery. Students will discuss the significance of the witches and their prophecies in Macbeth’s downfall. Students will explore how Macbeth’s character evolves in this scene. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Think – Pair – Share on ‘what role do the witches play in Macbeth’s choices?’ Starter: A summary of the scene and content about its significance followed by three recall questions. Activity One: Students perform the scene staging the scene and acting to evoke maximum fear in the audience followed by a discussion on what the apparitions represent. Activity Two: Students complete a worksheet analysing the language in the scene. Discuss ideas afterwards. Plenary: Write a three-sentence summary of the scene including the themes that are evident in it. Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

A detailed and ready-to-teach lesson designed to take students through Macbeth Act 4 Scenes 2 and 3. Students will consider how Lady Macduff is the antithesis to Lady Macbeth and consider the theme of loyalty in the play. This resource is perfect for teachers looking for in-depth Macbeth lesson plans that foster critical thinking and analysis. Learning Objective: Analyse Act 4 Scenes 2 and 3 of Macbeth Learning Outcomes: Students will read and understand Act 4 Scenes 2 and 3. Students will understand how Lady Macduff is the antithesis to Lady Macbeth and that she represents the innocent people affected by Macbeth’s tyranny. Students will complete a quiz to check their understanding of these scenes. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Write down as many adjectives as you can think of to describe Lady Macbeth. Starter: Introduce Frayer Model of the noun ‘antithesis’ and introduce how Lady Macduff is the antithesis of Lady Macbeth. Activity 1: Read Act 4 Scene 2 and students answer comprehension questions on the scene. Activity 2: Students complete questions exploring how loyalty is presented in Act 4 Scene 2. Activity 3: Reading and discussion of Act 4 Scene 3. Plenary: Recall quiz on content from the lesson. Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This lesson unlocks the complexities of the ending of* Macbeth*. This resource focuses on the play’s powerful conclusion, helping students grasp how key themes are resolved and the characters’ journeys culminate. This is designed for Key Stage 4 or for Key Stage 3 as they develop the skills needed for GCSE/IGCSE English Literature. Learning Objective: Understand the ending of Macbeth and how key themes are resolved. Learning Outcomes: Students will comprehend the events of Act 5, Scenes 6–9. Students will analyse Macbeth’s character arc and how Shakespeare uses this resolution to comment on unchecked ambition. Students will evaluate the play’s ending by discussing themes, the role of prophecy, and the moral implications of Macbeth’s downfall. Lesson Outline: Do it now: Students summarise the key characters journeys in the play in one sentence each. Starter: Discussion questions anticipating the ending. Activity One: Read Act 5 Scenes 6 to 9 and write a brief summary of each as you go. Activity Two: Students complete comprehension and analysis worksheet followed by discussion of answers. Activity Three: Class discussion of the moral message of the play. Plenary: In one sentence, share your main takeaway from today’s lesson. Go round the class so that students can share their ideas. Why Choose This Resource? Designed for Confidence-Building: Helps students feel secure in their analysis of complex texts. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This 50-question Macbeth quiz is designed for key stage 3 and 4 students, covering all key areas of the play—from characters and famous quotes to symbols, language techniques, structure, and social context. Ideal for teachers aiming to assess comprehension, reinforce learning, or prepare students for exams, this quiz is both thorough and accessible. This also works really well for students revising for their GCSE or IGCSE exams. This quiz not only assesses comprehension but also encourages critical thinking. It highlights key themes, character motivations, and the societal backdrop that shaped the play. Plus, the answer key saves you time, making it easy to review answers with students or provide instant feedback What’s Included in This Macbeth Quiz Resource: 5 Unique Rounds of Questions: Characters: Analyse major figures like Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, and the Witches. Quotes: Identify missing words, understand famous lines, and connect quotes to characters. Symbols: Explore symbols such as blood, light, darkness, and the supernatural. Language & Structure: Test knowledge of Shakespeare’s language and structural techniques. Social Context: Contextual questions on the historical, social, and political background of Jacobean England. Why Choose This Resource? Engagement for All Levels: With a range of question difficulties, this quiz suits both beginner and advanced students, making it perfect for mixed-ability classrooms. Ready to Use: Download and start teaching immediately with no prep required. Leave a review and select another resource of equal value for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.

This free 18-lesson unit of work overview takes students through Shakespeare’s Macbeth while building essential skills for GCSE/IGCSE, including language and structure analysis, understanding context, and exploring character development. Ideal for Key Stage 4 or advanced Key Stage 3 students. Unit Aims: • Students will be guided through the reading of the entire play of Macbeth. • Students will understand the social context of the play and make links between the context and the events in the play. • Students will be able to describe the character development of the main characters. • Students will be able to discuss the structure of the play. • Students will revise language and structural techniques and will closely analyse the language in key scenes. This unit of work covers skills required for GCSE/IGCSE; however, it is suitable for teaching to Key Stage 4 or older Key Stage 3 students. For all 18 lessons, a learning objective, learning outcomes, lesson overview and key vocabulary are provided. There are also links to purchase the accompanying PowerPoints and resources if you would prefer not to make them yourself. These resources are also available to purchase as a bundle here. Free Resources and More: Free Worksheet: Download a free worksheet on Lady Macbeth’s persuasive techniques in Act 1 Scene 7. Free Homework Menu: Download a free homework menu to accompany the unit. Bundle Offer: Consider purchasing the Macbeth Bundle, which includes comprehensive resources to take you through the entire play. Leave a review and choose any other resource for free from the LikeAnExpert shop.