I am an experienced English teacher and Literacy Coordinator. All of my resources are organised, engaging, ready to teach and designed to save you - the teacher - your valuable time!
Please have a look at all of my resources - at least 20% of which are free.
I am an experienced English teacher and Literacy Coordinator. All of my resources are organised, engaging, ready to teach and designed to save you - the teacher - your valuable time!
Please have a look at all of my resources - at least 20% of which are free.
This bundle contains 20 resources that can be used and adapted for key stage 3 English lessons. It contains resources that cover reading, writing and speaking skills.
All lessons are ready to download and teach immediately. This bundle contains the following:
Writing Skills
Lesson on colons vs semi colons
Lesson on commas, dashes and brackets
Lesson on complex sentences
Lesson on compound sentences
Writing skills (SPAG) knowledge organiser
Writing skills for key stage 3 assessment with answer rubric included.
Figurative language - writing similes and metaphors
Lesson on punctuating dialogue
Lesson on assonance
Lesson on sibilance
Lesson on personification
Reading Skills/Poetry
12) Booklet to help students create their own poetry anthology
13) Lesson on the features of poetry and prose
14) 2 lessons on successful annotation and analysis of poetry.
15) Lesson on how to write a slam poem
16) Reusable lesson to embed close reading skills
17) Introduction to poetry knowledge organiser
18) World Book Day reading quiz
19) Poetry analysis lesson on ‘The Lesson’ by Roger McGough
Speaking and listening skills
20) Introduction to group discussion lesson
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Fully resourced and ready-to-teach 1 hour lesson which introduces students to assonance and encourages them to question why writers use it and what its effect is. Students then write a poem using assonance.
This lesson is aimed at KS3 and would be suitable for an introduction to poetry unit - but it could easily be adapted to younger or older students.
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Engaging and ready to teach one hour lesson to cover chapter eight of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne. This lesson helps students to consider the character of Grandmother and why John Boyne has included her as a character. Students will infer details about Grandmother from the argument that she has with Father and then write a script between Grandmother and Grandfather which they will perform to the class.
Learning Objective: Infer details from the text to write a script about Grandmother.
Learning Outcomes:
Bronze: Use scanning and skimming reading skills to find details about Grandmother in the text.
Silver: Infer information about Grandmother and her relationship with Father.
Gold: Synthesise what you know about the characters with information you have learned about the Holocaust to add details to your writing.
Lesson Outline:
Do It Now: Discuss with partners: how does it feel to experience conflict with family members?
Starter: Read chapter 8 and then students answer comprehension questions in their books. Discuss as a class.
Activity 1: Students write a script between Grandmother and Grandfather on their way home from Christmas dinner.
Activity 2: Students perform their scripts and peer assess each other.
Plenary: What has John Boyne included the character of Grandmother? What is he trying to show?
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. .
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This unit is designed as an introduction to poetry for key stage 3 to build upon the knowledge they will have from key stage 2. It aims to challenge students to apply poetic techniques in a creative and sophisticated way and also to support them in their own poetry analysis.
This bundle contains:
A detailed knowledge organiser for homework and class quizzing.
A 40 question quiz that covers the key knowledge on the knowledge organiser.
A poetic terms match-up exercise for revision.
An adaptable booklet to help students to create their own anthology of poetry.
A unit overview document and end of unit assessment.
An easy start-of-year activity to write an acrostic poem about yourself. This could be set as homework.
Lesson 1: Poetry vs prose
Lesson 2: Figurative language - write powerful similes and metaphors.
Lesson 3: Personification
Lesson 4: Poetry analysis for beginners - The Lesson by Roger McGough
Lesson 5: Sibilance
Lesson 6: Assonance
Lesson 7: Annotating poetry - ‘I am Offering this Poem’
Lesson 8: Write a PEE analytical paragraph about poetry
Bonus lesson: how to write a slam poem.
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An engaging and detailed quiz style Powerpoint containing 40 questions and answers that covers poetic forms and techniques as well as famous poets and lines of poetry. The questions are split into four rounds - each containing 10 questions. This resource would be ideal for use at the beginning or end of a poetry unit for key stage 3 or 4.
This could be used as one whole lesson, or as a detailed starter across multiple lessons.
29 slides in total.
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Engaging and ready to teach one hour lesson to cover chapter fourteen of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne. This lesson requires students to practise STEAL analysis of Gretel and then write a personal response as her to explore who she is as a character.
**Learning Objective: **Use STEAL analysis to explore Gretel’s character.
Learning Outcomes:
Bronze: Find appropriate quotes from the text for effective analysis.
Silver: Infer details from the quotes.
Gold: Synthesise what you know about Gretel with your knowledge of context to write a personal response as Gretel.
Lesson Outline:
Do It Now: How would you describe Gretel? Vocabulary builder.
Starter: Reading focus – find quotes that describe Gretel.
Activity 1: STEAL analysis of Gretel followed by whole-class feedback.
Activity 2: Students choose a task to develop their understanding of Gretel.
Students share work
Plenary: How do you think that Gretel will change as a character as she continues to live at Auschwitz away from her friends?
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.
Fully resourced and differentiated 1 hour lesson in which students compare and contrast the features of poetry and prose. They then move on to considering the effect of poetry by looking at three examples.
This lesson is aimed at KS3 and would be suitable for the beginning of an introduction to poetry unit - but it could easily be adapted to younger or older students.
This lesson includes:
Full explanantion of poetry and prose
Differentiated learning outcomes
Worksheet available as word (for easy editing) and as a pdf (for easy printing)
All teaching and printing instructions.
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A detailed knowledge organiser/revision mat to support students studying horror writing.
It includes sections on punctuation, grammar, conventions of horror and famous horror writers.
This is an excellent resource to be used for setting homework, quizzing in classes or as a support mat. It is included as a pdf (for easy printing) and as a ppt for editing (please be aware the ppt does not display correctly in the preview).
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Engaging and ready to teach one hour lesson to cover chapter sixteen of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne. This lesson teaches students the features of an obituary and then requires them to write an obituary about Grandmother.
Learning Objective: Write an obituary for Grandmother.
Learning Outcomes:
Bronze: List the features of an obituary.
Silver: Apply these features in writing an obituary.
Gold: Creatively infer details about Grandmother.
Lesson Outline:
Do It Now: What is an obituary? What are the steps for writing an effective one?
Starter: Reading focus on Grandmother.
Activity 1: What are the features of an obituary? Paired work.
Activity 2: Planning and writing an obituary.
Peer assessment
Plenary: How do you think Father feels about the death of his Mother?
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 one-hour lesson focuses on independent analysis of Macbeth or Lady Macbeth using the STEAL framework (Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, Looks). Perfect for students studying Act 2, Scene 2, this lesson promotes deep understanding through a structured approach to character analysis.
This resource includes:
A fully editable PowerPoint with step-by-step teacher instructions, ready for immediate download and use.
Learning Objective: Complete STEAL analysis on Macbeth or Lady Macbeth.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will read and summarise Act 2 Scene 2.
Students will answer questions to check their understanding and inference of the scene.
Students will use the STEAL framework to analyse either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth in detail.
Lesson Outline:
Do it now: How would you describe the end of act 2 scene 1? How would the audience be feeling?
Starter: Read act 2 scene 2 and discuss questions
Activity 1: Independent STEAL analysis of either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth
Activity 2: Carousel to peer assess each other’s work
Plenary: What did you learn about the characters from your analysis?
For more Macbeth resources, check out our Macbeth Bundle (some freebies in there too).
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A detailed and engaging one hour lesson to support students in their analysis of Judy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) for Edexcel English Literature IGCSE 4ET1. This lesson supports students in considering how Judy changes throughout the play and how this affects her relationship with Christopher.
This resource contains a ready-to-teach Powerpoint with all teacher and printing instructions included.
If you find this resource helpful, please leave a review and have a look at other resources available in my shop.
A detailed and engaging one hour lesson to support students in their analysis of Judy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) for Edexcel English Literature IGCSE 4ET1. This lesson supports students in analysing Judy’s letters to Christopher and considering the relationship between Judy and Christopher.
This resource contains a ready-to-teach Powerpoint with all teacher and printing instructions included.
If you find this resource helpful, please leave a review and have a look at other resources available in my shop.
A detailed and engaging one hour lesson to support students in their analysis of Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play by Simon Stephens) for Edexcel English Literature IGCSE 4ET1. This lesson supports students to analyse the scene in the train station with many competing voices with the focus of considering how the writer creates a feeling of empathy for him.
This resources contains a slide which has the text from this scene moving and zooming around to create an immersive effect of how it would feel to be Christopher.
This resource contains a ready-to-teach Powerpoint with all teacher instructions included.
If you find this resource helpful, please leave a review and have a look at other resources available in my 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.
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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.
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Marking templates to have on hand when giving students feedback on work for Language Paper 1 for CIE 0500.
I keep a stack printed out so that every time the students take an example question, they can stick these into their books for quick, clear and efficient marking.
More Freebies:
A free lesson giving an overview of CIE 0500 Language Paper One here.
A free lesson giving an overview of CIE 0500 Language Paper Two here.
Free scheme of work overview for teaching the CIE 0500 syllabus here.
If you find this lesson helpful, have a look at my CIE 0500 Language Paper 1 bundle here or the Language Paper 2 bundle here. If you’re interested in both, there is a combined bundle here which is cheaper than buying them separately.
Please leave a review as I value all the feedback I receive, and have a look at other resources available in my shop. **
A weekly planning template that has been very effective in helping me to use my time more efficiently. I used to use the Eisenhower Matrix as a tool for working towards my goals, but I found that as a teacher so many unexpected tasks can crop up in a day (some important - many of them urgent) that it didn’t work for me, and I found it too confusing when trying to prioritise what to work on next.
I find this tool far more helpful for time management. Every day, I first complete all the items in the ‘today’ column, I then move on to the ‘this week’ column and when this is done I can move on to the ‘long term goals’. Using this, I have found that I tend to have completed all my weekly tasks by around Wednesday, which means that Thursday and Friday’s limited spare time can be put towards long term goals.
I have attached it as a pdf for easy printing, but it is also included as a ppt in case you would like to edit it so that it works better for you.
If you find this resource helpful, please leave a review and have a look at other resources available in my shop.
1 hour resourced and differentiated lesson which clearly outlines to students how they should write a strong point, evidence, explain answer with an example provided and then gives them the opportunity to write an answer as a pair and then individually.
All teacher instructions provided including printing instructions (although printing is minimal).
This lesson includes:
*Do it now task
*Explanation of PEE (point evidence explain) including a model answer)
*Dracula extract
*Peer assessment slide including the differentiated learning outcomes.
This lesson is immediately ready to teach! It would be suitable for lower ability learners in key stage 3 or key stage 4.
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1 hour lesson presentation to create a social contract between the students and teacher. This lesson has been successfully used for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.
Creating a social contract can be a very powerful behaviour management tool. Please leave a review to let me know how it worked for you.
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This bundle contains resources to help students to develop their understanding of horror conventions and their close reading of texts.
These lessons are all fully differentiated, resourced and ready to teach. All teacher instructions and answers (if required) are included. 'Do it now' activities, differentiated learning outcomes and opportunities for peer assessment are all included.
This bundle includes:
* A lesson on the features of gothic horror description.
* A lesson in which students learn how to write their own gothic horror description.
*A lesson for lower ability learners to teach them how to write a point, evidence, explain answer about 'Dracula'.
* A lesson in which students independently analyse the beginning of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe.
* An independent close reading lesson which can be used multiple times with different texts (could be used with any challenging horror text).
* A horror writing knowledge organiser
* A horror writing homework menu
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