Tried and tested essay planning sheet for AQA GCSE ‘Macbeth’ essays. This resource reminds students they need to explore both the printed extract and show their knowledge and understanding of other scenes in the play. It is perfect for planning those early essays and for revision planning. My students found it especially useful for reminding them of areas of context they could include. I enlarge it to A3 for classroom planning (leaving space to add more ideas after whole class feedback), but leave it as A4 if homework planning. It has also proved to be an invaluable resource for private tutoring and can be simply tweaked for other set GCSE plays or novels.

A 21 slide resource covering Macbeth Act 5, Scenes 2, 3 and 4. After reading Scene 2, pupils discuss questions (extension task included). After reading Scenes 3 and 4, test pupil knowledge and understanding through a quiz based on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' When I used this with my Year 9 set 2 class, I paused the quiz at the end of the Scene 3 questions to read Scene 4. You could, however, read both scenes before starting the quiz. I also used named lolly sticks to ensure random pupils were chosen to answer questions. For the final question I had the answers stuck round the classroom and asked pupils to stand next to the one they agreed with. I then chose more able pupils to explain their choices. It is an active learning lesson which worked very well with my class.

Four resources for a lesson exploring how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are presented in Act 1, Scene 7. Resources help pupils understand Macbeth's arguments in his opening soliloquy and how Lady Macbeth persuades him to change his mind. Extension tasks included to challenge the more able and a modelling example is completed on the worksheet. To help pupils focus on the meaning of the dialogue, rather than just reading the scene aloud in pairs, I laminated pictures of tartan trousers and pupils held the trousers when their character held the power in the dialogue. The lesson was created for a Year 9 set 2 class, but could easily be adapted for different abilities or even a KS4 class.

Seven tried and tested resources on poetry which can be used as challenge, or homework or starter activities with KS3 classes. They include a wide variety of tasks (differentiation by choice) to enable pupils to explore the effects of a range of language and structural techniques. These tasks also help pupils respond to more challenging ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions to help develop evaluative skills. Pupils have found these activities extremely beneficial in preparation for end of unit and end of year assessments. I have these resources (along with my prose extension reading tasks and challenge writing tasks) laminated on coloured paper (green for reading and yellow for writing) in a folder my pupils can access if they have completed all my main lesson tasks. I have also used these activities for cover lessons and as adaptive learning group tasks. Now my school is moving towards pupils using laptops in lessons, I have uploaded these into my KS3 class Teams rooms to encourage pupils to access stretch and challenge activities as part of their independent learning. I have uploaded my reading challenge prose tasks and writing challenge tasks as separate packs on TES. You can also purchase all three in a money saving bundle.

A full lesson including an A* exemplar accents (language diversity) essay produced for my Year 12 AQA English Language students as a modelling example in the Autumn term and 22 slide PowerPoint. This lesson guides Year 12 students through potential content for an AQA Paper 1 Section A evaluative essay (after I had taught the accents part of my accent and dialect SoW). This is followed by use of the exemplar essay to guide students through the AQA mark scheme and exemplify level 4 and some level 5 AO1 and AO2 success criteria. Initially, I cut up the essay and asked students to organise it into an argument (AO1 level 4), then we discussed whether it guided the reader (AO1 level 5). We then explored the use of precise AO1 terminology and academic register before exploring evidence of detailed knowledge and comments on different views and approaches (AO2 level 4) and how some of these views were challenged and evaluated (AO2 level 5). The PowerPoint also helps students understand what the mark scheme wording means. I then gave my students two new accents essay titles to choose from for their first A Level essay - details on PowerPoint. All lesson details are on the PowerPoint with some additional tips/ideas/links in the notes sections. This lesson proved a great success with high quality A Level essays produced by my students. The AQA Paper 2 Section A mark scheme can be found on the AQA website.

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.

32 page adaptable student handbook for AS / A Level English Literature students. It includes: an outline of the AS and A Level course, details on the assessment objectives, a useful glossary of literary terminology, tips on A Level essay writing (including a list of key phrases to help write well-structured and coherent essays) , critical approaches, context ideas, suggestions on the format of wider reading logs and reading journals, space for students to record essay marks and targets and AS mark sheets. Some of the information is adapted from the AS and A Level specification and online resources to help prepare students for the new specifications. It was produced for the new Edexcel AS and A Level English Literature specification but can easily be adapted for another exam board. It received very positive feedback from my students.

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.

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 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.

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 27 covers key aspects of Chapters 57 and 58 (Volume Three). A variety of activities including extension tasks. Lesson 28 focuses on analysis of the novel's final chapter mainly exploring Dickens' language and possible effects on the reader for AO2. All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.

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 23 covers key aspects of Chapters 43-46 (Volume Three). A variety of activities are included with extension tasks and differentiation by group/task. A homework task is also included with optional extension questions helping pupils develop their understanding/analysis skills further to access the higher levels for AO1, AO2 and AO3. Lesson 24 focuses on how Dickens presents the characters of Pip and Estella and their relationship. Tasks include active learning, group, pair and individual work. Pupils would then write up their work into a mini essay to be teacher assessed for AO1 and AO2. All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class and produced high standard mini essays.

Three resources for a lesson exploring Scene 10 and the play's structure. Resources: 9 slide PowerPoint, student handout and comprehensive lesson plan. The lesson plan includes extension tasks for more able students and details of the AOs covered in the lesson. This is lesson 15 of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature AS Level. However, it could also be used for the new AQA A Level spec and the full Edexcel new A Level.

Details of 13 lessons on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for the new Edexcel AS English Literature spec (prose comparison). Due to workload, these resources are not up to the standard of my premium resources and do sometimes borrow from others' ideas and free TES resources. Moreover, a few resources are detailed on the lesson plans, but not uploaded due to copyright - these are from Teachit and emagazines. I have put details of these resources on my lesson plans so you will be able to locate the Teachit resources (available free as PDFs) and the emag articles if your centre has a subscription. I hope they are of use.

A sheet I created to use for CLD essay feedback (AQA English Language A Level Paper 1 Section B) highlighting where students have met the assessment criteria for AO1 and AO2 and highlighting (or adding) key targets. I then staple it to the front of the essay. I have used this successfully since the new spec came in. It helps focus students on key areas for improvement and what the A Level examiners are specifically looking for. Please visit my TES shop for further A Level English Language resources.