This resource is designed to support teachers preparing students for the AQA, GCSE, English Literature exam, specifically focusing on the opening of Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 1. The resource offers comprehensive tools to help students analyse key themes, such as conflict, honor, and fate, while providing structured guidance to tackle extract-based questions.
The Unit Contains:
Two Practice Question Prompt: These questions focus on the theme of conflict in the play.
Model Answer: One model answer is provided to show the structure of a successful response. The paragraphs include sub-headings to show the stage of writing.
PEEL-based Plan: A step-by-step guide that helps students structure their responses to extract questions, incorporating close textual analysis and linking themes from the extract to the play as a whole.
Additional Resources to Support Lower Ability
Novel-Style Rewrite of Act 3, Scene 1: To make Shakespeare’s language more accessible, the opening of this pivotal scene has been re-imagined as a prose narrative. This helps students grasp the underlying emotions, character motivations, and tension in the scene.
Glossary of difficult vocabulary: A detailed breakdown of challenging terms from the extract, such as “consort,” “minstrels,” and “villain,” allowing students to fully understand Shakespeare’s language.
Why Use This Resource?
Accessibility: The novel-style rewrite and glossary make the text approachable for students of varying abilities, particularly those who may struggle with Shakespearean language.
Exam-focused: The model essays and PEEL structure help students develop exam-ready responses, teaching them to analyze language, character, and theme systematically.
Contextual Depth: The resource encourages students to reflect on historical context, linking Shakespeare’s themes to Elizabethan beliefs about honour, fate, and conflict.
This resource will equip your students with the tools to confidently engage with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in preparation for the AQA, GCSE exam.
The Practice Paper for GCSE English Language ,Paper Two offers comprehensive support for teachers following the AQA curriculum. Here’s an overview of its content and its usefulness in supporting students in understanding how to respond to the different questions:
Reading Section: The paper contains two rich, contrasting texts on pollution -one set in the 1990s and the other in the 1880s. Students are tasked with summarizing differences, analyzing language, and comparing perspectives across both texts. This structure mirrors AQA exam questions, enhancing students’ exam readiness.
Writing Section: The second part requires students to compose a letter or an article about pollution, allowing them to practice persuasive writing and structuring arguments effectively.
Marking Support: Teachers can use the provided mark scheme to evaluate responses across reading and writing tasks, using AQA’s assessment objectives Additionally, the model answers act as exemplars, illustrating what successful responses should look like. These provide an opportunity to look closely at the language features and the structure of successful reading responses.
As an extension, students can also use a descriptive writing prompt to use descriptive vocabulary and varied sentence structures to write about a littered beach.
This paper will be invaluable for AQA teachers, offering realistic practice and clear guidance aligned with curriculum expectations.
The Practice Paper for GCSE English Language ,Paper Two offers comprehensive support for teachers following the AQA curriculum. Here’s an overview of its content and its usefulness in supporting students in understanding how to respond to the different questions:
Reading Section: The paper contains two rich, contrasting texts on seaside holidays — one set in the 1970s and the other in 1875. Students are tasked with summarizing differences, analyzing language, and comparing perspectives across both texts. This structure mirrors AQA exam questions, enhancing students’ exam readiness.
Writing Section: The second part requires students to compose a travel blog article, allowing them to practice persuasive writing and structuring arguments effectively. The paper includes a detailed writing plan, outlining balanced and one-sided viewpoints, which aids in teaching the skills required for structured writing responses.
Marking Support: Teachers can use the provided mark scheme to evaluate responses across reading and writing tasks, using AQA’s assessment objectives Additionally, the model answers act as exemplars, illustrating what successful responses should look like. These provide an opportunity to look closely at the language features and the structure of successful reading responses.
This paper will be invaluable for AQA teachers, offering realistic practice and clear guidance aligned with curriculum expectations.
This comprehensive guide is designed to help GCSE students excel in both the reading and descriptive writing sections of the AQA English Language Paper 1. It provides clear, practical strategies for approaching each type of question, with step-by-step advice and model responses tailored to exam requirements.
Key Features
Reading Section:
Extract and Practice Questions: The extract is taken from a thriller novel set in the 1950s. Typical AQA questions are provided to assess comprehension.
In-Depth Question Guidance: Detailed advice on how to respond to each question type, from basic information retrieval to deeper analysis and evaluation.
Model Answers: Example responses to show students how to structure answers, use subject-specific vocabulary, and apply evaluative language.
Topic Sentences and Analytical Vocabulary: Tips on crafting solid topic sentences and incorporating evaluative and descriptive words to build strong, clear answers.
Exam Skills: Strategies to help students identify key information, understand how to interpret language and structure, and analyze the writer’s techniques effectively.
Descriptive Writing Section:
Step-by-Step Writing Plan: A writing plan template that breaks down the process of crafting a descriptive piece based on a picture prompt, guiding students through each section - foreground, background, and action.
Sensory and Figurative Language: Practical examples and exercises to help students develop their use of sensory details and figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, to create vivid, atmospheric descriptions.
Exam-Specific Tips: Tailored advice for AQA Paper 1, focusing on breaking down the task, using strong topic sentences, and structuring responses to maximize marks.
Model Descriptive Paragraphs: High-quality example paragraphs that demonstrate effective use of descriptive techniques and language choices.
Self-Assessment Checklist: A checklist to help students review and refine their work, ensuring they meet exam criteria for high marks.
Perfect For:
Teachers seeking comprehensive resources for teaching both reading and descriptive writing skills
Students aiming to improve their understanding of reading comprehension and creative writing techniques
Tutors looking to support students with exam preparation for AQA English Language Paper 1
This guide will help students build confidence in their reading and writing skills, offering structured guidance and practical tools for exam success.
This is an invaluable resource for SEN students who are studying Macbeth for GCSE English Literature.
Using techniques aimed at students with speech and language issues, the picture book provides prompts for students to engage with the text.
The pictures capture the visual and symbolic elements of the play and can be used to discuss key themes and language presented in Act One of the GCSE text.
Each picture is imaginative and visually striking which will engage students who struggle with Shakespearean language and do not enjoy the play. The pictures are accompanied with a caption aimed to scaffold their response to the play and lead them to using more literary and academic language.
At the end of the picture section, there are some ideas how to use questions to gain more understanding and how to develop language.
This resource is ideal for students with additional needs such as dyslexia, ADHD and AS. It can be used as a way to begin a lesson or to support students who require small group or individual support. SENCOs, Teaching Assistants and teachers who support students with additional needs will benefit from the resource. It will help them succeed in responding to Macbeth and improve their performance in the English Literature, GCSE exam.
These resources are tailored to support teachers preparing students for the AQA, GCSE English Language exam, with a particular focus on Paper 1. They are suitable for students with additional needs such as dyslexia and autism because they include scaffolds to write their response. This is an effective way to prepare students to write answers independently.
As well as a practice paper, the unit provides writing scaffolds, model paragraphs and structured responses, to help students develop their skills in analyzing texts and constructing well-developed answers.
The materials guide students through understanding how writers use language, structure, and setting to create meaning, with specific emphasis on psychological fiction.
Additionally, for the writing section the resources offer detailed sentence frames and writing prompts, making them suitable for students who may benefit from extra support in breaking down tasks and building confidence in their writing.
The package includes sample responses to key exam questions using the scaffolds. These resources are perfect for helping students with additional needs master the skills required for creative reading and writing in the AQA curriculum
This booklet is aimed to improve descriptive writing. In many 11 plus exams, there is a choice of creative writing tasks - one of these is a response to a picture.
A picture of a train station is provided, along with a model response. Students are then guided through a number of exercises to help them read and comprehend the description.
A list of words associated with trains is provided. Students have to write the syllables in different colours to aid memory. Dyslexic students struggle to read due to difficulty processing sounds. Often they have visual strengths which can be used to aid memory. This booklet utilises this strength by using a colour method to learn to spell and read words.
To further enhance reading fluency, a list of phrases from the model text is provided and a timed activity in which students record the time taken to read the text, along with errors made.
Prior to reading, students learn the different sentence openers that are used to write an engaging descriptive piece.
Finally, students complete their own independent, writing task about another train station picture. This is a useful assessment to see how many successful features are used in their own writing.
A further planning booklet and rubric for marking descriptive writing is provided.
This comprehensive, GCSE, English Literature, teaching resource focuses on Stave Five of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It includes various engaging activities designed to deepen students’ understanding of character analysis, themes, and narrative elements in the novella. It is particularly suitable for students who struggle with comprehension.
Summary Activity: Students look at whether a statement is TRUE OR FALSE after reading a summary of Stave Five, reinforcing key plot points and character introductions. This exercise encourages comprehension and retention of the text.
Character Descriptions: A list of adjectives allows students to identify and select characteristics that apply to Ebenezer Scrooge during Stave Five. An extension task requires students to create sentences using these adjectives, promoting vocabulary development and critical thinking.
Character Reflections: A thought-expressing activity allows students to explore the thoughts of the child who buys a turkey for Scrooge.
Diary Entry: Students take on the role of Scrooge and write a letter to his nephew Fred.
Topic Sentences: Students create topic sentences that highlight different portrayals of Scrooge, strengthening their ability to write cohesive paragraphs.
Comprehension: A comprehension is provided to test understanding of Stave Five.
Play Script: This activity involves writing and performing a play script of Stave Five.
Extension Activity: A key quotation activity is provided.
This resource is perfect for educators looking to enhance their lessons on A Christmas Carol, providing a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles and promote a deeper understanding of the text.
This comprehensive, GCSE, English Literature, teaching resource focuses on Stave Four of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It includes various engaging activities designed to deepen students’ understanding of character analysis, themes, and narrative elements in the novella. It is particularly suitable for students who struggle with comprehension.
Summary Activity: Students look at whether a statement is TRUE OR FALSE after reading a summary of Stave Four, reinforcing key plot points and character introductions. This exercise encourages comprehension and retention of the text.
Character Descriptions: A list of adjectives allows students to identify and select characteristics that apply to Ebenezer Scrooge during Stave Four. An extension task requires students to create sentences using these adjectives, promoting vocabulary development and critical thinking.
Character Reflections: A thought-expressing activity allows students to explore the thoughts of one of the gentleman who sells Scrooge’s items, highlighting the disdain with which Scrooge was viewed.
Diary Entry: Students take on the role of Scrooge and write a diary entry reflecting on his journey, providing insights into his character.
Topic Sentences: Students create topic sentences that highlight different portrayals of Scrooge, strengthening their ability to write cohesive paragraphs.
Quiz: A quiz is provided to test understanding of Stave Four.
Conscience Alley: This activity helps understand the regret and terror of Scrooge during this key Stave.
Extension Activity: A crossword puzzle is provided to deepen students’ understanding of this stave.
This resource is perfect for educators looking to enhance their lessons on A Christmas Carol, providing a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles and promote a deeper understanding of the text.
This comprehensive teaching resource focuses on Stave Three of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol - a set text for GCSE, English Literature. It includes various engaging activities designed to deepen students’ understanding of character analysis, themes, and narrative elements in the novella. It is particularly suitable for students who struggle with comprehension.
The following are included -
Summary Activity: Students look at whether a statement is TRUE OR FALSE after reading a summary of Stave Three, reinforcing key plot points and character introductions. This exercise encourages comprehension and retention of the text.
Character Descriptions: A list of adjectives allows students to identify and select characteristics that apply to Ebenezer Scrooge during Stave Three. An extension task requires students to create sentences using these adjectives, promoting vocabulary development and critical thinking.
Character Reflections: A thought-expressing activity allows students to explore the thoughts of Tiny Tim highlighting the issue of poverty in Victorian society.
Diary Entry: Students take on the role of Scrooge and write a diary entry reflecting on his journey, providing insights into his character and while practicing narrative writing skills.
Topic Sentences: Students create topic sentences that highlight different portrayals of Scrooge, strengthening their ability to write cohesive paragraphs.
Quiz: A quiz is provided to test understanding of Stave Three.
Conscience Alley: This activity helps understand the transformation of Scrooge during this key Stave.
Extension Activity: A PEEL paragraph is provided about the importance of Stave Three in the novella.
This resource is perfect for educators looking to enhance their lessons on A Christmas Carol, providing a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles and promote a deeper understanding of the text.
Ideal for student’s with additional needs or for those who struggle to structure their ideas, this Inspector Calls, GCSE, English Literature unit supports teaching essay skills.
The pack provides an essay question about the experiences of women in the play. It provides useful quotations and a scaffold to write an essay. I have used the scaffold to jointly construct an essay with the student and have found their confidence and skills improve as a result.
A model essay is provided based on the scaffold which can be used to demonstrate the features of a successful response.
Also included, is a multiple choice quiz on the role of women in the play. It serves as an excellent starter activity to introduce this topic.
This unit will ensure those students with additional needs are supported in writing successful essays!
The Practice Paper for GCSE English Language ,Paper Two (Lighthouses) offers comprehensive support for teachers following the AQA curriculum. Here’s an overview of its content and its usefulness in supporting students in understanding how to respond to the different questions:
Reading Section: The paper contains two rich, contrasting texts on visiting a lighthouse — one contemporary and the other from the 1880s. Students are tasked with summarizing differences, analyzing language, and comparing perspectives across both texts. This structure mirrors AQA exam questions, enhancing students’ exam readiness.
Writing Section: The second part requires students to compose an argumentative essay about preserving our beaches, allowing them to practice argumentative writing and structuring arguments effectively.
Marking Support: The model answers act as exemplars, illustrating what successful responses should look like. These provide an opportunity to look closely at the language features and the structure of successful reading responses.There is also a guidance section which teachers can share with students for writing.
For students with additional difficulties, a colour coded activity is given with words used from the model writing response. A list of key phrases is also provided to read and improve fluency.
This paper will be invaluable for AQA teachers, offering realistic practice and clear guidance aligned with curriculum expectations.
This comprehensive resource is designed for teachers preparing Year 10 and 11 students for the AQA, GCSE English Language Paper One - Reading. Tailored specifically to support GCSE, English Language students with dyslexia, it includes a full practice paper (reading section) alongside engaging, structured lesson plans. The lessons focus on improving reading fluency, comprehension, and analytical writing skills, helping students build confidence in approaching the exam.
What’s Included:
Dyslexia-Friendly Practice Paper: The practice paper features clear, accessible text with vocabulary support, ensuring that students of all abilities can engage with the material.
Fluency and Vocabulary Exercises: Dedicated sections to help students break down difficult words and phrases, improving their reading speed and understanding.
Model Answers and Mark Scheme: Clear, structured model responses and a detailed mark scheme guide students through the key assessment objectives.
Detailed Lesson Plans: These plans cover reading fluency, vocabulary, text analysis, structural features, and thematic response, complete with student guidance and step-by-step activities.
This resource is ideal for teachers looking to provide targeted exam preparation in a way that is both accessible and effective for all learners, including those with dyslexia. With engaging tasks and practical guidance, it ensures that students with additional needs are well-prepared for the demands of the GCSE, English Language, Paper One: Reading!
Using visual cues such as colour backgrounds and visual spelling/reading methods, the booklet is ideal for students who struggle to read due to an additional need such as dyslexia.
The booklet is divided into Chracter, Plot, Themes and Key Scene Sections, with opportunity to practice the reading and spelling of key vocabulary using colour codes.
At the end of the booklet there is an assessment section that includes a key word spelling activity.
You will receive a copy of the PDF in peach, orange and yellow so that you can choose whichever booklet background is suited to the student’s preference.
The booklet is also suitable for ESL learners.
These booklets on A Christmas Carol provide a versatile, dyslexia-friendly resource set, tailored to support GCSE English Literature teachers in engaging diverse learners effectively. Each booklet uniquely targets different aspects of the text, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and comprehension
Spelling and Vocabulary Guide: This booklet uses a color-coded method to help dyslexic students remember and spell key vocabulary. Each word relevant to A Christmas Carol is divided by syllables and color-coded, enhancing visual memory and recall. This is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with traditional spelling approaches, as it leverages visual strengths and helps them build confidence with challenging terms related to the text.
Summary and Comprehension Practice: Designed for fluency and retention, this booklet provides a structured summary of each significant event in A Christmas Carol, from Scrooge’s miserliness to his transformation. Teachers can use this as a timed reading exercise, allowing them to monitor student progress on both accuracy and reading pace. This structure supports comprehension by breaking down the plot and main ideas in manageable steps, ideal for revision sessions.
PEEL Essay Writing and Vocabulary Quiz: This booklet offers a PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) essay scaffold focused on how Dickens uses setting to illustrate social inequality. By breaking down essay construction, students can learn to analyze the text methodically, improving their critical thinking and writing skills. A vocabulary quiz reinforces key concepts, ensuring students grasp essential terms related to the themes of poverty, compassion, and change.
Each booklet integrates unique tools and structured exercises to cater to students with varying needs, from vocabulary building to critical analysis. This set is perfect for GCSE English Literature teachers aiming to make A Christmas Carol accessible, memorable, and engaging for all students.
This 11 Plus Examination pack contains a practice reading paper, a spelling test and a synonym/antonym booklet. It is designed to support students with additional needs who struggle to decode words which affects their reading fluency and spelling.
The practice reading test has a Great Expectations extract along with multiple choice questions typical of many 11 Plus assessments. An answer key is provided. It includes the following assessment areas:
Basic Comprehension and Recall
Vocabulary and Word Meaning
Inference and Interpretation
Grammar and Language Awareness
Interpretive Figurative Language
Author’s Purpose and Tone
Contextual Knowledge and Critical Thinking
The spelling pack supports students with additional needs by providing a colour code activity to memorise the words before attempting to spell them. After they complete this activity, there is a spelling test which involves selecting the misspelt word and writing the correct spelling.
The Synonyms/Antonyms booklet provides a list of common adjectives used to describe setting and behaviour. These words are grouped into categories. There is also a colour code section to learn the spelling of these words.
The pack will support students studying the 11 Plus exam and help the succeed in the English paper.
This 11 Plus Unit contains a reading practice paper, reading fluency support, a writing picture prompt, plan and model answer. It is designed for students who struggle with reading fluency, spelling and structure.
The reading practice paper has a section in which the student learns to pronounce targeted vocabulary and read specific phrases/sentences taken from the text. It involves copying syllabified words in different colours to aid visual memory.
After reading the Extract - taken from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde - practice exam questions are provided. The extracts are often taken from novels/novellas/short stories which are challenging to read and the pre-reading tasks should help students access the content of the extract.
The writing section contains a picture prompt, model response and planning rubric. The picture prompt is one of the options in the creative writing section of the paper.
By familiarising themselves with the style of writing required, students gain confidence in writing their own description.
A colour code spelling activity is provided to practice spelling key words from the descriptive model response.
The unit provides materials to provide inclusive support for dyslexic students and enable them to make progress!
Ideal for GCSE, English Literature, the pack contains resources to support students with additional needs access A Christmas Carol for AQA examination. It contains a drama version of the text, a study guide, key vocabulary and numerous language based activities.
The drama unit contains a play version of key moments from each Stave and allows students who learn best using ‘hands on on learning’ study the novella.
The study guide contains information on key themes, characters, key quotations and vocabulary. It is accompanied by a more in depth quotation booklet.
There is also an additional vocabulary pack with key, colour coded words which help students discuss and write about each character,
The pack provides a host of resources to support students who struggle to understand this key, AQA, examination text!
This GCSE, Power and Conflict (AQA, English Literature) resource contains a mind map for each of the poems.
Each colourful slide provides an overview of every poem in the anthology (15 in total) There is a section dedicated to the subject of the poem and the purpose for writing (something low to mid ability students find problematic).
There are also sections dedicated to metaphors, language devices and symbols. Each slide lists small quotes from the poem.
As well as this there is a section which provides evaluative language and reader response emotions so that GCSE students can use more ambituous vocabulary.
Colourful and visually appealing, the mind maps give students an invaluable overview of each poem. The resource is an excellent way to summarise the teaching of each poem and will also offer an effective revision aid!
With its easy to read format, this exceptionally presented version of The Signalman will make all the difference for students who struggle to read GCSE texts.
Packed with pictures based on the story, the version also includes comprehension questions to help discussion. The subheadings provide a clearer structure for readers to navigate the text.
Prior to reading, there is a list of complex words for students to practice their fluency and comprehension.
At the end there are some suggested drama, art and writing activities. There is a vocabulary list to support students in analysing character and setting, as well as providing a scaffold for understanding the reaction of the reader.
The book is a great addition to help language/literature students understand the well known GCSE text. It provides the necessary differentiation for them to access DIckens’ classic story.