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Stimulating, engaging and promoting thinking beyond the lesson of the day - that's the support material I seek to produce in the English, Maths and Humanities areas. As a resource manager and classroom teacher for over 30 years, I want to offer practical, get-to-the-point material to broaden, challenge and deepen understanding, provide for a range of skill levels, and make teaching and learning stimulating and enjoyable.

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Stimulating, engaging and promoting thinking beyond the lesson of the day - that's the support material I seek to produce in the English, Maths and Humanities areas. As a resource manager and classroom teacher for over 30 years, I want to offer practical, get-to-the-point material to broaden, challenge and deepen understanding, provide for a range of skill levels, and make teaching and learning stimulating and enjoyable.
Dead Poets' Society ~ Study Guide
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Dead Poets' Society ~ Study Guide

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This fifteen page study guide is intended as a complete self-contained work unit for students in Years 10 to 12 studying the film “Dead Poets’ Society.” It offers a wide range of analytical and creative activities for students to fully engage with and respond to the film and its themes. The study guide has been created for maximum visual appeal, calculated to reflect the idealism and romanticism of the film, and to provide your students with opportunities for both rigorous analysis of plot, characters, themes and film techniques, as well as activities to give scope to their own self-expression in the form of poetry writing, personal argument and script writing. The study guide is made up of Introduction to the film with questions based on prior knowledge and preliminary reflections on the purpose of education and the tension between conformity and individualism Plot summary and close exercises on the storyline and conflicts Character Analyses with questions on all major characters Case study of Film Techniques, with analysis of scripting, camera and lighting, with comprehension questions about scene direction Drama writing exercise for students to create alternative endings and additional scenes to the film Poetry analysis of verse from the film with comprehension questions Stimulus for personal poetry writing on the themes and ideas in "Dead Poets’ Society’ Paragraph writing exercises and essay topics Discussion and debate topics As a unit of work, this study guide is envisaged as covering two to three weeks of work
STAND BY ME Study Guide
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STAND BY ME Study Guide

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Nine page handout for use in the study of the classic film about friendship and change, with examination of plot characters and themes. Students undertake writing activities under the following - interpreting, justifying, comparing and contrasting.
PROPAGANDA, MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING
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PROPAGANDA, MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING

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PROPAGANDA, MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING is a modular unit designed for approximately three to four weeks of class work. It is designed for high – level student engagement with the history and techniques of propaganda, the psychology of media manipulation and specific strategies to apply critical thinking to digital communication, with a range of techniques and activities for analyzing on-line propaganda and digital manipulation. It is based on three extended power-points, each a complete unit in itself (see full content below). Each slide has questions and other tasks to test for understanding – these are a range of activities, including prior knowledge tests, crossword, short answer quizzes, research tasks, discussion topics and visual interpretation analysis. The teacher copy of the power-points contains the answers to all the questions asked in the unit. All slides are numbered to ensure ease of use in whole class teaching. An extension activity analyzing romanticized representations of war is included. It is a modular unit which can be used as a whole or each of the sections can function as a self contained program of instruction, depending on teaching time and course focus – English, media literacy, life skills, digital persuasion. The unit is in three sections PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA LITERACY What is propaganda – a definition Prior Knowledge test of persuasive techniques The propaganda spectrum/ Use of propaganda for good and bad ends Stereotypes Symbols Emotive Language – Connotations and Associations Framing the issue Sound devices in propaganda ROLES - R epition O missions L ies E xaggeration S implification FIVE ENQUIRY QUESTIONS – Media Manipulation and Digital Deception (i) Advertising and Propaganda (ii) Propaganda and pre-exisiting prejudices (iii) The Big Lie – The Success of Massive Deceptions (iv) The Goals of Propaganda – Case Study Research (v) News Reporting as Propaganda- Case Study DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN AN AGE OF DISINFORMATION Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quantity of Information Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quality and targeting Online Propaganda Campaigns – Case Study Summary of key points - technology and propaganda Questions for research and discussion Five Step to Deal with Online Disinformation Applying Critical Thinking to Digital Propaganda Online Propaganda’s Greatest Tricks (a) Correlation and Causation (b) The Slippery Slope © Bandwagon Appeal (d) False Dichotomy Additional Resources (1) Crossword of Key Terms (with answers) (ii) Extension activity (ppt) - Romanticized Images of War - Wartime Posters
SHREK FILM STUDY UNIT
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SHREK FILM STUDY UNIT

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A set of five highly visual powerpoints containing ongoing focus questions, task slides and vocabulary and concept building, created to widen understanding during the class viewing of SHREK. There is also a handout on vocabulary learned during the film study. This unit of work contains most of what you will need for a close film study. The emphasis is on a visually engaging presentation of the essential details of genre, setting, character and theme, with the slide content created specifically for student note taking and regular set questions for class discussion. There are culminating tasks on each slide set to revise and summarize what has been learned. Set One - INTRODUCTION TO SHREK * Reason for mass age group appeal * Outline of origins of story * How book is adapted to film * Reflection task on the appeal of modernized fairy tales Set Two - SETTING AND GENRE * Time / Place framing * Foreshadowing & expectations through setting and genre * Fairy tale conventions * Conflicts in conventional fairy tales * Historical context - medieval society * Shrek as a conventional fairy story - writing and discussion Set Three - VOCABULARY * key words from the film - slides for each viewing day * film vocabulary with part of speech, definition and example of usage in the film HANDOUT based on Vocaulary PP - Crossword test of all words Set Four - CHARACTERS * Framing Questions on Viewing and Evaluating characters * The difference between character and characterization * Elements of Characterization * Exemplar of a sympathetic animated character * The process of animated characterization * Characterization of Shrek the Ogre * Flat and Rounded CHaracters in SHREK * Character concepts - protagonist, antagonist, confidante, stock characters * Test of Knowledge on SHREK characterization (with answers) * Stereotypes in Fairy Tales * SHREK and unconventional fairy tale characterization (with tests for understanding) * Summarizing writing / speaking task on characters Set Five - THEMES * Analysis of concept of theme versus main idea * Concept of universal and imlied themes * analysis of key themes in SHREK ~ beauty, love, friendship, appearance versus reality
TWELVE ANGRY MEN Teaching Unit
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TWELVE ANGRY MEN Teaching Unit

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Complete unit for the drama, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, providing an engaging, varied range of student activities for rigorous analysis of plot, characters and themes. This is a unit of literary analysis, covering vocabulary of legal terms, analysis of conflicts, interpretation of cartoons related to key ideas in the text, and extension activities. The unit can be used as whole class, step-by-step lessons or self-contained student-directed work program for individuals to complete at their learning pace, complete with all questions to the varied comprehension for student self-evaluation **UNIT PACKAGE ** INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY Power Point (1 - 2 lessons) (2 copies - one TEACHER ONLY copy with all answers on vocabulary and comprehension questions one STUDENT copy with comprehension questions minus answers) Power Point contains Understanding essential concepts - prior knowledge & vocabulary exercise Legality, Morality and Unjust Laws - comprehension Law making in democratic society / symbolism and law Cartoon representations of problems with the justice system - comprehension **STUDENT STUDY & COMPREHENSION GUIDE (approximately 2 weeks) (i) Fourteen comprehension activities covering all of the plot, comprehension and interpretation of key lines, using diagrams to compare and contrast, sequencing diagram, short answer tasks and crossword on the text. (ii) Teacher Power Point with all answers to questions in the study guide for class marking and assessing student understanding 3. EXEMPLAR ESSAY Handout Annotated exemplar analytical essay Sidebar annotation of textual construction and language features
SUPERSIZE ME Documentary Study Guide
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SUPERSIZE ME Documentary Study Guide

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This is a colorful, professionally produced study guide of ten numbered pages, used and found practical for a range of Year 11 and 12 students. With plenty of graphics, including cartoons and a range of activities to promote active participation in watching the film, this is aimed at promoting extended writing about positioning, bias and point-of view, with comprehension questions, crossword and discussion questions aimed at vocabulary building and identifying film techniques. It includes an annotated exemplar of effective reviewing, guidance questions for the viewing process, and builds on skills in a cumulative way, from literal understanding of the content to more sophisticated concepts such as selectivity, language choices in commentary and the power of documentary film making to promote change.
Jason and the Argonauts
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Jason and the Argonauts

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Four items to use with the film JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS 1. Assessment task with exemplar film review 2.Comprehension handout 3. Crossword handout 4. Word search handout
KATH AND KIM - Australian Comedy In Close-Up
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KATH AND KIM - Australian Comedy In Close-Up

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Three part resource analyzing the distinctive elements of Australian humor. The focus is on the comedic techniques of satire and parody, using the hit television series, “Kath and Kim,” as the focus. The powerpoint is a colorful animated presentation covering (i) the premise (ii) analysis of characters (iii) conflicts and relationships as a source of comedy and social comment (iv) the satire as a slice-of-suburban life /mockumentary sending up ignorant consumerism, cultural insensitivity and small mindedness. (v) the main comedic techniques with examples from the dialogue and plotting (vi) use of idiomatic language The handout presents a character summary of the powerpoint findings, and uses the episode OLD as a case study to examine the elements of the humour. The third item is an annotated exempar of an analystical essay about the episode OLD, discussing characterization, dialogue and themes in the satire. It explains the social targets and the cultural assumptions.
The Great Romantic Poets - A Study guide
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The Great Romantic Poets - A Study guide

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THE ENGLISH ROMANTIC POETS - A PRACTICAL STUDY GUIDE This is a visually stimulating fifteen page study guide on the poetry of the great poets of the Romantic Period. It is intended as the basis of a two week unit. The emphasis is on direct, attention getting material that will engage learners of different levels, covering the life and poetry of John Keats William Wordsworth Samuel Taylor Coleridge Percy Shelley Lord Byron William Blake The numbered pages contain exercises on (i)the concept of romanticism (ii) the distinction between romance poetry and the philosophy of romanticism in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s (iii) backgrounding of each poet and an outline of his distinctive viewpoint (iv) poems from each of the six poets, with vocabulary explained for each poem, and comprehension questions. the poems are ‘Daffodils’ (Worsworth), (v) art activity for the visual learner (vi) exercise in distinguishing love poetry and romantic poetry The work involves straightforward explanation so that the student can proceed at his / her own pace, without need for constant guidance. Students will be able to identify the major elements of romanticism beyond mere rebelliousness and be able to locate textual evidence about pantheism, philosophical interest in heroic mythology, romantic preoccupation with the imagination over clinical intellect and the embrace of the non-rational and spiritual in the works of some of the poets. The layout and design is meant to have a magazine style level of visual interest and at the same time provide rigorous and serious commentary in a way that doesn’t rely on jargon or confusing terminology (vocabulary is explained in each of the poems so that teacher direction is minimized)
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Study Guide
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ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Study Guide

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This 20 page study guide for students is a complete unit, covering the plot, characters and themes of Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in a visually rich and stimulating format. This is the product of my twenty five years of teaching the novel, and covers Background to the writing of the book / analysis of Kesey’s purpose / socio-political context of sixties counter-culture Comprehension on all significant parts of the novel, involving close exercises, short answers, paragraph writing and creative reflection responses Character analysis and outline of conflicting representations (focus on point of view in literature) Further reading and research stimulus This is intended as a complete, step by step guide to understanding the novel in depth, using cartoons, stimulus poetry and extension activity, and can be useful in teaching to a range of ability levels, with students able to progress at their own rate to grasp the essential social commentary of the novel.
The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas ~ Study Guide
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The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas ~ Study Guide

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Seventeen page Study Guide of engaging analysis and activities for use in your class teaching of the novel, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” This is a highly visual resource intended to comprehensively guide students in understanding plot, characters, theme, point of view and historical context, answering their questions along the way about fundamentals such as historical timelines, meaning of key terms and explaining belief systems. The contents on the numbered pages are as follows Plot exercises Historical terms / vocabulary Visualization timeline Frequently asked questions about the Holocaust Fact versus Fiction in the novel Paragraph writing - exemplar and extended writing activities Chapter Questions - comprehension questions fr each chapter with page numbers to locate answers Comparing and Contrasting - diagrammatic representation of character similiarities and differences Crossword on plot and characters Irony analysis in the novel - student activities on use of irony in the plot and dialogue of the novel Fences and Boundaries in History - research Point of view analysis and higher order thinking exercises on character perspective Themes - analysis and comprehension questions Essay Questions Further reading and viewing This resource is a complete unit that would would be all that teachers would require in a class study of the novel over several weeks.
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT Study Guide
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ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT Study Guide

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This is a complete unit of work in the form of a student study guide covering the novel ‘All Quiet on the Western Front.’ It contains all that is needed to examine, in a comprehensive literary study, the plotting, characterization, use of language and narrative point-of-view of Erich Remarque’s novel. It is envisaged that this will support a three to four week span of class work at senior level. The material is 25 pages of activities, thoroughly illustrated with varied text types and graphics to stimulate engagement and understanding. The handout is intended to provide a cumulative study of writing that causes social change and the way language is used to make a social protest. Contained in the student handout is Background notes on World War One and Remarque’s point of view Analysis of characters Detailed analysis of themes Key quotes - student comprehension testing on the use of language and dialogue to position and form representations and symbolic meaning Exemplar essay Reflection activities Exemplar of persuasive language with comprehension test
POWERFUL SHORT STORIES - Analysis & Writing Unit
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POWERFUL SHORT STORIES - Analysis & Writing Unit

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This is a unit to prepare secondary students to produce their own short story, by a close study of five short stories each of which have enquiry and discussion questions about characterization and language use, together with explicit powerpoint instruction on genre, the creation of conflict, the construction of tension, using implicit description, and using figurative language devices for effect The 5 stories are formatted with graphic art and sidebar explanation of the vocabulary and each are provided with a set of comprehension questions on plot, character,writer’s purpose and use of language. As a way of close analysis with the full class, each comes as both a document / pdf for digital transmission / printing, and also in powerpoint form so that focus on particular language in the text can be best managed in class. These powerpoints come in separate student and teacher versions - teacher copy contains answerson slides to all questions.
THE CRUCIBLE ~ Writing Analytical Essay Responses
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THE CRUCIBLE ~ Writing Analytical Essay Responses

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Here is a resource parcel for your senior students aimed at giving them extensive practical help in responding in essay form to the characters and themes of Arthur miller's THE CRUCIBLE. It consists of six items which can be used together as culmination of a unit on the play prior to students writing their own analytical response. This is practical material aimed at enabling your students to practice their writing skills using stimulating exemplars and scaffolded handouts with construction guidelines and content prompts. 1. A closely annotated exemplar of a top standard formal essay on the themes of THE CRUCIBLE, with explanatory pointers on structure, content and wording 2. A powerpoint containing do's and don'ts when students write their essay - it contains specific parts of THE CRUCIBLE to make the points 3.Four scaffolded practice essay handouts - two on characters and two on themes. These are colour coded to guide construction, and have prompt points to assist in the content
Sexism In Advertising - Exemplars, Discussion Stimulus and Activites
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Sexism In Advertising - Exemplars, Discussion Stimulus and Activites

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Suited to Years 10 to 12, this four page activities handout examines specific advertising that is sexist and features representations based on stereotyping and narrow gender roles. It contains 1. exemplar analyses of print advertisements displaying gender bias 2. student responses to common gender stereotypes 3. guidance on paragraph writing 4. exercises in paragraph responses to sexist advertisements
JURASSIC PARK Original Film Study Notes
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JURASSIC PARK Original Film Study Notes

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A four page handout on the original film, containing close exercise on the plot, comparing and contrasting John Hammond and Victor Frankenstein, and an enquiry of central quotes, who said them and their significance.
THE OUTSIDERS Unit of Work including study guide, activities and assessment
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THE OUTSIDERS Unit of Work including study guide, activities and assessment

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This is a unit that would cover approximately four to five weeks, involving reading the S E Hinton novel, viewing the film, and completing the study guide questions on plot, characters, theme. There are a number of practice tests that would take a lesson each, in which students practice the core skills of justifying, comparing, contrasting and drawing their own conclusions. An oral assessment task is also included, with an exemplar (annotated) of a student script.
SPELLING COURSE 15 Weeks
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SPELLING COURSE 15 Weeks

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These weekly handouts are for middle school use. They comprise a weekly handout with alphabetically listed words based on themes such as cities, emotion and food. Each word has a meaning, a designated common usage part of speech and an accompanying chart shows the word again, with space for a syllable breakdown to aid pronunciation, and spaces for write outs to practice correct spelling.
POETRY COMPREHENSION Social Conscience Poetry - Reading for Meaning
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POETRY COMPREHENSION Social Conscience Poetry - Reading for Meaning

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STREETS OF LONDON Multiple Choice Levels of Meaning Listening and Reading Stimulus and Test Suitable for early middle school Years 7/8/9 Theme of Social Commentary and Social Protest. Along with a dramatic cover sheet with the song lyrics of Ralf McTell's famous ballad urging us to look and see the hardships of the underclass around us, there are 20 questions, structured as follows 1. Five "Right There" specific / literal questions 2. Five "Gather the Information" questions requiring longer reading across the entire text. 3. 10 Inferential questions based on the implied meaning and the writer's intentions.
JAMES  by Billy Joel Poetry and Creative Writing
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JAMES by Billy Joel Poetry and Creative Writing

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This is intended as a N A P L A N or general classroom activity to get students to respond to the multiple levels of a poem and to respond in a structured way to indicate their understanding. On the theme of growing up, friendship and the influence of peers on our development, here is a beautiful ballad about a childhood friendship by Billy Joel brought to life to show the way we change and grow apart. The lyric in full is given along with a video of the performance of the lyric.