This was produced for a 6-8 period rotation of English classes. This includes researching facts about Paris, reading an article and starting to pick out good descriptive phrases. The final outcome is a travel brochure. You would need some research time either at home or on computers in school. This also involves an episode of Travel Man on Prime but this is optional.

This is based on Alfred Noyes’ poem ‘The Highwayman’. This can be used for online lessons or in class. This is a 8 lesson unit which has some Close Reading, discussion of techniques used in the poem and some fun tasks of Wanted Posters and Leaflet creation.

This is a film creation task based on the short story Voodoo (included). It is a one off lesson (more than likely 2-3 periods of work) in which pupils read the story and create a filmed retelling of the story. I suggest several different ways of doing this: Tiktok, Instagram reels, photo montage, Google photos, or even simply just a series of photos on the phone/ ipads. Group tasks will include storyboarding the lesson and planning it out, then filming. Could be English work/ Drama/ Media.

This is a critical essay guide for Theme and Character for Robin Jenkins’ short story ‘Flowers’. This takes pupils through a PEAR structure essay (easily adapted to PEER or similar) and gives some example PEAR paragraphs.

This S1/S2 Gothic story unit guides pupils through writing a Gothic story, looking a the idea of genre, then Setting, Character and Plot. It includes looking at the story The Monkey’s Paw, a short sequence from Woman in Black (if you have a copy), and builds up to writing creatively about being in a haunted house. I suggest for the writing to buy some LED candles and play spooky music! Could also be used for N4 Writing.

This is a guide to writing a critical essay on a memorable poem- “Trio” by Edwin Morgan on. It takes learners through the different stages of writing an essay. It is heavily hand held and includes some example paragraphs. There is an essay outline which can be printed for struggling pupils.

This powerpoint clearly explains how to complete the 8 marker on Tally’s Blood, giving a model answer and one to try themselves.

This is a lower/ mixed ablility unit that I made initially for S3, but could be used for a S2, or perhaps a N4 S4. This has several starters, fun and interesting tasks as well as a focus on RUAE skills - In Your Own Words, Word Choice, Sentence Structure, Imagery. We look at Theme and Characterisation as well. I’ve included group tasks of a Tarsia puzzle, a Hot Seating task, a Homework research task and the final outcome is a critical essay on the theme of good versus evil.

This is a media unit for Spiderman 2. It takes your through a couple of techniques, getting the class to analyse the film as they go. There’s a Create your own Superhero task, and a critical essay at the end. Suitable for S1-S3

This is a version of my N5 RUAE Ultimate Guide except I have tried to choose easier model example questions. This should be suitable for teaching S3 or lower, the RUAE skills they will need.

This is a unit that would work with S2/ S3. It has a storyboard, hot seating, imaginative writing task, and critical essay task. Good for a decent ability S2, lower ability S3, or S4. Short story text included, as well as a video link.

This is a unit made for S2/ S3 on Reality TV to get pupils to think critically about this genre. It includes a fun Group task, articles for gathering information, discussion of reality TV moments and the end result is a discursive essay. Could be used for a N4 S4 class too.

This involves researching a historical figure and comparing two websites and how successful each one was. Perfect for a quick AVU for S3/ S4.

This is a unit for a higher ability N5, or a Higher class. It takes you through the story, and the end outcome is an essay on Character. It includes discussion tasks and a short practice RUAE as well.

This is a powerpoint with notes on the Janice Galloway short story ‘Mary Moon and the Stars’. It includes a how to guide on critical essays on an Interesting Character, and the Theme of Neglect. There is also a quote guide. I have also included a powerpoint about common mistakes my class were making- summarising the story, no techniques- so use this if your class are similar!

This powerpoint includes lots of different ideas for your bookclub. I ran this for several years and although we had the usual bookclub tasks- discussion of favourite books, author visits, staff members visiting to discuss books etc, I also needed a couple of filler ideas for when we didn’t have something going on. We never had the money to purchase groups sets for the club, and if I’m honest, a lot of the children who came voluntarily to the lunchtime club tended to really just want a safe space, so tasks had to be inclusive and non threatening. These are ideas I have used throughout the year - some word games, some imaginative writing, some discussions. Hopefully it’ll help your bookclub get started too!

This is a setting essay on the early chapters of Gatsby. It’s my experience when tackling a novel that I like to get pupils to tackle an essay quite early on rather than wait until the finishing the novel- it makes me feel more secure. Setting is a popular Higher question and these paragraphs can easily be tweaked into other questions- character, theme etc. The powerpoint takes the class through different settings with hints of analysis that can be used. It encourages pupils to find their own quotes and gives PEAR paragraph examples. I’ve also included a Key Quote booklet for help, and a list of popular previous essay questions that work for Gatsby. After this, I’ve added a Character question on Complex character whom you feel sympathy for- and detailed slides to help my class who were struggling. This is for when you have finished the whole novel.

This is a unit on creating a zombie apocalypse story. It looks at some chapters from the book “The Enemy” (chapter printouts included) and considers tension, hook openings, character, plot and setting, as well as an essay plan (for those who need it) and extension tasks. Suitable for BGE- no video clips included are particularly bloody or gory.

This is a guideline for a National 5 essay on the beach shark attack in Jaws. This guides you through 4 main techniques- character, sound (diegetic and non-diegetic) and camera angles. This can be used to produce a very quick National 5 essay. You wouldn’t even need to watch the whole film with a class. I’ve included the analysis of each of these, an essay paragraph plan and activity board. This is very teacher-lead- my class were a repeat N5 and needed a lot of support.

This is a critical essay using the PEAR structure (easily adapted) to answer on how Felix changes as a character. It includes page suggestions for quotes and takes pupils through each step of writing an essay. I’ve also included a differentiated worksheet for anyone struggling.