This FREE activity focuses on Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver” addresses a central issue of the novel: the importance of colour. The activity includes various discussion questions and activities that students can either perform in an experimental setting in class or as a while-reading homework assignment at home. Enjoy, and feel free to leave feedback!

This FREE activity focuses on Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver”, specifically Chapters 1-3, in which Jonas’ world is introduced. Some central questions that should be addressed at this point in the study of the novel are: To what extent have the Elders succeeded in creating a perfect world of ‘Sameness’? Is Jonas’s world a utopia or a dystopia? The activity includes guided discussion questions for these central concepts and a creative follow-up activity: ‘Create Your Own Utopia’. Students can use the ideas and input to create their own perfect world, compare ‘utopias’ and, importantly, discuss similarities and differences to Jonas’ community. The idea of ‘dystopia’ is touched upon, but can be addressed in more depth at a later point in your study of the novel. Enjoy, and feel free to leave feedback!

This unit of work revolves around Lois Lowry’s wonderful and powerful YAF novel, The Giver. Included is a Read & Response Journal for the ENTIRE novel. A chapter-by-chapter approach offers students a range of comprehension, close reading & discussion questions. The journal can be used as a while-reading activity to facilitate students engaging with the important issues raised throughout. The questions can be part of reading homework assignments, can be discussed in pairs or groups in class, or used otherwise as writing prompts. The unit of work includes a detailed TEACHER’S GUIDE that offers: Summary of Key Chapters & Plot Points Character Analysis Commentary about Central Themes & Issues Critical Commentary of Language & Style, including Narration & Point of View, Allegory, Symbolism, Setting, Context of Composition & Interpretation, Literary Qualities & Controversial Issues Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 8 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 8 of 1984 2. Analysing Language: Symbolism in Book 1 Activity. This activity is designed to facilitate a close reading of some of the most important symbols in Book 1 of the novel, including Big Brother, Newspeak and the memory hole, Mr. Charrington’s shop and the paperweight etc. The activity uses carefully selected passages and guiding questions to allow students to take a closer look at this symbols. 3. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions as well as guiding commentary for the symbols in the close reading activity. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This FREE advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapters 6-7 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapters 6-7 of 1984 2. Exam Practice: This activity uses an important passage from Book 1, Chapter 7, and emulates the IGCSE English Literature exam by offering both a passage-based and an essay question to choose from. Can be used to facilitate close reading and exam practice. 3. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 6-7, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the Exam Practice Question. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 5 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 5 of 1984 2. Exam Practice Question: This activity uses an important passage from Book 1, Chapter 5, and emulates the IGCSE English Literature exam by offering both a passage-based and an essay question to choose from. Can be used to facilitate close reading and exam practice. 3. 1984 in Context: Information Text about the Appendix of 1984 which explains the Principles of Newspeak. This is crucial additional information to help students understand the overall purpose of Newspeak in 1984. 4. 1984 Then and Now: This activity uses examples from present-day to highlight how Newspeak is still being used in propaganda, advertising and other ways to manufacture consent etc. 5. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 5, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the Exam Practice Question. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 4 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 4 of 1984 1984 Then and Now: Extensive article and information text comparing the novel’s concepts of unperson and altering history with the GDPR’s Article 17: The Right to Erasure (commonly known as The Right to be Forgotten). The article outlines the problems with implementing this ruling and also provides food for thought for other ethical implications. Discussiong Questions designed as a follow-up activity to the 1984 Then and Now newspaper article. Can alternatively be used to elicit written responses from students. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 3 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 3 of 1984 2. 1984 Then and Now: Extensive article and information text comparing the novel’s concept of doublethink with the post-truth era of media and politics of today, including delving into concepts of alternative facts and fake news. This is designed to get students to see the novel’s timeless qualities and socio-cultural / political relevance for present day. 3. Discussiong Questions designed as a follow-up activity to the 1984 Then and Now newspaper article. Can alternatively be used to elicit written responses from students. 4. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions. Feedback is always welcome!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 2 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 2 of 1984 1984 in Context: Information Texts about the Soviet Cult of Childhood, to help students gain a better understanding into the context of composition of the novel. The text is accompanied by helpful discussion questions as a follow-up activity. Close Reading & Analysis Activity: Establishing Setting in 1984. This activity introduces the relevance of analysing setting in fiction, and defines four main aspects of setting that appear most often in works of fiction: mirror, mould, escape, and alienation. Close Reading Activity: Aspects of Setting. This activity uses extracts from Book 1, Chapters 1-2 to help guide students’ analysis of various aspects of setting in 1984, thereby encouraging the use of the related concepts previously introduced. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the close reading activity is included. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on the first chapter of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1) Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 1 of 1984 2) 1984 in Context: Information Texts about Europe and the Soviet Union before 1949, to help students gain a better understanding into the context of composition of the novel. The text is accompanied by helpful discussion questions as a follow-up activity. 4) Close Reading & Analysis Activity: Establishing Themes & Motifs in 1984. This activity is designed to facilitate close reading & analysis practice. The activity uses carefully selected quotations and passages to encourage this. There is a particular focus on recognising themes and motifs that are established early on in the novel; students should be encouraged to keep an eye on how these themes & motifs develop as they read the novel. 5) Essay Questions & Exam Practice Questions to enable or emulate mock exam situations and provide further essay response writing practice. 7) TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 1, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the close reading activity is included. Feedback is always welcome!

This FREE advanced ready-to-teach worksheet & handout is designed as a pre-reading activity for George Orwell’s monumental dystopian classic, 1984. It includes: Thought-provoking information text that asks the question What is Literature and Why Should we Read Literature? Although the text begins in general terms, the concepts and issues raised should facilitate a critical discussion about the purpose of reading any literary text as well as 1984. Follow-up discussion and critical thinking questions that can be applied to all literary texts (but which may find more food for thought & application in 1984 especially). Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This is a ready-to-teach worksheet / handout and pre-reading activity for “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser. The handout includes: A set of carefully selected quotations designed as pair work or group work, accompanied by questions to facilitate a critical discussion of the central issues addressed. Many of the central concerns of the novel can be discussed in a thought-provoking, memorable manner. The quotes can also be used to gauge prior knowledge of the historical context of the novel (e.g. Nazi Germany, Hitler’s rise to power, World War II, propaganda, the Holocaust etc.) Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This FREE PowerPoint presentation presents and focuses on introducing Stanley Milgram’s (in)famous experiment to test “the banality of evil” and adherence / obedience to authority figures. The PowerPoint clearly and succinctly presents the experiment in the context of the many unthinkable and atrocious war crimes committed by Nazis during and before World War II. The PowerPoint can be taught in the context of any novel or unit that looks at the issue, but I mostly use it in connection with “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser.

This FREE ready-to-teach handout focuses on close reading and analysis of the final Chapters of “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser (Chapters 15-17). The worksheet is structured around 4 carefully selected extracts, each accompanied by close reading questions that facilitate a higher-order engagement with the central issues of the novel. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This is an advanced worksheeet, ready-to-print and teach handout that facilitates a guided reading and provides while-reading questions for teaching the novel “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser. The reading log includes: Comprehension, close reading & analysis questions for each chapter. Particular focus on close reading, analysis of language and its effects, including historical context links, analysis of structure, themes and pupose. Since most available reading logs and while-reading activities do not go into enough analytical depth and detail, I put together my own reading log that tries to dig a little deeper and forces the students to engage in higher order thinking and analysis skills. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced, ready-to-teach handout is part of my worksheets, handouts and activities for Morton Rhue’s novel The Wave. It is designed to help students analyse and take a closer look at one of the central concerns of the novel: the power of language, propaganda, and how it can be abused to manipulate groups and individuals. The handout includes: Introduction to the topic (the power of language) within the context of the novel. Activities - based on excerpts from Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf (as a primary source) and what one of the worst dictators of all time has written about the power of propaganda - to show students various persuasive techniques and propaganda techniques. Follow-on questions for The Wave so that students can connect the cross-curricular historical analysis of the primary source with the novel (this is best donejust after Ben Ross introduces the The Wave experiment) A teacher’s notes section is included, with a lecture-type guide to the activity, that you can use either as a follow-up or to help you get to grips with the complexities of the issues and to teach the unit with optimal preparation. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced ready-to-teach handout uses George Orwell’s famous essay “Shooting An Elephant” (a sweeping criticism of British Imperialism and colonial rule) to give students the opportunity to read and study one of the most iconic and important literary and political writers of the 20th century, George Orwell. The handout includes: Brief historical overview and contextualized information about Orwell and his experiences in Burma, upon which his essay “Shooting an Elephant” is based. “Shooting an Elephant”, the full essay text, annotated with explanations of important terms and concepts specific to the socio-cultural context of composition of the text. The essay includes line numbers for easy annotation and close reading. A range of close reading and analysis questions that are split up into two parts (based on the development of the “story” within the essay. Extension activity that facilitates a holistic, essay-style response to the central issues of the essay. ANSWER KEY for the comprehension questions AND the extension activity (sample essay style response). Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced activity is designed to help students understand W. B. Yeats’ iconic yet rather difficult poem “The Second Coming”, with a particular focus on how it is linked to Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart. The activity includes: 1. Context of Composition: An introduction to the context shared by both Achebe’s novel and Yeats’ poem. This includes information about how Achebe was inspired by the poem in the choice of both the epigraph at the beginning of the novel and in his choice of title. 2. Annotated Poem text: (“The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats) with annotations for difficult concepts, vocabulary, and terminology required to understand the poem. 3. Yeats’ Vision: A diagram and labeled, explaining how “The Second Coming” envisions Yeats’s cyclical, dual gyres of history (as outlined in his book Vision). 4. Comprehension, Close Reading & Analysis Questions for the poem 5. Food for thought and essay questions for additional in-depth reflection and to ensure higher-order thinking and writing skills are also catered to. 6. Analyzing Okonkwo’s Character: The Tragic Hero: This PowerPoint presentation (included here as a PDF to ensure cross-platform compatibility) provides a no-prep guide through teaching Yeats’ poem, and connecting it to an analysis of Okonkwo’s character as a classical tragic hero. The PPT includes: It introduces the poem “The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats, Achebe’s source of inspiration for the title of the novel. The presentation includes a glossary of difficult terms for the poem and places it in the context of the novel, to facilitate a deeper understanding of the overall purpose of the novel as well as the wonderful poem by Yeats itself. Comprehension and close-reading questions accompany the poem. Linked to “The Second Coming” and its central message, the presentation introduces the concept of the tragic hero in literature and enables a detailed analysis of how Okonkwo (the novel’s protagonist) is, ultimately, a tragic hero. The PowerPoint includes a final form of assessment that you can optionally use to wrap up the unit about Okonkwo as a tragic hero. NB: I’ve opted for a minimalistic, no-fuss design to allow you to focus on the content rather than the flashy (but ultimately pointless) functions of a PowerPoint. I hope this allows you to seamlessly include the lesson into your study of the novel. 7. Teacher’s Guide + Answer Key - this provides a detailed answer key with model answers for all the activities - designed for teachers who are new to the novel, or veterans who wish to gain fresh insights. Perfect for independent study and distance learning. IMPORTANT! Rate this product & get one product for free: If you provide a rating & feedback for this product, contact me by email to receive one product (except a bundle) sent to you free of charge! Feedback is always appreciated! Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced handout guides students through the process of writing an essay about William Golding’s iconic and Nobel-prize winning novel Lord of the Flies. Specifically, the handout teaches students how to write a well-structured, thorough and insightful character analysis. The handout can be used at any point in your study of the novel, but I recommend that you let your students read at least half (up to Chapter 6: Beast from Air) or to the end before you let them attempt the essay. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This handout and worksheet provides two pre-reading activities to begin your study of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies with your students. The handout objectives include: Imagine certain scenarios linked to the novel. Explore complex questions of ethics and morality. Work in a group to make difficult / impossible decisions. There are two different activities, which can be completed by a class consecutively, or, if you wish, separately. Edition of the novel used: Lord of the Flies (William Golding), Faber and Faber Educational Edition. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!