A lesson on Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ including contextual discussion, in depth language analysis, a terminology quiz and a homework activity

A lesson on a poem called ‘Lockdown’ by Brother Richard about the coronavirus pandemic. The critical terminology is quite advanced but could be adapted to suit younger year groups. I taught the lesson to a group of students in China and their responses to the poem were amazing! ADDITION TO LESSON: I’ve now included a PDF of a poem I wrote as a homework activity.

This is a comprehensive lesson on an extract from the poem ‘Out of the Blue’ by Simon Armitage, a poem about 9/11 written for Park Street Education: https://parkstreetedu.com/ The lesson includes: context, discussion questions, images from the attacks, a video clip, a line by line analysis and two options for homework activities. This is suitable for Grade 8 and above, though could be adapted to suit a younger audience. As the lesson contains distressing content, it is advised that teachers and parents assess the suitability of the material based on the individual students they will be teaching.

Lesson produced for Park Street Education. https://parkstreetedu.com/ In celebration of Terry Fox day this Sunday, our students will be combining History and English as they learn the history behind Terry’s Marathon of Hope and examine the persuasive writing used in his letter to Adidas for sponsorship. Terry Fox’s determination, hope, and belief in miracles is unparalleled and inspirational to Canadians across the country.

A detailed unit of work for ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ including lots of articles and extracts for wider reading. There are PowerPoints for each chapter and suggested assignments throughout.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: An Engaging Lesson for KS3/KS4 English This comprehensive lesson is based on Jean Kwok’s novel Girl in Translation, offering KS3 and KS4 students the opportunity to explore themes of immigration, cultural identity, and resilience. The resource provides detailed analysis, discussion prompts, and creative tasks, helping students connect with the novel’s powerful themes while developing their critical reading and writing skills. What’s Included: Close Textual Analysis: A thorough examination of key passages from Girl in Translation, focusing on how Kwok uses language and structure to explore themes such as identity, cultural conflict, and family. Discussion and Comprehension Questions: Engaging prompts encourage students to critically reflect on the protagonist’s experiences, stimulating meaningful class discussions. Creative and Analytical Activities: A range of tasks, including creative writing and group work, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the novel and relate it to their own experiences. Contextual Background: Insight into the novel’s historical and social context, helping students understand the challenges faced by immigrants and the importance of cultural identity. Exam Preparation: Structured activities designed to develop skills in close reading, literary analysis, and essay writing, ideal for preparing students for their English exams. Why This Resource? This resource is perfect for KS3 and KS4 English teachers looking to engage students with a contemporary novel that deals with relevant social issues. It promotes critical thinking, empathy, and analytical skills while providing a rich understanding of the text and its themes.

A lesson on an extract from ‘A Long Way Home’ by Saroo Brierley. The memoir has been adapted into a film called ‘Lion’. The extract takes place when Saroo arrives at his new home in Hobart, Tasmania. The lesson includes discussion questions, language analysis, a video clip from the film and a homework activity.

This booklet contains a variety of unseen passages for the unit on ‘The Immigrant Experience’. Texts include: ‘American and I’ - Anzia Yezierska ‘Exit West’ – Mohsin Hamid ‘Brick Lane’ – Monica Ali ‘Enemies: A Love Story’ – Isaac Bashevis Singer ‘The Assistant’ – Bernard Malamud ‘The Namesake’ – Jhumpa Lahiri ‘The Buddha in the Attic’ – Julie Otsuka ‘The Lonely Londoners’ – Sam Selvon ’The Road Home’ - Rose Tremain ‘Terrorist’ – John Updike ‘My New American Life’ – Francine Prose ‘The Fortunate Pilgrim’ – Mario Puzo ‘The Association of Small Bombs’ – Karan Mahajan ‘Black-Eyed Women’ from ‘The Refugees’ - Viet Thanh Nguyen ‘The Secret River’ – Kate Grenville ‘The Third and Final Continent’ from ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ - Jhumpa Lahiri ’Call it Sleep’ - Henry Roth ‘A Long Way Home’ – Saroo Brierley ‘The Blue Between Sky and Water’ – Susan Abulhawa ‘Shantaram’ – David Gregory Roberts ’Eva’s Story’ - Eva Schloss ‘Girl in Translation’ – Jean Kwok ‘Café Scheherazade’ – Arnold Zable ‘Brooklyn’ - Colm Tóibín I set ‘The Blue Between Sky and Water’ as a Mock Examination so I have included indicative content for this which would work as a mark scheme and two model answers for ‘A Long Way Home’ and ‘Brooklyn’.

A comprehensive resource pack on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. Assessments are tailored towards the OCR A level English course, however, could be adapted for a number of other exam boards. There are a number of practice assessments with model answers.

A lesson on an extract from ‘The Woman in Black’ (Whistle and I’ll Come to You) from the Edexcel iGCSE English Language Anthology. The PowerPoint includes analysis, discussion questions and homework activities.

A guided reading course on ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien, including full PowerPoint presentations, discussion questions and homework assignments.

A full scheme of work on ‘The Breadwinner’ by Deborah Ellis.

Detailed notes on the following poems: Ambulances Arundel Tomb Dockery and Son Essential Beauty High Windows Talking in Bed Vers De Société Wild Oats

A PowerPoint on ‘Nettles’ by Vernon Scannell including analysis and homework activities

A lesson on The Explorer’s Daughter by Kari Herbert - Edexcel iGCSE English Language Anthology. Full PowerPoint with analysis, discussion questions and a creative writing homework activity.

Lesson Summary: A Passage to Africa This lesson delves into George Alagiah’s extract from A Passage to Africa, exploring the impact of war and famine in Somalia. Students engage in analysing how Alagiah uses language to depict suffering, as well as the ethical and emotional dilemmas journalists face when reporting on such crises. Through a blend of group discussions, guided readings, and writing tasks, students will develop a deeper understanding of the passage and Alagiah’s message. Lesson Objectives: Understand the context and purpose of Alagiah’s narrative as a journalist’s account. Analyse how language techniques (e.g., metaphors, sensory imagery) are used to convey suffering. Discuss and reflect on the ethical challenges of journalism in conflict zones. Activities: Group discussions on media representation of humanitarian crises and the role of journalists. Guided reading with a focus on identifying key language devices and their effects. Analytical writing tasks using structured approaches like PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) or PETAL (Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link) to respond to a question about Alagiah’s use of language. Skills Developed: Critical analysis of non-fiction texts and understanding the ethical dimensions of journalism. Empathy and cultural awareness through exploration of real-world humanitarian issues. Structured analytical writing, focusing on language effects and textual evidence.

A selection of quotations from ‘Of Mice and Men’ including detailed analysis.

A PowerPoint of ‘To a Daughter Leaving Home’ by Linda Pastan including discussion questions, analysis and homework activities.

A poetry lesson on the speech ‘All the World’s a Stage’ from ‘As You Like It’. The PowerPoint includes a line by line analysis and homework activities. Can be adapted to suit various age groups.

Lesson Summary: Chinese Cinderella This lesson explores an extract from Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, focusing on her experiences growing up in a wealthy yet emotionally neglectful family in 1950s Hong Kong. The lesson guides students through the analysis of how the author uses language and imagery to convey her feelings of isolation, fear, and hope. Through discussion and structured activities, students will deepen their understanding of autobiographical writing and the historical and cultural context of the narrative. Lesson Objectives: Analyse how Adeline Yen Mah uses literary devices and imagery to convey her emotions and experiences. Understand the cultural and familial context influencing the author’s upbringing. Engage with autobiographical writing to identify its typical features and explore its purpose. Activities: Group discussions exploring students’ own experiences and cultural perspectives on family expectations and education. Guided reading focusing on identifying and interpreting language techniques such as metaphors, similes, and allusions. Creative writing task where students compose a diary entry from Adeline’s perspective, capturing her emotions after learning she will study abroad. Skills Developed: Analytical reading and interpretation of autobiographical texts, focusing on language and structure. Empathy and cultural awareness through examining familial dynamics and societal expectations. Creative expression through writing tasks that encourage personal engagement with the text.