These resources enable students to understand and analyse the Old Major’s dream and the events of the animal revolution, in the opening two chapters of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. More precisely, students learn to make clear and accurate interpretations about events and characters, with appropriate links to the Orwell’s allegory and relationship to context. Students learn through the following tasks: - Gauging and collaborating previous knowledge through a discussion-based starter task; - Reading the first two chapters and demonstrating their understanding through a related activity sheet; - Developing their understanding of characters and context through a a making links activity; - Analysing the allegorical nature of the opening chapters by further exploring the connections between characters and contexts; - Peer assessing their partners’ learning attempts. The following resources are provided: - Engaging and colourful step-by-step PowerPoint (includes links for video) - Teacher lesson guidance/plan; - Chapters 1 and 2 worksheet; - Making Links Activity Sheet (1x more difficult, 1 x easier); - Copies of Chapters 1 and 2. All images and videos are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint. Note - internet connection is needed if you plan to use the video.

These resources enable students to understand the context of the Russian Revolution, the predominant subject of Orwell’s allegory within Animal Farm. More precisely, students learn about the key historical events and figures throughout this point in time in Russian history, and begin to comprehend Orwell’s intentions in writing the novella. These resources give students a strong foundation of knowledge which they can then utilise to begin confidently relating the text to its context. There are easily enough resources for at least two lessons within this resource pack. Students learn through the following tasks: - Gauging and collaborating previous knowledge through a discussion-based starter task; - Watching, listening, and demonstrating their understanding of an engaging and informative context video and related activity sheet; - Developing their understanding through in-depth investigative research into the main leaders of the Russian Revolution; - Writing a letter from the viewpoint of a member of the Russian working class, who has lived through the various regimes and revolutions. - Peer assessing their partners’ learning attempts. The following resources are provided: - Engaging and colourful step-by-step PowerPoint (includes links for video) - Teacher lesson guidance/plan; - Context worksheet; - Five investigative research templates: Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky, Marx, and The Secret Police. All images and videos are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint. Note - internet connection is needed for the video activity.

This highly engaging and informative double lesson (around 1.5 to 2 hours of teaching materials) helps build students’ ability at using varied and imaginative techniques to describe emotions in their creative writing. Specifically, students learn how to create in-depth paragraphs detailing the emotional state of their narrator and characters, both implicitly and explicitly. I wrote this lesson because I noticed that there are an extremely high volume of students that approach creative writing tasks (even in their GCSEs) offering little depth or detail in terms of their characters emotions. Even though they have clearly learnt a number of writing techniques from their teachers, their emotional writing often merely explicitly states how a character feels, using the same four or five emotions. In this lesson, students learn: - To define what emotions are; - To understand and use the vast range of emotional vocabulary and synonyms available in the English language; - To investigate different emotions, including how they can manifest themselves; - To understand how emotions can be communicated utilising a range of descriptive devices; - To create an imaginative and emotionally-driven piece of creative writing; - To self-assess their creative writing attempts; Included are all worksheets, and detailed and visual PowerPoint presentation, which explains each concept clearly, and a lesson plan for teacher guidance.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of Ted Hughes’s message and imagery in the war poem ‘Bayonet Charge.’ By the end of the lesson, students demonstrate their knowledge of the text analytically, through assured, appropriate, and sustained interpretations of content, language, and structure. Students learn through a logical and step-by-step learning journey, including: -Understanding the context of the poem and defining the key terminology 'bayonet', 'over the top', 'trenches', and 'no-man's land'; -Understanding key information about the poet Ted Hughes; -Reading and interpreting the poem; -Interpreting the poem, with a particular emphasis upon how Hughes creates visual and auditory imagery; -Finding and analysing the language features used throughout the poem, and considering how these link to the poet's message; -Writing an extended analysis piece based upon how Hughes creates imagery in order to capture the soldier's horrifying final moments; -Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and substantial; - Copy of poem; - Interpretation worksheet (plus an answer sheet for teachers/CAs); - Analysis task template and success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to middle-ability year 9/10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of Owen Sheers' key messages about war in the poem ‘Mametz Wood.’ By the end of the lesson, students demonstrate their knowledge of the text analytically, through assured, appropriate, and sustained interpretations of the content, language, and structure. Students learn through a logical and step-by-step learning journey, including: -Understanding the context of the poem and the horrific events that took place in the battle; -Understanding key information about Owen Sheers' life; -Reading and interpreting the poem; -Interpreting the poem, with a particular emphasis upon the language and structural features; -Finding and analysing the language features used throughout the poem, and considering how these link to the poet's message; -Writing an extended analysis piece based upon how Sheers gets across his message about war; -Peer assessing each other's learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and substantial; (including hyperlinks to informative and engaging videos) - Copy of poem; - Language devices worksheet - Analysis template with success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to middle-ability year 9/10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This lesson aims to build students’ understanding of E.E Cummings’ key messages in ‘next to of course god america i,’ with a particular focus upon the language and structure of the poem. By the end of the lesson, students demonstrate their knowledge of the text analytically, through assured, appropriate, and sustained interpretations. Students learn through a logical and step-by-step learning journey, including: -Defining the key term 'patriotism' and considering its pros and cons; -Understanding key information about E.E Cummings' life; -Reading and interpreting the poem; -Investigating the structural make-up of the poem, and considering how this links to the poet's message; -Identifying the language features used throughout the poem, and considering how these link to the poet's message; -Analysing how language and structure create meaning through the poem; -Peer assessing each others' learning attempts. Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and substantial; (including hyperlinks to informative and engaging videos) - Copy of poem; - Structure key questions task (answers on the PowerPoint); - Analysis template with success criteria for creating well-structured responses; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. This was originally taught to middle-ability year 9/10 groups, but can easily be differentiated for groups of different ages and abilities. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of the key themes throughout William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth:’ ambition, power, and fate. In particular, students learn how the combination of these three ideas contribute to Macbeth’s eventual downfall, whilst drawing on their analytical reading skills to understand how the themes interweave with the plot throughout the play. The lesson utilises a range of tasks, that require students to be visual and interactive learners. It follows this learning journey: - Defining the key terms ‘fate’ and ‘free will’, and establishing their relevance within the play; - Reading and interpreting Act 5 Scene 8, and establishing how Macbeth’s death was set in motion long before the battlefield; - Mapping Macbeth’s demise, from his early success as a brave and respected warrior, to his death as a tyrant king; - Understanding and analysing how the key themes of ambition, power, and his belief in fate contributed to his downfall; - Peer/self evaluating the learning in the lesson. Included in this resource pack are: - A well-presented, thorough, and informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Resources for the reading and interpreting activity - full scene transcript with space for notes; - A template and instructions for the ‘Mood Mapping’ task; - A template to help scaffold the main task, complete with P.E.E instructions; - A comprehensive teacher guidance form/lesson plan to assist delivery. All images in this resource are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the lesson presentation.

This interesting and stimulating lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of Shakespeare’s use of figurative language in Macbeth, focusing particularly on similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and euphemisms. Students learn to analyse the intended effect of these devices through a close-reading and interpretation of Act 5 Scene 1: The sleepwalking scene involving Lady Macbeth. The lesson utilises a range of tasks, that require students to be visual and interactive learners. It follows this learning journey: - Defining the key term ‘figurative language’ and establishing its importance as a literary technique; - Defining and exemplifying each of the key terms ‘simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and euphemisms through collaborative group opportunities; - Understanding how and why figurative language is used to add depth to writers’ ideas; - Reading and interpreting Act 5 Scene 1, and establishing how figurative language impacts upon the scene; - Reflecting upon why this may/ what effect this may have had on audiences at the time; - Summarising the events of the scene; - Peer/self evaluating the learning in the lesson. Included in this resource pack are: - A well-presented, thorough, and informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Resources for the reading and interpreting activity - full scene transcript with space for notes; - A template to help scaffold the main task, complete with P.E.E instructions; - Cards for the card sorting group activity - A comprehensive teacher guidance form/lesson plan to assist delivery. All images in this resource are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the lesson presentation.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of one of the key scenes in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth – Act III Scene IV. In particular, they learn to make insightful interpretations about the changing nature of Macbeth’s tone throughout the scene, and are enabled to understand how this would have affected Shakespearean audiences. The lesson utilises a range of tasks, that require students to be visual and interactive learners. It follows this learning journey: - Defining the key term ‘tone’ and establishing its importance as a literary technique; - Understanding how tone is used to depict mood and attitude across a range of fiction; - Reading and interpreting Act 3 Scene 4, and establishing how Macbeth’s tone alters throughout; - Reflecting upon why this may/ what effect this may have had on audiences at the time; - Summarising the events of the scene; - Analysing Shakespeare’s intentions in sharply altering Macbeth’s tone throughout; - Peer/self evaluating the learning in the lesson. Included in this resource pack are: - A well-presented, thorough, and informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Resources for the reading and interpreting activity - full scene transcript with space for notes; - A template to help scaffold the main task, complete with P.E.E instructions; - Cards for the card sorting group activity - A comprehensive teacher guidance form/lesson plan to assist delivery. All images in this resource are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the lesson presentation.

Within this varied, interesting, and engaging lesson, students aim to build their knowledge of two of history’s most famous explorers: Christopher Columbus and Ibn Battuta. Students utilise their independent learning skills to research the two travelers, utilise map-reading and geographical skills to improve their knowledge of their journeys, and draw comparisons and contrasts between the two. The lesson follows a clear and logical learning journey, which requires students to: - Consider the skills and characteristics required to be a learner, and apply them to real life contexts; - Share what they already know about the two explorers, and use their curiosity to devise new questions about them; - Employ their independent learning skills to find out the key events and journeys in the lives of the two explorers; - Plot the locations of their expeditions on a world map, and consider questions about their journeys based upon what they see; - Compare and contrast the key features of each explorer, using connectives and key facts; - Peer assess each others’ learning using the simple but appropriate success criteria. Included in this lesson are: - Comprehensive, informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Helpful recording template for the research task; - World map for tracking their expeditions, with questions as an extension task; - Helpful and thorough teacher guidance/ lesson plan document, to assist implementation; - Cut-out copies of the learning objectives, to save time in the lesson. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide.

This lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of one of the key scenes in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth – Act II Scene II. In particular, they learn to make insightful interpretations about Shakespeare’s use of symbolism, and are enabled to understand how this would have affected Shakespearean audiences. The lesson utilises a range of tasks, that require students to be visual and interactive learners. It follows this learning journey: - Defining the key term ‘symbolism’ and establishing its importance as a literary technique; - Understanding the different objects that were used as symbols in Shakesperean times through a multiple choice team game; - Reading and interpreting Act 2 Scene 2, and establishing how symbolism is utilised throughout; - Summarising the events of the scene; - Analysing Shakespeare’s intentions in using literary techniques, and considering the audience reactions to them; - Peer/self evaluating the learning in the lesson. Included in this resource pack are: - A well-presented, thorough, and informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Resources for the reading and interpreting activity - full scene transcript with space for notes; - A template to help scaffold the main task, complete with P.E.E instructions; - A comprehensive teacher guidance form/lesson plan to assist delivery. All images in this resource are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the lesson presentation.

This engaging and interesting lesson aims to improve students’ understanding of one of the key characters in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Lady Macbeth. In particular, they learn to make insightful interpretations about the character, and are enabled to draw links between Lady Macbeth and their knowledge of women in Shakespearean times. The lesson utilises a range of tasks, that require students to be visual and interactive learners. It follows this learning journey: - Inferring key information about the character of Lady Macbeth from picture clues; - Identifying and ordering the key events in the text in which Lady Macbeth is involved; - Understanding her role in the rise and downfall of Macbeth; - Comparing and contrasting between her character and the expected role of women at the time the play was written; - Analysing Shakespeare’s development of Lady Macbeth as a key character throughout the text; - Evaluating the learning in the lesson. Included in this resource pack are: - A well-presented, thorough, and informative, whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation; - Resources for the sequencing activity, detailing Lady Macbeth’s numerous actions throughout the play; - A template to help scaffold the main task, complete with P.E.E instructions; - A comprehensive teacher guidance form/lesson plan to assist delivery. All images in this resource are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the lesson presentation.

This stimulating and informative lesson aims to improve students’ ability to adapt the style of their writing to suit their audience and purpose. In particular, they attempt to meet the purpose of writing diary entries. Students follow a clear and logical learning journey, in which they: -Define diaries and their key content features; -Read extracts of diaries, and explain which content features different writers employ; -Work collaboratively to ascertain the language and structure features of diary entries; -Create a success criteria for effective diary writing (although a ready-made success criteria is included) -Write a diary entry for a famous character from their favourite movie, using the techniques that they have learnt; -Peer/self-assess their diary writing attempts. There are enough resources here really for two lessons, including: -Visually engaging whole-lesson PowerPoint; -Diary extracts x 4 (Adian Mole, Anne Frank, etc.) -What's in a Diary Entry worksheet; -Success Criteria; -Step-by-step lesson plan. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final page of the slide.

This resource is perfect for enabling students to build both their persuasive writing and their speaking and listening skills. Based upon the popular BBC series 'Dragons' Den', students have the opportunity to research, design, pitch, and evaluate arguments for their own inventions, whilst simultaneously analysing persuasive pitches, revising persuasive techniques, structuring arguments and articulating convincingly. Included is a 16 page booklet (I would say at least 4-5 hour lessons of tasks) that lead students to: - Introduce themselves and their interests; - Watch persuasive pitches (links included) and identify persuasive devices; - Analyse why persuasive devices are effective; - Structure an analysis appropriately; - Brainstorm ideas for an invention using imagination and helpful aiding questions; - Formulate an argument by considering key questions and counter arguments; - Write and present a persuasive pitch; - Peer-evaluate and self-evaluate persuasive pitches. I have also provided some examples of news stories featuring the worst and best pitches from the den, in order to provoke discussion about what makes a strong pitch. All images are licensed for commercial use and are cited throughout.