This engaging and informative lesson enables students to understand how the lead protagonist of Philip Pullmans’s Northern Lights, Lyra, develops as a character and as a heroine throughout the narrative. In doing so, students learn the key features of heroes and heroines, and apply these to the different behaviours that Lyra exhibits over the course of the novel. They then go on to design their own hero/heroine development storyboards! The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: -Defining what heroes and heroines are, and identifying their key features; -Comprehending how Lyra is initially introduced to the reader, using an extract from the text; -Tracking Lyra’s development as a hero over the course of the novel, using a development graph and justification table; -Creating a storyboard for their own heroic journey, using the template provided; Self assessing their learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Extract from Chapter 1 of Northern Lights; Lyra’s development tracking template; Create your own Bildungsroman novel storyboard template; Comprehensive lesson plan. All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7/8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 10 with some adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This lesson enables students to make precise interpretations of the final chapter of Philip Pullman’s ‘Northern Lights.’ They also learn how the different features of the endings (for example plot twists, dark moments, and unpredictable elements) combine to create endings that are engaging and effective. At the end of the lesson, they use this understanding to create their own alternate endings to the text. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: -Recapping the key events from earlier in the text, (in order to lay the foundations for understanding the ending); -Reading and comprehending the ending of the text, through reading chapter 23 and answering thoughtful comprehension questions; -Analysing the effectiveness of the ending, considering a range of techniques used by Pullman to structure his ending; -Creating their own alternate ending, using the agreed features of effective endings; Self assessing their learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Extract from Chapter 23 of Northern Lights; Analysis template; Comprehensive lesson plan. All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 7/8 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 10 with some adaptations. The PowerPoint is in the zipfile. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

Based on the popular game show ‘Pointless’, this resource is perfect for use as a whole lesson resource, enrichment option, or revision tool. Editable, so that you can change to any other topic or change questions. (I’ve also added a blank template so that you can make your own games from scratch). Containing almost 30 slides of sound clips, interesting tasks, and suitably challenging questions, this resource is effective at both promoting engagement and enhancing learning. There are several full rounds of questions to build or revisit knowledge of characters, plot, and themes in ‘Stone Cold.’ Round 1. The characters in Stone Cold Round 2. Quotations from the text Round 3. Settings and Objects Round 4. Themes in Stone Cold The nature of this game ensures that the resource can challenge students of all levels. A blank template has also been added, so that you can create your own games!

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to understand the character of the Shelter in ‘Stone Cold’ from his words and actions, and back up their ideas with reference to evidence from the text. Students also consider the Swindells’ language and purposes in the portrayal of his antagonist, before designing their very own villain. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Considering the connotations of the name ‘Shelter’, and how Swindells’ character contrasts with these meanings; - Reading extracts from the narrative viewpoint of Shelter in ‘Stone Cold’ in Shelter’s character is introduced; - Answering comprehension questions about the extracts, considering the writer’s use of language and retrieving textual information to back up their ideas; - Becoming text detectives, and finding out more information about Shelter’s character through skimming and scanning the text; - Considering Swindells’ purpose in his portrayal of Shelter; - Analysing Swindells’ villain, before designing their own; - Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - ‘Text Detectives’ template (pdf and word); - Selected extracts - Stone Cold - Shelter’s Introduction; - ‘Create Your Own Villain’ worksheet (pdf and word); - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a year 8 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 9 with minimal adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to understand one of the key themes running throughout Robert Swindells’ Stone Cold: Homelessness. Students use key information, research skills, and extracts from the text to understand how and why homelessness happens and who it can affect, before composing their own arguments about how they believe homelessness should be tackled. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Considering their own views towards homeless people, and thinking about how these were formed; - Researching how and why people become homeless, and who it affects ; - Reading an extract from ‘Stone Cold’ in which Link describes a night on the streets, to better empathise with those who are sleeping rough; - Answering comprehension questions about the extract, considering the writer’s use of language and retrieving textual information to back up their ideas; - Forming their own arguments about how homelessness should be tackled, using their own research and the information gathered throughout the lesson; - Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Research Template; - Selected extracts - Stone Cold - Link’s description of a night on the streets; - Writing to Argue Helpsheet; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a year 8 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 9 with minimal adaptations. Please note that internet access/ use of research mechanisms is required for the introduction task. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to understand the effects of the dual narrative structure used in Robert Swindells’ Stone Cold. Students consider the purpose of dual narratives and the way in which the structure is employed by Swindells, before analysing the impact that the dual narrative has upon readers. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: - Defining the key term ‘dual narrative’ and considering famous examples; - Skimming and scanning ‘Stone Cold’ to find evidence of the dual narrative in action throughout the text; - Analysing the effects that dual narratives can have upon the reader, including the rise in dramatic tension and dramatic irony in Stone Cold. - Storyboarding Stone Cold to reveal how the dual narrative is used throughout for effect; - Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts; Included is: - Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; - Storyboard template (pdf and word); - Dual Narrative Perspectives Worksheet; - Essay Template; - Comprehensive lesson plan. There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a year 8 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 9 with minimal adaptations. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Scene by Scene Summary (with quotes); Main Characters; Themes; Dramatic Devices; Features of Comedy. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This resource booklet contains a wide range of age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Michael Morpugo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ Teachers have found them particularly useful in comprehension or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of children towards meeting the upper KS2 expectations within the new National Curriculum framework. Children love learning from these resources, whilst they are also of great use to teachers, as there is explicit information within each task regarding which comprehension strands the task is designed to demonstrate. They also relate to key extracts, characters, and themes from the story, ensuring that children gain a deep understanding of the text. Activities within the booklet include: ‘An Interview with Michael’s Parents’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Understand what is read by drawing on information from more than one paragraph, identifying key details that support the main ideas, and using quotations for illustration;’ ‘Morpugo’s Description’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Explain meanings of words that they know and ask the meaning of new words. Link the meaning of new words to words that they already know;’ ‘Michael’ and ‘Kensuke!’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Understand what is read by drawing on information from more than one paragraph, identifying key details that support the main ideas, and using quotations for illustration;’ ‘Figurative Language in Kensuke’s Kingdom’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Discuss and evaluate how authors use language, including figurative language, to create an impact on the reader.’ Plus many, many more activities (the booklet is over 20 pages in length!) I’ve also added it as a PDF in case the formatting differs on your computer. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to make precise interpretations of the descriptive language used by Michael Morpurgo in his description of Michael’s trip around the world in ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ They learn to define, identify, and analyse the effectiveness of a range of descriptive devices, before applying these to form their own vivid and imaginative descriptions of places. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Understanding the scale of the journey that Michael’s family undertakes, through a fun cross-curricular task; Defining each of the different types of descriptive devices, through completing an interactive group activity; Reading extracts from the text in which Michael describes the different places along his trip, and identifying the language techniques used to paint an image of place in the minds of the readers; Analysing the effectiveness of each of Morpurgo’s descriptive devices; Creating their own description of an ‘around the world trip’, utilising appropriate and effective descriptive devices to describe at least two different stops; Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Cards for the Card Sorting Activity;’ World Map for the opening activity; Writing to Describe Helpsheet Comprehensive Lesson Plan All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 4 and 5 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 8 with some adaptations. The word documents are within the zip file. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to make precise interpretations regarding the characterisation of Kensuke in Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ In particular, children comprehend how Kensuke’s character is initially introduced in Chapter 5 of the text, before tracking how his character develops throughout the story. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Developing a contextual understanding of Japan, including the events of World War II, and how Japan has changed more recently; Reading an extract from the text in which Kensuke is introduced, identifying his key characteristics and answering comprehension questions about his character; Tracking the development of Kensuke throughout the story; Creating their own character for the island, drawing on Morpurgo’s characterisation techniques; Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Character Development Tracking Graph; Character Profile Template; Comprehensive Lesson Plan All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 4 and 5 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 8 with some adaptations. The word documents are within the zip file. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This engaging and informative lesson enables students to make precise interpretations regarding the ending in Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ In particular, children identify the features of successful endings, analyse these features in Chapter 10 of the story, and create their own logical, imaginative story endings. The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through: Storyboarding the key events of the text leading up to the ending; Reading the ending of the story and answering comprehension questions to demonstrate their understanding; Defining and identifying the key features of effective endings; Analysing the effectiveness of the features that Morpurgo uses in his own ending; Creating their own alternate ending, utilising the features that they have learnt over the course of the lesson; Peer assessing each other’s learning attempts. Included is: Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive; Storyboard Template; Story Detectives Worksheet; Comprehensive Lesson Plan All resources are provided in Word (for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure formatting remains fixed between different computers). There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with year 4 and 5 classes, however colleagues have used them for between years 3 and 8 with some adaptations. The word documents are within the zip file. All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of a non-fiction information text about tsunamis. The resource pack includes the extract and all of the activities for the session, which the class are guided through via a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. This is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language. The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. The session is best suited for children in years 4-6, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.

This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising Robert Browning’s power and conflict poem 'My Last Duchess.’ It contains comprehensive sections on: Context; Line-by-Line Analysis; Poetic Devices/ Language Devices; Themes; Form/Structure; Poems for Comparison; The Poet’s Influences. Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).

This 16-page resource booklet contains a wide range of challenging and engaging comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Robert Browning’s power and conflict poem 'My Last Duchess.’ Teachers have found the activities particularly useful throughout teaching, or for exam revision or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of students towards meeting the key English Literature assessment objectives - suitable for all examining bodies. Students have found these resources extremely engaging, and it is clearly highlighted within each task regarding which assessment strands the task is designed to demonstrate. It is provided in both Word (to allow for easy editing) and PDF (to ensure for consistency of formatting between computers). Activities within the booklet include (amongst many others): ‘Analysing Context’ - helping students to ‘Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.’ ‘Analysing Subject Matter, Language and Structure’ - to help students to ‘Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.’ ‘Diary Entry’ - to help students to ‘Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. Make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.’ ‘The Speaker’ - to help students to ‘Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to: maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.’

This resource booklet contains a wide range of age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ Teachers have found them particularly useful in exam revision, comprehension tasks, or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of students towards meeting the KS4 expectations within the new National Curriculum framework - this makes the tasks suitable for all examining bodies. Students have found these resources extremely engaging, and for teachers there is explicit information within each task regarding which comprehension strands the task is designed to demonstrate. They also relate to key extracts, characters, and themes from the play ensuring that students gain a deep understanding of the text. Activities within the booklet include: ‘Context: Shakespearean Times’ - to aid students with ‘Drawing on knowledge of the purpose, audience and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongs, to inform evaluation;’ ‘Shakespeare’s Description’ - to aid students with ‘Analysing a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form, grammatical and structural features, and evaluating their effectiveness and impact;’ ‘Shylock’ and ‘Bassanio’ character profiles- to aid students with ‘Seeking evidence in the text to support a point of view, including justifying inferences with evidence;’ ‘Editing the Play’ - to aid students with ‘Making an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these.’ Plus many, many more activities (the booklet is around 30 pages in length!) I’ve also added it as a PDF in case the formatting differs on your computer. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on a separate document (included).

Based on the popular game show ‘Pointless’, this resource is perfect for use as a whole lesson resource, enrichment option, or revision tool. Editable, so that you can change to any other topic or change questions. (I’ve also added a blank template so that you can make your own games from scratch). Containing almost 30 slides of sound clips and suitably challenging questions, this resource is effective at both promoting engagement and enhancing learning. There are several full rounds of questions to build or revisit knowledge of characters, plot, and themes in ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ Round 1. The characters in The Merchant of Venice Round 2. Quotations from the text Round 3. Settings and Objects Round 4. Themes in The Merchant of Venice The nature of this game ensures that the resource can challenge students of all levels. A blank template has also been added, so that you can create your own games!

This resource booklet contains a wide range of age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful comprehension activities for use throughout the reading of Mark Haddon’s ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.’ Teachers have found them particularly useful in comprehension or guided reading sessions. They are perfect for aiding the progress of children towards meeting the KS3 expectations within the new National Curriculum framework. Children have found these resources extremely engaging, and for teachers there is explicit information within each task regarding which comprehension strands the task is designed to demonstrate. They also relate to key extracts, characters, and themes from the story, ensuring that children gain a deep understanding of the text. Activities within the booklet include: - ‘Context: Asperger’s Syndrome’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Know the purpose, audience and context of the writing and drawing on this knowledge to support comprehension.’ - ‘Haddon’s Description - The Police Station’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Know how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, present meaning.’ - ‘Ed Boone’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Study setting, plot, and characterisation, and the effects of these.’ - ‘Vocabulary Inspector’ - to enable students to demonstrate that they can: ‘Learn new vocabulary, relating it explicitly to known vocabulary and understanding it with the help of context and dictionaries.’ Plus many, many more activities (the booklet is 21 pages in length!) I’ve also added it as a PDF in case the formatting differs on your computer. All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on a separate document (included).

This engaging and thought-provoking double-lesson resource aids students in developing a secure understanding of the chapter 3 of Anne Holm’s ‘I Am David.’ In this section of the text, David develops his knowledge and his resourcefulness, as he learns a range of ways to survive. The comprehensive and colourful PowerPoint presentation enables students to understand the text through: -Retrieving information; -Inferring and deducing hidden meanings; -Explaining key ideas about characters and plot events. The sessions include a range of retrieval, vocabulary, inference, explanation and deeper thinking activities. A clear, colourful and comprehensive PowerPoint presentation guides students through the learning. The lesson also includes an answer key for the retrieval questions, and model answer ideas for the more detailed responses. There’s a lot here (17 slides filled with questions and activities) so I would recommend breaking into two lessons. The lessons are suitable for students in either upper KS2 or lower KS3, depending upon the individual context of the school and students. I originally used them with year 6 children.

This engaging and thought-provoking double-lesson resource aids students in developing a secure understanding of the chapter 4 of Anne Holm’s ‘I Am David.’ In this section of the text, David is initially beaten by Carlo, before winning the respect of Carlo and his family after saving Maria from the shed fire. The comprehensive and colourful PowerPoint presentation enables students to understand the text through: -Retrieving information; -Inferring and deducing hidden meanings; -Analysing characters. The sessions include a range of retrieval, vocabulary, inference, explanation and deeper thinking activities. A clear, colourful and comprehensive PowerPoint presentation guides students through the learning. The lesson also includes an answer key for the retrieval questions, and model answer ideas for the more detailed responses. A character profile template is provided (in both Word and PDF) for the main creative activity. There’s a lot here (17 slides filled with questions and activities) so I would recommend breaking into two lessons. The lessons are suitable for students in either upper KS2 or lower KS3, depending upon the individual context of the school and students. I originally used them with year 6 children.

This engaging and thought-provoking double-lesson resource aids students in developing a secure understanding of the chapter 5 of Anne Holm’s ‘I Am David.’ In this section of the text, David struggles to integrate himself into life in the Italian family’s home and he overhears the conversation between Giovanni and Elsa. The comprehensive and colourful PowerPoint presentation enables students to understand the text through: -Retrieving information; -Inferring and deducing hidden meanings; -Empathising with characters. The sessions include a range of retrieval, vocabulary, inference, explanation and deeper thinking activities. A clear, colourful and comprehensive PowerPoint presentation guides students through the learning. The lesson also includes an answer key for the retrieval questions, and model answer ideas for the more detailed responses. A character profile template is provided (in both Word and PDF) for the main creative activity. There’s a lot here (17 slides filled with questions and activities) so I would recommend breaking into two lessons. The lessons are suitable for students in either upper KS2 or lower KS3, depending upon the individual context of the school and students. I originally used them with year 6 children.