I'm an English teacher with 18 years teaching experience in the state and independent sectors. I've held TLRs for KS3 and KS5, am a GCSE examiner and have worked in education research and development. All my resources have been successfully tried and tested in the classroom.
I'm an English teacher with 18 years teaching experience in the state and independent sectors. I've held TLRs for KS3 and KS5, am a GCSE examiner and have worked in education research and development. All my resources have been successfully tried and tested in the classroom.
2 lessons showing all pupils making progress and developing resilience skills. Pupils demonstrate improved inference and deduction skills using relevant quotes to support their comments in PEE responses to parts of Act 2, Scene 1. The lessons also incorporate self-assessment, peer assessment and pupils completing DIRT on peer/teacher formative feedback.
A homework task, with an extension task for the more able, is included. The lessons offer a range of differentiation strategies: extension tasks for the more able; starter sentences to support the less able; differentiation by choice in use of quotes for PEE task on Helena; pupils working at different levels based on self/peer assessment and modelling examples of different levels to support pupils in their progression and increased resilience. I kept pupils in mixed ability pairs/groups to support the less able, but you could also use ability groupings if you have TA support.
The lessons were produced for a mixed ability Year 7 class and proved very successful.
My centre still uses APP, so these lessons have a RAF3 focus. However, they could easily be adapted for KS3 flightpaths.
An outstanding lesson exploring the use of generic conventions (AO2) in Wuthering Heights. This lesson, containing 5 resources including a comprehensive lesson plan and 13 slide PowerPoint, is part of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature A Level spec - teaching Wuthering Heights as one of the two coursework texts. However, the lesson can easily be used for the new AQA spec.
Extension tasks and independent study task included as well as opportunities for differentiation by group/task.
In a mixed ability class, students all made progress during the lesson (clearly demonstrated to the students and lesson observers in the mini plenary and plenary). Plus the subsequent essay also revealed much improved understanding and analysis skills for AO2.
Lessons 1-12 of my Wuthering Heights SOW have also been uploaded to TES Resources as two separate bundles.
Four resources covering two lessons - one lesson analysing Scene 3 with an AO1, AO2 and AO5 focus and leading to students writing an analytical essay on the scene; one lesson on essay feedback and DIRT. Resources include PowerPoints for each lesson, comprehensive lesson plans and an essay cover sheet I created using the mark scheme for the AS exam.
These lessons form lesson 8 and lesson 11 of the SOW I created for the new Edexcel English Literature AS Level. However, both are equally valid for the new AQA spec.
The lesson plan also explains how essays will be worded in the Edexcel AS Level drama exam. There are also ideas for other essay titles to help students develop their understanding of the play and prepare them for exam essays.
Seven tried and tested resources on poetry which can be used as challenge, or homework or starter activities with KS3 classes. They include a wide variety of tasks (differentiation by choice) to enable pupils to explore the effects of a range of language and structural techniques. These tasks also help pupils respond to more challenging ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions to help develop evaluative skills.
Pupils have found these activities extremely beneficial in preparation for end of unit and end of year assessments.
I have these resources (along with my prose extension reading tasks and challenge writing tasks) laminated on coloured paper (green for reading and yellow for writing) in a folder my pupils can access if they have completed all my main lesson tasks. I have also used these activities for cover lessons and as adaptive learning group tasks.
Now my school is moving towards pupils using laptops in lessons, I have uploaded these into my KS3 class Teams rooms to encourage pupils to access stretch and challenge activities as part of their independent learning.
I have uploaded my reading challenge prose tasks and writing challenge tasks as separate packs on TES. You can also purchase all three in a money saving bundle.
Resources (12 slide PowerPoint and comprehensive lesson plan) for a lesson analysing Scene 11 of A Streetcar Named Desire. This is lesson 16 of my SOW for Other Drama for the new Edexcel English Literature AS/A Level. However, it would be just an effective for the new AQA spec.
Extension tasks are included and there is a differentiation by task/group activity detailed.
Assessment objectives 2 and 3 are the focus of the lesson.
6 resources covering 3-4 lessons (lesson 7 could be split into two separate lessons) preparing students for the new AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 exam (Section B - the 19th century novel). These are lessons 6-8 of the successful SOW I created for my current Year 10 class and focus on key aspects of Chapters 3-8 of Great Expectations Volume One. Moreover, they really helped students develop understanding of the novel, Dickens' techniques and key analysis skills needed for AO1 and AO2.
Resources include: 3 detailed PowerPoints (lesson 6 = 9 slides; lesson 7 = 15 slides; lesson 8 = 9 slides); a starter worksheet for lesson 7; extracts from Chapter 8 and lesson plans giving extra information and assessment objective/skills focuses.
All lessons include extension tasks for the more able. There is also some scaffolding to help students plus a homework task offering differentiation by choice.
Please note that the themes handout for lesson 7 is not included as this is a Teachit resource. It can be obtained as a free PDF from Teachit once you register with them.
Two resources (15 slide PowerPoint and essay task) preparing pupils for a timed essay on Dickens' A Christmas Carol for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec. A range of tasks included with extension tasks to challenge the more able and help them access the higher tiers of the AOs.
This lesson was created for a set 2 Year 10 class, but could easily be adapted for different ability groupings.
Tried and tested essay planning sheet for AQA GCSE ‘Macbeth’ essays. This resource reminds students they need to explore both the printed extract and show their knowledge and understanding of other scenes in the play. It is perfect for planning those early essays and for revision planning. My students found it especially useful for reminding them of areas of context they could include.
I enlarge it to A3 for classroom planning (leaving space to add more ideas after whole class feedback), but leave it as A4 if homework planning.
It has also proved to be an invaluable resource for private tutoring and can be simply tweaked for other set GCSE plays or novels.
Introductory lesson to A Streetcar Named Desire. This lesson forms lesson 1 of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature AS/A Level spec. However, it would also work for the new AQA spec.
Three resources: 21 slide PowerPoint, homework sheet and comprehensive lesson plan.
There are differentiation by task opportunities for the homework task - setting students more challenging topics to research and then present to the class.
The background information sheet is not included as this was taken from a free Teachit resource. Details on how to find this on the Teachit website are included in the lesson plan.
This introductory lesson has proved hugely successful both times I have taught it. Students were really engaged and gained much more from watching the 1951 film in the following lessons than previous students had.
Two lessons (lessons 13 and 14 of my Year 10 SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec) covering key aspects of plot, character, relationships, themes, language and structural devices in Chapters 14 - 19 (final chapters of Volume One).
The specific AO focus for both lessons is AO2 (language and structure).
Both lessons include differentiation (extension tasks) and engaging starter tasks. Details of some student questions/tasks are written below the slides rather than on them.
Both lessons proved extremely successful with my Year 10 class this year.
6 resources covering 3 lessons (lessons 3, 4 and 5) in my Year 10 SOW teaching Great Expectations (AQA GCSE English Lit Paper 1 Section B - 19th century novel). Resources include: 3 detailed PowerPoints (lesson 3 = 17 slides; lesson 4 = 8 slides; lesson 5 = 15 slides); lesson plans with differentiated activities flagged; example PEE paragraph to help students write their own and an extract from the novel for students to highlight and annotate.
The lessons focus on the opening chapters (establishing character and use of setting) and developing students' AO1 and AO2 skills. Homework tasks are included with each lesson.
These lessons worked really well with my Year 10 class this year. They especially liked lesson 5 exploring setting and use of pathetic fallacy.
Four resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B).
Lesson 23 covers key aspects of Chapters 43-46 (Volume Three). A variety of activities are included with extension tasks and differentiation by group/task. A homework task is also included with optional extension questions helping pupils develop their understanding/analysis skills further to access the higher levels for AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Lesson 24 focuses on how Dickens presents the characters of Pip and Estella and their relationship. Tasks include active learning, group, pair and individual work. Pupils would then write up their work into a mini essay to be teacher assessed for AO1 and AO2.
All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class and produced high standard mini essays.
Three resources for a lesson exploring Scene 10 and the play's structure. Resources: 9 slide PowerPoint, student handout and comprehensive lesson plan. The lesson plan includes extension tasks for more able students and details of the AOs covered in the lesson.
This is lesson 15 of my SOW for the new Edexcel English Literature AS Level. However, it could also be used for the new AQA A Level spec and the full Edexcel new A Level.
Three resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B).
Lesson 25 covers key aspects of Chapters 49-53 (Volume Three). A variety of activities including close analysis of the Chapter 49 episode when Miss Havisham sets herself alight. Extension tasks included. A homework task is also included with an optional extension task.
Lesson 26 focuses on key parts/quotes from Chapters 54-56. Extension tasks are included. Several tasks encourage pupils to find their own evidence, encouraging resilience and greater knowledge and understanding of the text.
All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.
Three resources covering two lessons of my Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA English Literature GCSE spec (Paper 1 - Section B: the 19th century novel).
Lesson 19 covers key aspects of Chapters 33 and 34 (Volume Three) with a specific focus on developing pupils' understanding of how Miss Havisham manipulates Pip and Estella and how Estella in turn manipulates Pip. Pupils explore relevant quotes (on a pupil handout included) and then produce a written analysis of how Dickens uses language to show Pip and Estella are being manipulated. That work is then marked for AO2. The checklist I introduced pupils to in an earlier lesson is included on the PowerPoint along with extension tasks for differentiation.
Lesson 20 covers Chapters 35-38. Whereas pupils were given the key quotes in the previous lesson, this lesson encourages them to find their own evidence from the novel to use in their analyses. The lesson involves a number of different activities with extension tasks for the more able for every task.
These lessons worked very well with my current Year 10 class.
A ten slide PowerPoint from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B).
This lesson explores how Dickens uses character pairs, the importance of Herbert and Joe in the narrative and how Dickens presents Joe's character. Extension tasks are included to challenge the more able and enable them to access the top levels in the mark scheme. A related homework task is also included with differentiation by task and an optional extension task.
The development of all relevant AOs are covered in this lesson, although the focus is exploring writer's methods (AO2 - language).
All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.
8 resources for 3 lessons (lessons 9-11 of my Year 10 SOW) focusing on Chapters 8-11 and developing key skills for AO1 and AO2. Resources include detailed PowerPoints for each lesson (lesson 9 = 10 slides; lesson 10 = 9 slides; lesson 11 = 10 slides); 2 sheets of extracts; a homework task sheet encouraging students to re-read an earlier chapter and analyse minor characters; a starter task sheet of an opinion article from The Telegraph and comprehensive lesson plans.
Lesson plans include homework tasks building on class tasks and/or practising key analysis skills, extension tasks for the more able and suggestions for possible activity adaptations to suit different teaching groups.
The lessons also encourage students to complete DIRT after teacher, peer or self assessment.
All these tasks worked extremely well with my current Year 10 class and build on from lessons 1-8 which I have also uploaded in TES Resources.
An outstanding lesson on I Love Me Mudder for Year 7 during Black History Month. Includes a range of engaging activities, differentiation tasks, a pre-lesson research worksheet (could be used in class or for homework) and guided self assessment.
Tried and tested with great success in the classroom for the last three years.
Two resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B).
Lesson 17 covers Chapters 26 and 27 (Volume Two); it focuses on helping pupils explore alternative interpretations and achieve level 5 AO1 - thoughtful, developed responses. A variety of activities are included with extension tasks.
Lesson 18 covers Chapters 28-31 with an AO2 (exploring language and structure) focus. It also builds on the alternative interpretations work from the previous lesson. Extension tasks are included for the more able. A homework task is also included.
All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.
Three resources covering two lessons from my Year 10 Great Expectations SOW for the new AQA GCSE English Literature spec (the 19th century novel - Paper 1, Section B).
Lesson 21 covers significant aspects of Chapter 39 (the final chapter of Volume Two) with an AO2 focus. A variety of activities are included with extension tasks and a homework task. A pupil handout of the key quotes explored in the main lesson tasks is also included.
Lesson 22 covers Chapter 40 (the first chapter of Volume Three). Extension tasks are included for the more able. Whilst pupils were given specific quotes/episodes to explore in lesson 21, lesson 22 encourages pupils to find the evidence themselves. The final task involves pupils (in pairs/small groups) choosing an extract (guided by the teacher) to explore for AO1 and AO2 marks using numbered tasks on the last PowerPoint slide to help them.
All the tasks worked well with my Year 10 class.