A comparative worksheet which focuses on the poem Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney and Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. The focus of this lesson is on comparing poems, using unseen poetry skills. Great for GCSE, also good for KS3 Year 9 English.

A worksheet for comparing the ideas and techniques explored in the poems ‘Valentine’ and ‘Quickdraw’ by Carol Ann Duffy. This can be used at GCSE for practising unseen poetry skills, or at KS3 for People and Relationships poetry schemes of work.

This immersive lesson offers students a deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic short story “The Black Cat.” By examining Poe’s use of symbolism, themes, and narrative style, students uncover the psychological and moral complexities of the narrator’s descent into madness. Engaging activities include analysing imagery, discussing the symbolism of the black cats and the wall, and exploring how alcohol influences the narrator’s unraveling psyche. Students analyze key themes like guilt, violence, and unreliable narration, using textual evidence to support their interpretations. Through a blend of individual, pair, and visual storytelling tasks, students also plan and create their own comic adaptation of the story, making complex literary elements accessible and memorable. Buy this lesson to captivate your students with the dark intricacies of Poe’s Gothic world while enhancing their analytical, creative, and interpretative skills! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971

This engaging lesson invites students to step into the role of investigators to unravel one of literature’s greatest mysteries: the death of Edgar Allan Poe. Through interactive activities such as evidence analysis, video viewing, and crafting newspaper reports, students explore historical theories ranging from alcohol poisoning and illness to political foul play, delving into the macabre intrigue surrounding Poe’s final days. The lesson encourages critical thinking, historical analysis, and creative writing, culminating in a student-led newspaper piece mimicking 19th-century journalistic style. By merging Gothic literary elements with historical detective work, students gain a deeper appreciation of Poe’s enduring influence and mysterious legacy. Buy this lesson for a memorable, thought-provoking exploration into the enigma of Poe’s death! For teachers who love a bit of True Crime…I taught this after my Y8 class had finished reading “The Raven” in-between teaching them “The Tell-Tale Heart” as a one-off bit of fun… SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 The Black Cat Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971

Unlock the Secrets of Gothic Literature with this Engaging Lesson Series on “The Pit and the Pendulum”! Transport your students to the heart of Gothic horror with this comprehensive set of lessons designed to immerse them in Edgar Allan’s timeless tale, The Pit and the Pendulum. Tailored for Year 8 English students of all abilities, this resource masterfully combines historical context, thematic exploration, symbolic analysis, and creative writing tasks. Why This Lesson Plan Stands Out: Dynamic Starters: Thought-provoking Do Now! activities ignite curiosity and activate prior knowledge, from Gothic conventions to themes like madness in Poe’s works. In-Depth Context: Students dive into the historical backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, understanding its influence on the story’s atmosphere and Gothic themes of oppression, fear, and injustice. Thematic Analysis: Key themes such as fear, isolation, mortality, and power are unpacked with examples that encourage critical thinking and literary appreciation. Symbolism Unveiled: Detailed analysis of the pit, pendulum, and rats allows students to explore their deeper meanings, fostering connections between symbolism and universal human fears. Creative Expression: Culminating in an imaginative writing task, students apply their understanding of Gothic conventions to create suspenseful narratives, inspired by Poe’s haunting style. Engaging Plenaries: Plenaries prompt reflection and discussion, encouraging students to link Gothic elements in The Pit and the Pendulum with modern storytelling. What Teachers Gain: A fully structured week-long scheme with ready-to-use lesson plans and materials. Activities that meet diverse needs, with a mix of analytical, discussion-based, and creative tasks. Opportunities to foster deeper literary analysis while inspiring students to think creatively. Bring the dark allure of Poe’s Gothic masterpiece to your classroom. Buy this resource today and transform your students’ understanding of Gothic literature! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 “The Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971 “The Black Cat” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003

This engaging lesson encourages students to explore the debate around compulsory voting, using real-world data and case studies to analyse voter behaviour and political participation. Through interactive activities such as mind-mapping reasons for and against voting, examining key terms like voter apathy and turnout, and analysing recent UK election data, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing democratic systems. By studying global examples and reading an opinion piece in favour of mandatory voting, students reflect on its potential impact on civic engagement. The lesson culminates in writing an opinion piece either supporting or opposing compulsory voting, with a focus on crafting persuasive arguments supported by evidence. Buy this lesson to inspire critical thinking and meaningful debate about democratic participation and civic responsibility! ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE PAPER TWO SKILLS - Comparing Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives GUN DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153078 MONARCHY DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153080 COMPULSORY VOTING - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153075 PAPER 2 BUNDLE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153693 PAPER 1 WORKBOOK - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153254

A Scheme of Work (SOW) that I made for my KS3 Year 9 English class, it is focused on GCSE English Language Paper 2 Skills. It uses ‘relevant’ topics such as whether or not Barbie is a feminist masterpiece, whether or not guns should be banned in the US and also focuses on things such as compulsory voting (there is a whole lesson dedicated to the recent UK General Election of 2024 for this) and issues such as capital punishment. My class really got on quite well with this last year, you can easily adapt it too! Not all lessons have powerpoints, but most do.

This is a poster outlining the PEED writing structure (Point, Evidence, Explain, Development), with prompts and sentence starters to guide students in analytical writing. PEED stands for Point, Evidence, Explain, Development, a framework commonly used to structure paragraphs in essays and analytical writing. The poster provides a clear breakdown of what is required for each part of a paragraph, reducing confusion and ensuring students stay focused. Encourages Analytical Thinking: By including prompts, it guides students to think more deeply about their writing, such as how evidence supports their point or how their ideas connect to broader concepts. Supports All Learners: The inclusion of sentence starters is particularly useful for students who struggle with beginning their responses, making this a great tool for mixed-ability classrooms. Promotes Independence: With this poster, students have a handy reference to structure their work without constant teacher input, fostering self-reliance. Visually Engaging: The icons and layout make it an attractive and memorable resource that is easy to understand at a glance. This poster is an invaluable classroom tool for improving student writing. It simplifies essay planning, supports structured thinking, and provides scaffolding for students who need extra help. By using this resource, teachers can ensure that students consistently produce well-organized, analytical paragraphs, making it an essential addition to any English classroom.

This engaging and imaginative lesson combines literary analysis with creative persuasive writing, inspired by 1984’s infamous Room 101. Students will explore George Orwell’s dystopian concept of exploiting personal fears before crafting a persuasive letter aimed at convincing the Prime Minister to consign their three chosen “worst things” to Room 101 forever. Learning Objectives To understand the concept of Room 101 and its symbolic significance in Orwell’s 1984. To develop persuasive writing skills by employing a variety of techniques. To write creatively and persuasively, tailoring their arguments for a specific audience (the Prime Minister).