This print-and-use, ready to teach unit contains all my activities, worksheets, printables, handouts, answers and teacher’s guide resources for Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. One of my favourite novels to teach, I’ve revisited and revised my Of Mice and Men resources and included a range of activities for each of the six parts of the novel. This unit, for Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men, contains the following: Comprehension & Close Reading Questions for Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men Let’s Get Quizzical! - Quote Hunt Quiz for Chapter 1 of the novel. The Novel in Context - A Short Biography of John Steinbeck - a short, informative biography of the author, can be used at any point in your study of the novel. Analyzing Characters - George & Lennie - this guided character analysis activity facilitates comparison and contrast of the protagonists of the novel - George & Lennie. The Novel in Context - Migrant Workers Then & Now - this comprehensive activity uses an excellent documentary about the context of Of Mice and Men (available on YouTube, links etc. included) - as a basis for a listening/video comprehension. Starting with a focus of migrant workers in Salinas, California in the 1920s and 1930s, this activity interweaves history, biographical information about Steinbeck with eye-witness accounts, interviews, and extracts from the novel to paint a comprehensive picture of the context of composition and the timeless qualities of this literary masterpiece. Teacher’s Guide - Model Answers + Commentary + Analysis - This is a comprehensive teacher’s guide for Part One of the novel, and it includes model answers for all the activities as well as a detailed plot summary and analysis of Part One, designed for teachers who are new to the novel, or veterans who wish to gain fresh insights, as well as for students working independently in a home-schooling setting or in a distance learning environment. Hoping you find everything you were looking for, please leave feedback!

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Boxes” by Sampurna Chattarji. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on Chattarji use of sensory imagery, a particularly relevant aspect to fully understanding the poem. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback! **

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Touch and Go” by Stevie Smith. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on allegory in literature and poetry as this concept is central to understanding “Touch and Go” by Stevie Smith. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4). I’ve also included an essay question for comparative analysis. 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Storyteller” by Liz Lochhead. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2026-2028. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, including historical context and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Reading Activities to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class. I’ve focused on the tradition of oral storytelling and poetry. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “At the Bus Station” by Julius Chingono. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 4) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 5) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “an afternoon nap” by Arthur Yap. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on the phenomenon of tiger parenting, as this is a central issue in the poem. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Road” by Nancy Fotheringham Cato. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class) 4) Close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). ***Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “These Are The Times We Live In” by Imtiaz Dharker. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on Dharker’s use of metonymy and synecdoche, as these aspects are particularly relevant to the poem. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Enemies” by Elizabeth Jennings. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on extended metaphor as this is a key aspect of the poem. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Instant of My Death” by Sarah Jackson. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2024-2026. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers and explanatory notes to facilitate a close-reading and understanding. 3) Pre-reading activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused in particular on the poem’s use of enjambment and caesura, as this is crucial to appreciate “The Instant of My Death” fully. 4) Comrpehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Rich and Poor or, Saint and Sinner” by Thomas Love Peacock. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on metaphor, as Peacock uses metaphor extensively in his poem. **4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis **questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “A Long Journey” by Musaemura Zimunya. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Before-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on the historical context of the poem, as it is central to understanding “A Long Journey”. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Report to Wordsworth” by Boey Kim Cheng. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, including historical context and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Reading Activities to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class. I’ve focused on ecocriticism and the allusions to Wordsworth’s sonnets and his legacy as a nature poet. 4) Comprehension, Close-reading & Analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5**) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice,** modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep bundle of activities is designed to enable the in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem From “An Essay on Man” by Alexander Pope. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2026-2028. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, including historical context and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Teaching Activities & Follow-Up Activities to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class. I’ve focused on Alexander Pope’s aphorisms and on his use of antithesis and oxymoron in the poem. 4) Close-reading & Analysis Questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Exam Practice Questions, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4). These can be used as a mock exam with your students. 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep bundle of activities is designed to enable the in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Hunting Snake” by Judith Wright. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2026-2028. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, including historical context and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-Teaching Activities: to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class. I’ve focused on introductory activities of figurative and poetic devices. 4) After Reading Activities: a range of activities ideal as follow-up to reading the poem in class. Topics covered include: sensory imagery in the poem, visualisation and comprehension of the poem. 5) Close-reading & Analysis Questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 6) Exam Practice Questions, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4). These can be used as a mock exam with your students. 7) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). *Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!***

An informative handout to introduce Rupert Brooke and a unit of analysis for his famous war poem ‘The Soldier’. The handout includes the following: a short biography of Rupert Brooke, the poet annotated text of the poem ‘The Soldier’ (includes a glossary of key terms explained in the context of the poem) comprehension, close reading, and analysis questions holistic, ‘food for thought’ question to elicit an essay-style response.

The title, Of Mice and Men, is an allusion to a line in a poem called “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns. This no-prep print-and-use pre-reading activity includes: A copy of the poem in its original Scots Modern English translation Comprehension, analysis & discussion questions Connections to the novel and the title in particular. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This FREE no-prep unit provides introductory activities for Chinua Achebe’s iconic African novel Things Fall Apart. The unit includes: 1. Exploring Expository Writing: An in-depth introductory text that provides insights into the following aspects of the novel: critical reception & worldwide success of Things Fall Apart context & background 2. Discussion Questions: A range of discussion prompts that test understanding of the text, on the one hand, and provide food for thought and extended critical discussion. Happy teaching! Feedback is always appreciated!

This FREE advanced ready-to-teach worksheet & handout is designed as a pre-reading activity for George Orwell’s monumental dystopian classic, 1984. It includes: Thought-provoking information text that asks the question What is Literature and Why Should we Read Literature? Although the text begins in general terms, the concepts and issues raised should facilitate a critical discussion about the purpose of reading any literary text as well as 1984. Follow-up discussion and critical thinking questions that can be applied to all literary texts (but which may find more food for thought & application in 1984 especially). Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This FREE print-and-use lesson worksheet is part of my teaching unit for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It focuses specifically on Act 1, Scene 1 of the play. The worksheet includes: Comprehension Questions for Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth Shakespeare in Context: Informative text about witches & James I and the context of composition. This is crucial to fully appreciate the dramatic effect & significance of Shakespeare’s choice of using witches in the play. The information text is accompanied by relevant questions to link it to the play. Drama Activity: This is an activity that encourages engaging with the text on stage; it outlines various ways for students to act out and the scene, and to think critically about how the scene may have been performed on stage. Act 3 Close Reading Activity (focuses on 3.5.1-36, with all the imagery of light and darkness - a crucial dichotomy and thematic trope and motif that runs through the play) MODEL ANSWERS for all the questions + activities as well as a teacher’s guide and further in-depth analysis and commentary of the relevant aspects of Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth PS: This worksheet, as indeed all of my Macbeth handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! Enjoy, and please leave feedback!