Range of starters and plenaries to support pupils understanding of character, theme and plot within Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Perfect for KS3 but easily adaptable for KS2/4 study. Can be linked to a variety of reading and writing learning/assessment objectives.

Introduction lesson to Gothic Fiction, featuring an extract from Horace Walpole’s ‘The Castle of Otranto’. Lesson Objectives: To be able to identify the main features of the gothic genre. To learn about the origin and purpose of gothic fiction. To interpret information from a text and use quotations to explain your ideas. (English Language style questions within lesson to assess pupils comprehension of the text).

Lesson developed as part of a year 8 introductory module to Gothic Fiction. Lesson starts with a ‘gothic scrabble’ activity to encourage pupils to develop their vocabulary and expand their writing choices (thesauruses are useful to support this task). Pupils will learn some background about the author Emily Bronte and consider the social/historical context of the novel by exploring why she wrote under a pseudonym. When reading an extract from the novel, pupils will focus on how the writer presents the character of Heathcliff, using evidence to back up their ideas. WAGOLL’s used to show pupils how to explore language in depth. Differentiated task to assess pupils understanding of the text. Learning objectives: To use interesting vocabulary choices. To explore language choices used by a writer. To demonstrate an understanding of a character.

Lesson developed as part of an ‘Introduction to Gothic Fiction’ module delivered to year 8. Aim of module: to familiarise pupils with the conventions of Gothic Fiction and develop analysis skills (Language AO1). Lesson based on an extract from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, in which the hound is described in detail. Content focuses on how the writer sets the scene and uses language to describe the hound. Lesson Objectives: To demonstrate an understanding of the gothic genre To demonstrate descriptive writing skills To identify language features and comment on their effect

Learning objectives: A05: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts A06: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation Lesson tailored towards Edexcel Transactional Writing task on English Language Paper 2, however can be tailored towards other exam boards. Lesson provides opportunity to explore writing to complain, through analysis of an exemplar, and a structured writing task. Ideal for use with a Year 11 group as part of structured revision, or alternatively as part of initial teaching of English Language skills at GCSE.

Learning objectives: To develop knowledge of main and subordinate clauses To use a range of grammatical constructions in writing Lesson designed for use with KS3 groups, however is still applicable for recapping key grammatical knowledge at KS4 to supplement the study of English Language GCSE. Lesson includes identification of sentence types, main clause and subordinate clause identification activities, and finally a writing task for students to apply their grammatical knowledge.

English Literature resource produced to support teaching of the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology (KS4). Learning Objectives: To consider how structure allows the reader to gain different perspectives on a relationship (AO2) To consider the language used to convey thoughts and emotions (AO2) Lesson involves: Pupils exploring the idea of ‘first dates’ and considering the gender differences between males and females. Considering the terms dramatic irony, situational irony, interior monologue and pathos in relation to the poem and its’ central ideas. Analysing the layout and structure of the poem. Considering the language used by the poet. Discussion of context: How has online dating and social media changed the dating game? Resource lends itself to being largely discussion based - pupils can be given time to discuss and analyse aspects of the poem and PowerPoint resource can be used to stimulate and structure feedback.

Learning Objectives: To gain an understanding of the ‘Grime’ genre To compare writers’ ideas and perspectives across two non-fiction texts (AO3) To adapt writing accordingly to fit audience, purpose and format (AO5) Lesson originally planned for use with KS3 groups, to introduce non-fiction reading and writing skills required for the English Language GCSE. Lesson includes exploration of the grime genre of music, with two non-fiction texts included to guide students towards exploring writers’ perspectives and identifying connections and variations across texts. A transactional writing task at the end of the lesson then allows students to convey their own perspective, or the imagined perspective of a voice of their choice.

Learning objectives: To recap word class, syntax and phrases To demonstrate an understanding of grammatical constructions Literacy quiz for recap of key grammatical concepts, including knowledge of word class, phrase types, and sentence types. Ideal for use as an entire lesson, or as separate retrieval/recap tasks as starters or plenaries. Intended for use with Year 7 following teaching of key grammatical concepts, however can be used between ages 11-16. Answers to quiz rounds provided at the end of PowerPoint presentation.

Ideal for KS3, PowerPoint resource covers declarative, exclamative, interrogative and imperative sentences. Learning Objectives: To understand the main functions of sentences To identify these functions in writing Includes quiz as plenary activity and imperative worksheet to develop pupils understanding further.

Learning Objectives: Explore the significance of Freddie Mercury’s life and death Evaluate a text in detail making specific judgements. Make clear comparative connections between two non-fiction texts. Originally planned for use with KS3 groups, to introduce students to key skills needed for the English Language GCSE - analysis, evaluation and comparison. Lesson explores stereotypes, stigma and sexual orientation as key themes, through exploring the life and influence of Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen. Two texts are provided to inform and educate students, allowing for exploration of writer’s methods and comparison of how writers present ideas and perspectives. Lesson can be adapted to then include a transactional writing task influenced by the texts.

Learning Objectives: To develop knowledge of restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses To use a range of grammatical constructions in writing Lesson originally used as part of a module teaching clause types to Year 7 students. Lesson covers recap of main and subordinate clauses, teaches the identification and classification of relative clauses, as well as identifying the difference between appositives and relative clauses. Can easily be adapted to suit any KS3/KS4 class, alongside study of other texts. Relative clause worksheet also provided.

Resource includes 10 lessons on the novel Coraline by Neil Gaiman, as well as accompanying worksheets and starter tasks. Unit of work ideal for a KS3 class. Aim: to encourage pupils love of reading and to develop pupils confidence when discussing ideas within a text. (Created as part of a ‘wider reading’ module for year 7).

GCSE poetry lesson to support Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology. Learning Objectives: AO2: Analyse how language, form and structure are used to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate (15 marks) AO3: Show understanding of relationships between texts and the contexts in which they are written (5 marks) Focus on diction and comparison to ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron.

Introduction to creative writing. Created for a year 8 class, but also used for year 7. Tasks throughout lesson easily adaptable to revise key writing techniques for KS4 English Language. Learning Objectives: To explore the importance of setting. To gain an understanding of ‘show, not tell’. To describe a setting to a reader. Pupils will explore a variety of settings throughout the lesson and consider how those settings may be depicted by a writer. They will learn the fundamentals for ‘showing’ and not telling the reader what is happening within a story. Pupils will use their knowledge to peer and self-assess imaginative writing pieces they have created during the lesson.

PowerPoint presentation, extract and worksheet exploring language used to describe the London Blitz in the Second World War. Focus on Language skills (AO1, AO2 and AO4). Questions require students to explore how language and structure are used to show the author’s feelings towards the event and exploring how successfully the event is described. Transactional writing task included to encourage students to respond to what they have read. (AO5 and AO6 skills)