This resource consists of a literary text about life in the trenches and a soldier charging into no man’s land. The soldier has clearly lost his mind and appears to welcome death. However, during the charge his desire to live returns and this is reflected in the way the text is written. There are 4 different types of reading questions/activities for this text. The first asks the pupils to find five things mentioned in the text that show that life was hard for soldiers in the trenches. The second asks pupils to explain what part of the narrator the writer wants the reader to think was left in no man’s land when he first charged there (his mind). This is a 5 point question. The third activity gives the pupils a passage from the text and asks them to find 4 literary techniques used by the writer and to give an example of these techniques that they find in the passage. 8 points are offered for this activity, 1 for each literary technique and 1 for correct examples of these techniques found in the passage. The final question is for 10 points. It states, “The writer successfully changes both the atmosphere of the text and the main character’s mind-set in this passage.” It then asks the pupil how much they agree with this statement. They are to refer to the language used in the text and the literary techniques used by the writer in their answer.

This is a presentation on the history of Liverpool and the slave trade.

This resource is best taught after the pupils have read or listened to the first four chapters of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Private Peaceful’. It contains comprehension exercises regarding the character development of some main characters in the first four chapters. It also deals with the theme in Chapter 4 of ‘An Amazing Event’. In Chapter 4 the kids see a yellow aeroplane and meet its pilot. Pupils are asked to list amazing events from their lifetime and ones they have lived witnessed, before they plan then write about witnessing an amazing event. also included, is a presentation that accompanies the lesson. It can be used with the activities in the lesson, as a starter, a plenary or it can lead to further speaking and listening activities. Here are the main activities in this unit: • Listen to/read the 4th chapter of the novel. • Complete the comprehension challenge regarding 4 characters in 4 chapters. • Make a list of any amazing events that have happened in your lifetime or that you have witnessed. • Take part in a class/group discussion about these events. • Work on a writing plan for describing witnessing an amazing event. • Write a text about witnessing an amazing event.

This is an Entry Level 3 Functional Skills reading activity consisting of two texts with questions. The first text is a discursive text that discusses whether Guy Fawkes was a hero or a villain. Both sides of the debate are discussed with the pupils being asked for their opinion after reading the text. The class could study the Gunpowder plot further either before or after reading the text. This text could also be used to generate a class discussion. The second text is an informative text that explains how to put on a great fireworks display. The texts and questions are used to help the pupils improve their functional skills reading while at the same time being engaged with the themes that they deal with. The first text could also be used in history lessons.

This resource consists of a revision exercise for a Functional Skills Entry Level 1 assessment. It is for staff use, providing a topic for a discussion and a checklist to assess whether pupils have passed the test or not. Although this assessment follows the theme of Bonfire Night, it can easily be edited for any topic and used multiple times. There are two pages for this resource, one for teachers to assess multiple pupils and one for assessing one pupil which can be placed in this pupil’s file. Please look at our other Functional Skills Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes resources ranging from Entry Level 1 to Level 1 and including reading, writing and speaking and listening activities.

This resource consists of a revision exercise for a Functional Skills Entry Level 3 assessment. It is for staff use, providing a topic for a discussion and a checklist to assess whether pupils have passed the test or not. Although this assessment follows the theme of Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes, it can easily be edited for any topic and used multiple times. There are two pages for this resource, one for teachers to assess multiple pupils and one for assessing one pupil which can be placed in this pupil’s file. Please look at our other Functional Skills Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes resources ranging from Entry Level 1 to Level 1 and including reading, writing and speaking and listening activities

This is a listening comprehension worksheet that can also be used as a research task. It looks into Gandhi’s revolution in India. It is best used with a presentation also available which is titled ‘Gandhi’s Revolution In India Presentation’.

This resource consists of a selection of activities that can be used to help pupils to write an essay about a historical event. There is an information planning exercise which pupils can use to plan what they wish to include in their text and their thoughts on the event. This is followed by differentiated writing frames that the pupils can complete to create an easy to follow plan for their written text. This frame helps the pupils to structure their texts and includes some vocabulary suggestions (varied sentence openings). Example frames and texts are included so pupils can easily see how the frame is used to create the writing text. Pupils are then asked to use the plan to write their text about the historical event. This resource can be used in English or history lessons and is an effective way of promoting literacy across the curriculum.

This presentation can be used for assemblies or in R.E lessons. It tells the story of Saint George’s life and then poses the question of how people should celebrate Saint George’s Day. This can lead to class discussions or writing activities.

This resource contains two functional skills writing activities with instructions for the pupils to follow. The tasks could be used for either Entry Level 3 or Level 1 with the pupils’ outcome determining their level. You could ask the pupils to plan their work before writing if you wish. The first text asks pupils to write a letter to the local council applying for permission to host a bonfire night. In the second task, the council has asked the students to write an informative text to schools describing a celebration or festival and its historical or religious significance. Students can choose real celebrations and write about them and you may also want them to research the chosen topic as they plan their text. Alternatively you may allow pupils to invent their own celebration, adding some imagination to the functional task. We at Engage Education believe in making functional fun. Please check out our other Functional Skills English resources.

This is a Functional Skills Entry Level 1 English writing resource. There are two writing tasks. In the first task, the students become newspaper reporters writing about a firework display that they have seen on Guy Fawkes Night. In the second task, they have to write to a friend to invite them to see a bonfire together. These resources can be used as a stand-alone exam revision exercise or in a series of lessons involving Guy Fawkes Night or other celebrations.

This is an Entry Level 1 functional skills reading activity consisting of two texts with questions. The first text gives advice on how to make a bonfire. The second text is an advertisement for a Guy Fawkes Bonfire. The texts and questions are used to help the pupils improve their functional skills reading while at the same time being engaged with the themes that they deal with.

This resource consists of a revision exercise for a Functional Skills Level 1 assessment. It is for staff use, providing a topic for a discussion and a checklist to assess whether pupils have passed the test or not. Although this assessment follows the theme of Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes, it can easily be edited for any topic and used multiple times. There are two pages for this resource, one for teachers to assess multiple pupils and one for assessing one pupil which can be placed in this pupil’s file. This task is a formal discussion about whether late October/Early November is a good time for the people of the UK or not. It asks pupils to research Guy Fawkes Night, Halloween and Mischief Night, looking at why people do and don’t celebrate them, why some people love them and why some people do not enjoy these festivals at all. Please look at our other Functional Skills Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes resources ranging from Entry Level 1 to Level 1 and including reading, writing and speaking and listening activities.

This is a writing unit where pupils research a historical person, plan a writing text about them and then write a text on the person that they have researched. It is good for homework, using as a series of lessons and it promotes literacy across the curriculum.

This is a presentation about the early history of the city of Liverpool

This presentation gives a detailed account of Gandhi’s life revolutionary in India. It leads to possible discussions and there are also listening comprehension questions which are available for free titled ‘Gandhi’s Revolution In India: Listening Comprehension’.

This presentation looks into Gandhi’s early life, including his time in London and in particular South Africa. It is best used as a speaking and listening exercise. Questions that accompany this presentation are also available for free under the title ‘Gandhi’s Early Life: Speaking + Listening Comprehension Questions’.