Two past-pupil GCSE creative writing exemplars and a detailed peer-evaluation grid. Can be used for GCSE, but I've also adapted for KS3 writing (just change the theme in the grid from 'change' to whatever applies to your unit!).
A series of resources in one presentation to teach the narrative theories of Todorov, Propp, and Barthes so that pupils can understand structure in texts. Theories are illustrated with specific examples of writing that embody Todorov's theory of equilibrium, Propp's eight character roles, and Barthes' concept of enigma. Particularly suited to English and English Language GCSE, but I have also used for GCSE Media Studies, and taught this to KS3 classes for Key Skill Communication final assessment in writing.
A pdf for handout or presentation on formal letters, and a detailed look at play scripts and how to format them, using two exemplars (one of which is from a past pupil).
I have used both of these formats to differentiate GCSE English Language creative writing: for pupils who struggle with story structure, they can write a series of letters, or a letter and a reply, based upon characters they know from novels they've studied. Scriptwriting is excellent for gifted and talented pupils who find short story composition not challenging enough.
Drama pupils will also benefit from the analysis in the scriptwriting section of how setting and stage directions function. This will aid GCSE and A-level pupils compose their own scripts (I adapted this from a course I taught in first-year university).
For KS3 Communication, I used this letter-writing framework for final assessment on novel (so, can be adapted to mark either Reading or Writing as a Key Curriculum Skill).
A set of poems to use as possible practice pieces for unseen poetry, and a guide to aid pupils in approaching unseen poems. Designed for GCSE, but I have also used for top-set KS3 pupils, and used the poem selection to widen A-level pupils' experience of poetry.
A whole lesson introducing unseen poetry (in both original Keynote format, and in PowerPoint). Lesson objective: To consider our personal preconceptions about poetry, and then identify and explore the effects of poetic features upon our own individual responses to a poem. I use Simon armitage's poem 'Out of the Blue' and 'Incendiary' by Vernon Scannell. I've had really good feedback on this lesson from both GCSE and A-level pupils, as well as an observation panel when I delivered it as part of a job interview!
A comprehensive study map in two parts, addressing the statement that Odysseus's men all die because of his poor leadership skills. Based upon a past-paper mark scheme, I look at the argument from both sides, covering books 9 - 12.
These study maps can be completed by pupils individually as revision. I would recommend spending class time letting pupils gather their responses in pairs or groups at first, and then chair a whole-class discussion based upon my completed versions, included here as teacher's answers. Pupils can then produce a final version of the completed study map for their reference.
Two simple study maps for pupils to complete, firstly, considering themes in books 1-11 of the Odyssey, and secondly, focussing specifically on the theme of women. I have included my completed maps as teacher's answers, to facilitate whole-class discussion once pupils have formulated their own responses, either in groups or independently.
Two study maps for pupils to complete, considering the insignificance of female characters other than Athene in the Odyssey, based upon an examiner's past-paper mark scheme, looking at both sides of the argument. I have included my completed maps as teacher's answers, to facilitate whole-class discussion once pupils have formulated their own responses, either in groups or independently. I composed these maps with the purpose of pupils then using their outcomes as structured plans for writing a practice essay.
Two study maps for pupils to complete, guiding them through the theme of fate in the Odyssey, then the role of the immortals in the text. Pupils can complete the maps independently as revision, or teachers can lead the class through them in lesson time. Alternatively, what worked well for me was getting pupils to work in groups to produce responses, then in whole-class discussion, each producing a final version of the study map for their use.
A comprehensive study map in two parts, addressing the 'good' and the 'bad' servants in the Odyssey, which can be completed by pupils individually as revision. I would recommend spending class time letting pupils gather their responses in pairs or groups at first, and then chair a whole-class discussion based upon my completed versions, included here as teacher's answers. Pupils can then produce a final version of the completed study map for their reference.
A resource containing key terms to use in assessments on Shakespeare's Macbeth, and a collection of significant quotations from each scene for the whole play.
Examining the theme of strength and weakness in Thomas Hardy's short story, and how this reflects the time in which it was set, looking at the supernatural, social class and people, the environment, vanity, and criminal punishment, as well as possible links with Shakespeare's Macbeth as a comparative text.
A set of lessons to work through chronologically in my unit on Macbeth, covering themes, genre, close language analysis, performance, group work, research tasks, and lots of active learning methods.
A set of lessons to work through chronologically in my unit on Macbeth, covering themes, genre, close language analysis, performance, group work, research tasks, and lots of active learning methods.
A set of lessons to work through chronologically in my unit on Macbeth, covering themes, genre, close language analysis, performance, group work, research tasks, and lots of active learning methods.