Planned for year 11 to embed the skills needed for English Language Paper 2, question 4, this powerpoint uses two short texts (shorter than would be used in the real thing), both about pigs. One is from “The Guardian”, the other from Dickens’s “American Notes”.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using an abridged text from Dickens’ story “The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain”. There are 8 questions. This could be set for homework or used as cover. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session.

This is a straightforward powerpoint using questioning and discussion to explore Emily Dickinson’s poem (about a train), “I like to see it lap the miles”. Created for a KS4 class to prepare for their exam question on unseen poetry, I have used the questioning and discussion in class, left it for a few days and then set the exam-style question for homework. Created for KS4 but could also be useful at KS3, especially in schools beginning GCSE study in year 9.

This uses Emily Dickinson’s beautiful poem about resilience. I created this as a revision task for year 11 but it could be used at KS3. There are 11 questions that could work for cover, for homework or to structure a discussion or guided reading session. Suggested responses are provided but these are not definitive!

This is an extract from Stoker’s “Dracula” with 18 quiz questions (answers provided). This could be used for revision, as a starter activity, for homework, cover or to structure a guided reading activity.

Sassoon’s “The Dug Out” (in the public domain) and 10 questions which could be used for cover or homework, or to structure a guided reading activity.

A straightfoward worksheet with a copy of Sassoon’s poem (which is in the public domain) and 12 questions which could be used to structure a guided reading session, or for assessment. Alternatively, this work could be set as cover or as a homework to support a unit of work on poetry, particularly the poetry of the first World War.

This is Betjeman’s simple but powerful “Harvest Hymn” with six questions focusing on the presentation of the speakers in the poem, summing up by asking the students to express the poet’s viewpoint in their own words. Created for a KS3 class but could be used for stretch and challenge at KS2 or for less confident students who need a gentle way into the unseen poetry task at GCSE English Lit.

This is a worksheet using Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Fame is a Bee” (in the public domain). There are ten questions and then a task for the pupils. This could be used to structure a guided reading or literacy lesson. Alternatively, it could be set for cover or used as a homework to support a unit on poetry or metaphor.

A straightforward powerpoint to enable students to practise their skills of analysing unseen poetry prior to their GCSE English Literature exam. The poem is in the public domain.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using a short excerpt from Charles Kingsley’s re-telling of Greek Myths (public domain). There are ten questions. This could be set for cover or for homework. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session.

This activity uses an extract from “Carmilla” (public domain text) and there are ten questions which could be used in class, as cover or set as homework. Alternatively, they could be used to structure a guided reading session. Might be of use as part of a unit on gothic literature.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using an excerpt from Conan Doyle’s gothic horror story, “Lot 249”. At this point in the story, Smith is being pursued by a re-animated mummy! There are ten questions. These could be set for homework or as cover as part of a unit on gothic horror. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using an excerpt from James Baldwin’s “Old Greek Stories” (public domain). There are ten questions. This could be used as a homework task, a reading assessment or for cover. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session. Suggested answers are provided. Originally created for a year 7 class but might also be useful at KS2.

This is a simple comprehension activity drawing pupils’ attention to the effect of language and structure. Created as a homework task but could also be used for cover or to structure a guided reading activity. Suggested responses are provided to make this more useful for someone who’s not a subject specialist.

I made this as a cover activity for a year 10 class with targets of 3 and 4. Could be used as a recall/revision activity, set as homework or used for cover. There are 10 questions which could also be used as a starting point for a guided reading activity.

This is a non-fiction excerpt which is a recount by a boy who attended the notorious Bowes Academy (inspiration for Dotheboys Hall). I’ve used this alongside teaching of stave 2 of “A Christmas Carol” (Scrooge’s schooldays) to give pupils some contextual information about Dickens’ attitude towards boarding schools. The extract has a task attached which uses the wording of the viewpoint question for AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2.

A simple and straightforward comprehension activity with 6 questions (answers provided) looking at a brief extract from Stave 2 where Scrooge revisits his school and is rescued by his little sister, Fan.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using an excerpt from the story of “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault. Useful for cover or for guided reading. Could be an addition to a unit on fairy tales.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity focusing on the reading skills of information retrieval, inference and analysis. The extract is from George Sims’ “How the Poor Live” and describes a large crowd of men who have assembled in the hope of being taken on as casual labourers. Useful as a cover activity, for homework, or to structure a guided reading session.