This is an activity that helps students to visualize the metaphors, similes, personifications, and wonderful imagery of Macbeth’s soliloquies, especially in Act 1 Scene 5 (Lady Macbeth’s two short soliloquies) and Act 1, Scene 7 (Macbeth’s first soliloquy: “If it were done, when 'tis done …” by guiding students through the storyboarding process to how a film might show these soliloquies. This is a great way to show visual learners the imagery and the power behind Shakespeare’s language, and to bring soliloquies to life in the classroom. The handout is extensive and includes: introduction and definition of soliloquies comprehension activities to introduce each soliloquy to the students and to ensure understanding before they start the storyboard activity. storyboard activity with the texts of the soliloquies split into meaningful groups, ideal for group work or pair work, storyboarding template. It makes sense to print the storyboard template onto A3-sized paper so that students have enough room to draw their storyboard onto it. Enjoy!

This is a ready-to-teach worksheet / handout and pre-reading activity for “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser. The handout includes: A set of carefully selected quotations designed as pair work or group work, accompanied by questions to facilitate a critical discussion of the central issues addressed. Many of the central concerns of the novel can be discussed in a thought-provoking, memorable manner. The quotes can also be used to gauge prior knowledge of the historical context of the novel (e.g. Nazi Germany, Hitler’s rise to power, World War II, propaganda, the Holocaust etc.) Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 5 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 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! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 5 of 1984 2. Exam Practice Question: This activity uses an important passage from Book 1, Chapter 5, and emulates the IGCSE English Literature exam by offering both a passage-based and an essay question to choose from. Can be used to facilitate close reading and exam practice. 3. 1984 in Context: Information Text about the Appendix of 1984 which explains the Principles of Newspeak. This is crucial additional information to help students understand the overall purpose of Newspeak in 1984. 4. 1984 Then and Now: This activity uses examples from present-day to highlight how Newspeak is still being used in propaganda, advertising and other ways to manufacture consent etc. 5. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 5, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the Exam Practice Question. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 8 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 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! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 8 of 1984 2. Analysing Language: Symbolism in Book 1 Activity. This activity is designed to facilitate a close reading of some of the most important symbols in Book 1 of the novel, including Big Brother, Newspeak and the memory hole, Mr. Charrington’s shop and the paperweight etc. The activity uses carefully selected passages and guiding questions to allow students to take a closer look at this symbols. 3. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions as well as guiding commentary for the symbols in the close reading activity. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Song” by George Szirtes. 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 rhythm and meter, as this is particularly relevant to Szirtes’ “Song”. 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 “A Married State” by Katherine Philips. 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 the social context - gender roles in 17th-century England and a follow-up activity focusing on juxtaposition and oxymoron, important devices to fully appreciate “A Married State”. 4) 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). 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 unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Lament” by Gillian Clarke. 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 the historical context (Persian Gulf War) as well as on the lament - poetic form and tradition. 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 advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 3 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 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! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 3 of 1984 2. 1984 Then and Now: Extensive article and information text comparing the novel’s concept of doublethink with the post-truth era of media and politics of today, including delving into concepts of alternative facts and fake news. This is designed to get students to see the novel’s timeless qualities and socio-cultural / political relevance for present day. 3. Discussiong Questions designed as a follow-up activity to the 1984 Then and Now newspaper article. Can alternatively be used to elicit written responses from students. 4. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions. Feedback is always welcome!

This advanced, ready-to-teach handout is part of my worksheets, handouts and activities for Morton Rhue’s novel The Wave. It is designed to help students analyse and take a closer look at one of the central concerns of the novel: the power of language, propaganda, and how it can be abused to manipulate groups and individuals. The handout includes: Introduction to the topic (the power of language) within the context of the novel. Activities - based on excerpts from Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf (as a primary source) and what one of the worst dictators of all time has written about the power of propaganda - to show students various persuasive techniques and propaganda techniques. Follow-on questions for The Wave so that students can connect the cross-curricular historical analysis of the primary source with the novel (this is best donejust after Ben Ross introduces the The Wave experiment) A teacher’s notes section is included, with a lecture-type guide to the activity, that you can use either as a follow-up or to help you get to grips with the complexities of the issues and to teach the unit with optimal preparation. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced ready-to-teach handout uses George Orwell’s famous essay “Shooting An Elephant” (a sweeping criticism of British Imperialism and colonial rule) to give students the opportunity to read and study one of the most iconic and important literary and political writers of the 20th century, George Orwell. The handout includes: Brief historical overview and contextualized information about Orwell and his experiences in Burma, upon which his essay “Shooting an Elephant” is based. “Shooting an Elephant”, the full essay text, annotated with explanations of important terms and concepts specific to the socio-cultural context of composition of the text. The essay includes line numbers for easy annotation and close reading. A range of close reading and analysis questions that are split up into two parts (based on the development of the “story” within the essay. Extension activity that facilitates a holistic, essay-style response to the central issues of the essay. ANSWER KEY for the comprehension questions AND the extension activity (sample essay style response). Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on the first chapter of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 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! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1) Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 1 of 1984 2) 1984 in Context: Information Texts about Europe and the Soviet Union before 1949, to help students gain a better understanding into the context of composition of the novel. The text is accompanied by helpful discussion questions as a follow-up activity. 4) Close Reading & Analysis Activity: Establishing Themes & Motifs in 1984. This activity is designed to facilitate close reading & analysis practice. The activity uses carefully selected quotations and passages to encourage this. There is a particular focus on recognising themes and motifs that are established early on in the novel; students should be encouraged to keep an eye on how these themes & motifs develop as they read the novel. 5) Essay Questions & Exam Practice Questions to enable or emulate mock exam situations and provide further essay response writing practice. 7) TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 1, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the close reading activity is included. Feedback is always welcome!

This handout contains a slew of well-chosen essay and discussion questions for “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, designed as a post-reading activity or to enable an essay-style assessment of the entire novel once you have completed its study in class. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This is a handout that guides through the analysis and close-reading of IGCSE poetry tested on the IGCSE English Literature exams. This handout covers the following poem: 'Drummer Hodge' - by Thomas Hardy The handout includes: - an introduction with biographical and contextual information about the author - the poem text with a glossary of key vocabulary - comprehension and close-reading questions, with a focus on analysing the poem's structure, language and use of poetic devices, and main ideas or themes. - an answer key with detailed responses to the close reading and analysis questions. Enjoy!

This handout and worksheet provides two pre-reading activities to begin your study of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies with your students. The handout objectives include: Imagine certain scenarios linked to the novel. Explore complex questions of ethics and morality. Work in a group to make difficult / impossible decisions. There are two different activities, which can be completed by a class consecutively, or, if you wish, separately. Edition of the novel used: Lord of the Flies (William Golding), Faber and Faber Educational Edition. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

An informative handout to introduce Wilfred Owen and a unit of analysis for his famous war poem ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’. You can buy this handout as part of the IGCSE Poetry May 2018 / May 2019 bundle, here: IGCSE Poetry May 2018 / 2019 Bundle The handout includes the following: biography of Wilfred Owen and accounts of what he had to endure during the Great War. annotated text of the poem ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ (includes glossary of key terms explained in the context of the poem) as well as some additional information about why Wilfred wrote his ‘Anthem’. comprehension, close reading and analysis questions holistic, ‘food for thought’ questions to elicit an essay-style response. Check out also my other World War I poetry worksheets and handouts:

This handout focuses on the ‘real-life’ ‘The Wave’ teacher Ron Jones, whose classroom experiment inspired Morton Rhue’s novel ‘The Wave’. The handout includes an article and interview with Jones, who looks back at the experiment and the aftermath of it all, including Morton Rhue’s novel fictionalisation. The worksheet includes: An edited version of the original article by the San Francisco Chronicle Comprehension questions and activities that accompany the article and allow for pair-work or group-work approach to teaching the real-life, historical context of the novel.

This activity ties concepts of governance (democracy and military dictatorship) to William Golding's Nobel Prize-winning novel 'Lord of the Flies'. The activity lets students compare and contrast the two governing styles as potentially enforced by either Ralph or Jack on the island. I have had considerable success with this activity as I have taught this novel several times. And there is a lot the students can learn from this activity as a whole. It is best to teach this lesson once the students have read at least half the novel, especially after Jack and Ralph form two different groups due to different leadership styles.

This FREE worksheet takes a closer look at the central themes of the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, namely loneliness and dreams. This is best used after reading Chapter 5, as it focuses on how the various characters of the novel are used to develop these themes. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

FREE Discuss & Debate Activity - Did George have to kill Lennie? / Is Lennie guilty/responsible for Curley’s wife’s death? - this guided discussion/debate activity provides prompts, guidance and further input to either stage a formal debate about some of the key debatable issues of the novel, or in a less formal manner to have shorter discussions/debates/presentations about said issues.

This FREE ready-to-teach handout focuses on close reading and analysis of the final Chapters of “The Wave” by Morton Rhue / Todd Strasser (Chapters 15-17). The worksheet is structured around 4 carefully selected extracts, each accompanied by close reading questions that facilitate a higher-order engagement with the central issues of the novel. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!