Hero image

Tess of the d'Urban Quills

Average Rating3.71
(based on 62 reviews)

I'm a passionate secondary English and History teacher and am the main planner of resources for my department; as such, I thought I would start sharing them here with the wider community of teachers and professionals. I am Australian trained, but currently teaching GCSE and A- Level (AQA specifications). All lessons are very visually engaging, with images, clips and a variety of activities. You won't find any boring/blank resources here!

152Uploads

119k+Views

83k+Downloads

I'm a passionate secondary English and History teacher and am the main planner of resources for my department; as such, I thought I would start sharing them here with the wider community of teachers and professionals. I am Australian trained, but currently teaching GCSE and A- Level (AQA specifications). All lessons are very visually engaging, with images, clips and a variety of activities. You won't find any boring/blank resources here!
Teaching Iambic Pentameter
tess247tess247

Teaching Iambic Pentameter

(0)
A really straightforward and clear introduction to poetic meter. This lesson can be taught as a one off, or extended based on ability of your class. The lesson clearly demonstrates what meter is, and how to identify iambs through sound and rhythm. Students learn how to mark for iambs on lines of poetry/Shakespeare, building to the main activity of marking iambic pentameter in Orsino’s “Food of Love” monologue from Twelfth Night. A stretch and challenge activity at the end prompts thinking about other metrical forms (useful for if you’re teaching Macbeth, and looking at the witches’ patterns of speech). Enjoy!
KS3: Writing dystopian fiction unit
tess247tess247

KS3: Writing dystopian fiction unit

(0)
I teach a rowdy but bright year 7 boys class once a week (the classes are split on our timetable between teachers, annoyingly). I decided to do a creative writing module with them, focusing on dystopian literature. Included in this pack are 10 (or more, depending on pace) lessons that: Introduce dystopian fiction and its conventions Analyse extracts from famous dystopias Build creative writing skills Build planning, structuring, drafting and editing skills Activities are varied, with some introductory links to Language Paper 1 skills for the GCSE. Enjoy :)
KS3 How to write a paragraph crib sheet
tess247tess247

KS3 How to write a paragraph crib sheet

(0)
A great crib sheet with lots of structured explanations for how students can begin to: Write critical paragraphs analysing language, structure and form Craft a creative story. I am using this currently as a guided revision tool for my year 7 class.
Year 7: Reading and writing feature articles
tess247tess247

Year 7: Reading and writing feature articles

(0)
A fun 2-3 lessons that introduce students to the structure and form of feature articles. Builds to a task where they write their own feature article as Lois Lane, on the topic of Does the world really need superman? Included in this pack is an original model text of a feature article, written by yours truly :) My class had a lot of fun with this. Enjoy!
Cat in the Rain- Short Story lesson
tess247tess247

Cat in the Rain- Short Story lesson

(1)
A lesson for a mixed ability KS3 class, analysing the short story form and Hemingway’s application of the “Icerbeg Theory”. Activities include: Key words Information about Hemingway and summaries Introduction to iceberg theory Applying iceberg theory to creative writing Reading, comprehending and analysing the short story “Cat in the Rain” There is individual, paired, and whole-class activities included. Enjoy!
The Awakening , Kate Chopin - AQA A Level
tess247tess247

The Awakening , Kate Chopin - AQA A Level

(3)
This unit of work is designed for AQA’s A Level “Love through the Ages”, looking at Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening.” All content is what I taught over the course of two terms. Find enclosed - Whole lessons covering plot, context of creole culture etc - Worksheets - Critical theory (particularly philosophy of Descartes, Husserl, Merleau-Ponty, Sartre and de Beauvoir) Enjoy!
KS3 Media Unit
tess247tess247

KS3 Media Unit

(0)
An introduction scheme of work (all powerpoints and worksheets for lessons included) to print and visual media for KS3. Activities/topics covered include: Newspaper articles, camera angles, lighting, advertisements and sexism in the media.
Year 7/8: Romeo & Juliet
tess247tess247

Year 7/8: Romeo & Juliet

(0)
A one off lesson, as part of an "Introduction to Shakespeare" unit for KS3. A focus on language, plot and some characterisation.
Year 7/8: Taming of the Shrew
tess247tess247

Year 7/8: Taming of the Shrew

(0)
A one off lesson, as part of an "Introduction to Shakespeare" unit for KS3. A focus on language, plot and some characterisation.
Gothic Literature- Language Analysis- 2 lessons
tess247tess247

Gothic Literature- Language Analysis- 2 lessons

(0)
1/2 lessons that introduce students to extracts from various Gothic texts, such as The Woman in Black, Interview with the Vampire and two short stories from The Bloody Chamber. Creative writing activity at the end. GCSE skills and related questions: Language Paper 1, Q1, 2, 5
Years 9/10: Dystopian Fiction Lesson
tess247tess247

Years 9/10: Dystopian Fiction Lesson

(0)
Text: Ready Player One Skills: Extended critical writing, language analysis, self-marking Designed for GSCE Language Q4, but can be taught as it is for any Dystopian unit.
Year 7/8: Short Stories 3 Lessons
tess247tess247

Year 7/8: Short Stories 3 Lessons

(2)
Suitable for higher ability classes, these 3-4 lessons cover: - An introduction to the short story form - Recap of form, language and structure - An analysis of the short story “The Flowers” by Alice Walker - Creative writing - Self and peer marking activities Enjoy :)
Year 10/11: Language Paper 2 (Perspectives & Viewpoints) Q2
tess247tess247

Year 10/11: Language Paper 2 (Perspectives & Viewpoints) Q2

(0)
For the GCSE paper Language Paper 2 (Non-fiction), this lesson facilitates students' development of summary writing skills (Q2 of the exam). Ideal for a weaker class- visual clips of Wonderwoman and Guardians of the Galaxy make the material more accessible, with other written non-fiction texts the focus for the latter part of the lesson.
Year 8: Shakespeare Termly HW
tess247tess247

Year 8: Shakespeare Termly HW

(0)
You can adapt this for other years if need be- an easy and fun termly HW project, geared at years 7/8 studying an introduction to Shakespeare.
International Women's Day
tess247tess247

International Women's Day

(1)
Student Council and myself ran an event for IWD this week and this is the resource that I made for all form tutors to deliver during form time. Feel free to use; a great resource for a great day.