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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!

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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!
GCSE: Language Paper 2 OUR PLANET
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GCSE: Language Paper 2 OUR PLANET

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In my opinion, language paper 2 is the most BORING of all the GCSE. In introducing this unit to my mixed ability year 9 class, I decided to take a more relevant and engaging approach. These 4-5 lessons examine the ideas and issues brought to the fore by the wonderful David Attenborough, in his recent 2019 speech at the premiere of the Our Planet series. Find included: An introduction to the issues of climate change Debate and discussion topics, grounding this topic in contemporary social and global issues Highly structured activities that fascilitate students’ skills for Q1, 2 and 3 of this paper Self marking activities Videos and multimedia resources Transcripts of Attenborough’s speech, and Margaret Thatcher’s 1990 climate speech (for comparison for Q2), with guided annotations. Proud of this- English teachers don’t just teach how to read and write. We teach kids how to THINK and be critical. Enjoy!
Year7/8: Non-Fiction Unit
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Year7/8: Non-Fiction Unit

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A scheme of work with 12-13 whole lessons (all power-points and worksheets included) geared at introducing students to non-fiction texts. Students learn about persuasive language features and how to analyse these in various non-fiction forms. Lots of creative activities allow students to apply these skills to the crafting of their own non-fiction texts. Lessons included cover forms/topics such as: newspaper articles, brochures and advertisements.
Year 7/8: Cultural Poetry Unit
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Year 7/8: Cultural Poetry Unit

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A scheme of work (all lesson power-points and worksheets included) investigating poetry from other cultures. Some of the poets covered include Imtiaz Dharker, Benjamin Zephaniah and more. Comparison lessons are also included (aimed at introducing KS3 to the skills required for GCSE Lit and Lang), plus a few other creative lessons.
KS3 Media Unit
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KS3 Media Unit

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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.
Freedom- KS3
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Freedom- KS3

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A non-fiction unit based around the concept of "freedom". All power-points and activities included. Students investigate the concept of freedom and how persuasive features are used in a range of non-fiction texts, such as memoirs, essays, articles and speeches. I created this unit for my middle-range year 8 class. Enjoy!
GCSE Lit Paper 2- Unseen Poetry
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GCSE Lit Paper 2- Unseen Poetry

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A series of 8 lessons looking at the Unseen Poetry section of the GCSE Paper 2. Both the 24 mark question and the 8 mark comparison question are covered.
Creative Writing
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Creative Writing

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Four power-points on Characters, Genre, Setting and Structure as an introduction for creative writing. I designed these resources for my high-ability year 9 class, in preparation for question 5 of the Language Paper 1 for the GCSE.
Macbeth GCSE- Part 1
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Macbeth GCSE- Part 1

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Apologies for having to break this into two parts, TES has size limits. I designed this SOW (all power-points and worksheets included) for the GCSE study of Macbeth (Lit paper). Power-points work through the text scene by scene and investigate language, build analysis skills and connections made between text and context. Formative assessments also included. Analysis character sheets credit to Schmoop- these can be downloaded online if needed.
GCSE Macbeth- Pt3
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GCSE Macbeth- Pt3

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Apologies for having to break this into two parts, TES has size limits. I designed this SOW (all power-points and worksheets included) for the GCSE study of Macbeth (Lit paper). Power-points work through the text scene by scene and investigate language, build analysis skills and connections made between text and context.
Mice & Men Pt1
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Mice & Men Pt1

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Apologies for having to break this into two parts, TES has size limits. I designed this SOW (all power-points and worksheets included) for the GCSE study of Mice & Men (Lit paper). Power-points work through the text scene by scene and investigate language, build analysis skills and connections made between text and context.
GCSE  Macbeth- Pt 2
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GCSE Macbeth- Pt 2

(0)
Apologies for having to break this into two parts, TES has size limits. I designed this SOW (all power-points and worksheets included) for the GCSE study of Macbeth (Lit paper). Power-points work through the text scene by scene and investigate language, build analysis skills and connections made between text and context. Included in part two: Iambic Pentameter (always hard to teach!)
Mice & Men Pt 2
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Mice & Men Pt 2

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Apologies for having to break this into two parts, TES has size limits. I designed this SOW (all power-points and worksheets included) for the GCSE study of Mice & Men (Lit paper). Power-points work through the text scene by scene and investigate language, build analysis skills and connections made between text and context. In Pt2, essay writing skills and a summative assessment are included.
GCSE An Inspector Calls-Unit of Work
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GCSE An Inspector Calls-Unit of Work

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This power-point is designed to be taught over a term/two terms for the GCSE topic in the literature paper. Find included all resources on themes, context, investigation of language and stagecraft and everything else you need for teaching this play. A01-3 are covered in complex detail, and there are about 25-30 lessons of content included altogether. I designed this resource for my higher ability year 10 class, who have just started their GCSE course.
KS3 Shakespeare & Context P.3
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KS3 Shakespeare & Context P.3

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Find included a scheme of work with all activities, power-points and resources for teaching a broad introduction to Shakespeare, geared at KS3. Part one includes a "Why Study Shakespeare?" lesson, plus four other lessons on context, the Globe and genres. Part two includes three lessons on the Comedies (Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew). Part three comprises the histories (Richard III, Henry V and Julius Ceasar) and also the tragedies (Romeo & Juliet and Antony & Cleopatra) . Key skills: plot and character overviews, introductions into Shakespeare's language (looking at extracts) plus creative activities.
GCSE AQA Language Paper 2- Viewpoints and Perspectives
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GCSE AQA Language Paper 2- Viewpoints and Perspectives

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Find included whole lessons and activities that teach students the skills required for responding to unseen non-fiction texts in Language Paper 2. Lessons start with Q2-5, and I've also included a whole practise paper which can be done over the course of two lessons as a "walking, talking mock" (power-point included). Enjoy!
Charactonym
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Charactonym

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A one off lesson (could be taught for either KS3 or KS4 depending on class ability) defining charactonyms. The focus is on the character of Minerva McGonagall, with an extract from "The Deathly Hallows", some language analysis and finally, a creative activity. I've designed this lesson and posted it as a free resource so as to showcase my work in resource planning/creation. If you like this lesson, please check out my other resources which span KS3-5.
Antony & Cleopatra- Act 1
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Antony & Cleopatra- Act 1

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Find enclosed 10-12 lessons covering the first act of Shakespeare's play "Antony & Cleopatra." All powerpoints, activities and worksheets for the following are included: - Shakespeare's context - Student historical presentation task - Plot - Act 1 (scene by scene lessons) I am not currently teaching this unit, but love the play. I've just designed it to sell. Would work for either KS4 or KS5. Enjoy
GCSE Macbeth Unit of Work
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GCSE Macbeth Unit of Work

3 Resources
Parts 1-3 combined into this bundle. Find included all power-points, lessons and worksheets for every scene within each act. Some things included: - Strong focus on AO1 and AO2 - Model texts (such as essays) - Talk for Writing pedagogic strategies - Creative writing and other creative activities - Essay writing skills - A lesson on iambic pentameter - Diagnostic, formative and summative assesments. I'd recommend the Justin Kurzel film to complement some of the lessons, though it is not 100% accurate to the storyline so only to be used sparingly! 25-30 lessons of material in total.