This is a revision lesson (including new exam paper) for the unit 2 reading exam. The exam is based on an article by The New York Times writer Mandy Len Catron. The article is about a report that argued that asking thirty-six specific questions plus four minutes of sustained eye contact is a recipe for falling in love, or at least creating intimacy among complete strangers. This is a fun, interactive lesson which my students really enjoyed. I have modifed an exam paper which apes real exam questions. The following are included: lesson PowerPoint, NY Times article, exam paper, link to a fun website activities, group discussions.

A lesson on the language question (HOW…) in paper 2. It’s based on the Summer 2018 exam which looked at two articles on volcanoes. The resource includes the following: Model answer Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text. Connotation advice Answer structure Exemplar work Exam paper and mark scheme link

A lesson on Q4 in paper 2. It’s based on the Summer 2017 exam which looked at two articles on volcanoes. The resource includes the following: Model answer Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text. Connotation advice Answer structure Exemplar work Exam paper and mark scheme link

A lesson on Q6 in paper 2. It’s based on the Summer 2018 exam which looked at two articles on volcanoes. The resource includes the following: Model answer Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text. Connotation advice Answer structure Exemplar work Exam paper and mark scheme link

A lesson on Q5 in paper 2. It’s based on the Summer 2018 exam which looked at two articles on volcanoes. The resource includes the following: Model answer Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text. Connotation advice Answer structure Exemplar work Exam paper and mark scheme link

A lesson looking how to plan a successful story. Common student mistakes kill the chance of a successful grade. This lesson examines those errors e.g. TOO BRIEF, NO PLANNING, STRUGGLES WITH BASIC ACCURACY (TENSES), ‘REALISTIC’ STORIES ARE WILL GET YOU A HIGHER GRADE etc. There a number of activites and exemplars to show the importance and simplicity of planning. This really helps the students! I have also included a worksheet, example story and a fun Catchphrase starter the students love.

A lesson looking at the most common student problems with creative writing and looking how to solve these common errors. PP includes examplar material, student discussion and group activites. I have also included a fun starter on Catchphrase (the students love this!).

Very helpful for students.

An informative lesson on writing summaries.

A simple, interactive and fun lesson on writing a bibliography.

An ‘outstanding’ lesson on question four in paper 2. This lesson uses the exam question, ‘In this extract, George Banks presents Blondin in a very positive way. How far do you agree with this view?’ It’s based on the November 2018 exam which looked at two articles on daredevils tightrope walking across Niagra Falls. There is a also an excellent examiner podcast that really benefits the students. The resource includes the following: Model answer Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text. Connotation advice Answer structure Exemplar work Exam paper and mark scheme link

An ‘outstanding’ lesson on the question 5 in paper 2. This lesson uses the exam question, ‘Using information from both texts, explain briefly in your own words, how the spectators reacted to Blondin and Wallenda.’ There is a also an excellent examiner podcast that really benefits the students. Exam paper link included. The resource includes the following: Model answer Answer structure Language analysis Group activities Examiner insight Modern, fun and dynamic images to help analyse the text.

An informative, interactive and fun lesson on Q1 and Q3 of the non-fiction reading exam. This lesson looks at the November 2018 exam which looked at two articles on daredevils tightrope walking across Niagra Falls. There is a also an excellent examiner podcast that really benefits the students. The lesson includes the following: Examiner tips Three group activities Model answers Link to extract Fun and interesting images

A fun quiz the students love! Works well as an individual or class activity. Modern images and resources used.

A informative, interactive and fun lesson on ‘show, not tell’ in creative writing. The lesson uses the book and film ‘I am Legend’ as its main resource. The students love this!

A great lesson on descriptive writing.

A great intro into narrative writing. The lesson includes a starter character, themes, plot, structure and much more,

The best opening lines from Haruki Murakami’s novels and short stories. Great for narrative and descriptive writing lessons. Available as PowerPoint, Word document and video.

A great PowerPoint on the best (and most famous) opening lines in fiction. Each book has its example with interesting images. Great for teaching creative writing.

A great PowerPoint on the best (and most famous) opening paragraphs in fiction. Each book has its example with interesting images. Great for teaching creative writing.