This thought-provoking lesson introduces students to the complexities of controversial issues by exploring differing viewpoints on gun control in the media. By analysing key terms such as “controversial” and discussing why controversy draws public interest, students learn how debates can sharpen critical thinking and reveal deeper truths. Using compelling statistics and viewpoints related to gun control, students will evaluate contrasting perspectives, including those rooted in the Second Amendment debate in the U.S. They will compare how different writers present their arguments and consider the persuasive techniques employed. This lesson encourages nuanced understanding, analytical skills, and thoughtful reflection on the role of controversy in shaping public opinion. Buy this lesson to spark meaningful discussion and develop your students’ ability to critically engage with complex social issues! GCSE English Language Paper Two Skills: Title: Controversy in the Media – Comparing Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives on Gun Control FULL SOW: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/opinion-writing-sow-gcse-english-language-paper-2-skills-13149240 ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE PAPER TWO SKILLS - Comparing Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives GUN DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153078 MONARCHY DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153080 COMPULSORY VOTING - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153075 PAPER 2 BUNDLE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153693 PAPER 1 WORKBOOK - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153254

A Scheme of Work (SOW) that I made for my KS3 Year 9 English class, it is focused on GCSE English Language Paper 2 Skills. It uses ‘relevant’ topics such as whether or not Barbie is a feminist masterpiece, whether or not guns should be banned in the US and also focuses on things such as compulsory voting (there is a whole lesson dedicated to the recent UK General Election of 2024 for this) and issues such as capital punishment. My class really got on quite well with this last year, you can easily adapt it too! Not all lessons have powerpoints, but most do.

This captivating two-day lesson on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” guides students through an in-depth exploration of the poem’s context, symbolism, and mood shifts. On the first day, students engage with the dark background that influenced Poe’s writing, gaining insight into the haunting atmosphere and themes of loss, loneliness, and madness. They analyse the arrival of the mysterious raven and its symbolic perch on the bust of Pallas. On the second day, students dive into the text’s biblical and symbolic references, such as “Is there balm in Gilead?”, exploring how these deepen the poem’s emotional impact. They practice analytical skills through PEE paragraphs, tracking the narrator’s changing moods to understand how Poe crafts suspense and despair. Buy this lesson to immerse students in Gothic literature and teach them to master mood analysis through one of Poe’s finest works! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 The Black Cat Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003

This engaging lesson invites students to step into the role of investigators to unravel one of literature’s greatest mysteries: the death of Edgar Allan Poe. Through interactive activities such as evidence analysis, video viewing, and crafting newspaper reports, students explore historical theories ranging from alcohol poisoning and illness to political foul play, delving into the macabre intrigue surrounding Poe’s final days. The lesson encourages critical thinking, historical analysis, and creative writing, culminating in a student-led newspaper piece mimicking 19th-century journalistic style. By merging Gothic literary elements with historical detective work, students gain a deeper appreciation of Poe’s enduring influence and mysterious legacy. Buy this lesson for a memorable, thought-provoking exploration into the enigma of Poe’s death! For teachers who love a bit of True Crime…I taught this after my Y8 class had finished reading “The Raven” in-between teaching them “The Tell-Tale Heart” as a one-off bit of fun… SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 The Black Cat Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971

Lesson Series: Exploring ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ by Edgar Allan Poe Learning Objectives: Understand how Edgar Allan Poe explores Gothic literature, the concept of madness, and macabre themes in “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Lesson 1: Introduction to Gothic Literature and "The Tell-Tale Heart" Discuss and write down initial thoughts on how “The Tell-Tale Heart” might fit into the Gothic genre based on these features. Lesson 2: The Concept of Madness in "The Tell-Tale Heart" Number key events in the story to arrange the plot in chronological order. Using these events, create a “Madness Progression” graph, plotting the narrator’s descent into madness on a scale of 1 to 10. Lesson 3: Symbolism and Atmosphere in "The Tell-Tale Heart" Students create a movie poster that captures the story’s themes, focusing on madness, obsession, and Gothic elements. Encourage use of dark colours, shadowy figures, and symbolic imagery (like the eye or heart) to convey the atmosphere.

A worksheet for comparing the ideas and techniques explored in the poems ‘Valentine’ and ‘Quickdraw’ by Carol Ann Duffy. This can be used at GCSE for practising unseen poetry skills, or at KS3 for People and Relationships poetry schemes of work.

FREE FIRST LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE SECOND LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951 PLANNING AND RESEARCH SHEETS -https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153398 A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Bryson’s Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response! The focus of these lessons is to help students write engaging travelogues inspired by Bill Bryson’s style. The lessons emphasise the use of humor, vivid descriptions, character observations, cultural engagement, and personal reflections to create compelling travel narratives. Students are guided through drafting, editing, and refining their work with practical exercises, planning tools, and peer feedback to enhance their storytelling. I have previously uploaded an earlier version of this SOW, but it was made when I was teaching the class I made it for once a week, so I have heavily edited it, expanded it and made it much more substantial! Travel Writing Scheme of Work which can be used for Mixed ability Y7 and Y8 groups, or a lower ability Y9. Could even be adapted for GCSE or “flip”/step-up lower ability KS4 English groups.

RESEARCH SHEET INFO: This Travelogue Research Worksheet is a comprehensive resource designed to guide students through exploring and organizing information about a chosen country. It includes sections on basic details, geography, culture, cuisine, history, transportation, climate, and social activities, helping students develop a detailed and vivid understanding of the country. Additionally, it encourages creativity by asking students to imagine their own travel experiences. This tool is perfect for fostering research, critical thinking, and creative writing skills in a structured, engaging way. PLANNING SHEET INFO: The Travelogue Assessment Planning Sheet is a structured and engaging tool designed to help students craft compelling travelogue entries. By guiding them through key elements such as an engaging opening, sensory-rich descriptions, memorable anecdotes, and personal reflections, this sheet encourages creativity and thoughtful storytelling. Features: Clear Structure: Students are prompted to think about their title, setting, characters, events, and conclusions step-by-step. Creative Prompts: Example sentences provide inspiration for vivid language and engaging storytelling. Reflection and Humor: Encourages personal connections and optional humor to make the writing lively and relatable. Checklist: Ensures students include all essential elements and edit their work for clarity and grammar. This planning sheet is perfect for fostering imagination and narrative skills while helping students transport their readers to exciting places through their writing! FULL SOW - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-13149043 FREE FIRST LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE SECOND LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951

This carefully curated revision workbook is designed to help GCSE students develop their skills in responding to unseen extracts, with a focus on Language Paper 1. It features engaging and varied texts from contemporary novels, providing students with ample opportunities to analyse language, structure, and perspectives. Each extract is accompanied by a range of scaffolded questions mirroring the exam format to enhance understanding and build confidence. Texts and Learning Focus Extract from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Explore the narrator’s emotional depth and introspection. Questions focus on identifying emotions, analysing language techniques, and evaluating the writer’s portrayal of personal connections. Extract from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Delve into Hazel and Augustus’s first meeting and the subtlety of their interaction. Students analyse descriptive language, the development of the narrative focus, and how the writer introduces their dynamic. Extract from Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors Examine Cleo’s internal struggle with identity and relationships. Tasks include identifying key thoughts, analysing language for inner conflict, and evaluating how structure enhances emotional impact. Extract from The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo Investigate Ji Lin’s mysterious situation involving a severed finger and its implications. Questions encourage exploration of atmosphere, language use, and the creation of urgency and mystery. Key Features Question Variety: Includes typical Paper 1 tasks, such as 4-mark retrieval, 8-mark language and structure analysis, and 20-mark evaluation questions. *Exam Practice: *Questions are tailored to mimic exam expectations, encouraging students to develop precision and depth in their responses. *Accessible Frameworks: *Offers prompts and scaffolding to guide students effectively. ** Modern Engagement: *Uses relatable and thought-provoking extracts to maintain student interest while developing analytical skills. Buy this workbook to ensure your students are fully prepared to tackle unseen texts in Language Paper 1 with confidence and sophistication! ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE PAPER TWO SKILLS - Comparing Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives GUN DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153078 MONARCHY DEBATE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153080 COMPULSORY VOTING - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153075 PAPER 2 BUNDLE - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153693 PAPER 1 WORKBOOK - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153254

Just a worksheet to use when watching Simon Armitage’s ‘The Pendle Witch Child’, which can be found on YouTube, free of charge. Great for context lessons on ‘Witch Child’, and/or Macbeth…