I'm an English Teacher based in Northern Ireland, with extensive experience of delivering the CCEA Specification for GCSE and A-Level Literature and Language. I'm passionate about making resources that are effective, engaging and lesson-ready.
I also teach a little bit of KS3 Maths!
I'm an English Teacher based in Northern Ireland, with extensive experience of delivering the CCEA Specification for GCSE and A-Level Literature and Language. I'm passionate about making resources that are effective, engaging and lesson-ready.
I also teach a little bit of KS3 Maths!
These documents are designed to assist students in exploring the thematic connections (AO4) between the Frost and Heaney poems in the CCEA A Level Anthology.
In the document, pupils are prompted to use the detailed arguments and connections between pomes (AO1, AO3) to locate textual references and poetic methods (AO2) to further their analysis and understanding of the poems.
These sheets would then be used as a basis for an essay on the poems and provided topic.
The paired poems and themes include: The Road Not Taken and The Peninsula (Journeys), Mowing and The Forge (The Creative Process), Mending Wall and Bogland (The Past).
There is also a blank template for both teachers and students to use for other poems/themes and a list of thematic connections between the poems.
My A Level students have found this approach immensely beneficial in finding the connections between poems and structuring written responses.
This detailed 20 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Heaney’s “Postscript” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Seamus Heaney (AO3)
-Context on “Postscript” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Nature and Journeys
This detailed 22 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Heaney’s “The Baler” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Seamus Heaney (AO3)
-Context on “The Baler” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Rural Life and Grief and Loss
This detailed 21 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Frost’s “Into My Own” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Robert Frost(AO3)
-Context on “Into My Own” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Journeys and Self-Discovery
This detailed 15 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Pope’s “Who’s for the Game?” to Literature students. This poem features in the CCEA GCSE Conflict Poetry Anthology.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Jessie Pope(AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Possible thematic connections to other poems in the Conflict Anthology
This detailed 22 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Hardy’s “The Man He Killed” to Literature students. This poem features in the CCEA GCSE Conflict Poetry Anthology.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Thomas Hardy(AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Possible thematic connections to other poems in the Conflict Anthology
This detailed 15 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Duffy’s “Last Post” to Literature students. This poem features in the CCEA GCSE Conflict Poetry Anthology.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Carol Ann Duffy(AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Possible thematic connections to other poems in the Conflict Anthology
This detailed 21 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Sheers’ “Mametz Wood” to Literature students. This poem features in the CCEA GCSE Conflict Poetry Anthology.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Owen Sheers (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Possible thematic connections to other poems in the Conflict Anthology
This detailed 18 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Heaney's "Had I not been awake" to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Seamus Heaney (AO3)
-Context on "Had I not been awake" (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Grief and Loss, Self-Discovery and Poetic Inspiration.
This detailed 18 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Frost’s “Mowing” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Robert Frost(AO3)
-Context on “Mowing” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Rural Life, Nature and The Creative Process
This detailed 18 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Frost’s “Out, Out-” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Robert Frost(AO3)
-Context on “Out, Out-” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Rural Life, Childhood Experiences and Grief and Loss
This detailed 24 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Frost’s “Going for Water” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Robert Frost(AO3)
-Context on “Going for Water” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Journeys and Childhood Experiences
This detailed 18 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Heaney’s “The Railway Children” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Seamus Heaney (AO3)
-Context on “The Railway Children” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Childhood Experiences
This detailed 21 slide PowerPoint has been developed to assist teachers in delivering a detailed analysis of Frost’s “After Apple-Picking” to Literature students.
There are detailed questions that prompt critical stanza-by-stanza analysis from pupils. Each set of questions enables pupils to focus on identifying and analysing poetic methods (AO2) and strengthening their understanding of the poem.
There are detailed and focused analyses of each stanza, focusing on poetic methods (AO2) to supplement the initial notes taken by students.
Also included in this document:
-Context on Robert Frost(AO3)
-Context on “After Apple-Picking” (AO3)
-Pre-reading tasks
-Initial reading questions
-Questions on the Themes of Rural Life and Poetic Inspiration
This document has been designed to help students gain a meaningful understanding of Heaney’s “An Advancement of Learning”.
This document features detailed questions that prompts critical engagement with the poem, while focusing on the effects of poetic devices.
There is also a brief bit of background information on the poem to assist with understanding.
I have used this worksheet for homework and classwork, and it has worked well with students using it individually, in pairs and as a group task.
This board game has been designed to support students in their revision of Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls”.
The game is for 2-4 players and will require counters and a dice. The rules to follow are clearly documented at the bottom of the page.
It focuses on character, theme, quotes, plot, setting etc.
There are 96 tasks, including:
Plot retrieval
Inference
Debate topics / justifying arguments
Generating quotes relating to character / theme
Similarities / differences between characters
Character relationships / values
Movement tiles
This A3 document has been uploaded as a PDF for easier printing and a word document if teachers wish to tweak certain parts to suit the needs of their students.
I’d recommend printing it in colour and laminating it.
This board game has been designed to support students in their revision of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”.
The game is for 2-4 players and will require counters and a dice. The rules to follow are clearly documented at the bottom of the page.
It focuses on character, theme, quotes, plot, setting etc.
There are 96 tasks, including:
Plot retrieval
Inference
Debate topics / justifying arguments
Generating quotes relating to character / theme
Similarities / differences between characters
Character relationships / values
Movement tiles
This A3 document has been uploaded as a PDF for easier printing and a word document if teachers wish to tweak certain parts to suit the needs of their students.
I’d recommend printing it in colour and laminating it.
This detailed 15 page A3 size document has been developed to assist both students and teachers in their understanding of the characters in “An Inspector Calls”.
Each character is designated 2 A3 sheets, with comprehensive lists of interpretations, notes and quotes. Each character has been split up into relevant themes and topics to assist in revision.
There are also approximately 10 exam questions for each character to help pupils apply the notes, quotes and their own understanding.
As this document goes through every character, there will inevitably be some overlap.
An A4 PDF version of this document has also been included for easier printing.
Characters/Topics/Themes include:
The Inspector: Responsibility to others / collective responsibility, Responsibility for actions, How the Birlings respond to the Inspector, Approach to the investigation, Views on Social Class, Physical Description
Mr Birling: Relationship with his family, Responsibility, Sheila’s engagement to Gerald, Reaction to the investigation, Social Class, Treatment of Eva / his workers, physical description.
Mrs Birling: Relationship with her family, responsibility, Treatment of Eva/Daisy, Reaction to the Investigation, Social Class, Initial description.
Gerald: His relationship with Sheila, Responsibility, Relationship with Eva/Daisy, Reaction to the Investigation, Social Class, View of women, Physical Description.
Sheila: Responsibility, Relationship with her family, Relationship with Gerald, Reaction to the investigation, Social Class, Treatment of Eva, Initial Description.