A lesson that aims to develop learners’ confidence with complex sentences. It includes: Sentence Bingo starter (also sold separately) What is a complex sentence? The difference between the main clause and dependent clause An exercise in producing complex sentences using prompt material An independent writing task Review Time suggested: 1 hour Target Ability : Lower to middle KS3

The tenth in the KS3 Basic Literacy series aimed at lower ability learners. It includes: Do Now Task (see cover image) Feedback slides Revision of key term: main clause The main differences between the semicolon and the colon, with examples Independent practice Feedback slides Review Learning Estimated time: 1 - 1.5 hours

A powerpoint covering a range of SPaG topics with appropriate activities for practice. Suitable for KS2-KS3, although I've also used them with lower ability GCSE re-sit groups as starters.

Three essays on the function of Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ with accompanying tasks. Could be used as a cover lesson for those who have read the novella and would benefit from some revision. The essays have not been graded but are simply aimed at higher ability, middle ability and lower ability students.

Following on from this introduction to speech writing… https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-introduction-to-speech-writing-for-ks3-12049010 This is a speech-writing lesson based on the issue of social media. It includes: Starter/Do Now task - learners examine a range of images and suggest what they all have in common (the answer is they represent the dangers of social media in some way) Feedback slide Social media dangers true or false with teacher answers. Feedback slide Paired discussion: is social media good for our society? Key points in the social media debate with mind-mapping activity Sample GCSE question (AQA style) with speech planning sheet task Writing time Peer assessment and review This lesson is aimed at lower-middle ability learners and should take about two hours. Information/statistics correct as of 30/3/19

Following on from this introduction to unseen poetry: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/unseen-poetry-lesson-1-12130945 This is the next lesson in the series. It covers: Revision of aspects of the AQA 8702 English Literature GCSE (NB. references to ‘An Inspector Calls’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’). Feedback slide What is meant by ‘poetic methods’? The Literature Assessment Objectives 4 tasks on worksheets in relation to poetic methods (teacher answers included). These are to be carried out in conjunction with the Methods Mat, which you may choose to print back-to-back and laminate. Feedback slides Learning Review

An extended lesson that follows on from this introduction to speech writing for KS3: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-introduction-to-speech-writing-for-ks3-12049010 This lesson can stand alone but assumes some pre-teaching of AFOREST. A starter tasks invites learners to examine a range of images relating to plastic waste (see cover image). They then examine a list of keywords and attempt to match them to the correct definition. This is accompanied by a challenge task for more able learners, in which learners attempt to make connections between the keywords. The answers to the definitions tasks are provided. After this, learners discuss in pairs whether there is a need to ban plastics in the UK. A YouTube video link on the ‘plastic problem’ is also provided but optional. Learners then read the arguments for and against a plastic ban and transform these onto a summary sheet of six boxes. The aim is for each box to contain one point, one relevant image and one piece of evidence. They go on to thinking about how they could apply their knowledge of AFOREST to this debate. There is a sample GCSE question (AQA style) with a WAGOLL for annotation according to 5 success criteria. Learners then write their own speech in relation to the plastics debate. The lesson ends with learners peer assessing each other’s work. The material is aimed at middle-ability KS3 but could be used with KS4 with some tailoring.

A lesson that follows on from this introduction to speech writing for KS3: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-introduction-to-speech-writing-for-ks3-12049010 This is a speech-writing lesson based on the issue of gender equality. It includes: Starter - learners say to what extent they agree with a series of statements relating to men and women. Feedback slide Key Facts about Gender Equality sheet Links to Emma Watson’s HeForShe speech Planning sheet task Sample GCSE question (AQA-style) Writing time Peer assessment and review This lesson is aimed at lower-middle ability learners and should take about two hours. **UPDATE: WAGOLL now included and Slide 9 question corrected. **

A straightforward introduction to speech writing for lower-middle ability KS3. It covers: Starter task (see cover image) What is a speech and who makes a speech? AFOREST features used in a WAGOLL. Learners label the features used in the WAGOLL. There are two provided, one for lower ability and another providing some reading challenge. Learners then write their own persuasive statements based on the AFOREST features. Review. This lesson is likely to take around an hour.

Following on from the MRS SOAP Creative Writing Series, the main focus of this lesson is to describe a disused room in an abandoned hospital building. It is aimed at lower-middle ability KS3 and assumes some knowledge of the following concepts: Metaphor Repetition for effect Simile Sentence Structure (simple, compound and complex) Onomatopoeia Adverbs and adjectives Personification Structure of the Lesson: Do Now task based on photo prompt (see cover image) Feedback slide MRS SOAP techniques crossword (teacher answers included) A worksheet/planning sheet based on the main photo prompt WAGOLL Writing Time Peer Assessment Learning Review Lessons in the MRS SOAP Creative Writing Series can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/developing-skills-in-creative-writing-12079150

A lesson that follows on from this introduction to speech writing for KS3: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-introduction-to-speech-writing-for-ks3-12049010 This is a speech-writing lesson based on the issue of homework. It includes: Starter - learners say to what extent they agree with a series of statements relating to homework Feedback slide Keywords for the lesson + extension task A link to a relevant article for research and a YouTube link An exploration of the main arguments for and against homework Sample GCSE question (AQA-style) WAGOLL Writing time Peer assessment and review This lesson is aimed at lower-middle ability learners and should take about two hours.

This lesson provides an introduction to leaflet writing for GCSE English. Do Now Task Students identify the purpose of different pieces of short text, giving reasons for their answers. Main Task Students plan and write their own leaflet. There is a planning sheet which can be used in your own, independent lessons in the future, should you wish to revisit the topic of leaflet writing at a later date. The exam style question focuses on the idea of parents helping students with revision in Year 11, and a sample answer is provided. Learning Review Revisiting the learning objective and checking understanding through questioning.

A series of seven tasks promoting revision of Act One of 'Macbeth'. It includes: 1) Place the following events from Act One in order, numbering them from 1-12 2) In relation to Act One, suggest the significance of the following images: a crown, a baby, a sun, a pig, a serpent and a bell. (images provided) 3) Match the quotation to the speaker and then its significance. 4) Read Lady Macbeth's soliloquy (Act 1, 5) and complete the following tasks - identify the missing words - explain what is meant by the phrases in bold - identify the techniques that Shakespeare has used in the words/phrases that have been underlined. Suggest why Shakespeare may have used them. What do they bring to the play? 5) By the end of Act One, identify 2-3 things we have learnt about: - Duncan -Lady Macbeth - Banquo - Lady Macbeth 6) Complete the following table in relation to the 3 Witches (students should identify the scenes in which they appear, what we learn about them and whether Shakespeare presents them as good, evil or both. 7) Read this extract from Act One, Scene 5. How does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? There is an answer sheet included which could be presented on an interactive whiteboard so that sample answers can be annotated/scrutinised against the literature mark scheme (this is available on the AQA website). The exemplar responses are aimed at middle-upper attaining students. These tasks could be set as homework to promote revision of some of the key moments in Act One.

This is a ‘crash course’ that teaches the main events in Act 3. Could be used as revision or to promote understanding in lower ability learners. There are three scene summary files: Scenes 1 and 2 Scenes 3 and 4 Scenes 5 and 6 These should be read before undertaking the activities: Activity 1 = storyboard (learners describe what is happening in each square based on the image and the quotes) Activity 2 = extended storyboard (some missing descriptions, some missing quotes) Activity 3: Focus on Lennox’s speech.

This is a ‘crash course’ in Act Five aimed at lower ability learners who need to get through the text quite quickly. It includes: An overview of Act 5 (see cover image) with tasks. Scene summaries for Scenes 1, 5 and 8. A storyboard for learners to fill in for Scenes 1 and 8. On a basic level, they can use the scene summaries to create captions for each scene, although you can increase the challenge by removing the quotations as well. An activity which encourages learners to contrast the presentation of Lady Macbeth in Acts 1-3 with the sleepwalking scene. A focus on Macbeth’s ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow’ speech. Learners number the images according to when they appear in the speech. These resources were created for low-ability learners who only had a limited amount of time in which to approach Act 5. However, you could use these as starters or revision tasks for more able learners.

A PPT that teaches Owen’s ‘Exposure’. Aimed at middle-upper ability GCSE. There is a dictionary activity to begin with, followed by some contextual background and then an annotated copy of the poem. The PPT concludes with tasks for group work.

A 12-slide powerpoint that guides an exploration of ‘Kamikaze’ by Beatrice Garland in the AQA P&C anthology. After thinking about the meaning of the word ‘Kamikaze’, learners explore the historical context of the poem using a context notes sheet and accompanying worksheet. Learners explore the poem using a range of questions for each stanza. This could be done in pairs, groups or individually. The exploration of the poem is followed by a GCSE-style question that encourages learners to think about how ‘Kamikaze’ compares with ‘Remains’ in terms of the impact of conflict. There is a comparison table for learners to fill in (teacher answers provided) and then learners undertake the question. The lesson concludes with peer assessment using a mark scheme with indicative content for each lesson. The whole session should take approximately 2 hours. The lesson is aimed at middle-upper ability learners. If you choose to purchase this resource, please also ensure that you also download my free Power and Conflict Mark Scheme that is based on the AQA original: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/power-and-conflict-mark-scheme-11931715

A PowerPoint that demonstrates the structure of GCSE Language Paper 2, Section A (AQA 8700/2) and the skills that examiners are looking for. Source A is an article entitled ‘London’s Pauper Children’ in which Charles Dickens describes his visit to the Norwood Pauper School in the summer of 1850. Source B is a ‘Guardian’ article about Ian Mikardo School in London’s east end, published in 2014. Link provided on slide. This PowerPoint covers Section A only but there are sample answers included for each question, 1-4. If you can obtain a copy of the 8700/2 mark scheme, you may wish to encourage learners to mark the sample responses. Appropriate for middle-upper ability learners.

Aimed at middle-upper ability GCSE groups, this PowerPoint teaches the layout and language of a formal letter. It is oriented towards AQA 8700/2/Question 5 but could be adapted for other boards. In order, the PowerPoint contents are: A multiple-choice entry task AQA advice on features of format A sample AQA-style question. Students identify PAF and reflect on the importance of being mindful of PAF in relation to Question 5. Extension task included. The layout of a formal letter, which students copy. Extension questions included. Notes regarding the formal greeting and formal sign-off A re-cap on the features of formal and informal language. Students cut the features out, organise them under two headings and stick them into their books. An example response to the given question. Students read and identify different features (differentiated) An opportunity for independent writing, with success criteria provided. Peer assessment and self-reflection. These files were last saved in Office 2010.

A PowerPoint that can be used to teach or revise AQA 8700 Language Paper 1, Question 2 - the 8 mark language question. The main question is based on an extract from Paula Hawkins’ ‘The Girl on the Train’. If you purchase this resource, please be aware that you will need to source the extract for yourself. It is the opening chapter of the novel, from ‘There is a pile of clothing…’ down to ‘…not a drop left’. The entry task is based on an extract from an 1888 article about Jack the Ripper. Learners examine the extract and think about how the writer has portrayed the subject of the article. This extract is then presented on slides 3-4 so it can be annotated. Two short excerpt from sample responses are then provided for comparison. Learners should identify which response would be likely to score more highly and suggest reasons why. The lesson then moves onto the main extract, which is accompanied by a sample exam question. Learners read and highlight the extract in relation to the question and then feedback. There are some key point on the language question to go through followed by a sample answer/WAGOLL. Learners then taken ten minutes to write their own responses and peer assess.