<p>This PowerPoint presentation covers the basic background of Romantic poetry and including a format for anaylsing ‘Extract from The Prelude’ by William Wordsworth as part of the GCSE poetry specification. The poem itself is un-annotated, as each school and department will likely have their own set way of teaching the texts, but there is a set of introductory tasks that flow effectively into the annotation itself to help guide students to understanding the poem. This may need to be taught over two lessons- I found that two one-hour sessions with a small group of between 3 and 7 students was sufficient to cover the activities and the poem itself, and leave time for questions and discussion afterwards. The lesson is most suited to Year 10 and 11 students who are annotating the texts as part of the GCSE course, however it could also be adapted for Year 9 students starting the course content.</p> <p>Note: the symbol with the yellow triangle and pencil is code for ‘make a note of this’, as many of my students seemed to forget that somewhat crucial element!</p>

<p>This lesson introduces students to the concept of engaging with poetry, and makes a great introduction to the GCSE scheme of poetry, using John Cooper- Clarke’s ‘Beasley Street’, which is suitably gritty enough to engage even the most uninterested of students! This PowerPoint will take several lessons to complete- a higher ability group may complete it in 2 lessons, however most groups will require 3 lessons to allow appropriate lengths of time for each task. There is room to adapt the tasks based on group size and ability, however the lesson gives a comprehensive introduction to the ways students can approach understanding a poem outside of annotation-by-rote. It would be perfect for use alongside other poems to introduce students to the wonderful world of poetry!</p>

<p>This lesson is a great way of introducing Key Stage 3 and 4 students to the skills needed for the descriptive writing section of the GCSE specification. Focusing on specific elements of descriptive writing, with a selection of activities to help students get a grasp of the key skills, this lesson was very effective with my small group (between 3 and 7) of low-ability Year 11 students and got them thinking about what makes good writing, ready for looking at examples of past questions off the back of this initial lesson.</p>

<p>This PowerPoint provides a guide for approaching analysis of Robert Browning’s ‘My Last Duchess’ on the GCSE English specification. The poem has been left un-annotated as each school and department will likely have their own way of approaching the texts, however the lesson provides a structure for approaching analysis of the poem. It may need to be split over two lessons depending on the work rate of the students- I found that two 1 hour lessons with a small group of between 3 and 7 low-ability students was enough to cover the poem with time for questions and discussion afterwards. The students will need their GCSE anthology to make notes as the lesson progresses (indicated by the yellow triangle icon).</p>

<p>This PowerPoint provides a guide for approaching analysis of Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘War Photographer’ on the GCSE English specification. The poem has been left un-annotated as each school and department will likely have their own way of approaching the texts, however the lesson provides a structure for approaching analysis of the poem. It may need to be split over two lessons depending on the work rate of the students- I found that two 1 hour lessons with a small group of between 3 and 7 low-ability students was enough to cover the poem with time for questions and discussion afterwards. The students will need their GCSE anthology to make notes as the lesson progresses (indicated by the yellow triangle icon).</p>