An introduction to foreshadowing linked to Frankenstein - a fun approach using film media as a way of recognising the device and its effect. Used with top set Yr 9s who thoroughly enjoyed spotting all the different hints! Can be adapted for all abilities.

A short sequence of lessons on traditional and twisted fairytale writing, used to finish up the term. Some of the activities were taken from another TES user, who kindly uploaded an excellent, and a much more structured sequence of lessons on fairtytale writing, and thus deserves much of the credit. It was aimed at my low ability yr7s, and went down a treat. The outcomes have been removed, and the entire sequence can be messed around with and adapted to suit your classes. Note: Some of the lessons are missing as they were saved on a different computer.

A one off lesson I did on poetry, linked to my year 8 superhero unit. Could be used as part of a general poetry writing scheme. Inspiration was taken from an online poem written by Steve Lazarowitz, which was shared with the children at the start of the lesson. They were positively hooked. A fun lesson for all abilities I hope. Outcomes are included, along with help sheets and a final peer assessment.

A short unit of lessons focussing on imagery and diversity! Can be used as an introductory sequence to poetry before going on to heavier content. The year 9s had fun with it, but I guess it can be adapted to suit any year group. Not all the lessons were put onto powepoint, but the main ones are there.

A fun way to get to know the kids! Pupils write their own rap poetry using the Michael Rosen rap for inspiration. Used for a (very) low ability Year 7 class, but it's also great way to introduce KS2 pupils to rhyme and rhythm as part of a poetry writing unit. A video clip of Michael Rosen performing the rap can be found on YouTube - kids will have a blast watching!

A handy burger template to remind pupils how to PEE - works well as a self-assessment criteria. The idea is not my own, and can be easily adapted to suit your own success criteria.

Get pupils to empathise with the thoughts and feelings of the soldier in Ted Hughes' Bayonet Charge. It's basically a hot-seating activity in worksheet format - makes a good fire-round starter.

A quick starter activity given out as a card sort - used to help pupils make their writing more tentative. Can be used as a brush up on the skill. Ideas on how to use: I used this particular activity with my Yr11s. I cut them out and got them to put it in order of least to most tentative. Words which show tentativeness can be highlighted/written up on the board. They then had to write their own tentative paragraphs by answering an essay question on 'An Inspector Calls'. Focus can be kept on individual characters to help pupils develop close reading skills, as well as to aid their understanding of the text as a whole. Prior reading and understanding of the text is required for this activity. Works well for exam prep. Hope that helps, Sohnee.

A quiz on poetic techniques. Pretty self explanatory, really. Game can be played any way you want - I usually set mine up as a quick fire round at the start/end of a lesson as a way of recapping/revising over terminology. Look out for the bonus questions which have an asterisk symbol next to them. Easily adaptable, too.

Rules on respect tailored to use within the classroom as part of an introductory lesson for new teachers. Can be amended according to own subject rules.

Based on the study of An Inspector Calls, this activity hones in on stage directions and reminds pupils to "dig deeper" when exploring key ideas in writing by using inference and connotation. The lesson works well as part of a whole unit or as a standalone revision session. Credit goes to another kind TES for kindly sharing their resources on stage directions - I merely took some of those ideas and made inference and connotation the main assessment for learning.

This lesson was added onto a series of lessons I did around the poems Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan by Moniza Alvi & Search for My Tongue by Sujata Bhatt. In an effort to get pupils to develop their ideas in writing, I put together an annotation challenge which focuses on tentative writing skills at word level. The activity encourages them to layer their thinking and to consider alternate meanings when interpreting poetry. The activity was designed for a middle-top set year 9 group, but can be adapted to suit all abilities. And because it was a group challenge, whereby the best annotations were selected to go up on a massive wall display, pupils were positively challenged and were motivated to cheer on each other when good writing was shared. An all round success! Note: The paragraphs on the slide show were modelled during the delivery of the lesson to highlight the different stages of writing and the level of sophistication required when developing explanation. The various stages can be given out as a help sheet or left displayed on the board for pupils to refer to.

A web-quest designed to help (KS4) pupils research into the life and times of Jane Austen - linked to the study of Pride and Prejudice. Print onto A3 to make the overload of information less daunting. Works well as a paired/group activity.

Short pre-reading activity based on Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Pupils were asked to write their own opening to Frankenstein, focussing on mood and atmosphere. They had no prior knowledge of the book's opening before doing this activity; however, I did deliver a short sequence of lessons on mood and atmosphere using Edgar Allen Poe's poem, The Raven, as a stimulus.