This resource includes a full lesson on creating a poem featuring a character, using their own voice. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as light-hearted practice. The lesson utilises Medusa (Duffy) as a starting point, before getting pupils to create their own poem in the voice of a character of their choice. The PPT includes: Introduction to Medusa, by Duffy and discussion of her character Intro to the creative task, providing suggested characters Guided planning for the poem A framework of sentence stems if required, and an exemplar poem in the voice of Homer Simpson

This resource includes a full lesson on Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’, shortened and edited to enable teaching of it in 1 lesson. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. There are 2 lessons in total which approach the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board); before moving into a creative writing cross-over task where pupils write their own Gothic story opening (as per English language paper 1 on the AQA spec). The PPT includes: Introduction to the poem through an image Introduction to the Gothic genre and recap of what it means through key images and features A video reading of The Raven if required guided light touch annotation through hints and an exam style question (optional paragraph writing task) A creative writing task of a 100-200 word story, based around key vocabulary from the poem Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own Gothic story opening, using the poem and images as inspiration. Guided planning an peer assessment).

This resource includes a full lesson (possibly 2) on Shakespeare’s poem ‘Sonnet 18’. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board). The PPT includes: Introduction to the poem through images Brief contextual info to aid understanding More in-depth discussion through key questions Pupil-centred annotation task with brief guidance info Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own contrasts poem - including scaffolded planning sheet if required)

This resource includes 2 full lessons in a 15 slide PPT on Duffy’s poem ‘Salome’ , comparing to ‘Clown Punk’ (NB there is another package available where a lesson on ‘Clown Punk’ is also included). It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their AQA GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills before progressing on to drawing comparisons under an exam style question. This lesson should not be taught to lower years due to the suggestive content of the poem. The PPT includes: oracy task retelling the story of Salome in pairs guided reading of the poem with key questions discussion of key questions and themes Group analysis task with a worksheet provided, breaking down the poem into 4 sections with guiding questions A brief intro to comparing poems A Venn diagram comparison with exam style question to be completed by pupils Possible answers to the Venn diagram question and sentence stems to direct pupils A strategy for responding to the unseen comparison question (PEEZL) with further guidance to assist pupils in writing their own comparison An extract from an example response (focused on Salome) with opportunities to either extend or use as a model

This resource includes 2 full lessons in a 15 slide PPT on AQA’s unseen poetry element. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as revision, an introduction or practice. The lesson approaches the poems as unseen texts, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills and focusing on 2 short and relatively simple poems. The PPT includes: Introduction to the unseen poetry aspect 10 possible steps for looking at an unseen poem Focus on the poem ‘The Handbag’ Pupil task writing a question for the poem Focus on the poem ‘My Parents Kept me from Children who were Rough’ Looking at an exam style question on this poem with suggested points to include in a response Brief reference to the mark scheme

This resource includes a full lesson on Amitage’s poem ‘Clown Punk’. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board). The PPT includes: Introduction to the punk movement through images A task comparing clowns and punks A gap fill exercise encouraging pupils to consider the poet’s vocabulary choices guided light touch annotation (including focus questions to help pupils) Debate/ oracy cross over (where pupils plan and complete a Harkness style discussion)

This resource includes a full lesson on Amitage’s poem ‘Hitcher’, updated March 2022. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board). The PPT includes: Introduction to the poem through an image A creative writing task of a 100-200 word story, based around key vocabulary from the poem guided annotation through a suggested question (as per unseen poetry in the exam) collated, suggested annotations for the poem, on the PPT Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own poem from a different viewpoint- including scaffolded gap fill if required)

This resource includes 1-2 lessons on Amitage’s poem ‘About His Person’, updated March 2022. It originally formed part of a scheme for year 9 looking at a wide variety of poetry in preparation for their GCSE study, but would be suitable for any GCSE group as practice. The lesson approaches the poem as an unseen text, helping pupils develop poetic analysis skills (for AQA, but would work for any exam board). The PPT includes: Introduction to the poem through an image Pupil task to write a suitable question for the poem guided annotation through a suggested question (as per unseen poetry in the exam) suggested annotations included on the PPT Creative writing cross over (where pupils write their own poem in a similar style, about themselves)

This resource contains 15 venn diagrams designed for practise of comparing poetry for AQA English Literature, power and conflict cluster. Each page has a question at the top (as pictured), covering every poem in the cluster. An excellent way to promote independent work and revision of poetry, this way of comparing has been tried and tested by both myself and my department. Venn diagrams can be blown up to A3 to encourage group work, or used in circulation around the room so pupils can build on each others’ ideas.

This resource includes a checklist for pupils of how to respond to each literature question, including timings and possible approaches to questions. Key texts mentioned can easily be changed to reference those taught in your own school.

This resource includes a full lesson on Rumen’s poem ‘Emigree’ for the AQA English literature power and conflict cluster. Pupils should approach the poem from zero prior knowledge for this lesson to be most effective. It could potentially span 2 lessons and includes a 10 slide PPT as follows: discussion of dictatorships and what this entails approaching the poem cold from a pupil-centred stance (their interpretation) guided analysis on key aspects (starting with positive and negative imagery) guided analysis through key themes investigation of the title and its significance links to key videos to boost analysis creative writing crossover piece Updated Jan 2022

This resource is a full lesson on Shelley’s ‘Ozymandias’, part of the AQA power and conflict poem cluster for the GCSE examination. It is designed to help pupils be more independent with their poetry analysis rather than teacher dictated notes and explores the poem from a standpoint of no prior knowledge. There is a 10 slide PPT which could potentially span 2 full lessons, working through the following aspects: A news article on Rameses the Great and the discovery of his statue (possible lang paper 2 cross over work) information on the etymology of ‘Ozymandias’ a picture puzzle for students to consider what the story of the poem may be background information on the real Ozymandias discussion of statements about the poem’s message finding evidence to support opinions analysis using STRIVE (pupil led) group task on specific language/ structure techniques link to a video with detailed poem analysis if required

This resource is a full lesson, updated March 2022, on Beatrice Garland’s poem ‘Kamikaze’, part of the AQA English Literature conflict and power cluster for GCSE. It could however also be used as a lesson for any exam board, looking at poetry. The PPT is 15 slides and could potentially be 2 full lessons with the amount of content included. It works through the following aspects: -Intro to the term ‘Kamikaze’ and its history a look at a Kamikaze pilots oath considering elements of British culture that others may find strange a light look at the poem to develop analysis skills deconstructing the narrative perspective - plotting a family tree of the people included investigating language and structure in more depth (with hints to help pupils) a look at the themes of conflict, power and death in the poem a possible comparison at the end

This resource includes an 8 slide PPT (full lesson) on how to write effective introductions and conclusions, with a focus on AQA’s poetry element of the examination. The examples used are from the power and conflict cluster (Remains) and could be used as a way to teach unseen poetry intros/ conclusions or comparative poetry intros and conclusions - the PPT is flexible and allows for both. The PPT covers the following aspects: example introductions and discussion of their effectiveness a formula for writing a strong intro a practice task for writing a main body essay paragraph focused on the question provided an exemplar main body paragraph using PEEZL and an opportunity for pupils to link to another poem A summary of what a good conclusion entails an exemplar conclusion

This resource contains a full lesson on My Last Duchess, focused on the Gothic elements of the story, originally created as a Halloween themed lesson. Ideally pupils should complete the lesson having never seen the poem before. Included is a 7 slide PPT working through the following: Gothic conventions in literature Piecing together the story of the poem through images Student task highlighting ambiguity and Gothic features Focus on 5 aspects for language analysis a critically focused discussion at the end about whether the duchess is art or a possession There is also a bonus PPT included for another way to approach the poem, leaving out the Gothic literature slant and including a few extra activities on structure, event ordering and the Duke’s temperament. Updated Jan 2022.

This resource contains a 30 slide PPT on comparing power and conflict poetry for GCSE AQA English Literature. Updated Jan 2022, it contains tips, techniques, model answers and advice for comparing, with 3 focus questions covering different poems. NB, this resource is not focused on teaching the poems but is designed to be used AFTER poems have been covered to refine comparison and exam skills. PPT contains: Intro to approaching poetry Possible themes to compare 7 sample questions for discussion A focus on a question and video link recap on ‘Remains’, presented in a Venn diagram for comparison 2 exemplar paragraphs comparing to ‘Prelude’ Discussion of a question focused on ‘My Last Duchess’ Recap of Last Duchess (video link) Venn diagram comparing to Ozymandias Mark scheme Break down of how to construct a paragraph (PEEZL) A gap fill exercise that scaffolds this method for weaker pupils A check list to write the comparative paragraph and some phrases to boost marks Peer assessment opportunities A focus question on Bayonet Charge (plus a video link recap) 3 example responses to the question of varied levels Pupil exercise to craft their own response Advice for not having a quote to use A bonus unseen poem at the end (Alpine Letter) and question to work through, if required