A lesson examining Duffy’s poem Medusa. Suited to upper Ks3 or lower ks4; updated March 2022. Begins by introducing Medusa as a historical myth before looking at a crunched version of the poem to consider language out of context. Pupils then search for techniques in the poem and consider their effect. There is an opportunity for annotation and first impressions, followed by some suggested annotations written on the poem. Finally there is a writing frame, a quote hunt and a more lighthearted task where they create a dating profile for Duffy’s character. Great as an introduction for approaching unseen poems or as part of a wider poetic study in preparation for GCSE Literature.

A lesson looking at comparing poetry and unseen poetry skills, designed for AQA Literature. This lesson is for higher ability pupils who have ideally looked at the poems previously (Bright Star and Love’s Philosophy), though this is not essential. (A Romantic poetry unit is also available for sale, covering these poems in depth). The lesson PPT gears pupils toward planning to compare the poems, before showing a list of comparative points, generating potential questions, discussing exam and planning techniques and honing annotation skills. It then moves to a 2 paragraph typed comparative essay that models a top grade response to a given question. Great as wider literature poetic study in preparation for exams. Updated Jan 2022

A complete lesson looking at the character of Havisham - the poem written about her by Carol Ann Duffy, supported by an extract from Great Expectations featuring the character. Great as a cross over for pupils studying Dickens, Victorian literature and for refining unseen poetry / annotation and analysis skills. Updated March 2022. The files include a PPT, on which there is a copy of the poem, the extract and an image of Havisham from a film version of the story. There are also some analysis questions to guide study of the poem itself and some notes for class feedback on the annotations (an annotated poem). Excellent to broaden students’ understanding of literature, poetry and Dickens.

A lesson PPT to introduce pupils to the play ‘An Inspector Calls’. The lesson is designed as a paired or group discussion around a series of objects found in an anonymous dead girl’s home (Eva Smith) the night she died. As detectives, pupils must piece together what might have happened to the dead girl. Updated January 2022! This experiential lesson enables pupils to interrogate each object practising skills of inference and deduction. It also exercises their close reading skills as some of the objects require careful inspection. The lesson then develops to look at themes of the play and how these relate to the CSI task, but also the title of the play and its significance. The resource document contains various images building up a crime scene for Eva. Including things such as a home pregnancy test, a bottle of bleach, a cigar, a letter etc. Resource document is available as a PDF and a Publisher file.

This resource includes a 42 slide PPT (updated Jan 2022) and 2 text extracts (one by Dickens) focused on the ENTIRE reading section of the AQA English language non-fiction paper 2. This sequence of lessons uses 2 texts about traffic collisions (included) and guides pupils through each question with a variety of in lesson activities and strategies to tackle this challenging paper. It covers questions 1 to 4. This resource was written originally for a high ability year 9 group, but is suitable for years 10 and 11. ‘The Crossing’ extract in particular is quite a challenging and lengthy read so is not as suited to lower ability pupils without some differentiation. The second extract is an account from Dickens about a train wreck he was involved in and is suitable for all abilities. The 42 slide PPT guides pupils through the following: inference and retrieval skills Q1 summary and synthesis Q2 An example of a summary for Q2 based on the Dickens text Comparing the 2 texts in terms of feelings Q2 Use of the acronym PEI (comparative point, evidence, inference) Mark schemes How to approach language analysis Q3 How to structure a Q3 response, using the acronym PEEZL (point, evidence, explain effect, zoom, link) Examples of a band 4 vs a band 2 response for Q3 How to compare writers’ POVs Q4 An examplar Q4 response A really great way to prepare pupils for the non-fiction English Language AQA GCSE paper 2.

A series of 22 slides, approx 4 introductory lessons to Macbeth, originally written for a high ability year 9 group, but suitable for years 10 or 11 as a light touch intro. Focuses on the first act of the play and uses some of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s interactive approaches. All extracts/ resources are included on the PPT. Covers: General characters and themes Macbeth and Banquo + their relationship Lady Macbeth + her persuasion Heroism Updated Feb 2022

2 fairly short non-fiction texts on the subject/theme of warehouses. The first text is taken from Dickens’ biographer and recounts his experience of working in a blacking warehouse. The second text is taken from a newspaper in 2017 and is written by a journalist who experienced working in an Amazon warehouse. Both extracts are relatively short and therefore usable in both KS3 and 4 for non-fiction comparison or as context for Victorian text study.

This resource contains a full lesson on Paper 1 question 4 for AQA English Language, which asks students to use evaluative skills looking at fiction. This is typically something they find challenging and so this lesson seeks to engage with this key idea and explore how students might evaluate their own ideas, through TV media to begin with, but then through the eyes of a fiction author. This lesson was planned for KS4 students and includes any necessary resources within the PPT. The lesson uses The Great British Bake Off to frame the idea of evaluation, before looking at a short extract from Delirium, by Lauren Oliver.

Mix and match key persuasive devices and their definitions. Including: Facts Statistics Emotive language Opinions Rule of three/triple Repetition Personal pronouns Imperative verbs Rhetorical questions Quotations Alliteration Hyperbole

Various non-fiction texts / sources on the theme of Florence Nightingale. A mix of modern and Victorian sources. Suitable for KS3 or KS4 for non-fiction study or contextual knowledge of the Victorian age. Available in PDF and as a Word doc. Includes: Extract from a biography of Nightingale Information from the Florence Nightingale Museum An Image from the Illustrated London news An image of a news article on Nightingale (small font) An extract from Nightingale’s notes on hospitals (image)

A collection of non-fiction texts around the theme of workhouses. Suitable for KS3 or KS4. Available as Word doc and PDF files. Can be reduced or used in their entirety for all year groups in comparative non-fiction study, as a stimulus for writing or to supplement Victorian fiction for cultural capital. Includes: An extract from the Order of the Poor Law Board (NB this is an image with small font so may require enlarging if it is to be used in its entirety) A small list of punishments given at a workhouse A Walk in A Workhouse, by Charles Dickens An advert for a porter at a workhouse A report on child labour

Includes various sources/ texts around the theme of Victorian London. Available in Word and PDF files. Suitable for KS3 or KS4 on the theme of non-fiction, or for contextual knowledge of Victorian times alongside teaching of Victorian texts, such as Christmas Carol or Jekyll and Hyde. Includes: A news report from a Victorian newspaper on Jack the Ripper A description of Whitechapel from the Palace Journal An extract from Dickens’ ‘Walk in a Workhouse’ An extract from Flors Tristan’s diary about her London travels

Includes various source texts around the theme of slavery. Some Victorian, some more modern to provide alternative viewpoints and experiences. Available in PDF and Word file formats. Most suitable for KS3 non-fiction study, but could be used for KS4. Includes: A pro-slavery letter (Victorian American) A biography of Philis Wheatley (Slave poet of colonial America) An Anti-slavery speech published 1832 (NB an image - very small font) A biography of Oladah Equiano (a free slave) 2 extracts from Equiano’s autobiography A short account from a slave ship captain A short account from a physician working on a slave ship

A very simple resource selecting key quotes focused around the theme of violence and conflict. 11 quotes in total, available as PDF or Word doc.

A booklet collating key scenes from Romeo and Juliet, edited to focus on the most important scenes and aspects. This booklet is suited for study at KS3, or low ability KS4. The text is confined to the left side of the page to allow for student annotation. There is cutting of dialogue to reduce the scenes down to a more manageable amount, without hampering flow. Key edited scenes included are: Prologue Act 1 scene 1 (Sampson and Gregory) Act 1 scene 5 (party) Act 3 scene 1 (Tyblat and Romeo brawl) Act 3 scene 5 (Romeo and Juliet wedding night and Lord Capulet fight) Act 5 scene 1 (the plan) Act 5 scene 3 (tomb)

A simple handout to give to pupils that gives advice on different ways to revise for English. Could also be given to parents to avoid that age-old quote: “you can’t revise for English”.

A simple help sheet giving pupils advice and suggested comments for the effect and key language and structural devices. Designed to be stuck into books and referred to when discussing effect.

A booklet designed as revision for English Language paper 1. Could be set as homework, used in lessons, or sent home for parents to work on with students. This booklet was created entirely from scratch and contains a detailed breakdown of all the questions on the paper, including practice questions on mini-extracts, a break down of skills, marks and timings; suggestions for activities to improve learning for each question and further reading/ learning links. Extracts used are from About a Boy, The Story of Everyone Who Ever Lived in Our House and Jamaica Inn. It is self-contained and an excellent way to supplement pupil learning.

A lesson presentation on exploring Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess poem from a totally unseen perspective. Uses a variety of resources to help pupils access the poem, including images and letters. Suitable for a year 9 group, or lower ability GCSE group. This is a challenging poem, but the resources initially focus more on understanding the story, investigating the mystery of the Duke and Duchess and what might have happened to her.

A worksheet listing terminology applicable to both language and structure, divided into categories. There are spaces for definitions and examples which are left blank for pupils to complete. Terms are colour coded - RED= need to know, AMBER = useful to know, GREEN = extending yourself. Works well as a homework task.