This lesson was designed for a reluctant but capable year 9 group who told me they hated poetry, and only ever wrote in stilted rhymes when I asked them to create their own. It would form a good introduction to unseen poetry, encouraging pupils to interrogate and form their own opinions. It contains a PPT and a series of slightly unusual poems all sourced online, breaking down why people write poetry and why we should study it. It contains the message that poetry is all sorts of things, such as art, creative expression, freedom with words, political, protesting, fun and silly… etc. It contains opportunities to write their own poetry and investigate the work of others. There are 5 poems included where pupils interrogate and question what they mean, show, suggest, and why the writer might have written them - including Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy, Action Man by John Cooper-Clarke, Invictus by William Ernest Henley, Urban Affection by Emanuel Xavier and The Black Land by Joseph Warren Beach. NB - Some of these poems are aimed at more mature audiences, so the lesson is recommended for year 9 onwards.

Approximately 10 lessons worth of lessons tied together on the theme of Romantic poetry, updated March 2022. Originally written for a high ability year 9 group, but would also be suitable for years 10 or 11. 7 full PPTs covering 5 poems. A great introduction to unseen skills but also developing comparing! The scheme contains lots of challenge and stretch and covers the following aspects of poetry: Introduction to Romantic poetry - themes and ideas Analysing unseen poetry skills Key Romantic poets, contextual info Love’s Philosophy Bright Star The School Boy Chimney Sweeper Daffodils How to compare poems for an exam High grade exemplar responses (paragraphs/ more extended pieces) This scheme is an ideal way to provide students with a broader understanding of some of the more difficult poetry they might encounter and to familiarise them with the Romantic genre and movement in a more broad sense. NB: Two acronyms are used within this scheme: STRIVE and PEEZL. STRIVE reminds pupils of aspects of poetry to consider (subject, theme/ tone, rhyme/rhythm, imagery, vocab, effect) and PEEZL is a way to structure response paragraphs (point, evidence, explain effect, zoom into words, link to question).

A full lesson (possibly 2) on John Agard’s Checking Out Me History for the AQA English literature examination (updated Jan 2022), or as an exploratory lesson on poetry for any other exam board. Approaches the poem as an ‘unseen’ to consolidate and practice these skills, before helping pupils build a comprehensive set of notes for the conflict cluster. Includes a 12 slide PPT and the following: A Wordle looking at language patterns A key focus question to help students understand how to approach poetry in their exam Background knowledge of the historical figures mentioned in the poem Discussion of the use of accent and dialect with a video link An activity where students look at culture and identity and how we see it in the poem Guided additional annotation Focus on metaphorical language Suitable for GCSE learners 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

Updated Feb 2022 and designed for high ability pupils (targets of grade 6-9), this resource is for the full play of Macbeth (AQA GCSE English Literature). It includes a monster PPT of 155 slides, which can be divided into MANY lessons - an absolute bargain! This unit is designed to be studied with the whole text - the edition we used was the Cambridge school’s version. It works from zero prior knowledge of the play, but could also be used with any pupils who might have previously studied the play, in order to supplement, challenge and stretch their learning further. This resource includes: A range of tasks and activities on the vast majority of the play (including 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7; 2.1, 2.2, 2.4; 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6; 4.1, 4.2, 4.2; 5.1, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.8) Any scenes not included as explicit tasks can be read with and discussed with pupils at the appropriate time as all lessons are clearly labelled for which act and scene they refer to Any resources referenced in the PPT, including handouts and sample work from pupils Full lesson PPT covering the majority of the play (key ideas and analysis for in lesson use)… including: -Activities include work on character, theme, context, plot, lang/structure analysis Practice exam questions the opening of the play and Shakespeare’s intent Built in homework tasks Links to various videos to enhance learning Snippets on tackling exam questions, with reference to mark schemes and key skills Context links (religion, witches, James I, regicide, primogeniture, Great Chain, other plays) Symbolism and key critical philosophy that links to the play dramatic irony power balances structure the play’s ending Sample exam responses Exam technique and reference to mark schemes Updated Feb 2022 to include acts 4 and 5 plus further bonus resources and tweaks to previous lesson tasks.

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

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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 (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 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 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 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