GCSE Unseen Poetry comparison A3 scaffolded sheet, both original publisher file and PDF file for ease of printing. Poems: The Tiger in the Zoo and The Jaguar. I don't own these poems. Sheets scaffold the pupils to bullet pointing the meaning, mood of the poem. Then discussing the language/spotting devices, identifying structure and seeing if there is a deeper meaning, and the effect the poems have on the reader. Lovely resource and well scaffolded for the ability of my classes. Easily differentiated up or down, this worked with low set year 9 as well as GCSE.

GCSE Unseen Poetry comparison A3 scaffolded sheet, both original publisher file and PDF file for ease of printing. Poem: Autumn by Alan Bold (I don't own this poem). Very useful for the section A analysis of unseen poetry for Eduqas WJEC. Sheets scaffold the pupils to bullet pointing the meaning, mood of the poem. Then discussing the language/spotting devices, identifying structure and seeing if there is a deeper meaning, and the effect the poem has on the reader. Lovely resource and well scaffolded for the ability of my classes. Easily differentiated up or down, this worked with low set year 9 as well as GCSE.

GCSE Unseen Poetry comparison A3 scaffolded sheet, both original publisher file and PDF file for ease of printing. Poems: Geriatric Ward and Warning. I don't own these poems. Sheets scaffold the pupils to bullet pointing the meaning, mood of the poem. Then discussing the language/spotting devices, identifying structure and seeing if there is a deeper meaning, and the effect the poems have on the reader. Lovely resource and well scaffolded for the ability of my classes. Easily differentiated up or down, this worked with low set year 9 as well as GCSE.

Group work sheets in original publisher and PDF files. Used to analyse and explode quotes within Romeo's Soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5.

Objective: To investigate the language used by Romeo in Act I, Scene 5. Outcomes: To respond to a question about the language used which reveals his feelings for Juliet. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet lesson - Act 1, Scene 5. This lesson explores Romeo's soliloquy in detail to explore the language Shakespeare uses, group work and assessment writing included with model response and key terminology (Eduqas WJEC exam board). All group work is included in the original publisher format and PDF format for ease of use. This was taught to very top set Year 8 - GCSE standard lesson and writing. Easily differentiated up and down with support and challenge cards included. Group work for support within the class. Literacy starter: Adding an ‘e’ to the end of a word changes the sound of the first vowel Starter: Images on the board of earrings, hands, dove, torches, stars. Key terminology introduced: Connotation. Pupils exploring what the images connote. Clip embedded of Romeo first spotting Juliet in the Baz Luhrmann version. Pupils to write down on post-it three adjectives to describe how Romeo reacts. Then showing the class the full soliloquy and reading through, asking if they can add anything to their post it. Key terminology: Soliloquy. Ten minute timer embedded for pupils to explore the language used in the soliloquy in groups. Challenge: Include AO3 context. I used different coloured pens to see which pupils have wrote what, to check progress. Example model of exploding a quote from Romeo and Juliet's exchange - discussing AO2 structure - sentence moods - exclamative, interrogative, imperative etc. AO1 feelings and AO3 context challenge. Simplifying the exam board marking scheme - pupils aiming for 3-4 grade band. Then pupils shown a model response with the different AO's highlighted in three different colours for clarification. Ten minute timer on the board for writing time, with success criteria and sentence starter. With AO3 challenge included too. Support station - Sentence support and challenge cards at the back of the classroom (included). (This next section can be adapted if the pupils are of a lower ability or lack of time) Then pupils swapped their sheets by sticking their annotated sheet on the board with blue tac and taking another partner's. Then pupils analyse and write a response with another groups annotations. Then self assessment to identify the different AO points they have used within their responses. They can add their EBI if they haven't included something e.g. embedded quotes for AO1, or AO3 context challenge. Plenary: To tweet Romeo's reaction to seeing Juliet. Pupils can use an emoji to illustrate his reaction. This lesson worked very well with top set year 8, currently on level 3/4 grade boundaries for GCSE level, so this would work well with any GCSE class.

Objective: To analyse how Shakespeare uses imagery to convey Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. Outcomes: To explain how Shakespeare uses language to create visual effects for the reader. Literacy objective: When a word ends in ‘e’, you must always remove it when adding ‘-ing’. Lesson starts with a literacy starter, using the -ing variation of a word. Hate and Love - bringing in the themes of the play. Starter: Label the images on the board from 1-6 with images you most associate with love at the top, least associated at the bottom. Extension to stretch and challenge. Pupils then watch Romeo's Soliloquy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3MiaSG1SMQ (BBC version) and record on their post it any words Romeo uses to describe Juliet. AO3 context challenge. Then go through Romeo's soliloquy and key words: Soliloquy and Imagery. Can anyone add to the post it as I read through - how does he describe Juliet - what does he compare her to? Then group work to analyse the imagery and language used by Shakespeare - soliloquy split into large A3 sheets for the pupils to annotate. Can use coloured pens to check progress of each pupil. AO3 context challenge. Completely annotated soliloquy for the pupils to add to their notes with class discussion to go through step-by-step. Then two model responses and pupils pick three differences - modelling. AO reminders before their response for the day. Response - How does Shakespeare use imagery to convey Romeo's love for Juliet? Success criteria AO1 and AO2 - with AO3 context challenge. Sentence starters for support. Self-assessment for the pupils to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. Plenary to pick an appropriate emoji to illustrate - pick top three.

Objective: To investigate how Shakespeare builds tension using dramatic techniques. Outcomes: To evaluate the effect of the dramatic techniques in Act 3, Scene 1. Literacy objective: Doubling the consonant shortens the vowel sound. E.g. Bate – batting, Ripe - ripping This lesson included some PRT (pupil response time) at the start aka purple pen, so they could make some corrections - took 5/10 minutes off the lesson. Starter - pathetic fallacy key terminology - what kind of a mood do these images create. 6 images on the board. Challenge - what kind of a mood was Act 2, Scene 6 (marriage). Recap of the scene before watching the clip from the Baz Luhrmann DVD. After watching the clip (DVD - not included) then discussion to talk about the tension created within the scene and linking to pathetic fallacy. How, when Mercutio falls, the storm comes. Then pupils in groups or pairs, use a card sort activity (included) going through the quotes and plotting when the dialogue was said, and whether or not it increased or decreased tension. Time/Tension graph - linking to numeracy within the curriculum. Discussion when finished, plotting the time over tension graph on the board with key quotes. Then pupils for their independent 10 time choose a quote from the graph that is of high or low tension and they then explode this quote in their books. AO3 context challenge. Model explode-a-quote is included. Plenary for pupils to create a series of text messages between Benvolio, Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo about the happenings of Act 3, Scene 1. For A3 tension over time graph, there is one illustrated on the PPT and I just drew this out onto A3 paper.

Two full lessons with model responses within a table of comparison for two attitudes to nursing extracts, one modern, one historic, and model paragraph with sentence starters for comparison between Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Victoria's wedding. Latter lesson includes A3 extract sheet which 'chunks' down tasks to scaffold a response for their exam style response question at the end of the lesson. Confidence checks included within the lesson. Second lesson was an observation lesson, rated 'Good/Outstanding'. Lesson 1: Objective: To compare and contrast information from two texts. Outcomes: To respond to a comparison-style exam question. Literacy objective: When a word ends in ‘e’, you must always remove it when adding ‘-ing’. Recap of component 1 reading exam (30%) question 5/6. Starter: Compare/contrast using conjunction bank. Elephant/mouse, apple/orange. Helpful tips for AO3. Then looking at the exam question - comparison attitudes to nursing and how writers get their argument across. Modern article has model responses (differentiation - pupils can find their own examples to compare). Within this lesson, pupils read through the historic text (Florence Nightingale) to find success criteria, highlight and annotate, and then 'chop up' their ideas and write them into the comparison table. Recap of the question, then pupils write their response. Sentence starters for support and 10 minute timer added. Connective bank included to support writing. Self assessment. Post-it plenary to give one comparison they gave in their response. Lesson 2: Objective: To compare and contrast information from two texts. Outcomes: To respond to a comparison-style exam question. Recap of component 2 reading. Confidence check 1-10. Emojis to support their rating. Starter: spot the difference between the two images with connective bank. Secondary starter: Two clips, one of DoC's wedding and fictional portrayal of QV's wedding. Write on post it ambitious adjectives and comparisons. Read through the two A3 extracts about arrival of royal wedding. 'Chunking' tasks to scaffold their responses. Success criteria for pupils to look through and find. Model example on the sheet. Challenge task: find the mood and how it compares. Then response: comment on, what is said (ideas), how it is said (terminology). Question support with sentence starters and a model answer, and a paragraph response structure. Connective bank. Self assessment and final confidence check. This was my observation lesson, rating Good/Outstanding.

Objective: To revise AO4 evaluation questions. Outcomes: To respond to AO4-style examination question using knowledge from today’s lesson. Literacy objective: Doubling the consonant shortens the vowel sound. Bate - Batting, Hope - hopping, Ripe – ripping. Starter: Images with questions. What attracts you, what puts you off, adjectives to describe. Secondary starter: Watch the advert, how does it persuade you to visit the city, has it changed your opinion? How to answer AO4 questions - impression and terminology/quotes. Breaking down the question 'what should I write' with model sentence starters. Small quote from the extract on the PPT, how does the class feel the writer feels about the city of Bradford? Seeing our AO4 question. Task 1: As I read through the ‘Bradford’ by Bill Bryson, annotate around the text what impression is created of the city. Challenge: Can you find some key vocabulary which helps create this impression? Task 2: Take a few minutes to write an adjective (describing word) to sum up what each paragraph says. Challenge: Key vocab again. Task 3: In pairs, complete the table by finding evidence (quotes) which give a view on Bradford, write your reaction and then explain the effect. (Model task 3 response included on the table to aid the students' responses. Then they respond to the question, keeping in mind the assessment criteria. Then self assess for a plenary, giving themselves a mark and WWW/EBI.

Two lessons, second a continuation and with peer assessment. All activities included including literary bingo starter and original publisher and PDF version of extract to analyse how tension is built. Sheet 'chunks' devices/terminology for the pupil to find either individually or in a pair. Lesson 1: Objective: To revise how to answer an AO2 question using subject terminology. Outcomes: To respond to an exam style question analysing the effects of techniques. Literacy objective: Adding an ‘e’ to a word lengthens the vowel sound. E.g. hate, cape, ride, pane, kite, site, gripe, cute. Literacy starter task, whole school literacy. Then literary bingo starter, 22 individual tiles for the game. Teacher reads out 'bang!' etc, pupils tick 'onomatopoeia'. This worked great with the class. Then going over 'how' questions for their exam. E.g. ‘How is suspense and tension created throughout this extract?’ TEE acronym introduced: Technique device or method e.g. short sentences Evidence quotes Explain how tension is created and the effect on the reader. Then interactive element to the lesson, YouTube video embedded 'Annabelle' horror film. How does the director build tension? Mind map in books. Then pupils read through the extract on their A3 worksheet to see how the writer has created tension and what effect this creates. Then add to their mind map (4 minutes) - ambitious punctuation, cliff hangers, powerful verbs, etc. Then back to the A3 sheet, the boxes 'chunked' around the extract to allow pupils to select evidence. Pupils then answer a 5 mark question (Eduqas exam is usually 10 marks - first lesson on AO2) this can be bumped up to 10, more points/paragraphs etc. Success criteria with TEE acronym, connective bank to allow their writing to flow and emotion word bank so pupils don't write 'scared/sad' etc. Peer assessment plenary and post-it - write an aspect of AO2 you have practiced today, write an idea you wish to improve on. Lesson 2: Objective: To revise how to answer an AO2 question using subject terminology. Outcomes: To respond to an exam style question analysing the effects of techniques and self-assess this question. Another literacy starter, then definition match up, e.g. personification/metaphor. Recap of how questions and what causes tension. 10 more minutes to finish their A3 sheet - focusing on different success criteria: short sentences, powerful verbs, cliff hanger, changing perspectives, ambitious punctuation. Model responses on the board (three) and discussion with partner the best AO2 response to how tension is created. Extension - can you improve on the worst model? Further 5 points (splitting up 10 mark question). Peer assessment and plenary again.

Romeo and Juliet KS3/GCSE carousel activity for pupils. This resource doesn't include the full lesson. Available altogether in my shop in another resource. Includes all 8 posters describing the roles in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, and A3 sheet for pupils to write reasons and give a rating out of 10. Both PDF and original publisher files included for ease of use.

Whole lesson with accompanying A3 differentiated worksheet for a 'way into' the poem for low ability year 8. This could be used for all KS3 classes or low ability Y10/11 as well if this is in your anthology. Lesson uses a post it starter and image starter to engage and think about the metaphors in the poem, e.g. anchor, kite. What could these represent? Then pupils work around the A3 sheet both collaboratively with 'think, pair, share' signposted boxes and independently, with writing full sentences and justifying their responses. This worked well with my low ability Y8 class. After every box I used whole class feedback before moving on. After the A3 sheet, pupils write a letter (10 minute timer) from the perspective of the son, telling the mother the reasons he is moving out with success criteria. Glossary to go through with pupils with some of the more sophisticated vocabulary in the poem. I have included the publisher and PDF files of the A3 sheet for ease of use.

Two medium term plans for a short transactional writing section of the KS3/4 curriculum.

Objective: To identify the features of a broadsheet opinion (comment) article. Outcomes: To apply our understand to plan a short comment piece, using the required features. Lesson is a differentiated version of one in my shop. Low set year 9 KS3. Lesson allows pupils to plan with heavy modelling throughout. The pupils can use the one on the board, or use the differentiated gold/silver/bronze provocative responses to write their own comment piece.

Two lessons in one PPT on 'A Wife in London' by Thomas Hardy with Boer War context in one lesson with a table of comparison and the other full lesson to analyse AWiL by utilising an A3 sheet to 'chunk' down the learning and ask questions. A3 sheet available in original publisher file and PDF for ease of use. PPT encourages independent learning with a more pupil-led analysis rather than 'copy this'. Comprehension and creative task at the end of the poems analysis for the pupils to describe a scene of a eerie, foggy London using as much vocabulary as they can from the poem. This worked very well. Observation: Good/Outstanding lesson. Lesson 1: Objective: To investigate the context (AO3) of A Wife in London by researching the Boer War. Outcomes: To engage with a clip and present this in a table. Starter: Questioning - could use a post-it, what do you think these three images on the board are telling you? (British flag, SA flag, gold). Verbalise and engage. Introduction to the Boer War, main facts and statistics for context. Task with clip: Split your page in two, one side British Army, one side The Boers. Note down any key contextual facts you hear E.g. statistics, soldiers, methods of fighting. Share your partner and pick a fact to share with the class. Telling pupils this is AO3 context - linking to GCSE exam criteria. Plenary: Name three facts you have learnt about the Boer War. Lesson 2: Objective: To analyse the language and structure of A Wife in London. Outcomes: To describe a scene of an eerie, foggy London evening in the 19th Century. Literacy objective task. Starter: Engage - how does this picture make you feel? 3 adjectives. Task: Closed question activity, filling in the blanks to recap from last lesson (answers on next slide). Then going through the A3 extract sheet. Teacher to read through the poem, pupils to write any devices they spot around the poem. Task: Pair work with questions on the board for stimulus - most questions links to a box on the sheet, or pupils can annotate around. Challenge boxes to differentiate up. Task: Describe an eerie, foggy 19th Century London. Plenary: Imagine Twitter was around in the 19th Century. Summarise the thoughts of the wife either after she has received the first message or her husband’s letter. Use emoji's to illustrate this. Lesson worked well with low set year 9 and year 10.

A mixed bag of lessons exploring The Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge's childhood, his relationship with Fezziwig, the relationship between Scrooge and Marley and language used within Stave 1/2. This was for a top set GSCE class. The range of activities worked extremely well. There is also a graded outstanding lesson included. A range of challenge and support is also included. I adapted these lessons for my lower sets, so differentiated worksheets are also included.