Diving Bell Education
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English
Unit of Work: The Poetry of John Keats
A unit of work on seven poems by John Keats:
On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer
When I have fears that I may cease to be
Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art
Ode on a Grecian Urn
Ode to a Nightingale
To Autumn
La Belle Dame sans Merci
This unit is suitable for senior students in Years 10-12. It introduces them to the forms Keats used, and seven of his most famous poems.
A research task with suggested reading and viewing gets students across Keats’ life and influences.
‘What is analysis?’ encourages them to think about exactly what literary analysis is, and how to go about it
Explanation of the sonnet, ode, and ballad forms
Explanation of Negative Capability
Foray into critical reading
Seven poems included with questions structured according to Bloom’s taxonomy
Selection of senior-suitable essay questions
Unit of Work: Introduction to Medieval Literature
The Middle Ages are fun and fascinating period of literature which even younger middle school students can enjoy. This complete unit of work is an easy and enjoyable survey of ten different medieval genres (including courtly love poetry, advice guides to children, frame tales, chronicles, and allegories) which will engage students of a more developed reading ability. This unit was successfully tested on a high-ability Year 8 (age 13-14) group.
It assumes no prior knowledge of the medieval period.
Contextual introduction to the period, changes to the English language, discussion of what people read and valued.
Ten short modules covering ten different text-types found in popular medieval literature. Each module includes:
introduction to the text type and a discussion of where we can see it in literature and culture today; a short focus text in modern English, either translated or retold
Bloom’s Taxonomy questions on the focus text
Stand-alone creative writing with medieval prompts
Summative thematic essay on one short text (provided) and the student’s choice of another text from the unit
Teachers can use the ten modules as a complete unit or as single modules supporting a study of another text.
Unit of Work: Classic Gothic
Gothic literature still informs many popular works of fiction, television and cinema, and the genre is still a regular part of many students’ high school literature experience.
This 135-page all-inclusive unit comprises:
An introduction to the values of the Gothic genre
Ten modules based around a classic Gothic short story or poem, which highlight one of the ten values or conventions. Each module has an introductory discussion; complete text of the story/poem; questions based on Bloom’s taxonomy
An assessment task suitable for students aged 15-16 who have well-developed reading ability
A reading list of other short stories both modern and classic from which teachers can choose partner pieces for the module stories
Unit of Work: Brave New World
Huxley’s famous dystopian novel is a fantastic choice for senior fiction studies. This 75-page unit of work has been tested successfully with a mixed-ability Year 11 (age 16-17) class. It focuses oin textual analysis and engagement with questions of social and political philosophy. There is a comprehensive, illustrated introduction to issues of industrialisation, sexual freedom, and political authoritarianism which affected Huxley’s world and continue to affect us.
There are 80+ writing tasks of different lengths and types, which allow teachers to differentiate for a mixed-ability group.
Each 3-chapter section is accompanied by an extension reading which engages with the relevant philosophical topic. Readings range from Hobbes and Rousseau on human nature to Admiral Moreel on bread and circuses.
The unit can be printed for students who prefer hard copy, or presented digitally.
Ten essay questions suitable for senior high schoolers can be used as the basis of assessment.
Chapter and essay questions for Kazuo Ishiguro, An Artist of the Floating World
Thirty-five high-level reading questions and ten essay questions for students reading Kazuo Ishiguro’s masterly study of ambiguity and self-fictionalisation in post-war Japan. The questions are designed to draw students’ attention to Ishiguro’s mastery of language strategies and his handling of Masuji Ono’s deceptions, fictions, and shifting portraits.
Can be used together with the Talking Points and sample essay (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12365546) available as a bundle. here
Unit of Work: Rosemary Sutcliffe, Black Ships Before Troy
The story of the Trojan War is foundational to European literature and thought. Rosemary Sutcliffe’s retelling makes the epic accessible to younger students. It rewards close study in junior high-school English because of Sutcliffe’s rich figurative language, vivid character portraits, and seamless blending of the many tales of Troy.
This 96-page unit comprises:
An introduction to Troy, Homer, the Iliad, and the story’s importance - with student research activities.
A 4-6 page worksheet for each chapter (19 chapters) with an explanation of the relevant concept to the story, questions for the chapter, and a visual learning exercise using a famous art-work which depicts the events.
Essay questions suitable for 11-13 year olds
A summative creative writing task
Questions require higher-order thinking skills and encourage writing at length and reading widely to support growing knowledge. Students’ knowledge of the canon of European literature and art should grow considerably over the term with this unit.
Unit of Work: Earliest English - Beowulf and the Old English Traditions
An understanding of the early period of the English language is novel and exciting for junior high schoolers. This unit of work introduces them to the Anglo-Saxon period and provides a gentle, easy and fun overview of what English language and literature once looked and sounded like. The focus text is Michael Morpurgo’s Beowulf, an excellent version of the heroic poem retold for children and young adult readers. The unit strives to remind students and teachers of all cultural and language backgrounds of their contribution and membership of the worldwide Anglophone community. Written as a combined unit of work and worksheets, teachers only need to purchase Morpurgo’s Beowulf to teach this unit!
The unit includes lessons on:
Our Language Family
Runes, Gods, and the Northern Heritage
Kennings, Riddle Poems, and Gnomic Poetry
The First Hero: Michael Morpurgo’s Beowulf (focus text)
The Hero’s Journey: Overcoming the Monster
The End of Old English
Where is Old English today?
Practice assessment task
Assessment task suitable for ages 11-13
19th Century Poetry Study Activity: Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson
19th century poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
four poems by Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity: The Poetry of Faith
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by Matthew Arnold and Gerald Manley Hopkins with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity: The Barrett Brownings
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity: The Poetry of Empire
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by Kipling and Hardy with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity: Nonsense Poetry
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by Lear and Carroll with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity: Dante Gabriel and Christina Rossetti
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by the Rossettis with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poets
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Victorian Poetry Study Activity - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
This activity comprises
two poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, with questions which require students to make a close analysis and interpretation
suggestions for extension reading to extend their knowledge of the poet
a creative writing task which helps them to engage laterally and personally with the ideas in the poetry.
Bundle
19th Century Poetry and Novel: Twin Units of Work
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
The unit is designed to be taught over an 8-10 week term, and contains:
Introduction to Victorian Britain – an easy research task which students can do together or individually, drawing on readily-available online resources about the nineteenth century.
Seven poetry-focused modules:
o The Poet Laureate: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
o The Pre-Raphaelites: Dante Gabriel and Christina Rossetti
o Celebrity Marriages: Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning
o Personal Piety: Matthew Arnold and Gerald Manley Hopkins
o Nonsense Poetry: Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll
o The Poetry of Empire: Rudyard Kipling and Thomas Hardy
o America: Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson
A short list of films, documentaries, and series which students can watch for context.
An essay-based assessment task suitable for students aged 15-16
TOGETHER WITH SILAS MARNER
A thorough study of each chapter in Eliot’s short masterpiece Silas Marner. Each chapter is annotated with a short precis of the chapter’s events, so that students can quickly locate the right section, and a thematic table at the beginning lays out some of the complex philosophical and literary ideas which underpin Eliot’s morality tale. Language and narrative techniques are carefully explained, and each chapter is accompanied by a selection of quotations to strengthen students’ understanding of evidence-based arguments.
Unit of Work: Victorian Poetry
Victorian poetry regularly makes the top ten poems in public surveys, and much of our conception of what makes ‘good’ poetry was shaped by poets like Tennyson, Browning, Rossetti, and Arnold. This period formed the emotional and social attitudes which linger today – even in post-modern texts which claim to have moved beyond them. While the Romantics were read by the literati, the Victorian poets in this unit formed the core of public poetry consumption. An understanding of this period is essential for students who will read Edwardian and Modernist literature in later terms, by showing them what these writers and artists reacted against.
The unit is designed to be taught over an 8-10 week term, and contains:
Introduction to Victorian Britain – an easy research task which students can do together or individually, drawing on readily-available online resources about the nineteenth century.
Seven poetry-focused modules:
o The Poet Laureate: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
o The Pre-Raphaelites: Dante Gabriel and Christina Rossetti
o Celebrity Marriages: Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning
o Personal Piety: Matthew Arnold and Gerald Manley Hopkins
o Nonsense Poetry: Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll
o The Poetry of Empire: Rudyard Kipling and Thomas Hardy
o America: Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson
A short list of films, documentaries, and series which students can watch for context.
An essay-based assessment task suitable for students aged 15-16
Short Film Study: Questions for 'Mast Qalander' dir. Divij Roopchand
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 15 minute short satirical film ‘Mast Qalander’, directed by Divij Roopchand. The film is suitable for students 12+.
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.
Short Film Study: Questions for 'Lena' dir. Gosha Shapiro
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 10 minute short satirical film ‘Lena’, directed by Gosha Shapiro. The film was found on Lena by Gosha Shapiro and is suitable for students 14+.
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.
Short Film Study: Questions for 'Utopia' dir. Kosta Nikas
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 15 minute short satirical film ‘Utopia’, directed by Kosta Nikas. The film is suitable for students 15+. (There are multiple instances of swearing, blocked by a beep).
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.
Short Film Study: Questions for 'The Coin' dir. Siqi Song
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 7 minute short animated film ‘The Coin’, directed by Siqi Song. The film is suitable for students 8+.
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.