Using an extract from Chapter Two of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, we explore how the writer structures the introduction of Curley’s Wife to reader. We look at both the start and the end of the extract, how she is introduced and how she leaves, and consider how the writer is able to build tension in this small extract. Fully differentiated throughout and designed so students can practice answering Q3 of the AQA English Language Paper 1 exam, so useful for KS4 students, too.

In this lesson on Tom Becker’s Darkside we look at how the narrator builds atmosphere in description through the use of pathetic fallacy and personification, making comparisons between chapters four and five. We also evaluate the impact of some key quotes throughout the chapter. Fully differentiated throughout.

As we look at Darren Shan’s Cirque du Freak, we analyse chapters four and five carefully, thinking about the characters that are introduced to us and how the writer creates tension and suspense for the reader. A useful lesson for KS3 students with a number of activities easily adaptable for other texts and age groups. Differentiated throughout.

Of Mice and Men lesson where we focus on how Curley is introduced in Chapter Two of John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men and look at some key quotes surrounding the character. We analyse the use of language within these quotes and think carefully about how Steinbeck is able to get across Curley’s personality to the reader. Fully differentiated activities and worksheets throughout.

A fully differentiated lesson that helps students to improve their answers to a KS3-style assessment question on how John Steinbeck develops setting at the very beginning of Of Mice and Men. Includes differentiated activities and notes for students to use in order to improve their own answers. Easily adapted for other year groups and with a range of activities useful for KS3 and GCSE.

In this lesson on Tom Becker’s Darkside we look at how Jonathan and Mrs Elwood are presented in Chapter Two, and how the narrator builds up a sense of foreboding through the description of setting and the clues given to us through what the inmates and staff say to each other. A fully differentiated and resourced lesson.

In this lesson on Darren Shan’s Cirque du Freak, we focus on Chapter Two and explaining the presentation of Darren and Steve as characters and the impact of the language throughout the chapter. Designed for KS3 students but with a number of activities that could easily be adapted for older students.

As we continue to study Tom Becker’s Darkside, we look at The Prologue and how the character of Ricky is introduced, plus look at the language used to describe one of the mysterious people that follows Ricky through the streets of the city. Fully differentiated and resourced, this lesson is designed for KS3 students but is easily adaptable for older students.

In this lesson on Darren Shan’s Cirque du Freak, we focus on Chapter One and developing some context around the idea of freaks and how we might perceive ‘freaks’ now. We move on to analysing Chapter One and explaining the presentation of Darren as a character and the impact of the language in the final two sentences. Designed for KS3 students but with a number of activities that could easily be adapted for older students.

We focus on using figurative language to improve our descriptions of dystopias. We look at similes, metaphors, personification, adjectives and other language techniques to help improve our descriptive writing. Moreover, we analyze a short extract for techniques and look at their impact on the reader. A fully differentiated and resourced lesson for KS3 students but easily adaptable for KS4 students.

An introductory lesson to Darkside by Tom Becker that focuses on narrative hooks and how Becker introduces his protagonist in the first chapter. Students also create their own PETAZL analytical paragraphs and peer assess each other’s work based on strict success criteria. Designed for KS3 students but the resources on narrative hooks can easily be adapted for KS4 and other year groups.

An introductory lesson to Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan that focuses on narrative hooks and how Shan introduces his protagonist in the first chapter. Students also create their own PETAZL analytical paragraphs and peer assess each other’s work based on strict success criteria. Designed for KS3 students but the resources on narrative hooks can easily be adapted for KS4 and other year groups. "Love it!!" Darren Shan, 7th September 2018 https://twitter.com/darrenshan/status/1037992661137981442

In this lesson we look at what a dystopia is and how it differs from a utopia, as well as analysing the key conventions of dystopian fiction before creating our own narrative idea using these conventions. A fully differentiated and resourced lesson ideal for KS3 students but could be adapted for KS4 English Language use. Includes two worksheets as well as the main presentation.

Jekyll and Hyde context lesson. A fully differentiated and resourced lesson that allows students to focus on social and historical contexts (AO3) around The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It includes video clips, worksheets and differentiated activities so students can make more effective links between their ideas and the context surrounding the novella. A brilliant lesson for AQA English Literature Paper 1 KS4 students or easily adaptable for KS3 as well. Check out our English Shop for loads more free and inexpensive KS3, KS4, KS5, Literacy and whole school resources. AQA English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 Knowledge Organisers AQA English Language Paper 1 Section A package AQA English Language Paper 1 Sections A and B package AQA English Language Paper 1 package AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5 package AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5 package AQA English Language Paper 2 Section A package AQA English Language and English Literature revision package An Inspector Calls whole scheme package An Inspector Calls revision package Macbeth whole scheme package Macbeth revision package A Christmas Carol whole scheme package A Christmas Carol revision package Jekyll and Hyde whole scheme package Jekyll and Hyde revision package Romeo and Juliet whole scheme package Power and Conflict poetry comparing poems package Power and Conflict poetry whole scheme package Love and Relationships poetry whole scheme package Unseen Poetry whole scheme package Or check out some Citizenship, RE, PSHE + RSE resources at EC Resources

Of Mice and Men and Chapter Three lesson, with a focus on how Steinbeck introduces the new character of Slim, Additionally, we consider the symbolic importance of Candy’s old dog and what we learn about the friendship of Lennie and George. A really useful lesson for students preparing for Literature exams but easily adaptable for younger students as well. Fully differentiated and resourced.

We look at Of Mice and Men and Chapter Two, with a focus on the relationship between Lennie and George and how Steinbeck introduces the new characters of Crooks, Candy, The Boss and Curley. Additionally, we look at how Steinbeck uses a sense of foreboding to hint at the rest of the plot. A really useful lesson for students preparing for Literature exams but easily adaptable for younger students as well. Fully differentiated and resourced.

A collection of 22 Macbeth key quote posters that I designed for my YouTube videos. They are all quotes from Macbeth the character or about Macbeth throughout the whole play. These could be useful for student revision or for display purposes in the classroom.