Lesson primarly focused on analysing Act 5 Scenes 6 and 7 from Macbeth.
The lesson includes:
Differentiated starter.
Simple scene summaries of both scenes.
Detailed annotations of each scene.
Activity analying the motif of blood across 10 quotations - with answers.
Activity exploring the impact of animal imagery across the play.
A complete ready to teach lesson containing a starter activity, 6 pages of line by line annotations of Act 4 Scene 1 followed up with various extension activities to test students’ understanding of this scene. Ends with students completing an analytical paragraph on the scene. Includes a modelled example.
Exam walk-through style lesson answering the following question:
Starting with this extract (from Act 1 Scene 7) how does Shakespeare present ideas about masculinity? (34 marks).
The lesson examines the extract with detailed annotations and then looks at 3 other key scenes in which masculinity is important.
There is then a model paragraph to help students begin their response.
Complete lesson analysing Act 4 Scene 3 from Macbeth. Includes a starter activity, scene summary, 9 slides of line by line annotations for this extended scene and analytical questions (covering how Scotland and Macbeth are presented in the scene) to test understanding of the annotations.
Also contains a revision sheet on the character of Macduff.
A lesson that guides students through Act 3 Scene 1 of Macbeth,
Includes a 3 question starter, a scene summary to read, detailed annotations of the scene following by some comprehension questions based on the annotations.
Complete ready to teach lesson includes a differentiated starter, animated annotations covering the whole scene followed by comprehension questions to test students’ understanding of the scene.
A complete ready to teach lesson that includes a differentiated starter, detailed line by line animated annotations of the full scene following by comprehension questions to text students’ understanding of the annotations.
A quote revision game for Macbeth and A Christmas Carol containing 98 quote prompts (49 for Macbeth and 49 for A Christmas Carol). The competitive and collaborative nature of the task means students find it highly engaging.
Can be used with 1 or 2 dice.
It is currently in A4 but I recommend enlarging it to A3.
In order to advance the number decided by the dice, the student must think of a relevant quotation that matches the prompt.
For example:
The prompt might be: A quote about Macbeth’s masculinity.
The answer could be: ‘I dare do all that may become a man’.
A range of high grade Macbeth exam responses.
All responses were written to reflect the ability of grade 8/9 students working under timed conditions.
Marking is subjective but as an experienced examiner, I am confident all of these responses would, in my opinion, fit into the top band because all 6 contain thorough (and at times perceptive) debate with the nuances of the question supported by thorough and at times perceptive analysis of methods and wider ideas supported by fine-grained analysis of judicious quotations.
A grade 9 response about the theme of ambition.
This is one of a number of high level Macbeth responses that can be purchased in a bundle from here:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-6-grade-9-responses-12242190
Various resources to help lower ability students understand Macbeth’s ‘Is this a dagger soliloquy’.
Worksheets include:
Create a visual storyboard to break down key lines.
Use the writing frame to write a summary of the scene.
Give two interpretations to key lines
Give instructions for how an actor should perform the speech using the writing frame.
2 differentiated planning sheets with writing frame for writing an essay exploring who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall.
Stronger students can use the version which explores how Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and The Witches are to blame.
Weaker students can use the version that only focuses on how Macbeth is responsible.
Includes an accompanying PowerPoint.
Also includes a model 4 person discussion about who is to blame to showcase the way students should respond to each other’s points.
A lesson analysing the character of Boxer from Animal Farm.
Includes detailed annotations of 10 key Boxer quotations to prepare students for answering an exam style question on Boxer.
The lesson is aimed at students with a grade 5/6 target.
Classic end of term lesson discussing who is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet in groups.
Includes the success criteria for the new speaking and listening GCSE on each slide.
There are 6 planning sheets to help students plan their role for the following 6 characters:
Judge
Romeo
Friar
Mercutio
Tybalt
Capulet
The planning sheet explains how each character could be responsible and invites students to plan their defence.
Ann exemplar response to the 2017 AQA Romeo and Juliet question on male aggression.
The extract is placed next to the exemplar.
I have pitched it at a grade 7/8 level so students can spend time examining how to improve it further to help meet the grade 9 criteria by exploring the impact of how methods shape meanings for A02 in more depth while also being more assured when considering context and wider ideas for (A03).
A complete ready to teach lesson analysing Act 3 Scene 2 of Macbeth. Includes a differentiated starter, detailed animated annotations of the full scene, comprehension questions and then an activity examining the use of imagery in the scene. Includes a model paragraph for students to use as a guide.
A writing frame for responding to any question on the 19th century novel section of the English Literature exam. Will work equally well with A Christmas Carol or Jekyll and Hyde - the two most popular texts.
Effective at guiding students towards high quality responses.
lso includes advice on how to create a thesis-style introduction on A Christmas Carol.
‘A thesis-style introduction that demonstrates your understanding of the question can be a really helpful way of starting your answer. It shows that you are ‘in charge’ of your essay and that you know what you think. It can provide a strong foundation for the rest of the essay. Keep referring back to the introduction to create a coherent response.’ AQA examiner’s report 2022
Creating a thesis-style introduction is a challenge for many students but is essential in helping students to reach levels 4-6 in the mark scheme. I have produced a simple 3 point structure to help students quickly generate a thesis statement in timed exam conditions. There is an example of the 3 point structure being used and then students attempt to imitate the structure for 4 other exam-style questions.