I worked alongside literacy representatives in each department of the school in order to identify ways each subject can support literacy in a meaningful way. Here is the document I produced which may be useful to any existing or aspiring literacy coordinator.

Just a simple differentiated vocabulary starter on the character of Lennie in Of Mice and Men.

Macbeth Because But So Thesis-style introductions

A Streetcar Named Desire Because But So Character Introductions

An Inspector Calls Because But So Character Introductions

A Christmas Carol Because But So Introductions

Romeo and Juliet Because But So Thesis-style Introductions

Romeo and Juliet: 11 exams written in the style of the new spec for AQA 2017 Literature Paper 1. The questions have been structured to mirror the layout of the actual exam as far as possible. Ideal to use set as homework or to use as revision.

Two sample unseen poems and accompanying exam questions on a word document to allow for easy editing and printing.

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scene 3: A worksheet to help explore Romeo’s desperation in Act 3 Scene 3.

Straight-forward plot storyboard to help students come to terms with the plot to Hamlet.

Simple plot storyboard to help students learn the basics of the plot to Frankenstein.

On the worksheet I made 40 pairs of quotations from the Power and Conflict poems. There is an even spread of key quotes from across the 18 poems. To revise making discriminating links, students need to explain how the 2 quotations present ideas about power and conflict in a similar and different way. Example of how to turn the pairs of quotations into a comparison: Both Ozymandias and My Last Duchess portray characters with the power to issue commands to explore the corrosive nature of power. In Ozymandias the ‘sneer of cold command’ suggests the statue has a cruel condescending attitude to his subjects. However, in ‘My Last Duchess’ the speaker ‘gave commands’ to arrange for the execution of his wife to reflect his controlling nature.

Two paragraph writing frame on language and structure. These two poems go well together if the question is on identity or speaker’s feelings as they both use a dramatic monologue to express frustration but in very different ways.

The revision card template asks students to identify the following information in each poem to ensure they have a basic understanding of the poem that comes up. Type of power and/or conflict 3 essential quotations Structure Form Context Works well when bought in conjunction with my 5 star rated revision grid.

2 differentiated writing frame to help students write a comparison of how Prelude and Storm on the Island present conflict with nature. There are 2 writing frames so students can select their level of challenge and independence.

Ideal for lower ability students or students responding to an AQA exam question on A Christmas Carol for the first time, this writing frame guides students through the process of responding to a question about Scrooge’s lack of humanity. The sentence stems invite students to respond to outside of the extract as well as inside the extract and include opportunities to make links to context.

14 exam style questions on Animal Farm to help with revision.

‘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.

Handy revision sheet about Eva Smith from An Inspector Calls which looks at 11 key quotations. There is also a blank template that I get students to fill in first before going over my answers.