A comprehensive resource exploring how Rita Dove is happy in her undramatic, unexciting marriage. Designed for GCSE students, this resource begins with a series of discussion points enabling your Love Island obsessed teenagers to appreciate the value of “dull/ boring” romances. The resource includes background information on the poet as well as a full annotation of this EDUQAS text. Everything you need to prepare your students for this poem in one power point!
A complete resource exploring this EDUQAS / edexcel GCSE text in which the famous poet drools over the beauty of a woman he’s just seen. Beginning with a discussion on what love is and how song lyrics can show love/ beauty, this resource moves on to Byron’s background and a full annotation of the poem. By the end, your students will be able to explain that the woman is beautiful in soul as well as in appearance- they’ll just never know if Byron got her number!
A full unit of work exploring George Orwell’s classic novel. 11 fully resourced lessons (an introductory lesson plus one for each chapter) follow the characters, plot and themes of this critique of communism. Designed for KS3 but could easily be adapted for a KS4 class.
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ebook and hard copy texts are available: search Macbeth SikLessons
A complete script for Macbeth but with a Sik twist. Every scene and every act are included in this modern script which is designed for KS3 students who “don’t get” all the old words. The key quotes and witches lines are kept as original however the majority of the text has been modernised with some humour thrown in. My bottom set Year 9 loved reading this and a group of reluctant readers began volunteering for parts!
An example of the changed script:
MACBETH: (Aside) Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor! Those bearded women were right!
(To Ross and Angus)Thanks for telling me.
(To Banquo) Well if they were right about this Cawdor thing maybe they were right about your children becoming kings!
BANQUO: I dunno mate. But 'tis strange:
And sometimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
In order to trick us later on.
MACBETH: (Aside) Two truths are told, what if they were right about me being King?
I could have a new castle, get the best horses and I’d look dope in a crown.
BANQUO: Snap out of it worthy Macbeth, let’s get to that pub.
MACBETH: Sounds like a good plan. Banquo, we’ll talk more about those women we met later on.
I don’t think I can make this poem fun or exciting, Dickinson’s poem is probably the most depressing on the syllabus, but this resource has everything you need to bring out the emo in your pupils. Beginning with conceptual questions to get your pupils thinking about the passage of time, this resource includes contextual information about the reclusive writer and a full annotation with plenty of structural and language analysis. Everything you need to teach this EDUQAS poem is included- you may need to provide your own tissues…
A full resource exploring meaning behind this EDUQAS GCSE poem. Beginning with background information on Larkin himself, the resource explores Larkin’s pessimistic opinions on life and how his negative views on marriage influence this poem. A full annotation is included: everything you need to prepare yourself/ your pupils to face this poem.
A full analysis of Hardy’s poem about a wife learning of her husband’s death during the Boer War. This resource begins with background information on Hardy as well as contextual details about London and the Boer War. The focus shifts to the irony of the poem (receiving the second letter) before concluding with a full annotation and SMILE analysis chart. Everything you need to prepare your students for this EDUQAS GCSE poem in one simple resource.
A complete resource exploring the patriotic message behind Brooke’s famous pro-war poem. This resource is aimed at KS4 students preparing for the EDUQAS anthology literature exam. Beginning with contextual background to Brooke and his poetry, the lesson moves on to explore how patriotism is presented throughout the poem. A full annotation of the sonnet is included. Everything you need to prepare your students for this GCSE poem in one resource!
A fun KS3 unit exploring persuasive writing skills through Dragons’ Den style pitches, topical issues speeches and chocolate bar designs. Incorporating A FOREST FIRE techniques, this pack includes 14 full lessons, a selection of starter activities and pupil support material as well as links to Karl Pilkington video clips about inventions and persusaive techniques used by auctioneers in Storage Hunters. An end of unit assessment is also included.
A comprehensive KS4 resource exploring meaning behind Wilfred Owen’s famous anti-war poem. This resource begins with background to Wilfred Owen’s military career and the propaganda posters that were used in the era. The resource moves on to explore Owen’s use of imagery and how he uses language for effect. A full annotation of the poem is also included as is a true or false revision activity. Everything you need to prepare your students for this EDUQAS poem in one resource.
A comprehensive resource for this EDUQAS GCSE poem which explores the effects of PTSD on a soldier and his wife. The poem is a powerful read and this resource begins with discussion points about service veterans before exploring Armitage and the inspirations for his poetry. The main focus is on the changing relationship between the couple (from lovers to carers) and the metaphors used to describe the soldier’s injuries. A full annotation of the poem is included. Everything you need to prepare your students for this poem in one resource!
The EDUQAS/ edexcel GCSE poem “To Autumn” is one of the finest poems by Romantic poet John Keats. This resource explore all areas of his ode to autumn covering its language, themes and structure. A full annotation of the poem is included. Everything you need to prepare yourself, and your students, for an exam question on this poem!
A huge bundle of emotive, topical ideas used as a springboard to persuasive speeches. This unit is designed as a transition unit from KS3-4 but can easily be adapted to Year 11 classes preparing for exam writing tasks. Each lesson is fully resourced with clear power points, magazine/ news articles and links to short videos online. The scheme links to A FOREST techniques and is aimed towards AQA specification but can easily be tweaked for other exam boards. The issues covered in this pack include: the horsemeat scandal, American gun control laws, euthanasia, banning of whatsapp, the death penalty and should boxing be banned. An assessment on equality in society is included. A complete half-term’s worth of lessons in one easy bundle. Print off the articles and you’re ready to deliver high quality, inspiring lessons to motivate and engage your pupils!
A full resource analysing Nagra’s poem about a British Indian man choosing his new bride over his father’s corner shop. Beginning with a background to Nagra and the Sikh faith, this resource focuses on the poet’s use of language (slang and Punjabi) before exploring how the newly wed couple are presesented. A full annotation of the poem is included. Everything you need to prepare your students for this AQA poem in one resource!
A complete resource with everything you need to teach this AQA poem. Beginning with background information on the poet, this resource explores the themes and messages within the poem before concluding with a full annotation and a blank SMILE analysis chart. Everything you need in one simple resource.
A pack of festive fun lessons suitable for use in English or drama lessons. Aimed at KS3 but older/ younger pupils still enjoy them!
Most of the resources follow the story of evil Atnas Claws (Santa's brother who steals presents) and his dastardly schemes to ruin Christmas. These resources can easily be adapted to take place in any school/ town. In story one he steals presents before being unmasked as a teacher from your school. in the second story he escapes from prison and takes Santa hostage. In the third story he has Santa charged with numerous offences (driving a sleigh whilst drunk etc.) and the pupils can write creative stories, newspaper articles or prepare dramas/ pantomimes about the events.
In Donkey's Christmas Carol, a young donkey dreams of becoming part of Santa's sleigh pulling team- will his dream come true?
A quick poetry lesson using Benjamin Zephaniah's Talking Turkeys is included as are a range of festive starters and an introduction to Call My Bluff as a literacy based quiz competition.
These lessons are a fun, team building alternative to watching DVDs on the last week of term!
The narrator's script for use in a performance of Magic of the Musicals. Humorous links with facts about the following shows:
Mary Poppins
Shrek
Wizard of Oz
Blood Brothers
Andrew Lloyd Webber medley
The Little Mermaid
The Lion King
No song lyrics/ music included
A full script for Robin Hood. The full performance lasts approximately two hours (split into two acts/ 12 scenes). Suitable for KS2 upwards. Cast list as follows:
ROBIN HOOD - Principal boy -8 scenes
MAID MARIAN - Principal Girl – 9 scenes
NURSE TITTLE TATTLE - The Dame – 11 scenes
MUCH, THE MILLER’S SON -The “Buttons” character – 9 scenes
THE SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM - The bad guy! – 7 scenes
NICKIT & SCARPER - The Sheriff’s Tax Collectors – 9 scenes
THE FAIRY STARDUST OF THE FOREST - The “Good Fairy” character – 8 scenes
MYSTIC MEG Works for the Sheriff, giving him guidance for the future – 6 scenes
ALARNAA / SCARLET / LITTLE JOAN / FRIAR TUCK Robin’s men & women! – 7 scenes
KING RICHARD Act II Scene 12 only – 2 scenes
The “Hoodies” – trainee “Merry Men”, played by teenagers “Teen-speak” - 7 scenes
HELEN HARDUP “Know-it-all” villager. Lines in Scene 1 only - 4 scenes
SALLY SKINT & PENNY PENNILESS Villagers, with a few lines – 3 scenes
CHORUS ROLES: - Peasants, Merry Men & Hoodies, School Children – 7 scenes
A full lesson analysing how meaning is created in poetry.
Looking for better value for money? This resource is just one of the poems featured in the poetry about poverty pack priced at just £6
A full lesson analysing how meaning is created in poetry.
Looking for better value for money? This resource is just one of the poems featured in the poetry about poverty pack priced at just £6