Pupils discuss the painting ‘In the Night Cafe’ by Vincent Van Gogh, as mentioned in the opening stage directions to the scene. They then go on the look at the 1947, Thomas Hart Benton painting based on the scene from the film version of the play. Annotating both images to find links to the characters, themes and setting. The PPT details presents pupils with information about the characters and symbols in this scene, for discussion and text annotation. Pupils are given an extract to analyse the stage directions to prompt discussion of William’s unusual descriptive use of the technique. The lesson ends with pupils completing a written task.

Introduction to satire in Animal Farm. Pupils are given detailed notes and then asked to summarise the content. PPT introduces a variety of front covers for analysis. The PPT finishes on a definition of allegory and that AF is an allegory fro the Russian Revolution - groups could then mind map all previous knowledge of the Russians/Russian Revolution to predict the story of AF.

PPT initially created to guide Year 8 pupils through making a good speech/presentation for their English Speaking Board examination (ESB), however could be used for any speech/presentation task. A series of images and tips to prepare and give pupils confidence in their own performance.

Introduction to William Blake, specifically Songs of Innocence and Experience. The presentation provides biographical contextual information before asking pupils to consider what the title means. Focusing on the quote ‘Being the two contrary states of the human soul’ the PPT explores Blake’s influences: IndustrIal Age, Romanticism, Science, Religion and Revolution.

A Year 7 lesson looking at quotes from Chapter 10. Pupils are guided through the PEE structure. Tasks include groups producing PEE cards to be swapped and put the end of the lesson pupils should have the ability to select appropriate quotes from the book, and give personal opinions about what they mean.

Year 7 lesson activity, guiding pupils through writing their own mythological story. I normally use this after studying Greek Myths or Myths and Legends. Pupils are asked to select a natural phenomenon and consider how this would have been explained in Ancient Greece. Pupils select four components from a list, their challenge is to include these in their story within a limited word count. Pupils create neat booklets, these look great on a display.

Year 7 or 8 media scheme of work. In groups pupils consider the various aspects of advertising; logos, slogans, language. Their task is to design and present a campaign on animal welfare and reflect on their choices at the end. This can be delivered over 1/2 lessons or given time/resources used to aid a more developed campaign. My last group made tote bags, business cards, recorded role plays...

A lesson guiding pupils to consider pace, tone, accent and body language in performing poetry. Ideal for group work and a fun task. Pupils are encouraged to apply the different aspects to their own poem throughout the lesson.

Lesson showing Blue Peter's iconic 'Tracey Island' demonstration. Pupils note key aspects of writing instructions before brainstorming ideas as a group. After deciding, they all write instructions (homework to write/present in neat) and consider logistics of presenting. This year we had waffles made from scratch, cake decorating - with lots of 'here's one I made earlier' Yoga, paninis, smoothies, origami and lots of other fun demonstrations.

The lesson objective is to understand why many young men like Tommo were so eager to go off to war. Pupils will identify the ways that men were persuaded to enlist in the army, and produce a piece of work which persuades people to join up for something. The lesson encourages analysis of War posters the Sergeant Major's speech and Jessie Pope's poem Who's for the Game?

Lesson aimed at Year 8 or 9. Pupils consider Persuasive /propaganda techniques using Squealers speech. Groups/pairs create their own speech to deliver to the class.

A PPT presentation detailing the story of Beowulf. Includes detailed contextual information, discussion of language variation and a fun task of creating Kennings.

A Year 8 scheme of work for David Grant’s play Free The play tells the story of a Year class with no teacher and the adventure of their ‘free’ lesson. The PPT guides pupils through setting, characterisation, dramatic tension and themes. Various tasks encourage class discussion, independent writing and a final group task producing a programme for the schools own production. Pupils throughly enjoy this short play. It can easily be read and studied over a few weeks.

Year 7 lesson - Pupils read the myth Persephone and the pomegranate seeds and then answer comprehension questions. The PPT invites them to consider what a monologue is - Taylor Swift recorded a ‘Monologue song’ I play this to pupils to give them the idea. The main task is to write a monologue for one of the characters in Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds Pupils need to imagine that they are that character and write an imagined extract from their autobiography explaining how their character felt about the situation. Volunteers read their responses to the class.

A Year 7 lesson considering the perspective of a character. Main task to write a diary entry written from the perspective of Michael. The PPT introduces aspects of diary writing and examples. Pupils read chapter 5, discuss Michaels emotions and what they would include in a diary entry. Pupils write an independent response and peer assess.

A PPT with analysis of quotes and symbols from Scene 2 of William’s A Streetcar Named Desire. Produced for Year 12 AS study of the play, pupils discuss and annotate own copies of the text. Includes a detailed presentation of speech theory.

Year 12 lesson on setting in Wide Sargasso Sea. The PPT provides detailed information on the three settings and provides pupils with prompts to discuss and write about place and structure. Pupils are guided to consider place and character, looking specifically at Daniel Cosway’s room. After group writing, pupils annotated texts and completed an independent analysis of one extract relating to setting.

A Year 12 presentation on literary theory. An introduction to the main theories and detailed information on colonalism, post-colonialism and feminism. Lots of areas for discussion, pupils record key information. I provide pupils with a handout of Conventry Patmore’s poem ‘The Angel in the House’ - wikipedia, this is used for some ‘unseen’ poetry analysis and then to prompt class discussion on Victorian ideals. I also give pupils a copy of 'An extinct Angel’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - as this is a ‘talk back’ to Patmore’s poem it goes well with the study of Rhys’s response to Jane Eyre.

Year 12 lesson on narrative and structure in Wide Sargasso Sea. The lesson includes questions and answers and detailed information for note taking. Pupils complete a task selecting relevant quotes/information on doubles in the text. After a discussion on Point of view pupils are given statements to support with evidence from the text in preparation for a homework task.