A creative writing task based on an image inspired by ‘Life of Pi’. However it can also be used as a stand-alone without students needing to know the novel or film. Includes sentence starters, a model, and an assessment criteria.

Sentence starters and analytical stems for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (ASND) by Tennessee Williams. Includes phrases for use in essays, focusing on language and literature, includes useful vocabulary, includes useful criticisms.

This is a complete lesson that allows students to take part in descriptive writing inspired by the story of ‘The Canterbury Tales’ by Chaucer. Students design their own travelling companion and go through planning and then descriptive writing. This resource includes a differentiated printable copy and two examples of a creative description. The resource also includes peer assessment opportunity.

Two ‘pitches’ based on Dragon’s Den, alongside several questions centred on understanding, inference and presenting opinion. Aimed at KS3 students and could be used as a whole lesson activity, in preperation for their own persuasive writing, or as a reading assessment.

A double lesson plan and accompanying PPT that encourages KS3 students to engage with themes of climate change and environmentalism through literature. Students read or listen to The Lorax before creating their own ‘whimsical’ tale with a strong eco-friendly message.

Example/model texts on the theme of ‘fast fashion’. These examples can be used for reading comprehension or to teach students about the different forms or text types they might encounter as part of a GCSE English Language exam. Text types include: narrative, descriptive, essay, letter, speech and article. Text types are not categorised by purpose e.g. persuasion, exposition etc.

This lesson can be a stand-alone lesson on the theme of justice (and injustice) in literature or it can be part of a series in which students read and study the novel ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar. Students add key words to their ‘geirfa’ (glossary) and answer inference and opinion questions on the extract.

Example/model texts on the theme of ‘emergency services’. These examples can be used for reading comprehension or to teach students about the different forms or text types they might encounter as part of a GCSE English Language exam. Text types include: narrative, descriptive, essay, letter, speech and article. Text types are not categorised by purpose e.g. persuasion, exposition etc.

This extract on ‘Comic Relief’ includes a series of comprehension, vocabulary, inference and opinion questions. Students are also encouraged to complete a creative writing task after completing their reading task.

This lesson is based on the different types of writing GCSE students might be required to write. They are given a set of texts on the theme of ‘memory’ and asked to identify the G-A-P (Genre, Audience, Purpose). After looking at these examples of different text types (such as essay, speech, letter and article) they are then required to write their own text.

A grid that allows students to engage with ‘Dulce et decorum est’ and write an essay discussing Wilfred Owens’ feelings towards war and violence. The grid includes key quotations and question prompts.

AQA - GCSE - English Literature Essay plan on the presentation of the Supernatural in Macbeth. Including quotations and focus on AQA assessment objectives.

Starting with this extract, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as the dominant partner in this relationship. AQA - GCSE - English Literature Essay Plan.

Extension Activity for J&H, series of “big question” aiming to stretch and challenge higher ability GCSE students. Includes overall aim: essay writing and breakdown of steps to success for each question/challenge.

A grid to guide students in writing an essay on Romeo and Juliet and the theme of bravery. The grid includes key quotations, prompts that reference language and literary features, and areas to encourage strong introductions and conclusions.

A series of activities centered around an extract from ‘The Skin I’m In’ by Sharon G Flake. This includes content for 2-3 lessons, including reading comprehension (and an answer key) and a letter writing task allowing students to demonstrate empathy and understanding.

A booklet aimed at Y7 / KS3 students developing literacy skills through the theme of fairy tales and short stories. Includes extracts from The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, Chinese Cinderella, Tales from India and Revolting Rhymes amongst others. The booklet also includes descriptive writing tasks, tasks on the start and endings of stories and on story structure. At the end of the booklet are extension activities.

A series of worksheets and activities combined into one workbook on the theme of ‘Dragons’. Students have the opportunity to read extracts from the works of writers such as Tolkien and Lewis, read about dragons in Chinese culture and learn about ‘real life’ dragons such as Komodo dragons. Students also have a set of extension tasks and activities including creative writing and wordsearch tasks.

A set of 3/4 (depending on ability) lessons on the theme of ‘charity’. In their first lessons students can read an extract from ‘A Christmas Carol’ and answer questions. In their second lesson students engage in a debate using printed prompts and in their third (and potentially fourth) lesson students can complete a multimedia project on a charity of their choice. This resource includes a set of PPT slides for the first lesson, lesson plans for the second, third (and fourth) lessons, extracts and questions, and prompts for printing.

This resource includes a PDF and editable word document. There are a series of short quotations from texts on the theme of social media/social media influencers. Students then have a series of questions including comprehension, vocabulary, inference and opinion based. To conclude they are given a choice of creative writing tasks. This resource should form the basis for at least one complete lesson with KS3 students.