Calling all Harry Potter fans, this fifty question quiz with answers will test your knowledge of JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel - “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. A fun way to encourage reading.

Although Old English was spoken many centuries ago, some words have survived into modern English. This powerpoint contains clues to ten words which originated in Old English. It is then followed by examples of place names which are derived from Old English. Students are given many opportunities to brainstorm more place names and investigate the language. This could be used as part of the English or History curriculum.

This folder includes a powerpoint which guides students through the poem. The first activity helps them to work out what the Latin sentence “Dulce et Decorum est…” means. This is followed by looking at the poem in terms of Owen’s use of similes, metaphors and imagery. Two example paragraphs of analysis of the first lines of the poem serve as a model to encourage students to write some analysis of their own. A storyboard worksheet is also included which students could complete for homework.This lesson could be used in conjunction with the background lesson on Wilfred Owen, also found here.

This Powerpoint introduces the historical context of witches in Macbeth with a true or false game where students have to identify the correct or incorrect statements about witches. Students are then given some information about James V1th’s role in witchcraft persecution. Before studying Act One Scene One they are presented with a modern translation so that they understand what is going on. They then read Shakespeare’s Act One Scene One and consider what was lost in the translation and why Shakespeare’s scene is much more powerful. Students enjoy reading and acting out the scene in groups. They are then asked to design three costumes for a modern version of the play, focusing on representing the witches as powerful, evil and frightening. At the end of the lesson, you can show them Roman Polanski’s opening scene and compare and contrast their costumes with Polanski’s choices. Could be used as a precursor to my lesson on the witches’ spell; as part of an introduction to Shakespeare or as part of a scheme on Macbeth.

Students explore John Agard’s use of irony in this clever poem. They are then supported to write a parody of the poem, rejecting any stereotypes of themselves. A multiple choice quiz worksheet is used as a starter to get students interested in the themes and ideas.

Teach your students how to write a ballad poem using the life of ex-slave and slave rescuer, Harriet Tubman. Celebrating the heroic life of Harriet Tubman, this twenty slide powerpoint shows how her life story was made into a ballad by Eloise Crosby Culver. Students then study the key features of ballads and are invited to add an extra verse of their own to the ballad, with historical information about the great lady. Students are then tasked with writing their own ballads about either a fictional or real person. Links in well with writing a ballad about Kissin' Kate Barlow from "Holes".

Spelling words ending in y can be tricky. This powerpoint provides the rule and then practise with forty words ending in y. Presented as a quiz, students have to decide which is the correct spelling. This is then followed by a fourteen word exercise to add suffixes to words ending in y. All answers are provided and slides contain cartoon graphics to extend vocabulary and help second language learners. A worksheet is included to consolidate the learning in the lesson or at home. A simplified version of the quiz is thrown in free with differentiated worksheet also.

Four different activities allow students to become increasingly independent in their ability to create complex sentences using relative pronouns - who; whose; that which. Answers given where appropriate. Activities could be delivered as starters or as a whole lesson.

Encourage your students to use a wider variety of sentences by teaching them how to begin sentences with the present participle, “ing” form of the verb. This powerpoint contains a clear explanation, ten sentences to re-write with answers and five fictional products to for students to sell using this type of sentence. In the final activity students choose their own product or company to promote using this sentence type. It can be used as two separate lessons of thirty minutes or a lesson of an hour, factoring in feedback from students.

Lots of colourful and visual examples and a variety of exercises to embed the concept of onomatopoeia for your students. This twenty-two slide powerpoint culminates with three examples of poems using onomatopoeia. Students are then supported to create their own onomatopoeia poem about the noises that they hear while they are at school.

Encourage your students to write a powerfully persuasive formal letter from a choice of five letter writing tasks. After studying an extract from Mahatma Ghandi’s 1940 open letter to Hitler, designed to persuade him to stop World War Two, students choose a subject that they are passionate about from the following choices: A letter to your local council arguing that the building project should not go ahead. . Write a letter to the organisers of an expedition persuading them that you should be on the team. Write a letter to a well-known person persuading them to visit your school or college for the benefit of the students. Write a letter to a celebrity of your choice persuading him or her to support a campaign to end world poverty. Write a letter to the Manager of the School Meals Service in which you offer your advice. Key persuasive features are identified on a twenty slide powerpoint. Students are encouraged to use emotive language; antithesis; rhetorical question; simple sentences; repetition and direct address. Perfect for teaching GCSE transacational writing.

Two lessons using an extract from Bill Bryson’s travelogue “Notes from a Small Island” in which he describes his disappointment at visiting Blackpool. The lesson sequence is as follows: In the first lesson the students attempt the question “How does the writer use language to show disappointment?” in preparation for AQA English Paper One Question 2 on language. A WAGOLL answer is provided demonstrating how the answer should be marked. A mark scheme is provided and students peer assess each other’s work following the model, giving each other a mark and written feedback. The second lesson uses the theme of disappointment as a springboard. Students write a story about disappointment in preparation for Section B: Writing on English Paper One. An example of planning a story with a 3 part story structure is included, as well as a further extract from Bryson on Weston-Super-Mare in which he shows disappointment. 23 slides and two extracts included.

Students are given a look/cover/spell/check sheet with 20 words with silent letters to spell. The powerpoint then gives each of the words with the letter missing and students write the correct spelling of the word. The answers are provided on the powerpoint and cartoon graphics are included to help second language speakers. A further worksheet supports a spot the silent letter activity in a passage about a ghastly day. Students then use the words which they have learnt to write a story using as many silent letters as possible.

Adding the suffixes -ful and -fully to the ends of words can be tricky because if the word ends in y, then you change the y to an i. This rule is explained and then there are twenty sentences that students have to complete with key words, either ending in -ful or -fully. Cartoon graphics are included to help second language speakers. All answers provided, so students mark their own work. A workheet is provided to consolidated the learning either at home or in class. A free suffix worksheet is thrown in for good measure too.

This apprentice-style group task begins with a look at the case study of Lucozade and how it was successfully rebranded from a medicinal product to an energy drink. Students are then tasked with rebranding boring old Snugfit Thermal Underwear. In groups they have to work together to diversify the range; create a storyboard for a TV advert; create the script for a radio advert and design a billboard poster. Finally, they have to present their ideas to the rest of the class. You decide on the success criteria and the winning group. This twenty-two slide Powerpoint has all you need to get them doing an enjoyable and challenging speaking and listening activity. It also introduces them to the world of marketing.

Full scheme of work comprising of lessons on each of the twenty-three chapters of the book. This powerpoint contains approximately two hundred slides. Each lesson features a starter, main and plenary and is designed to encourage students to create their own autobiographical writing, inspired by Roald Dahl’s experiences.

Have fun revising key language techniques with this enjoyable quiz. Students can work in pairs or groups to guess the product being advertised. For extra bonus points they have to name the language techniques used (imperatives; direct address; rhetorical questions; bold statements; rhyme; puns etc). In the second round they are given ten new brands and they have to come up with slogans themselves. Finally, if you want to take it further, they choose one of the brands and slogans and turn it into a full-blown advertising campaign. A great way to launch them into several lessons worth of work!

Five lessons on Alfred Noyes’ romantic and ghostly poem “The Highwayman”. The lesson sequence is as follows; Lesson 1: Background information on highwaymen. Class questions on plot to clarify understanding and worksheet cloze exercise to consolidate understanding. Lesson 2: Similes in poem with worksheet and then opportunity for students to create their own similes. Lesson 3: Metaphors in poem with worksheet and then opportunity for students to create their own metaphors. Lesson 4: Sound effects: Worksheet on alliteration, onomatopoeia,rhythm and rhyme. Activities for students to create alliteration poem and brainstorm more onomatopoeic words. Lesson 5: Discussion of key themes - loyalty, betrayal, death and love. Students plan a story on one of these themes as final assessment. Links to AQA GCSE English Paper One Section B: Write a story. 56 slide powerpoint and six worksheets in folder with copy of poem.

Many words have come into English from Latin and Greek, making the formation of some plurals quite tricky. Other words just seem to have random plurals like ‘foot and feet’. This 45 slide powerpoint take you through 18 of the most common irregular plurals. Then you have a memory test to see if you can remember them. Finally a worksheet is included to consolidate the learning. With fun cartoon graphics and all answers provided. Designed to be completed as an individual or as a class.

This thirty-eight slide powerpoint contains information about the life and career of the renowned author Philip Pullman. Learn about his early work before becoming famous for ‘His Dark Materials’. There are five ideas for creative writing inspired by Pullman’s work, such as writing a story in which the character goes through a portal to making a pact with a supernatural force. Students will be intrigued by Pullman’s imaginative world.