Two resources (10 slide PowerPoint and key quotes chart) for a revision lesson on ‘Great Expectations’ preparing Year 11 students for Paper 1 of the new AQA English Literature GCSE. The lesson covers revision of the novel’s main themes; how themes are revealed through characters, events and settings; relevant context and key quotations from across the novel through a range of active learning tasks. Differentiation by choice and extension tasks are included. The key quotes chart (which I enlarged to A3 and printed single sided to encourage students to display at home) includes pictures for each quotation to aid visual learners. I have included some extra details and teaching options in the notes sections below some slides. The homework task is to complete the rest of the chart at home to consolidate and develop each student’s knowledge and understanding from the lesson and prior learning. The lesson was created for a mixed ability Year 11 class. All the activities were well received and helped students write high mark timed essays following my second revision lesson (available separately on TES Resources).

Four resources (15 slide PowerPoint, modelling examples, AQA style extract essay question - with additional tips to support less able students, and two short extracts for focused close analysis) for one lesson and a homework preparing Year 11 students for their ‘Great Expectations’ essay question in Paper 1 of the new AQA English Literature GCSE exam. A range of activities are included in which students complete tasks (discussions, notes, annotations, PEEL paragraphs, peer and self-assessment, DIRT) in pairs/individually which focus on the need for detailed, close analysis of the exam extract. Two activities also encourage students to include relevant contextual detail in their answers. The lesson builds on my previous revision lesson (available separately on TES Resources) which helps students revise key aspects of the novel as a whole, and builds towards the homework task: timed essay for teacher marking and feedback. Most tasks offer differentiation by choice and students work on their individual targets after peer assessment. Moreover, most slides have additional information or ideas in the notes sections. The lesson was created for a mixed ability Year 11 class. All the activities were well received. My students especially liked the modelling examples and revision of how to analyse structure as well as language. As a teacher, I was extremely pleased with the resulting essays.

An 81 slide fun quiz made up of 53 questions and answers which can be used for KS3, KS4 or even KS5 classes with three main rounds for engaging variety in those end of term lessons. There is a 25 question general literature knowledge quiz first - with the extra benefit that the last letter of each answer is the beginning letter of the following answer. This is followed by a ten question round on literary terms. You may or may not want to add correct spelling into the mix for that round! Answers are at the end of that round. The third round is a name that book round with fifteen book covers with the titles blanked out. Answers are at the end of that round. The books are from a range of target ages and genres. There is also a final round of three bonus questions if you need some tie-breakers. This was initially created last year and proved hugely popular with all my English classes from Year 7 to Year 13. It is an hour of end of term fun related to English, literature and independent reading.

4 resources (2 PowerPoints of 18 + 7 slides, worksheet and help sheet) for 2 lessons to help pupils improve their accurate use of capital letters and punctuation. Activities include: pair and class discussions; correcting an extract with missing capital letters and punctuation; a creative writing task with a punctuation focus; homework task (differentiation by choice). Differentiation: modelling examples; extension tasks; number of missing capital letters and punctuation marks on task 1 listed; peer checking and peer assessment; pupils set own targets; help sheet with examples of more advanced punctuation used correctly to support all pupils and encourage more able to include semi-colons and colons. I created these lessons for a mixed ability KS3 class. It has helped focus their attention on the need for an accurate clear punctuation range in their writing. Extracts are taken from The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and an interview with John Boyne.

8 resources for 3 lessons (lessons 9-11 of my Year 10 SOW) focusing on Chapters 8-11 and developing key skills for AO1 and AO2. Resources include detailed PowerPoints for each lesson (lesson 9 = 10 slides; lesson 10 = 9 slides; lesson 11 = 10 slides); 2 sheets of extracts; a homework task sheet encouraging students to re-read an earlier chapter and analyse minor characters; a starter task sheet of an opinion article from The Telegraph and comprehensive lesson plans. Lesson plans include homework tasks building on class tasks and/or practising key analysis skills, extension tasks for the more able and suggestions for possible activity adaptations to suit different teaching groups. The lessons also encourage students to complete DIRT after teacher, peer or self assessment. All these tasks worked extremely well with my current Year 10 class and build on from lessons 1-8 which I have also uploaded in TES Resources.

Four resources covering two lessons - one lesson analysing Scene 3 with an AO1, AO2 and AO5 focus and leading to students writing an analytical essay on the scene; one lesson on essay feedback and DIRT. Resources include PowerPoints for each lesson, comprehensive lesson plans and an essay cover sheet I created using the mark scheme for the AS exam. These lessons form lesson 8 and lesson 11 of the SOW I created for the new Edexcel English Literature AS Level. However, both are equally valid for the new AQA spec. The lesson plan also explains how essays will be worded in the Edexcel AS Level drama exam. There are also ideas for other essay titles to help students develop their understanding of the play and prepare them for exam essays.

A sheet I created to use for CLD essay feedback (AQA English Language A Level Paper 1 Section B) highlighting where students have met the assessment criteria for AO1 and AO2 and highlighting (or adding) key targets. I then staple it to the front of the essay. I have used this successfully since the new spec came in. It helps focus students on key areas for improvement and what the A Level examiners are specifically looking for. Please visit my TES shop for further A Level English Language resources.

Tried and tested essay planning sheet for AQA GCSE ‘Macbeth’ essays. This resource reminds students they need to explore both the printed extract and show their knowledge and understanding of other scenes in the play. It is perfect for planning those early essays and for revision planning. My students found it especially useful for reminding them of areas of context they could include. I enlarge it to A3 for classroom planning (leaving space to add more ideas after whole class feedback), but leave it as A4 if homework planning. It has also proved to be an invaluable resource for private tutoring and can be simply tweaked for other set GCSE plays or novels.

Details of the first 7 lessons on my SOW on Wuthering Heights as the main text for the coursework essay for the new Edexcel A Level English Literature spec. It could, however, easily be adapted for the new AQA A Level spec. There are PowerPoints for the first 4 lessons, including introducing students to the main literary theories as well as introducing students to the early chapters in the novel and some historical context. The SOW details activities and the main AOs for each lesson. There is homework set for each lesson and extension activities are in purple on the PowerPoints. The last 3 lessons have students watching a film/TV adaptation of the novel to explore a different interpretation of the text (possible affected by contextual factors) before studying critical reviews later in the SOW. I have also included a number of example coursework essay titles to encourage students to consider their essay focus and choice of second text. These lessons proved to be successful in re-focusing my Year 12 students after their AS study leave. They then read the rest of the novel over the summer before their return in Year 13. Please note that the cloze exercise on Chapter 3 is not included as it is a Teachit resource. This can be downloaded as a PDF from Teachit for free. Teachit also has a useful literary critical theories handout you could give students during lesson 1.

8 resources covering 5 lessons on my SOW for A Level coursework for the new Edexcel English Lit A Level spec. These could easily be used/adapted for the new AQA English Lit A Level spec. Lessons examine language, setting, narrative voice, character relationships and include independent learning tasks. The last two lessons involve students presenting chapters to the rest of the class. The final task is an essay question. There are a number of different learning tasks to encourage student engagement as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of the novel. The comprehensive lesson plans include ideas for differentiation and show how each lesson links to at least one of the assessment objectives. Lessons 1-7 of my SOW have been uploaded separately onto TES Resources.

Seven resources on prose extracts which can be used as extension/challenge or homework or starters with KS3 classes. They include a range of tasks (often through differentiation/adaptive learning by choice) to help pupils explore the effects of a range of language and structural techniques plus start to develop evaluative skills. These tasks also help pupils respond to more challenging ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. Pupils have found these short extracts and guidance questions extremely helpful in preparing them for analysis of longer texts in end of unit and end of year assessments. I have these resources (along with my poetry extension/challenge reading tasks and extension/challenge writing tasks) laminated on coloured paper (green for reading and yellow for writing) in a folder my pupils can access if they have completed all my main lesson tasks. I have also used some for cover lessons and as adaptive learning group tasks. Now my school is moving towards pupils using laptops in lessons, I have uploaded these into my KS3 class Teams rooms to encourage pupils to access stretch and challenge activities as part of their independent learning. I have uploaded my reading extension/challange poetry tasks and writing extension/challenge tasks in separate resources on TES. You can also purchase them all in a money saving bundle.

Eleven tried and tested resources which can be used as extension/challenge, homework or starter activities to help pupils improve their creative writing. They include a range of guided tasks (one offers differentiation by choice) including persuasive writing, writing from the point of view of a specific character and descriptive writing based round a picture ready for the GCSE English Language writing tasks. I have these resources (along with my poetry challenge reading tasks and prose challenge reading tasks) laminated on coloured paper (green for reading and yellow for writing) in a folder my pupils can access if they have completed all my main lesson tasks. I have also used these writing tasks for cover lessons, as adapted learning group tasks and with my KS3 creative writing club. Now my school is moving towards pupils using laptops in lessons, I have uploaded these into my KS3 class Teams rooms to encourage pupils to access stretch and challenge activities as part of their independent learning. I have uploaded my reading extension/challenge poetry tasks and reading extension/challenge prose tasks in separate TES resources. Alternatively, you can purchase all the resources in a bundle.

A* essay responses to the AQA 2017 and 2018 English Language A Level exams (Paper 1 Section B Children’s language development - Q4 learning to talk task). These essays meet the criteria for high level 5 for both AO1 and AO2 so are ideal as ready made modelling examples for any of the knowledge and skills required for this section of the A Level exams. They have proved hugely beneficial for previous and current students in the classroom and one-to-one tutoring for essay content, structure and the mark scheme skills listed below. AO1: linguistic methods and terminology applied with patterns and complexities identified different levels of language analysis applied in an integrated way with connections explored levels of language analysis applied with no errors reader is guided through the essay AO2: a synthesised and conceptualised and individual overview of issues demonstrated approaches, views and interpretations of linguistic issues evaluated and challenged

Seven tried and tested resources on poetry which can be used as challenge, or homework or starter activities with KS3 classes. They include a wide variety of tasks (differentiation by choice) to enable pupils to explore the effects of a range of language and structural techniques. These tasks also help pupils respond to more challenging ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions to help develop evaluative skills. Pupils have found these activities extremely beneficial in preparation for end of unit and end of year assessments. I have these resources (along with my prose extension reading tasks and challenge writing tasks) laminated on coloured paper (green for reading and yellow for writing) in a folder my pupils can access if they have completed all my main lesson tasks. I have also used these activities for cover lessons and as adaptive learning group tasks. Now my school is moving towards pupils using laptops in lessons, I have uploaded these into my KS3 class Teams rooms to encourage pupils to access stretch and challenge activities as part of their independent learning. I have uploaded my reading challenge prose tasks and writing challenge tasks as separate packs on TES. You can also purchase all three in a money saving bundle.

Two language change lessons on early dictionaries and the age of prescriptivism for AQA English Language A Level Paper 2. Resources include two PowerPoints (19 slides and 13 slides) and two accompanying student handouts containing relevant information and a range of thought-provoking and engaging activities to apply learning and make it memorable. These lessons have been tried, tested and honed with numerous Year 13 classes as part of my language change SoW. The Words of the Year (WOTY) are from 2023; I will update when the 2024 ones are released.

10 resources for 3 highly engaging, thought provoking and informative lessons (with 3 independent study tasks) exploring attitudes to regional British accents for AQA AS/A Level English Language Paper 2 Section A. The lessons explore a variety of linguistic concepts, ideas and research including accent bias, changing attitudes, Giles’ matched guise research, the 2004 BBC poll and 2013 ITV findings with a wide range of audio clip links to support teaching and learning. Independent learning tasks develop and consolidate learning as well as aiding revision and essay writing skills. The lessons also include exploration of the Alex Scott Tokyo 2020 Olympics commentary Twitter debate to demonstrate accentism is still very much alive. Across the wide range of activities there are also links to the Teach Real English, Accent Bias Britain and Accentism Project websites for useful resources and information. The lessons were created for Year 12 and can be used for either AS or A Level students. With this in mind, I have included different essay title wording on slides within the second lesson PowerPoint for either AS or A Level. I have also included both my Paper 2 Section A AS and A Level student mark sheets for discursive/evaluative essays. These activities are all tried and tested in the classroom with excellent results.

A full lesson including an A* exemplar accents (language diversity) essay produced for my Year 12 AQA English Language students as a modelling example in the Autumn term and 22 slide PowerPoint. This lesson guides Year 12 students through potential content for an AQA Paper 1 Section A evaluative essay (after I had taught the accents part of my accent and dialect SoW). This is followed by use of the exemplar essay to guide students through the AQA mark scheme and exemplify level 4 and some level 5 AO1 and AO2 success criteria. Initially, I cut up the essay and asked students to organise it into an argument (AO1 level 4), then we discussed whether it guided the reader (AO1 level 5). We then explored the use of precise AO1 terminology and academic register before exploring evidence of detailed knowledge and comments on different views and approaches (AO2 level 4) and how some of these views were challenged and evaluated (AO2 level 5). The PowerPoint also helps students understand what the mark scheme wording means. I then gave my students two new accents essay titles to choose from for their first A Level essay - details on PowerPoint. All lesson details are on the PowerPoint with some additional tips/ideas/links in the notes sections. This lesson proved a great success with high quality A Level essays produced by my students. The AQA Paper 2 Section A mark scheme can be found on the AQA website.

Nine highly engaging lessons on Part Two of ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ for the Edexcel English Literature (Women and Society) A Level spec. Resources include: a 56 slide PowerPoint, 2 model comparative essays, essay mark sheet, starter task on chapter 26, detailed handouts on chapters 23 and 26, reading log sheet. Included on the PowerPoint are a wide variety of teaching and learning tasks (all of which have been successfully tried and tested with Year 12 students), key information to aid understanding and progress, and clear signposts to relevant AOs. All chapters of Part Two of the novel are covered - starting with a summary for each chapter. Tasks vary across the chapters but usually include links to theme(s) or context, details of narrative/character presentation, exploration of key methods and textual evidence. I have not split the PowerPoint into specific lessons but I completed this unit in 9 lessons. If you are pushed for lesson time, some tasks could easily be set for homework. The two A* exemplar essays compare ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ with Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’. This unit follows my Part One SoW available separately on TES Resources. My Part Three and Part Four SoW will be uploaded once I have remove all references to my current school from the resources.

Eleven highly engaging lessons on Part One of ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ for the Edexcel English Literature (Women and Society) A Level spec. Resources include: a 74 slide PowerPoint, lesson 1 introduction sheet, two key context handouts, detailed handouts on chapters 1 and 15, ATSS reading journal, essay mark sheet, starter task on chapter 5, and a copy of the poem the novel’s title is taken from. Included on the PowerPoint are a wide variety of teaching and learning tasks (all of which have been successfully tried and tested with Year 12 students) for the classroom and homework, key information to aid understanding and progress, and clear signposts to AO1, AO2 or AO3. There is one essay set just on this novel with an accompanying mark scheme with AO4 removed. So out of 30 rather than 40. All 15 chapters of Part One of the novel are covered - starting with a summary for each chapter. Tasks vary across the chapters but usually include links to theme(s) or context, details of narrative/character presentation, exploration of key methods and textual evidence. I have not split the PowerPoint into specific lessons but I completed this unit in 11 lessons. I taught this novel after teaching ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’. However, there are no references to Hardy or Tess in the Part One SoW, so it would work equally if you are teaching the more popular ‘Women and Society’ 19th century novel: ‘Wuthering Heights’. My students had all read the whole novel in the summer between Year 11 and Year 12, so already knew the plot before lessons started after February half term. Half term homework had been to reread Part One. I will be uploading my additional SoWs on Parts Two-Four of this novel as separate TES resources once I have removed all references to my current school from them.