A Scheme of Work (SOW) that I made for my KS3 Year 9 English class, it is focused on GCSE English Language Paper 2 Skills. It uses ‘relevant’ topics such as whether or not Barbie is a feminist masterpiece, whether or not guns should be banned in the US and also focuses on things such as compulsory voting (there is a whole lesson dedicated to the recent UK General Election of 2024 for this) and issues such as capital punishment. My class really got on quite well with this last year, you can easily adapt it too! Not all lessons have powerpoints, but most do.

Unlock the Secrets of Gothic Literature with this Engaging Lesson Series on “The Pit and the Pendulum”! Transport your students to the heart of Gothic horror with this comprehensive set of lessons designed to immerse them in Edgar Allan’s timeless tale, The Pit and the Pendulum. Tailored for Year 8 English students of all abilities, this resource masterfully combines historical context, thematic exploration, symbolic analysis, and creative writing tasks. Why This Lesson Plan Stands Out: Dynamic Starters: Thought-provoking Do Now! activities ignite curiosity and activate prior knowledge, from Gothic conventions to themes like madness in Poe’s works. In-Depth Context: Students dive into the historical backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, understanding its influence on the story’s atmosphere and Gothic themes of oppression, fear, and injustice. Thematic Analysis: Key themes such as fear, isolation, mortality, and power are unpacked with examples that encourage critical thinking and literary appreciation. Symbolism Unveiled: Detailed analysis of the pit, pendulum, and rats allows students to explore their deeper meanings, fostering connections between symbolism and universal human fears. Creative Expression: Culminating in an imaginative writing task, students apply their understanding of Gothic conventions to create suspenseful narratives, inspired by Poe’s haunting style. Engaging Plenaries: Plenaries prompt reflection and discussion, encouraging students to link Gothic elements in The Pit and the Pendulum with modern storytelling. What Teachers Gain: A fully structured week-long scheme with ready-to-use lesson plans and materials. Activities that meet diverse needs, with a mix of analytical, discussion-based, and creative tasks. Opportunities to foster deeper literary analysis while inspiring students to think creatively. Bring the dark allure of Poe’s Gothic masterpiece to your classroom. Buy this resource today and transform your students’ understanding of Gothic literature! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 “The Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971 “The Black Cat” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003

This captivating two-day lesson on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” guides students through an in-depth exploration of the poem’s context, symbolism, and mood shifts. On the first day, students engage with the dark background that influenced Poe’s writing, gaining insight into the haunting atmosphere and themes of loss, loneliness, and madness. They analyse the arrival of the mysterious raven and its symbolic perch on the bust of Pallas. On the second day, students dive into the text’s biblical and symbolic references, such as “Is there balm in Gilead?”, exploring how these deepen the poem’s emotional impact. They practice analytical skills through PEE paragraphs, tracking the narrator’s changing moods to understand how Poe crafts suspense and despair. Buy this lesson to immerse students in Gothic literature and teach them to master mood analysis through one of Poe’s finest works! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 The Black Cat Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153003

This immersive lesson offers students a deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic short story “The Black Cat.” By examining Poe’s use of symbolism, themes, and narrative style, students uncover the psychological and moral complexities of the narrator’s descent into madness. Engaging activities include analysing imagery, discussing the symbolism of the black cats and the wall, and exploring how alcohol influences the narrator’s unraveling psyche. Students analyze key themes like guilt, violence, and unreliable narration, using textual evidence to support their interpretations. Through a blend of individual, pair, and visual storytelling tasks, students also plan and create their own comic adaptation of the story, making complex literary elements accessible and memorable. Buy this lesson to captivate your students with the dark intricacies of Poe’s Gothic world while enhancing their analytical, creative, and interpretative skills! SEE ALSO: TRUE CRIME: Solving the Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152942 The “Tell-Tale Heart” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152809 “The Raven” Lessons: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152971

FREE FIRST LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13149689 FREE SECOND LESSON - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13152951 PLANNING AND RESEARCH SHEETS -https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13153398 A whole unit of lessons (ten lessons - although some lessons may take longer!) which uses Bill Bryson’s Travelogue/Travel Writing style as inspiration to write an English Language GCSE Paper 1 Section B style response! The focus of these lessons is to help students write engaging travelogues inspired by Bill Bryson’s style. The lessons emphasise the use of humor, vivid descriptions, character observations, cultural engagement, and personal reflections to create compelling travel narratives. Students are guided through drafting, editing, and refining their work with practical exercises, planning tools, and peer feedback to enhance their storytelling. I have previously uploaded an earlier version of this SOW, but it was made when I was teaching the class I made it for once a week, so I have heavily edited it, expanded it and made it much more substantial! Travel Writing Scheme of Work which can be used for Mixed ability Y7 and Y8 groups, or a lower ability Y9. Could even be adapted for GCSE or “flip”/step-up lower ability KS4 English groups.