Short scheme using an extract from chapters 1 & 3 of Peter Kay’s 2006 autobiography ‘The Sound of Laughter’. Used with a lower ability group to encourage exploring tone, humour and non-fiction writing. Includes: Extract from chapter 1 with pictures Extract from chapter 3 Lesson by lesson mini-scheme Assessment around an extract from chapter 3 Mark scheme for assessment

A breakdown of key questions and points to consider when making notes around poetry. Students could transform this into a revision map, booklet, poster or general revision guide. Can be used for any poem alongside pupils' prior knowledge or by transferring notes from revision guides.

Presentation to inform students about the content of the new AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2. Includes list of Conflict and Power poetry and a breakdown of questions in Section A, B and C. Could be used as introduction to new content and re-visited to look over how exam questions could be worded.

'Scattegories' game in which students are given a list of items/topics and they have to come up with that begin with the same letter of the alphabet. Random letter generator needed beforehand. Could be used as a starter/plenary and to generate some vocabulary ideas.

A Drama and English resource which summarises the plot and key characters of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. Uses the whole class and teacher to bring the story to its feet within the classroom. A large (ish) space is required for the task as the class need to be sat in a circle. Includes a homework or extension design task at the end of lesson - costumes for four key characters. Can be used as both an introduction or consolidation task. Ideal for KS3 and as a way to allow students to access Shakespeare through modern language and adaptation. ['Whoosh' text not my own.]

Selection of resources for a speaking and listening task to persuade for or against to existence of the Loch Ness monster. Includes articles for and against which can be used as evidence in students' speeches and some time to collect ideas and embed AFORESTY features throughout. Good idea for KS3 and could work alongside a more structured writing task at a later date.

Tasks round Angelou's poem 'The Caged Bird'. Some clips used to explore context and author's opinion throughout the poem which leads on to discussion and consolidation of understanding and a visual thematic collage. Can be used with varying abilities and could lead on to an assessment/extended writing task around the use of extended metaphors within poetry. (Reading around the poem required beforehand.)

Using the MRS TEAR structure students analyse and write up their understanding, interpretation and knowledge of John Agard's poem 'Flag'. Lesson also discusses the new AQA English Literature Paper 2 in which poetry analysis is assessed. Reading around the poem is required beforehand.

Can be used alongside BBC RSC version of The Tempest or 2010 film version. Students work in groups to translate Prospero's speech to Miranda discussing their life on the island. Students build up knowledge and look at connotations of language before expanding their ideas to explore how Prospero is shown as a father.

A group task discussion leads to an individual language analysis which then fuels an analytical response. Students identify what Prospero proposes in Act 5 Scene 1. Then, when they have deciphered the meaning behind the language, they can look deeper at how the comparisons used and the emotive language embedded creates a powerful image of the character of Prospero.

Exploration of how Dickens presents the convict in the opening of his novel 'Great Expectations'. Students discuss what makes the perfect villain, homework tasks support their initial ideas, which is then followed up into an extended analytical response of the opening. Uses PEELECMT structure (point, evidence, explain, language, empathy, context, multiple interpretations and theme). Could fit into a general reading of 19th Century fiction or a more focused study of the novel itself. Could be differentiated and altered to make an assessment task. Model answer and extract provided.

Lesson exploring how Sheila changes within the play. Uses the PEELECMT structure (point, evidence, explain, language, empathy, context, multiple interpretations, theme) to organise ideas around how Sheila changes and adapts through her experience in the play. Could be used alongside new AQA GCSE English Literature specification. Can easily be adapted to suit another character - model answer for Sheila is provided.

Lessons used with a weaker ability Skills class. Based around school poetry, students analyse language use in a 'Dream School' poem. Look at connotations of words and phrases, which then moves into a short write up task. Moves into Roald Dahl's poem from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory about television. Students can then use what they have read from the two poem to fuel their own ideas. Easily adaptable.

Lessons around Elizabethan England and Shakespeare's Globe theatre. Includes contextual information regarding life in London and writing in role tasks. Contains link to informative short clip around the Globe which leads on to labelling task.

An introduction to the novel using predictions around the covers and then initial comments around the setting based upon reading chapter 1. Not a context lesson. Students discuss extracts from the setting and write up their responses in full using a framework. Good for mid/low ability.

Unit of work that could be used with weaker ability students to revisit or enhance reading and writing skills. Uses extracts from Kensuke's Kingdom and asks students to consider how language is used to create an image in a reader's mind which then leads into their own extended response to language and writing tasks.

Students redrafted a piece of their own Gothic writing short story/ghost story and turned their work into a book. Can be used as end of term/topic project or homework task. Includes advice and how to set out their portfolio of work and include some non-fiction writing about themselves. Used with low ability originally but could be altered for more able students.

Unit of work around the novel 'Stone Cold'. Includes drama, reading and writing tasks with some work around homelessness and social attitudes. Includes speaking and listening presentation task around news bulletin of events within the novel. Adapted from several different schemes from a variety of sources.

A lesson around the 'fight scene'. A bit choppy/easy to change around or to dip in and out of before answering a question around the presentation of Mercutio.

Guide to the questions on this paper and examples of reading questions 1 and 2. Descriptive writing task and frame/planning ideas also given.