AQA Macbeth. A really useful ppt and printable word document that provides TEN AQA GCSE Literature Paper 1 critical evaluation exam style questions based around the ‘to what extent’ or ‘how far do you agree’ stems. Four of the question slides include a comprehensive or partial list of points to support an argument which encourage students to add their own ideas, forming a basis for a written response. Five exam style questions with extracts from the play make up the remainder of the ppt. If worked through in order, the slides build on reading and essay writing skills, though the resource works very well if used in any order.

A detailed analysis of the novel Frankenstein incorporating literary and contextual themes, concepts and issues. Twelve thinking questions for essays or discussion are also included. This is pitched at a sophisticated level and is best suited to an advanced GCSE class or A Level group. The resource is divided into sections depending on the issue under consideration. This also allows for the document to be cut into sections to stimulate a range of discussions and further research among students. This will provide an excellent addition to any GCSE Frankenstein scheme, particularly for the AQA specification. It will also benefit A Level students in their continued exploration of the novel.

A huge 23 page document that gives you everything students need to write effective detailed and well developed persuasive pieces. It consists of definitions and a host of examples (most have between 10 and 20) of 31 persuasive devices which include more sophisticated techniques such as parallel structure, antanagogue, absurdity, weasel words, neologisms, allusion, delayed epithet, hypophora, distinction and metabasis. All of the better known devices such as rhetorical questions, emotive language etc are present as are examples of how to use punctuation for persuasive effect such as ellipsis and inverted commas. There is a list of 34 topics for debate followed by 13 AQA style GCSE Language Paper 2 Question 5s. Also provided are 14 ideas that students can choose between to build any argument around which will help them avoid repeating the same point in their writing. 10 mnemonics are included to help students remember these argument ideas. The resource ends with a handy checklist to aid students in ensuring their writing uses the conventions of a persuasive piece. This resource acts as an excellent addition to any scheme of learning or works very well alone. It is also a useful reference when focusing on specific skills with any age group.

This highly engaging scheme of learning which asks students to compare the film Bladerunner and Shelley’s novel Frankenstein focusing on the cultural paradigms and key contextual concerns of the creators of each text. Students explore what each text asserts about what it is to be human and our relationship with the natural world and spiritual realm. A number of essay tasks are included with a marking rubric and two exemplar essays.

A 22 slide ppt and handouts which teaches students to understand Romeo and Juliet as a piece of theatre to be watched rather than a text which is read. Students work in groups on drama, arts and crafts activities to produce a tableau of one moment in Act 3 Scene 1, although any moment in the play can be used. Elements including facial expression, body language, proximity, symbolism and use of props to create meaning are explored. Ideas for using masks, playing cards and colour to create meaning are included. An entertaining range of activities are provided which prepare students to complete the central task of creating a tableau. The tableau will communicate information about the characters, themes and issues of the play using only the sense of sight. Students are also asked to write a short essay explaining the content, symbolism and meaning of their tableau. Handouts with detailed instructions, sentence stems and a sample essay are provided. Originally created for Key Stage 4, I am confident this can be used successfully with any age group and ability level as an assessment task or a fun project. The props created can also be adapted for use in a display, as can photographs of the tableaus (with student permission).

A very detailed breakdown of the novel. The table has a section for every chapter which includes a summary of events, an exploration of literary methods with quotations and a number of specific, detailed connections to Frankenstein. At the end of the document are 13 sample essay questions which use the style and structure of the Edexcel A2 pre-released SAMs questions.

A full Scheme of Work for the Romantic Poetry unit (9ETO/03) of the Edexcel A Level Literature course. Information and a host of learning activities address each Assessment Objective, focus on contextual influences, conventions and characteristics of the movement, then on each poet and prescribed poem in turn. Tasks and ideas for study are provided to extrapolate evaluative and insightful understanding of the meanings of each poem in conjunction with further activities which prepare students for writing high level essay responses to essay questions.

Creative narrative and descriptive writing unit of work, full lessons of fun, practical activities guaranteed to enable students to make incredible progress. Skills include basing a narrative around a central theme, show don’t tell, avoiding repeating words, focussing on small details of a larger scene, symbolism and layers of meaning, using a variety of sentence structures and punctuation, creating a character, narrative structure, impact openings and closings and more. There are 32 slides and a 27 page worksheet document with easy to follow guidelines, lots of tips for improvement and examples. Tasks are structured to build towards high quality short stories or extended piece of descriptive writing, although they work just as well as stand-alone starters or full lesson tasks. Primarily designed for AQA GCSE Paper 1 Section B, a tried and tested comprehensive selection which can be used with any age group and ability from Year 7 through to 6th Form.

For the Edexcel A Level Literature Prose Study: Science and Society, a detailed Scheme of Learning connecting Frankenstein and The Handmaid’s Tale. A range of concepts and focuses for study are included, along with sophisticated vocabulary and terminology. There are many thought provoking discussion questions, critical viewpoints and ideas provided which can be adapted to extended essay content. Interesting individual and collaborative learning activities with a number of links to websites with useful related content are included throughout.

A 17 page Scheme of Learning focussing on appropriation and comparing The Taming of the Shrew with the film Ten Things I Hate About You. This is written for the Australian National Curriculum English Stage 4 for a Year 8 class, though it could be easily adapted for another curriculum or age group. The scheme is fully differentiated for ESL, Learning Difficulties and Gifted and Talented students. Resources included are: a detailed table connecting all the main elements of the play and film, graphic organisers to aid student thinking and planning, an essay / speech scaffold, a worksheet focussing on the conventions of Shakespearean comedy, at least 20 assessment task ideas, most of which focus on making connections and analysis skills. Assessment tasks take the form of analytical essays and speeches, debate and discussion tasks and creative writing. Six alternative interpretations of Katherina’s final speech are provided with a fun discussion and debate task as well as clear definitions and explanations of the concept of narrative appropriation and transformation. There is a two page introductory essay which explores the way each text reflects the context within which it was created.

Created for the Edexcel A Level Literature Prose Study, here are twenty eight essay style analytical ideas connecting The Handmaid’s Tale and Frankenstein. These ideas can be used to aid students in composing detailed paragraphs or be developed into extended responses. There are three exemplar evaluative paragraphs with quotations, one of which contains a short task. There are also twelve thinking questions which can be used for discussion or as the basis for longer written responses, detailed instructions for an oral presentation task and a fun introductory lesson to The Handmaid’s Tale which asks students to create their own nation.

A Scheme of Work for the A Level Edexcel Coursework Component 9ET0/04 based around The Great Gatsby. Included are 20 tried and tested essay questions that have lead to successful coursework submissions, 22 possible comparison texts and 10 specific points of comparison with any second text. There is a list of over 30 textual themes and issues in The Great Gatsby, notes and tasks on its contextual influences, literary elements and narrative methods. There are also links to 3 useful documentaries.

A detailed program for Australian Stage 4 Year 8 on Trash by Andy Mulligan which is estimated to last 7 or 8 weeks / 20 to 25 lessons. All activities are tied to Australian National Curriculum Outcomes and fully differentiated for G&T, LD and ESL students. Learning activities and assessment tasks are embedded throughout taking the form of group projects, debates, close analysis of visual, literary and digital texts, and creative writing in a range of text types including news reports, feature articles and diary text types. Students also compose graphic organisers, charts and Venn diagrams. Visible thinking routines, self and peer assessment are used throughout, and there is an emphasis on social justice, diversity, sustainability and critical thinking built into all tasks. Extensive ICT learning is embedded through the unit with the creation and development of a ‘Digital Portfolio’ where students will store and reflect on their work. All activities also comply with UK NC guidelines.

A large (136 pages of WORD documents and 11 detailed ppts), fully editable, no prep required complete unit of work which really brings A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life. This unit of work makes the play relevant to student’s lives and the world in which they live, asking them to experience the play as a piece of theatre as well as a literary text. Quizzes, tests, essay questions, worksheets, debate cards, character analysis, group projects, creative activities, contextual information and more. All activities are graduated to fit the learning stages of Blooms Taxonomy moving from recall and understanding through to analysis, evaluation and creation with collaborative projects. Primarily designed for A Level courses or GCSEs, most activities can be easily used with younger age groups at Key Stage 3 (11 to 14 years old). I have placed particular focus on contextual appreciation, textual knowledge, critical thinking, and skills in building and supporting an argument through debate, essay and letter writing tasks. Creative tasks include Director’s Log and Deck of Cards projects. The essay questions in particular are intended to stretch and challenge students’ ability and achievement. The resource includes: Context, Genre Conventions and Narrative (12 pages) Close Reading and Textual Knowledge (57 pages and 9 ppt presentations) Debate and Discussion Tasks (18 pages) Formal Letters (13 pages and 2 Marking Rubrics) Essays (17 essay questions, 25 pages and 2 Marking Rubrics) Collaborative Projects (21 pages and 2 ppts of 35 slides)