A detailed annotation of the prologue to the first Game of Thrones novel created for the AQA Level NEA Original Writing Coursework component. This is a good example of how to annotate the Style Model and provides ideas for the Commentary.

Two really useful assessment mark sheets for AQA A Level English Language (new spec) Paper 2 Questions 3 and 4. Both documents use the language and grade descriptors of the mark scheme which correspond to grade numerals. They are both fully formatted with a good size space to enter numeric results and detailed written feedback. There is a space for the specific question to be entered at the top of the document and the usual sentence stem is included. A really handy time saving addition to AQA A Level English Language resources.

Three creative writing tasks with ideas and advice for producing good quality stories. This forms part of my larger resource ‘AQA GCSE Paper 1 Section B Really Effective Creative Writing Advice and Tasks’. Both resources can work brilliantly with any age group for any curriculum. This works really well with students, showing them how to write less but write it better. This also stimulates their own creative ideas for using narrative and descriptive language. I have uploaded a short film to YouTube which takes you throught this presentation names AQA GCSE Language Paper 1 Section B Creating a Narrative. Available in ppt and word document formats.

A brief (288 words) analysis of the Colin Kaepernick quotation. This resource provides a strong example of analytical writing particularly relating to emotive vocabulary, and of the ways contextual information can enhance the investigation of vocabulary and phrases within a quotation.

A really handy venn diagram and 6 short tasks which asks students to investigate the characters Hamlet, Claudius and Laertes through consideration of the ways they are similar and unique. This is a great way to stretch students’ knowledge of the play, stimulate discussion and debate, or simply to use as a homework task for A Level courses.

Ninety flashcards and a teacher reference list of high level literary terms and vocabulary which raise the sophistication of literary investigation and analytical writing. If applied correctly, these terms will enhance student insight into literary texts and raise the evaluative quality of essays. This resource is great for A Level courses or advanced GCSE students.

A short 600 word A Grade exemplar essay exploring the spontaneous overflow of emotion in Shelley’s Stanzas Written in Dejection Near Naples. The meaning and impact of literary devices are explored in connection with contextual issues relation to Shelley’s own life and the wider Romantic movement. Originally designed for the Edexcel A Level Literature course, this can be used as an exemplar analysis and to assist creating an essay response which explores two Romantic poems for the 9ETO/03 examination paper.

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.

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.

An interesting and accessible 18 page ppt presentation introduction to Romanticism which focuses on the contextual influences and central values of the movement across works of literature, visual art and music. Quotations from contemporary philosophers and artists are included with examples of neo classical and Romantic works of art and music. This provides a fun and interesting introduction to any unit of work on Romanticism for A Level Literature or Arts students.

A fun, students out of seats activity which is a great way to get to know your students and stimulate interest in any topic. Students are asked a series of opinion questions which they respond to by moving to an A, B, C or D sign in a different area of the classroom. There are 15 fun, topical questions in a ppt presentation and handout, A, B, C and D sign posts and flash cards. Teacher’s notes and instructions are included. This can be used successfully with any Grade Level and no preparation is required. This is a fantastic way of getting to know a new class or livening things up throughout the year.

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.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Context, Genre Conventions and Narrative Worksheets. A detailed, informative essay on the play’s origin and context. A detailed and clear plot synopsis with a plot ordering task as a print out worksheet. An information and worksheet exploring the conventions of Shakespearean comedy. All documents are in worksheet format, fully editable and printable. No preparation is required.

Five cloze exercise fill in the blanks plot summary worksheets for each stave of A Christmas Carol. The ten page document is editable, printable, requires no preparation and a full answer key is provided.

A Christmas Carol close reading comprehension activities worksheet based on an extract description of The Ghost of Christmas Past. Students work on a detailed drawing of each part of the ghost, using their interpretation of quotations as instructions on what to draw. There is also a task in which students match vocabulary from the extract to its synonyms or definition. An answer key is provided. This is editable and no preparation is required.

A Christmas Carol for AQA Literature Paper 1. Seven fun, interactive games for students based around the themes, issues, content, message and characters in A Christmas Carol. All resources and instructions are provided and no preparation is required other than to cut out the playing cards. The games are: What am I Describing? Speed Speech. Sort. Connect. Most to Least. Anagrams (answers provided). Words from Words. This is a fun activity for any class or year group, although it is designed for low to middle ability GCSE students.

15 ‘Midsummer and Me’ Debate and Discussion Question Cards which outline an ethical issue in the play and ask a series of critical thinking questions. This set is very flexible and can be used in a number of ways. Most popular uses so far are as ‘speed dating’ group discussions or as the basis for more formal debates. Tasks can be used as essay questions. Class Debates. Full instructions for holding a more formal class debate are provided along with 20 thought provoking, controversial debate topics. A handout explaining and giving examples of persuasive language devices is also included. This resource makes up part of my bundle full unit of work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Midsummer Night’s Dream Scene by Scene Quizzes of between 10 and 20 multiple choice questions. All are available as printouts and ppt presentations with one question per slide to aid feedback or so quizzes can easily be turned into a class competition. A full answer key is provided and everything is printable and editable. A quiz on the opening scene which asks for short written responses. This can be used with any age group though it is probably better suited to 14 years old and upwards, GCSE and A Level or similar age curriculums.

15 A Midsummer Night’s Dream critical thinking essay question cards, indicative content and marking sheets. Best for A Level or extending GCSE students, or any curriculum ages 14+. All resources are printable and editable. Each has a challenging and engaging central essay question, with the remainder of the page given over to a number of thought provoking and sophisticated thesis statements or ideas which students can extend to form a complete essay. Questions focus on: love, power, characterization, the influence of setting, narrative methods, justice and morality, reality and illusion, the conventions of Shakespearen comedy, argument and conflict, plays and acting roles, rebellion and dissent, transformation and personal identity, the value a society places on free will, the consequences of argument and conflict, the interplay of states of order and chaos. Essay focuses are concerned with enabling comment on the human condition and the structures of the world around us. Samuel Pepys’ Review Essay Task: a highly engaging essay task asking students to respond to a 17th century negative review of the play. The task is presented in a 4 page hand out which provides step by step tuition in how to form sophisticated, convincing response ideas, source textual evidence and write engaging, analytical and perceptive paragraphs. An additional 2 page resource consists of exemplar paragraphs and a short essay are provided with a list of useful vocabulary and perceptive ideas for students to adapt and use. This is available in 2 alternative formats for teacher choice. A graphic organiser to assist students in forming specific, complex ideas is included as are two Marking Rubrics.

An editable, no prep required worksheet hand out containing examples of 20 different sentence types which are ideal for extending student achievement in descriptive or narrative writing, a short list of verbs to use when creating personification and ideas for imagery. 10 fun activities / games are provided which consolidate and extend skills in using these sentence types effectively. This works well as a mini unit of work estimated to take between 2 or 4 lessons, or as a useful addition to a longer scheme of learning in preparation for AQA GCSE Language Paper 1 Section B or for skills practice at Key Stage 3.