90+ mins
Pack includes: lesson plan and student worksheets. Activities include: creating a characterisation, studying direct and indirect characterisation, identifying quotes, finding evidence for characteristics, and identifying characteristics. Students collaborate to map Macbeth’s transformation, and how his character affects and is affected by the action.
Lesson assumes that the class has already read Macbeth.
Learning objectives:
Understand the complexity of Macbeth’s character.
Analyse how Shakespeare uses various literary devices to develop Macbeth’s character.
Evaluate the transformation of Macbeth throughout the play.
Discuss the themes of ambition, power, and guilt as they relate to Macbeth’s character.
60 mins (+ additional writing, +film available on youtube)
pack includes: lesson plan and student worksheet.
Read and analyse poem ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ by Roald Dahl. Worksheets detail poetic devices (rhyme, metre, etc) which students should search for in the text (not included, available online).
Activities include: dramatic readings, adapting poem into a play/film, writing own poem based on a traditional fairy tale, and watching an adaptation of Dahl’s poem.
90+ minutes
pack include: lesson Plan, worksheets
Overview:
Introduce your students to the inspiring story of “Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners” (LGSM), a remarkable example of solidarity and activism during the UK miners’ strike of the 1980s. This engaging lesson plan is perfect for middle and high school classrooms, offering educators comprehensive resources to teach about this unique alliance and its impact on both the LGBTQ+ and labor movements.
What’s Included:
Historical Context: Detailed background on the UK miners’ strike of 1984-1985, including the economic and political challenges faced by the miners.
LGSM Formation: An exploration of how the LGSM group was formed, the motivations behind their support for the miners, and the initial challenges they faced.
Key Events and Actions: A chronological account of LGSM’s activities, from fundraising efforts to public demonstrations, and their interactions with mining communities.
Impact and Legacy: Analysis of the long-term effects of LGSM’s activism on LGBTQ+ rights and labor movements, including the mutual support and lasting alliances formed.
Interactive Activities: Engage students with role-playing scenarios, group discussions, and creative projects to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Discussion Prompts: Thought-provoking questions designed to spark classroom conversations about solidarity, activism, and the power of diverse communities working together.
Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Streamline your preparation with a thorough and well-organized lesson plan covering all key aspects of the LGSM movement.
Engaging and Dynamic: Keep students captivated with a variety of interactive and multimedia resources that bring the story of LGSM to life.
Educational and Inspiring: Highlight the importance of unity and mutual support in activism, fostering a sense of empathy and social responsibility in students.
Empower your classroom with the inspiring story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners: teach your students about the power of solidarity and the enduring impact of collective action!
90-120 mins (+homework).
Pack includes: lesson plan, and worksheets.
An in-depth study of Roald Dahl’s short story ‘The Landlady’. This short story appears simple on the surface but offers broad discussions and a range of interpretations for students. It is an easy read.
Analyse the short story, then write essays, summaries or creative writing projects.
Comprehension questions for the story and further discussion points are included.
The lesson can be linked with essay writing, summary writing, and creative writing.
Other Dahl lesson plans include: Lamb to the Slaughter
up to 180 mins of lesson.
Lesson begins with analysing real newspapers (either online, or physical papers), looking for articles on various topics (immigrants/LGBTQ+/racism/environment/EU politics/art,etc), gauging the political slant of the paper, and how the paper has chosen to cover the headlines for the day chosen.
Students should be given plenty of time to read articles that interest them, attempt puzzles, discuss the articles in small groups.
Find a news story that occurs in all papers, and have students compare how the paper approaches the news/topic.
The students should spend the rest of the time organising themselves to create their own newspaper. Each student should be encouraged to write a couple of articles in different styles. I have had students who have created their own puzzles, advertisments, agony aunts, etc. Students edit/proofread each others work, and bring their paper together.
I have suggested 90 minutes for this activity, but I rarely interrupt the students as they become invested in their newspaper. I will make a copy of the paper for each student.
120 mins (+homework).
Pack includes: lesson plan, and worksheets.
An in-depth study of George Orwell’s essays published in newspapers, including ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’ and ‘Moon Under Water’. These essays express the authors opinions on important aspects of British culture.
Analyse the essays, then write opinion essays.
Comprehension questions for the story and further discussion points are included.
The lesson can be linked with essay writing, summary writing, and creative writing.
Other Orwell lesson plans include: Homage to Catalonia
(Orwell’s essays not included, but easily found online)
Lesson plan focused on how to write an effective essay in the British academic style.
This lesson can be combined with short story lesson, history, and many other lesson plans. (In my lesson plans, there are notes in the ‘Materials Needed’ and ‘objectives’ boxes at the top of the lesson plan).
As well as information about academic essay writing, there are small writing activities for students which break down the essay into small, manageable pieces.
Worksheet is designed as a reference tool for after the class.
Pack contains: lesson plan, worksheets (short story not included, but easily found online: A Man Who Had No Eyes – Mackinlay Kantor)
Pack focus/learning objectives: Summarise the plot of “A Man Who Had No Eyes”. Identify and analyse the key themes of the story (perspective, resilience, and deception). Evaluate the use of irony and characterisation in the text. Discuss the moral implications of the story. Write a brief response on how perspective shapes our understanding of others.
Activities include: discussions on making judgements based on appearance, general knowledge about the early 20th century, reading a short story, comprehension questions, critical thinking (using a philosophical thought experiment), debate and writing.
90+ mins
Pack includes: lesson plan and student worksheets. Activities include: creating a presentation on historical context research, comparative analysis essay and comparative essay, set design, lighting and soundscape creation, and finally blocking an entire scene.
Students collaborate to map Macbeth’s transformation, and how his character affects and is affected by the action.
Lesson assumes that the class has already read Macbeth.
Learning objectives:
Students will analyse how different staging choices affect the interpretation and emotional impact of scenes from “Macbeth”.
Students will identify and describe the key elements of staging a play, including set design, lighting, sound, costumes, and actor movement.
Students will deepen their understanding of “Macbeth” by exploring how staging can highlight themes, character motivations, and dramatic tension.
Enhance Understanding of Shakespeare: by engaging with the play through creative projects, students gain a deeper understanding of “Macbeth,” its characters, and its themes. The lesson plan helps demystify Shakespeare’s language and makes the text more approachable and enjoyable for students.
90 mins (+homework/writing exercise).
Pack includes: lesson plan, and worksheets.
An in-depth study of Roald Dahl’s short story ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’. This short story appears simple on the surface but offers broad discussions and a range of interpretations for students. It is an easy read.
Analyse the short story, then write essays, summaries or creative writing projects.
Comprehension questions for the story and further discussion points are included.
The lesson can be linked with essay writing, summary writing, and creative writing.
Other Dahl lesson plans include: The Landlady (which can be used for comparison essays)
90+minutes
pack includes: lesson plan, worksheets, games
Pack focus: the history of Pride in the UK
Discover the rich and diverse history behind LGBTQ+ Pride Month with this engaging and comprehensive lesson plan. Perfect for middle and high school classrooms, this resource provides educators with everything they need to teach students about the origins, significance, and key figures of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Save time with a well-researched and pre-assembled plan that covers all essential aspects of LGBTQ+ history.
Engaging and Interactive: Keep students interested with a variety of dynamic activities and multimedia elements.
Inclusive Education: Promote empathy and understanding by teaching the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Equip your classroom with the tools to honor Pride Month and educate students on the importance of LGBTQ+ history. Purchase this lesson plan today and inspire the next generation to appreciate and celebrate diversity!
90+minutes
pack includes: lesson Plan, worksheets
Overview:
Immerse your students in the pivotal events of the Stonewall Riots, a landmark moment in LGBTQ+ history that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. This engaging lesson plan is designed for middle and high school classrooms, providing educators with the resources to teach about the significance of Stonewall and its enduring impact on the fight for equality.
Empower your students with the knowledge of a critical moment in LGBTQ+ history. Purchase this Stonewall Riots lesson plan today and inspire meaningful conversations about equality and justice in your classroom!
90+mins
pack includes: Lesson Plan, worksheets, game cards .
Explore the life and legacy of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and a key figure in both the development of modern computing and LGBTQ+ history. This comprehensive lesson plan is designed for middle and high school classrooms, providing educators with the tools to teach about Turing’s groundbreaking contributions to science and his enduring impact on LGBTQ+ rights.
Biographical Overview: An in-depth look at Alan Turing’s early life, education, and the key events that shaped his career and personal life.
Contributions to Computing: Detailed explanations of Turing’s work on the Turing Machine, his role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II, and his foundational contributions to computer science.
LGBTQ+ History: An exploration of Turing’s experiences as a gay man in mid-20th century Britain, including the challenges he faced due to his sexuality and the impact of his prosecution on his life and career.
Legacy and Recognition: Analysis of Turing’s posthumous recognition, including the eventual public apology from the British government and the significance of “Turing’s Law” in the context of LGBTQ+ rights.
Empower your students with the story of Alan Turing, a pioneer who changed the world through his intellect and courage.
90+ mins
pack includes: Lesson Plan, worksheets.
Delve into the captivating world of Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” with this immersive lesson plan designed for high school classrooms. Through a blend of literary analysis, historical context, and thematic exploration, students will uncover the novel’s timeless themes and its significance in the context of Victorian society.
Introduction to Oscar Wilde: A biographical overview of Oscar Wilde’s life, focusing on his literary contributions, his role in the Aesthetic Movement, and the societal context of late 19th-century England.
Historical and Social Context: Examination of Victorian attitudes towards art, beauty, morality, and the repression of individual desires, with a focus on how these themes are reflected in the novel.
Immerse your students in the fascinating world of Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece.
90 mins (+homework).
Pack includes: lesson plan, and worksheets.
An in-depth study of Hemingway’s short story ‘Cat in the Rain’. This short story appears simple on the surface but offers broad discussions and a range of interpretations for students. It is an easy read.
Analyse the short story, then write essays, summaries or creative writing projects.
Comprehension questions for the story and further discussion points are included.
The lesson can be linked with essay writing, summary writing, and creative writing.
Other Hemingway lesson plans include: Old Man at the Bridge.
Have a mixed level group and need to keep them occupied for a morning with fun and engaging activities? Here are four:
Create a unique museum that reflects interests, knowledge, and creativity. This museum can be about anything students are passionate about — art, history, science, technology, pop culture, music, sports, etc. Their task is to design the museum’s layout, curate the exhibits, and develop an engaging experience for visitors.
Design a City for the Future that could exist 50 years from now. This city should be innovative, sustainable, and practical. Consider aspects such as architectural style, energy production, transportation, and overall livability.
Write a Newspaper that reflects chosen theme or focus area. This newspaper can be about any topic they are passionate about—current events, school news, a specific hobby, entertainment, sports, technology, or any other area of interest. Their task is to write articles, design the layout, and create a cohesive publication that informs and engages readers.
Plan a Bank Heist - Using creativity and problem-solving skills, students plan a detailed and fictional bank heist. This task is designed to encourage strategic thinking, teamwork, and the ability to create a compelling narrative. Remember, this is a purely imaginative exercise meant for fun and learning.
If there is time, students present what they have created to other groups.
Pack contains: lesson plan, worksheets
Pack focus: summary writing activities, examples and practice.
Even though this lesson was written for the story “Notes from the Midnight Driver”, the worksheet can be used before the book has been fully read
Students learn how to write a good summary, why they are useful, and a step-by-step approach to writing one.
Activities include #hasthtag (identifying key themes and events through the smallest number of words possible), spot-the-extra-detail (identifying unnecessary information in a text), step-by-step guide to writing a summary, and a longer text to practice writing a summary, as well as suggestions of chapters/scenes to summarise from the book “Notes from the Midnight Driver” by Sonnenblick.
Pack contains: lesson plan, worksheets
Pack focus: characterisation writing activities, examples and practice.
Even though this lesson was written for the story “Notes from the Midnight Driver”, the worksheet can be used before the book has been fully read
Students learn how to write a good characterisation, why they are useful, and a step-by-step approach to writing one.
Activities include “character suitcase” (packing a suitcase with physical and symbolic items for a character), detailed characterisation prompts with examples that breakdown the characterisation into manageable chunks, collection information for a biography, and finally writing a characterisation for a character from the book “Notes from the Midnight Driver” by Sonnenblick.
Pack contains: lesson plan, worksheets
Pack focus: comment writing activities, examples and practice.
Even though this lesson was written for the story “Notes from the Midnight Driver”, the worksheet can be used before the book has been fully read
Students learn how to write a good comment, why they are useful, and a step-by-step approach to writing one.
Activities include; comment walls and discussions about literary themes, detailed step-by-step guide to writing a comment as well as closed practice, practice comment writing as well as proofreading and responding to another classmate’s comment.
Pack contains: lesson plan, worksheets (short story and poem not included, but easily found online: Robert Frost “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, and “And Miles to go Before I Sleep” by D F Nolan)
Pack focus/learning objectives: Analyse the key themes and literary devices in the story. Discuss character development and relationships. Understand the meaning behind the title and its symbolism. Relate the story to their own lives and make personal connections. Write a reflective piece on the story’s impact on them.
Activities include: discussions on poetry, comprehension, critical thinking on the character’s inner conflict, analysis of themes, writing a radio play, writing comparative essays and research real-life stories of people who have overcome significant obstacles to fulfil a duty or promise.