Close Reading passage and questions with use with S1 -3 (age 11-14) lower ability sets. (NB. there is a more challenging Roald Dahl test available)

A passage and question based on a newspaper article about the dark side of Roald dahl’s stories. We use it with S1 - 3 (age 11 - 14) high school pupils.

A set of detailed notes about the significance of Paulina, with all important quotations typed in bold, collated in preparation for our senior school study of ‘The Winter’s Tale’. Part of preparation for the Advanced Higher English exam in Scotland.

Resources I've been using successfully with Scottish Higher pupils (age 16/17) in order to support their writing of critical essays. The pack includes templates for initial internet research, 2 model essays, detailed notes on the whole poem, questions on each part of the poem, a step by step essay plan and more... (If Miss Reid, who uploaded my accidentally incomplete first unit is able to contact me, I will email her this full version)

A detailed summary of the poem with important quotations highlighted. A full set of questions on the text to support pupil analysis.

I have developed a range of resources for pupils to write critical essays based on a film text. This PowerPoint focuses on the biopic genre and looks at the genre conventions within 'Lion' My pupils loved studying this 2017 film. See my other resources for essay plans etc.

A good introduction to ‘The Winter’s Tale’, offering historical context, characters, themes, plot synopsis and some youtube link to give pupils a taster of what’s to come.

A powerpoint to support pupils writing about genre conventions in My Left Foot. Lots of information about conventions of a BIOPIC with links to other biopic films.

Teacher model of what is required for pupil presentation about a song that is important to them. Based on 'Fairytale of New York' by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

A booklet with a guided plan for choosing a topic and producing a persuasive essay. Detailed notes about persuasive writing techniques that pupils can use to enhance their writing in this genre. Model opening paragraphs.

A detailed set of notes about Caliban, focusing on his pivotal role throughout the whole of the play. Important quotations recorded in bold with text references. Summary of his key contribution to the drama. My pupils collaborated on this, in preparation for writing an essay about significant characters in two plays (see my other notes on Camillo and Paulina from 'The Winter’s Tale).

A whole note-taking booklet, with support notes, to help pupils write a novel study on the book of their choice. Covers: plot summary, choosing a focus, genre, structure, setting, characterisation, theme, narrator, and style. This has worked extremely well with my senior pupils.

A detailed set of notes for my seniors in preparation for writing a Shakespeare essay based on minor characters in two of his plays. Tracks Camillo’s appearances throughout the text and includes quotations printed in bold. (See also my notes on Paulina from ‘The Winter’s Tale’ and Caliban from ‘The Tempest’.

Created for my S2 class (age 13/14) who are doing a thematic about identity which includes analysing song lyrics. After we’ve studied a few songs I get them to do a presentation on their own favourite song and what it means to them. Pupils always really engaged with this task, and I also show them the film ‘Walk the Line’.

A short project based on the film ‘Philomena’ starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. I’m using it in a Scottish secondary school with S3/4 pupils - age 14-16 - as part of a project on protagonists and antagonists. Tasks include group discussion of a key scene, analysis of screenplay excerpt, studying two film reviews and writing a review.

Differentiated listening assessments we use with S1-3 high school pupils. Based on the first episode of Tales by Light on Netflix which focuses on the amazing photographyby Simon Lister of children across the globe in challenging circumstances.

A unit of work to support analysis of a key scene and genre conventions. Essay plans, templates for taking notes, research tasks etc. I have used this successfully with my S4 National 5 (GCSE) class to prepare for exam essays.

My senior classes absolutely love this team game at the end of studying the text. Five rounds of fun questions, with a bonus anagram round at the end. Answer key provided. A totally riotous lesson (even without beer!)

A thematic project I did with Scottish S3 (approx age 14) pupils based on the Flight 93 story. Pupils found it really interesting and it includes reading, writing, talking and listening tasks. Perfect for an end of term project in English. It comprises: -group discussion task based on Flight 93 film -Listening test based on Youtube clip - The Story of Flight 93 -A close reading exercise based on a newspaper article - marking key

A unit of work - designed to be used with any level of secondary school class - that lasts for 3 weeks. Our pupils enjoyed doing this online over lockdown, but also suitable for a homework booklet or classroom work. Choices of tasks for each week : one writing task and one design task from lists of options. Thoughtful instructions to aid reflection.