Exploration of descriptive writing in Pullman's 'The Ruby in the Smoke', leading to students writing descriptively based on images (preparation for new GCSE English Language Specification AQA). A good hour, if not more, of lesson activities here.

Using the events from the opening of Pullman's novel, the activity gets students to consider newspaper articles taken from 1872 in terms of language and style. It leads to a creative piece, where students create their own newspaper. An hour long lesson.

A task introducing students to the idea of the Great Exhibition, which outlines a research activity and a 'Great Exhibition' of their own. I have used as an introduction to 'The Ruby in the Smoke' by Philip Pullman, but could be used for any 19th century text. There is also some focus on the similarities and differences between society then and now, which is a gentle way in to the AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 based on Narrative Viewpoints and Perspectives. This activity took my students three lessons to introduce, to research and to present back.

A selection of quotes from a range of modern novels, presented for display. I've used PowerPoint as it is the most user friendly to print without interfering with format/font etc. (just print whole page slides) The resource has 11 slides, so 11 pieces of A4 in colour for display. Many quotes link well to love and loss, so might make a good stimulus for A Level English Literature. Novels include: Stay With Me, The Go Between, The Miniaturist, The Way I Left Her, The Invention of Wings, The Secret Life of Bees, The Glorious Heresies.

A selection of extracts from the novel, which describe clothing in some way. Could be used as a starting point for exploring the presentation of class in the novel, or of symbolism. The resources are extracts only, use them as you like! I used for the old AQA A Level spec for teaching the Victorians, but could equally be used further down the school.

A couple of resources focused on the ending of the novel and on 'The Split'. Opportunity to make links with the trial in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Also looks ahead to 'Knife Edge' and serialisation.

Guided questions on a web-based article about free-running. I’ve used in conjunction with ‘Rooftoppers’ as the non-fiction link and given pairs a different section of the article to explore before feeding back in larger groups. PowerPoint acts as a lesson plan.

A selection of metaphors and similes taken from Rundell's 'Rooftopppers' and a suggested activity for students to begin to analyse language

A PowerPoint to use when teaching 4.1, includes link to Polanki's witches. Could be used as a whole class activity for each apparition, or could separate into groups and then offer whole class feedback.

A 12 page selection of many of the key/interesting quotes from the novel. The pack includes two Word documents, one with the quotes in chronological order, the other with quotes grouped in themes. You could give this to students as a hand out, or as a cut and stick activity where they decide which themes the quotes belong to (many of them really belong to more than one category, but I've not duplicated them within categories to make the file more user-friendly). You could also just give students the quotes for a specific theme to aid them in essay writing, either as a starter or as the basis for an essay plan. If you like this resource, you might also like the display resource in my shop, which includes 16 of the quotes presented visually for display purposes.

A selection of 16 quotes from the novel, presented visually for display. I've used PowerPoint as printing the slides to A4 whole pages keeps formatting as desired. There is also the option of printing to A3 for individual posters, or print the whole lot for a colourful display.

A detailed PowerPoint presentation with several hours worth of material exploring chapters 16 and 17 and the significance of the fancy dress ball. The slides include analysis and interpretation, discussion questions, a group debate and writing tasks. Designed with AQA A Level English Literature in mind, but could easily be adapted to suit other exam boards.

A number of statements related to themes in the novel, which can be used for students to discuss their views on the topics. Could be revisited after reading the novel.

A lesson which guides students to work in groups to write responses to examination style questions for the new specification English Language Paper 2 Writing task. Tasks are included in PowerPoint to make it easier for you to print on A3 and to display on screen. Would be useful as both an introduction and as a revision activity.

An in depth PowerPoint leading students to explore the opening six chapters of the novel with a focus on character and theme. Designed with the new AQA English Literature A Level Specification in mind. Enough material for several lessons here.

Just a few possible practice exam questions for A Level English Literature AQA 7711/7712 Paper 2B. Option 1 Questions 5 and 6. (Comparing Drama and Prose) Could be tweaked for the other options on the paper.

An outline of Act 3 Scene 4 in the form of a comic strip grid for students to complete. Focus is on key quotes and plot.

A useful resource for revision of Romeo and Juliet. Includes a worksheet for students to complete who said what and when in the play. Also includes answers which could be displayed for self assessment.

A PowerPoint presentation aimed to encourage independent responses to unseen poetry. Can be used in KS3 and KS4 - it is not poem specific, allowing you to use your choice of poem/poems and to differentiate. Includes opportunity for paired discussion and independent writing.

This presentation takes students through the planning process for comparing the presentation of Romeo in Luhrmann's film version of 'Romeo and Juliet' with Shakespeare's presentation of his character in the play. It is not a scaffold and does not tell students what to write, it is more a guide for how to plan and structure a comparative response.