Part One of a 17 lesson unit based on an anthology of extracts (included). Staff CPD handbook also included, plus knowledge organiser which links to quizzing in certain lessons. Contains a lesson on the origins of storytelling, an introductory unit lesson plus 7 further one hour lessons based on the following extracts: The Serpent’s Deception - Old Testament Humankind - Ovid, Chaos Frankenstein - Shelley Dracula - Stoker The Divine Comedy - Dante PART TWO is also available. The intention of this unit is to provide students with some knowledge of how stories originated, came to be written down and how some of those same stories have been retold and developed over time, such as Horowitz’s re-telling of a popular Greek myth, in our unit. Students should understand that there does not have to be one single version of a ‘story.’ Some may have originally been made up to explain mysteries about the world and to enable humans to understand their place within it. Stories are constantly evolving and shaped by their social and historical influences. We can see, for example, that the concept of the Underworld has been around for centuries. Students will study the Underworld described in the Renaissance period by Dante, as a way of teaching his readers to live purer lives on Earth, but we can also enjoy its imaginative appearance in Rick Riordan’s modern ‘Percy Jackson’ tales. We can introduce the concept that, historically, the female figure has been presented as temptress and the cause of human suffering, an idea developed in ‘the Serpent’s Deception’ and Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, or later subverted in Le Morte d’Arthur, where the female is weak and in need of a chivalrous male to save her. We can see stories as a reaction to the beliefs and fears of society at the time. Shelley’s Frankenstein can be interpreted as a reaction to society’s distrust of the advancement of scientific experimentation. Running through all these stories is a series of symbols that capture a society’s values, beliefs and fears. Through the identification of symbolism in these stories, such as the snake in Serpent’s Deception, Daphne & Phoebus and Le Morte d’Arthur, it is hoped that our Y7s can learn to become confident in spotting symbols in future stories they read and have the confidence to critically evaluate the significance of them, in relation to their own contextual experience and a knowledge of literature throughout the ages.

Wondering what quotations to suggest your students learn for their exam? Here are fifteen carefully chosen quotations. Some include the ‘obvious’ ones but others are chosen to show the examiner that your students can select more judiciously. They can be edited if you wish and printed out to be stuck on walls for revision or on classroom walls. Each slide comes with an explanation of the quote with key terminology to help students understand its relevance. There are also suggested exam questions which each quotation might be useful for answering. There are similar resources on An Inspector Calls, Macbeth and Blood Brothers available in my shop.

This lesson looks at how to approach English Language Paper 1 Q4, step by step, using an extract from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (where Lucy discovers Narnia for the first time). Students examine the wording of the question, work to find evidence to use in their response and discuss why the writer has used particular methods. Final task is to have a go at responding to the extract. Perfect for revision activities.

Students have a drawing starter activity to consider the importance of precise description. Then students look at short examples of beach descriptions and consider the most effective. Following this, there is a guided question task, where pupils write down answers to some questions designed to get them thinking about beaches. After this, a mind map encourages pupils to visualise their ideas for the final task which would be to describe a beach. Extension tasks include asking students to identify where there is potential to use the senses to describe, and also to consider vocabulary choices.

Two lessons developing students’ reading skills in a (hopefully!) creative way. Covers the characters of Gradgrind, Bill Sikes, and Scrooge. Includes extracts to analyse (included), clips to watch and ultimately to decide who the favourite villain is.

This is intended for KS3 English lessons looking at Victorian context in preparation for English Literature at GCSE. This resource is a minimum of 2 lessons. Includes extracts from Lowood school (Jane Eyre) followed by a kahoot quiz, an extract from Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby with a cloze exercise to describe the dilapidated school room, followed by an inference exercise on the boys of Dotheboys Hall. Drama task to finish capturing Mr Brocklehurts’s reaction to a curly haired, red-headed pupil at his school.

Some lesson tasks / ideas for the first 13 chapters of the novel, looking at characters and themes.

This lesson is a general introduction into the artists and poets of the Romantic movement. Starts with a look at paintings by Turner and Constable, then moving onto 6 key Romantic poets - Wordsworth, Shelley, Coleridge, Keats, Byron and Blake. Ends with task to illustrate final stanza of Frost at Midnight to focus on presentation of Nature by Coleridge.

A resource to consider some pros and cons of zoos and an opportunity to create a speech that includes a range of persuasive writing skills. Could be a useful revision lesson. Self Assessment opportunity.

Based on Anthony Horowitz's re-telling of the myth, this resource contains several activities to work through the story. Contains a range of teaching and learning activities to stimulate children's interest, with a focus on Q1 & 2 English Language Paper 1 skills. The final task is a dramatic performance of the humorous scene where Thrym tries to kiss Thor!

Please note: resource assumes you have a copy of the Anthony Horowitz retelling of the Greek Myths, or at least the Judgement of Paris chapter. This is a range of activities that would take 2 or 3 lessons, looking at the greek gods and working through the various stories within this myth. First activity is to match the pictures of the gods in this story with their correct descriptions. Answers supplied for easy marking. Watch 10 minute clip on the greek gods. Activity 2 is to plan Peleus and Thetis’ wedding using information from the story. Next, students examine an extract and consider how the writer uses language to build tension (English Language Paper 1 Q2 style). Find evidence to show Hera’s persuasive skills, compare the descriptions of Athena and Hera (English Paper 2 style), summarise Helen’s story using given images and choose the true statements about Troy (as in Paper 2 Q1).

A group work based project which could be useful for the end of term. This is a series of activities requiring students to research an animal charity of their choice and create an advertising campaign to promote awareness and funds for it. There are four main tasks: create a poster, a radio advert, a leaflet and a presentation. Supporting resources are included. Should last a couple of weeks or so.

This two lesson resource gives students an example of a story, for which they can discuss what the candidate has done well and what could be improved. Following this they can use the mark scheme included (from the new spec AQA) to award a level / mark. Using this knowledge of what makes a good narrative, the remaining slides give some prompts and advice about how to go about planning and writing a narrative. Planning sheet and suggested titles is included for students to plan according to what they have learned. The actual story could be written by way of extension.

SINGLE POWERPOINT SLIDE CONTAINING POSSIBLE QUESTION AND A FEW IDEAS TO GET STUDENTS STARTED. USEFUL TO HAVE ON DISPLAY AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM. TASK IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A LOCAL MP ARGUING THAT NURSES DESERVE MUCH BETTER PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

This resource contains pictures of animal footprints to be put around the classroom. Students are required to match up the footprint with the animal they think it belongs to. Includes footprints to stick up, teacher answers PPT and student quiz sheet.

This is a poster for a collective memory activity, where pupils in small groups take it in turns to have a minute to memorise the images and quotes on the poster. The aim is to reproduce the poster as exactly as possible. This facilitates discussion about what the play might be about.