This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Song” by George Szirtes. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on rhythm and meter, as this is particularly relevant to Szirtes’ “Song”. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “At the Bus Station” by Julius Chingono. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 4) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 5) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This FREE no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Children of Wealth” by Elizabeth Daryush. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on the sonnet form, as this is particularly relevant to the poem. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! ** Please leave feedback!

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Rich and Poor or, Saint and Sinner” by Thomas Love Peacock. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on metaphor, as Peacock uses metaphor extensively in his poem. **4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis **questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “Boxes” by Sampurna Chattarji. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on Chattarji use of sensory imagery, a particularly relevant aspect to fully understanding the poem. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback! **

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “These Are The Times We Live In” by Imtiaz Dharker. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading & After-Reading Activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on Dharker’s use of metonymy and synecdoche, as these aspects are particularly relevant to the poem. 4) Comprehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Bus” by Arun Kolatkar. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused on setting and symbolism, as these aspects are particularly relevant to the poem. 4) Close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices and the IGCSE English Literature exam criteria. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Instant of My Death” by Sarah Jackson. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2024-2026. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers and explanatory notes to facilitate a close-reading and understanding. 3) Pre-reading activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class). I’ve focused in particular on the poem’s use of enjambment and caesura, as this is crucial to appreciate “The Instant of My Death” fully. 4) Comrpehension, close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). **Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!**

This no-prep unit of work is designed to enable an in-depth teaching and preparation of the poem “The Road” by Nancy Fotheringham Cato. The poem is also on the IGCSE English Literature curriculum for exams in 2025-2027. The unit includes: 1) Short biography and introduction to the poet 2) The poem text with line numbers to facilitate a close-reading, and explanatory notes where necessary. 3) Pre-reading activities (to facilitate teaching the poem & exam prep in class) 4) Close-reading & analysis questions, with a particular focus on poetic devices. 5) Essay questions to facilitate IGCSE exam practice, modeled after the IGCSE English Literature Assessment Criteria (AO1-AO4) 6) In-depth, detailed model answers for all activities, questions, as well as model answers for the practice exam questions, again based on IGCSE Exam Rubric (A01-AO4). ***Happy reading, teaching, studying, and revising! Please leave feedback!

These no-prep resources provide engaging and informative pre-reading activities for Marjane Satrapi’s iconic graphic novel Persepolis. The unit includes: 1: Introduction to the Novel: A guided reading and discussion activity based on the “Introduction” to the graphic novel in The Complete Persepolis edition of Satrapis’ graphic novel. 2. Marjane Satrapi: A Brief Biography of the Author: A brief introduction to the author, contextually always referring to the graphic novel. 3. Video Activity: An Interview with Marjane Satrapi: An in-depth activity based on an interview given by Satrapi shortly after the release of the animated film version of the graphic novel. While you can teach all pre-reading activities together, you can also pick and choose to do only one or two of the activities. It’s up to you! The resource also includes an in-depth teacher’s guide and model answers to all the activities. Feedback is always appreciated!

This is a set of print-and-use worksheets, activities, handouts and presentation-mode PDFs for J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy children’s novel The Hobbit, and more specifically for Chapter 8 - Flies and Spiders. This comprehensive teaching unit includes the following: Comprehension & Close Reading Questions for Chapter 8 - Flies and Spiders. Read & Response Journal Questions for Chapter 8. Creative Writing / Drama Activity: This chapter can be linked to the theme of prejudices and the ancient feuds between the wood-elves and the dwarves. This creative writing/drama activity (can be used as either type of activity) enables an engaged, critical discussion of a central theme of the novel. TEACHER’S GUIDE + MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension & close reading questions as well as slides for teaching the lesson. I’ve also included a DETAILED SUMMARY & ANALYSIS of Chapter 8 as further guidance for teachers, especially useful for those teaching The Hobbit for the first time, or in a homeschooling, DISTANCE LEARNING setting. NB: I’ve included a range of different (and differentiated) activities so that you can choose what best suits your class of students, and depending on how much in-depth analysis you would like to go into for each chapter. I usually read The Hobbit with Grade 7 students, but this unit of work can naturally be used with Grade 6 or Grade 8 students as well! Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This print-and-use, ready to teach unit contains all my activities, worksheets, printables, handouts, answers and teacher’s guide resources for Chapter 2 of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. One of my favorite novels to teach, I’ve revisited and revised my Of Mice and Men resources and included a range of activities for each of the six parts of the novel. This unit, for Chapter 2 of Of Mice and Men, contains the following: Comprehension & Close Reading Questions for Chapter 2 of Of Mice and Men Let’s Get Quizzical! - Quote Hunt Quiz for Chapter 2 of the novel. Analyzing Characters - Curley’s Wife & Slim - this guided, scaffolded character analysis activity facilitates a close reading & analysis of the initial descriptions of Curley’s wife and Slim, using key passages and accompanying questions etc. Let’s Get Creative! - Draw Your Own Caricatures - this creative activity, designed to cater to visual learners and to present a different, more personal approach to characterization, introduces students to caricatures and guides them through drawing and creating a caricature of one of the characters presented in Chapter 2. A great alternative way to assess understanding of direct and indirect characterization. Creative Writing Task - A Diary Entry - George’s Point of View - this creative writing task allows students to step into the shoes of George, our primary protagonist, and to reflect upon everything that has happened in this Chapter and in Chapter 1 through a personal diary entry. This activity provides a guided writing prompt and incorporates Steinbeck’s eye dialect as well, to make the diary entry more authentic. Teacher’s Guide (Model Answers + Commentary + Analysis) - This is a comprehensive teacher’s guide for Chapter 2 of the novel, and it includes model answers for all the activities as well as a detailed plot summary and analysis of Chapter 2 designed for teachers who are new to the novel, or veterans who wish to gain fresh insights, as well as for students working independently in a home-schooling setting or in a distance learning environment. Hoping you find everything you were looking for, please leave feedback!

This print-and-use, ready to teach unit contains all my activities, worksheets, printables, handouts, answers and teacher’s guide resources for Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. One of my favourite novels to teach, I’ve revisited and revised my Of Mice and Men resources and included a range of activities for each of the six parts of the novel. This unit, for Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men, contains the following: Comprehension & Close Reading Questions for Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men Let’s Get Quizzical! - Quote Hunt Quiz for Chapter 1 of the novel. The Novel in Context - A Short Biography of John Steinbeck - a short, informative biography of the author, can be used at any point in your study of the novel. Analyzing Characters - George & Lennie - this guided character analysis activity facilitates comparison and contrast of the protagonists of the novel - George & Lennie. The Novel in Context - Migrant Workers Then & Now - this comprehensive activity uses an excellent documentary about the context of Of Mice and Men (available on YouTube, links etc. included) - as a basis for a listening/video comprehension. Starting with a focus of migrant workers in Salinas, California in the 1920s and 1930s, this activity interweaves history, biographical information about Steinbeck with eye-witness accounts, interviews, and extracts from the novel to paint a comprehensive picture of the context of composition and the timeless qualities of this literary masterpiece. Teacher’s Guide - Model Answers + Commentary + Analysis - This is a comprehensive teacher’s guide for Part One of the novel, and it includes model answers for all the activities as well as a detailed plot summary and analysis of Part One, designed for teachers who are new to the novel, or veterans who wish to gain fresh insights, as well as for students working independently in a home-schooling setting or in a distance learning environment. Hoping you find everything you were looking for, please leave feedback!

This FREE activity focuses on Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver” addresses a central issue of the novel: the importance of colour. The activity includes various discussion questions and activities that students can either perform in an experimental setting in class or as a while-reading homework assignment at home. Enjoy, and feel free to leave feedback!

This FREE activity focuses on Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver”, specifically Chapters 1-3, in which Jonas’ world is introduced. Some central questions that should be addressed at this point in the study of the novel are: To what extent have the Elders succeeded in creating a perfect world of ‘Sameness’? Is Jonas’s world a utopia or a dystopia? The activity includes guided discussion questions for these central concepts and a creative follow-up activity: ‘Create Your Own Utopia’. Students can use the ideas and input to create their own perfect world, compare ‘utopias’ and, importantly, discuss similarities and differences to Jonas’ community. The idea of ‘dystopia’ is touched upon, but can be addressed in more depth at a later point in your study of the novel. Enjoy, and feel free to leave feedback!

This unit of work revolves around Lois Lowry’s wonderful and powerful YAF novel, The Giver. Included is a Read & Response Journal for the ENTIRE novel. A chapter-by-chapter approach offers students a range of comprehension, close reading & discussion questions. The journal can be used as a while-reading activity to facilitate students engaging with the important issues raised throughout. The questions can be part of reading homework assignments, can be discussed in pairs or groups in class, or used otherwise as writing prompts. The unit of work includes a detailed TEACHER’S GUIDE that offers: Summary of Key Chapters & Plot Points Character Analysis Commentary about Central Themes & Issues Critical Commentary of Language & Style, including Narration & Point of View, Allegory, Symbolism, Setting, Context of Composition & Interpretation, Literary Qualities & Controversial Issues Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 8 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 8 of 1984 2. Analysing Language: Symbolism in Book 1 Activity. This activity is designed to facilitate a close reading of some of the most important symbols in Book 1 of the novel, including Big Brother, Newspeak and the memory hole, Mr. Charrington’s shop and the paperweight etc. The activity uses carefully selected passages and guiding questions to allow students to take a closer look at this symbols. 3. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions as well as guiding commentary for the symbols in the close reading activity. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This FREE advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapters 6-7 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapters 6-7 of 1984 2. Exam Practice: This activity uses an important passage from Book 1, Chapter 7, and emulates the IGCSE English Literature exam by offering both a passage-based and an essay question to choose from. Can be used to facilitate close reading and exam practice. 3. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 6-7, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the Exam Practice Question. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 5 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this unit of work, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: 1. Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 5 of 1984 2. Exam Practice Question: This activity uses an important passage from Book 1, Chapter 5, and emulates the IGCSE English Literature exam by offering both a passage-based and an essay question to choose from. Can be used to facilitate close reading and exam practice. 3. 1984 in Context: Information Text about the Appendix of 1984 which explains the Principles of Newspeak. This is crucial additional information to help students understand the overall purpose of Newspeak in 1984. 4. 1984 Then and Now: This activity uses examples from present-day to highlight how Newspeak is still being used in propaganda, advertising and other ways to manufacture consent etc. 5. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with summary & analysis of Book 1, Chapter 5, as well as an MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions & the Exam Practice Question. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!

This advanced unit of work focuses on Book 1, Chapter 4 of George Orwell’s 1984 or Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with a specific focus on aiding your study of the novel for IGCSE English Literature (1984 is a set text for the IGCSE English Literature Exams in 2020 and 2021). Although this worksheet, as indeed all of my 1984 handouts and activities are specifically designed to be read at IGCSE level or in preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exams. But they can be used independent of these exams and the IGCSE curriculum, too, of course! The level is certainly also high enough to be used if you have made 1984 one of the set texts for your IB English A: Literature or English A: Language & Literature course. The unit of work includes: Comprehension questions for Book 1, Chapter 4 of 1984 1984 Then and Now: Extensive article and information text comparing the novel’s concepts of unperson and altering history with the GDPR’s Article 17: The Right to Erasure (commonly known as The Right to be Forgotten). The article outlines the problems with implementing this ruling and also provides food for thought for other ethical implications. Discussiong Questions designed as a follow-up activity to the 1984 Then and Now newspaper article. Can alternatively be used to elicit written responses from students. TEACHER’S GUIDE + ANSWER KEY: A detailed teacher’s guide with MODEL ANSWERS for the comprehension questions. Enjoy, and please leave feedback!