This is the ninth of seventeen stand-alone literacy units built around the highly acclaimed animal adventure story ‘Paka Mdogo – Little Cat’. Each unit is based on a single chapter from the book, and includes the text itself…so over the course of a term children will be able to enjoy the whole story as a piece of fiction ‘with excellent literary credentials’ (Library Thing review) – appropriate to ages 7 to 12 but offering engagement, suspense, humour and challenge to readers of all ages. The ‘Paka Mdogo’ series has been described as ‘Books for Thinking Children’ but it also has a strong appeal to thinking adults since it addresses, in a wholly refreshing way, a large number of issues important to us all. Each unit includes a summary of ‘the story so far’. Teachers can therefore, if they wish, use the units selectively, making use of the ongoing summaries to bridge any narrative gaps and keep the class eager to know what happens next. The units are aligned to the general expectations of the International Baccalaureate PYP programme and also the Australian and other national curricula, and teachers making use of them can be assured that their students will be exposed to a wide range of reading, writing, speaking and listening tasks – and thinking activities – designed to promote universal literacy objectives with minimal tribulation and maximum delight. ‘Thinking activities’? Imaginative prompts that challenge students to read into, and often beyond, the written text. Study tasks include the full range of question types (single-answer, multiple choice, closed, open, evaluative) and a variety of writing and speaking activities (personal, narrative, expository, analytical, persuasive, interactive). Questions on the illustrations are included to help enhance students’ visual, as well as textual, literacy. The PYP-specific section on each chapter (‘Sheena the PYP Cat’) is designed to illuminate for young readers the elements of both the PYP Learner Profile and the Transdisciplinary Themes, and to add to their enjoyment of the story and their understanding of some of the important things that happen in it, within a PYP context. Some practicalities: • The units (both the Teaching and the Student Edition, included in the download) are in printable pdf format, and can be used either on-screen or in photocopy from the master files. • Each page of the unit carries one page of text from the chapter, a study task based on it, and working spaces. Additional, more broadly-based study tasks span the whole chapter. • Students given print copies can use either the working spaces or a separate workbook. Those working on-screen will be able to add their responses by means of a text insertion tool or the comments/sticky notes function, depending on the programme used to open the pdf file – or, again, in a separate workbook.

This 24-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each chapter of the novel, and build up a full understanding of what Lionel Shriver is trying to achieve, how she is trying to achieve it, and how successful she has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 24-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each chapter, and build up a full understanding of what Lionel Shriver is trying to achieve, how she is trying to achieve it, and how successful she has been. The text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. The resource effectively promotes the Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1-6 and CC.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11.12.1-6.

This 33-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each scene, and build up a full understanding of what Shakespeare is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. The text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the play, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. The resource effectively promotes the Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1-6 and CC.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11.12.1-6.

This 33-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each scene of the play, and build up a full understanding of what Shakespeare is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the play, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 24-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Fugard is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. The text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the play, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. The resource effectively promotes the Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1-6 and CC.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11.12.1-6.

This 33-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Fugard is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the play, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 15-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Philip Pullman is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 15-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Philip Pullman is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

Description: This 25-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Joseph Heller is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. The text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. The resource effectively promotes the Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1-6 and CC.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11.12.1-6.

This 25-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Joseph Heller is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 16-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Mark Twain is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This 16-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what Mark Twain is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

Description: This 32-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what James Joyce is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. The text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. The resource effectively promotes the Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1-6 and CC.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11.12.1-6.

This 32-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of the text, and build up a full understanding of what James Joyce is trying to achieve, how he is trying to achieve it, and how successful he has been. These text-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the novel, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page).

This stand-alone resource is taken from the opening section of the highly regarded 215-page ‘Writing Unseen Commentaries: A Student Help Book’, a two-year course in the close textual analysis of short prose extracts and poems, designed to help students, within a clear framework, develop the skills of focused reading and critical commentary – skills they will be called upon to demonstrate within most national and international pre-university literature examinations. This is the introductory prose (fiction) unit from that course. The poetry equivalent is also published in the WordSmith Guides series. Both make full use of the innovative SCASI structure (Setting, Character, Action, Style and Ideas), an invaluable tool for the analysis of not only short pieces of literature but also whole works. This is also the Teaching Copy of the resource: the suggested responses to the study tasks are included in the body of the unit, whereas in the Student Edition they are located in a separate section at the end, so that teachers can dispense them to students as they see fit, for the purposes of self-assessment.

This stand-alone resource is taken from the opening section of the increasingly popular 280-page ‘Reading Between the Lines: A Student Help Book’, a two-year course in the close textual analysis of non-literary prose and graphic communication, designed to help students, within a clear framework, develop the skills of focused reading and critical commentary – skills they will be called upon to demonstrate within most national and international pre-university language or language and literature examinations. This is the introductory unit from that course. It makes use of the universal CAPS (Context, Audience, Purpose and Style) structure to explore factual and persuasive writing, and other forms of non-literary communication including graphic. This is also the Teaching Copy of the resource: the suggested responses to the study tasks are included in the body of the unit, whereas in the Student Edition they are located in a separate section at the end, so that teachers can dispense them to students as they see fit, for the purposes of self-assessment.

This stand-alone resource is taken from the opening section of the highly regarded 215-page ‘Writing Unseen Commentaries: A Student Help Book’, a two-year course in the close textual analysis of short prose extracts and poems, designed to help students, within a clear framework, develop the skills of focused reading and critical commentary – skills they will be called upon to demonstrate within most national and international pre-university literature examinations. This is the introductory poetry unit from that course. The prose (fiction) equivalent is also published in the WordSmith Guides series. Both make full use of the innovative SCASI structure (Setting, Character, Action, Style and Ideas), an invaluable tool for the analysis of not only short pieces of literature but also whole works. This is also the Teaching Copy of the resource: the suggested responses to the study tasks are included in the body of the unit, whereas in the Student Edition they are located in a separate section at the end, so that teachers can dispense them to students as they see fit, for the purposes of self-assessment.

This stand-alone resource is taken from the opening section of the highly regarded 215-page ‘Writing Unseen Commentaries: A Student Help Book’, a two-year course in the close textual analysis of short prose extracts and poems, designed to help students, within a clear framework, develop the skills of focused reading and critical commentary – skills they will be called upon to demonstrate within most national and international pre-university literature examinations. This is the introductory prose (fiction) unit from that course. The poetry equivalent is also published in the WordSmith Guides series. Both make full use of the innovative SCASI structure (Setting, Character, Action, Style and Ideas), an invaluable tool for the analysis of not only short pieces of literature but also whole works. This is also the Student Edition of the resource: the suggested responses to the study tasks are located in a separate section at the end, so that teachers can dispense them to students as they see fit, for the purposes of self-assessment. In the Teaching Copy they are included in the body of the unit.