A comprehensive resource pack on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. Assessments are tailored towards the OCR A level English course, however, could be adapted for a number of other exam boards. There are a number of practice assessments with model answers.

A lesson on an extract from ‘The Woman in Black’ (Whistle and I’ll Come to You) from the Edexcel iGCSE English Language Anthology. The PowerPoint includes analysis, discussion questions and homework activities.

A Greek Myth Collection: An Introduction Prometheus and Pandora Demeter and Persephone Theseus and the Minotaur The Golden Fleece Heracles Perseus Orpheus and Eurydice

Lesson Summary: Young and Dyslexic This lesson explores Benjamin Zephaniah’s article Young and Dyslexic? You’ve Got It Going On, where he reflects on his experiences growing up with dyslexia and how he transformed this challenge into a strength. The lesson guides students through an analysis of how Zephaniah uses language to connect with his audience and convey his message of resilience and empowerment for dyslexic individuals. Lesson Objectives: Understand Zephaniah’s perspective on dyslexia and how he uses his experience to inspire others. Analyse the use of language, tone, and anecdotes to connect with the reader and convey a positive message. Reflect on the broader implications of the education system and societal views on learning differences. Activities: Group discussions on personal challenges in learning and the perceptions of dyslexia. Guided reading to identify and interpret key literary techniques, such as metaphor, tone, and anecdote. A creative task where students design a poster summarising Zephaniah’s message, aiming to challenge the stigma around dyslexia. Skills Developed: Analytical reading and interpretation, focusing on non-fiction texts and the author’s use of language and structure. Empathy and understanding through the exploration of learning difficulties and the importance of resilience. Creative expression through visual and written tasks that engage students with the material.

A lesson on The Explorer’s Daughter by Kari Herbert - Edexcel iGCSE English Language Anthology. Full PowerPoint with analysis, discussion questions and a creative writing homework activity.

Lesson Summary: Chinese Cinderella This lesson explores an extract from Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, focusing on her experiences growing up in a wealthy yet emotionally neglectful family in 1950s Hong Kong. The lesson guides students through the analysis of how the author uses language and imagery to convey her feelings of isolation, fear, and hope. Through discussion and structured activities, students will deepen their understanding of autobiographical writing and the historical and cultural context of the narrative. Lesson Objectives: Analyse how Adeline Yen Mah uses literary devices and imagery to convey her emotions and experiences. Understand the cultural and familial context influencing the author’s upbringing. Engage with autobiographical writing to identify its typical features and explore its purpose. Activities: Group discussions exploring students’ own experiences and cultural perspectives on family expectations and education. Guided reading focusing on identifying and interpreting language techniques such as metaphors, similes, and allusions. Creative writing task where students compose a diary entry from Adeline’s perspective, capturing her emotions after learning she will study abroad. Skills Developed: Analytical reading and interpretation of autobiographical texts, focusing on language and structure. Empathy and cultural awareness through examining familial dynamics and societal expectations. Creative expression through writing tasks that encourage personal engagement with the text.

Lesson Summary: A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat This lesson explores Emma Levine’s travelogue extract “A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat,” which describes a donkey race in Karachi, Pakistan. The lesson engages students in analysing how Levine uses language and structure to create excitement, build tension, and provide a humorous account of cultural experiences. Students will examine literary techniques such as metaphor, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia, and discuss their effects on the reader. Lesson Objectives: Analyse how language and structural choices create excitement and build tension. Understand and identify literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification. Explore the cultural and social context of the narrative to deepen comprehension. Activities: Group discussion on the extract’s themes, including cultural differences and the appeal of unusual sports. Identification of literary techniques and their impact through guided reading and annotation exercises. Creative writing task where students craft their own sports commentary using similar devices to those found in Levine’s writing. Skills Developed: Critical analysis of text and understanding of authorial choices. Empathy and cultural awareness through the exploration of diverse experiences. Creative writing skills by applying learned techniques to original stories.

Lesson Summary: A Passage to Africa This lesson delves into George Alagiah’s extract from A Passage to Africa, exploring the impact of war and famine in Somalia. Students engage in analysing how Alagiah uses language to depict suffering, as well as the ethical and emotional dilemmas journalists face when reporting on such crises. Through a blend of group discussions, guided readings, and writing tasks, students will develop a deeper understanding of the passage and Alagiah’s message. Lesson Objectives: Understand the context and purpose of Alagiah’s narrative as a journalist’s account. Analyse how language techniques (e.g., metaphors, sensory imagery) are used to convey suffering. Discuss and reflect on the ethical challenges of journalism in conflict zones. Activities: Group discussions on media representation of humanitarian crises and the role of journalists. Guided reading with a focus on identifying key language devices and their effects. Analytical writing tasks using structured approaches like PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) or PETAL (Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link) to respond to a question about Alagiah’s use of language. Skills Developed: Critical analysis of non-fiction texts and understanding the ethical dimensions of journalism. Empathy and cultural awareness through exploration of real-world humanitarian issues. Structured analytical writing, focusing on language effects and textual evidence.

A detailed unit of work for ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ including lots of articles and extracts for wider reading. There are PowerPoints for each chapter and suggested assignments throughout.

A full guided reading course on ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ including passages, discussion questions, videos and homework assignments.

A lesson on the poem ‘Blessing’ by Imtiaz Dharker. The PowerPoint includes analysis, discussion questions, a quiz and a homework activity.

A full scheme of work on Jasmine Warga’s ‘Other Words for Home’, a novel written in free verse about a Syrian family who flee the war and move to the US.

A lesson on the poem ‘The Pig’ by Roald Dahl. The PowerPoint includes analysis, discussion questions and a homework activity.

This booklet contains a variety of unseen passages for the unit on ‘The Immigrant Experience’. Texts include: ‘American and I’ - Anzia Yezierska ‘Exit West’ – Mohsin Hamid ‘Brick Lane’ – Monica Ali ‘Enemies: A Love Story’ – Isaac Bashevis Singer ‘The Assistant’ – Bernard Malamud ‘The Namesake’ – Jhumpa Lahiri ‘The Buddha in the Attic’ – Julie Otsuka ‘The Lonely Londoners’ – Sam Selvon ’The Road Home’ - Rose Tremain ‘Terrorist’ – John Updike ‘My New American Life’ – Francine Prose ‘The Fortunate Pilgrim’ – Mario Puzo ‘The Association of Small Bombs’ – Karan Mahajan ‘Black-Eyed Women’ from ‘The Refugees’ - Viet Thanh Nguyen ‘The Secret River’ – Kate Grenville ‘The Third and Final Continent’ from ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ - Jhumpa Lahiri ’Call it Sleep’ - Henry Roth ‘A Long Way Home’ – Saroo Brierley ‘The Blue Between Sky and Water’ – Susan Abulhawa ‘Shantaram’ – David Gregory Roberts ’Eva’s Story’ - Eva Schloss ‘Girl in Translation’ – Jean Kwok ‘Café Scheherazade’ – Arnold Zable ‘Brooklyn’ - Colm Tóibín I set ‘The Blue Between Sky and Water’ as a Mock Examination so I have included indicative content for this which would work as a mark scheme and two model answers for ‘A Long Way Home’ and ‘Brooklyn’.

Detailed notes on the following poems: Ambulances Arundel Tomb Dockery and Son Essential Beauty High Windows Talking in Bed Vers De Société Wild Oats

A selection of quotations from ‘Of Mice and Men’ including detailed analysis.

A lesson on an extract from ‘A Long Way Home’ by Saroo Brierley. The memoir has been adapted into a film called ‘Lion’. The extract takes place when Saroo arrives at his new home in Hobart, Tasmania. The lesson includes discussion questions, language analysis, a video clip from the film and a homework activity.

Lesson produced for Park Street Education. https://parkstreetedu.com/ In celebration of Terry Fox day this Sunday, our students will be combining History and English as they learn the history behind Terry’s Marathon of Hope and examine the persuasive writing used in his letter to Adidas for sponsorship. Terry Fox’s determination, hope, and belief in miracles is unparalleled and inspirational to Canadians across the country.

This is a comprehensive lesson on an extract from the poem ‘Out of the Blue’ by Simon Armitage, a poem about 9/11 written for Park Street Education: https://parkstreetedu.com/ The lesson includes: context, discussion questions, images from the attacks, a video clip, a line by line analysis and two options for homework activities. This is suitable for Grade 8 and above, though could be adapted to suit a younger audience. As the lesson contains distressing content, it is advised that teachers and parents assess the suitability of the material based on the individual students they will be teaching.