I am a Co-Founder and Director of Curriculum for a charity called Park Street Education. I also run my own tutoring agency called 'The English Tutor'. I take a ton of pride in the creation of my resources and I hope that they will save you precious planning time as well as engaging your students.
Please download some of my FREE resources to see the quality of my material. If you don't see a resource you need, then get in touch - I take commissions! My email is samanthajayne13@live.co.uk
I am a Co-Founder and Director of Curriculum for a charity called Park Street Education. I also run my own tutoring agency called 'The English Tutor'. I take a ton of pride in the creation of my resources and I hope that they will save you precious planning time as well as engaging your students.
Please download some of my FREE resources to see the quality of my material. If you don't see a resource you need, then get in touch - I take commissions! My email is samanthajayne13@live.co.uk
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.
The bundle includes:
A full unit of work on the core text ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’
Practice questions for the critical appreciation component of the course
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: 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.
The lesson on Wilfred Owen’s poem Disabled is designed to help students explore the poet’s depiction of the horrors of war and its aftermath, especially in the lives of disabled veterans. The key objectives of the lesson include:
Understanding the Themes and Imagery: Students are guided to analyze how Owen contrasts the soldier’s life before and after war, using imagery to evoke sympathy and highlight the futility of war.
Examining Structure and Tone: The lesson emphasizes the shift between past and present in the poem, as well as how the irregular rhyme scheme reflects the chaos of war.
Historical Context and Empathy: Students are introduced to the historical background of Wilfred Owen and World War I. They also consider modern perspectives on disability, featuring real-life examples like Sapper Matthew Weston, a contemporary veteran.
Critical Discussion and Reflection: Through discussions and activities such as responding to pictures, videos, and key questions, students reflect on the emotional impact of the poem, considering the reasons people enlist and the psychological toll of warfare.
The lesson ends with an optional creative homework task, asking students to write a letter from the perspective of a hospitalised soldier, encouraging empathy and deeper engagement with the poem’s themes.
A detailed lesson exploring the contextual factors surrounding ‘Of Mice and Men’. Group work, revision slides, and improving paragraphs exercise all included.
**Banned Books Scheme of Work: Engaging and Thought-Provoking Lessons for KS3/KS4 English **
This comprehensive scheme of work explores the theme of censorship through the lens of banned books, offering a series of interactive and engaging lessons for KS3 and KS4 students. The resource covers a variety of controversial and thought-provoking texts, including Fahrenheit 451, I Am Malala, Alice in Wonderland, The Hate U Give, Harry Potter, and many more. Each lesson is designed to encourage critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of societal issues.
What’s Included:
10 Complete Lessons: PowerPoint presentations that guide students through each text with a blend of discussion prompts, extracts, historical context, and multimedia resources.
Diverse Themes: Lessons cover a wide range of topics such as freedom of speech, race, gender, mental health, and the impact of literature on society.
Engaging Activities: Each lesson incorporates activities like group discussions, debates, creative writing, and presentations, helping students develop their analytical and expressive skills.
Presentation Project: The final lesson encourages students to create their own presentations on a banned book, fostering independent research and public speaking skills.
**Why This Resource? **
Perfect for English teachers looking to inspire curiosity and promote critical engagement, this scheme of work not only aligns with curriculum objectives but also brings real-world relevance into the classroom. It offers structured lessons with all the necessary resources, including videos, extracts, and comprehension questions, to make implementation easy and effective.
Keywords: KS3, KS4, banned books, censorship, literature, English lessons, critical thinking, debate, social issues, freedom of speech, book challenges, interactive learning.
This engaging and thought-provoking scheme of work ensures students connect literature with the world around them, making for a powerful addition to any English curriculum.
This lesson introduces students to the concept and forms of transactional writing, emphasising its relevance in real-life contexts such as running or promoting a business (e.g., a hotel). Through interactive activities, students explore different types of transactional texts, including brochures, speeches, reviews, newspaper articles, and reports.
Lesson Objectives:
Understand the concept and importance of transactional writing.
Identify the form, conventions, purpose, audience, and tone in various transactional writing tasks.
Practise creating appropriate content based on these elements.
Activities:
Students work in groups to design their own “dream hotel” and brainstorm the types of transactional writing necessary for its operation and marketing.
Groups are assigned specific writing tasks (e.g., brochures, reviews) and must determine the format, purpose, audience, and tone before presenting their ideas.
Exercises include adapting the tone of a letter of complaint to demonstrate the impact of language choice.
Skills Developed:
Critical thinking in evaluating the form and tone suitable for different audiences.
Collaboration through group work and brainstorming sessions.
Practical application of writing conventions in structured formats.
This lesson is ideal for engaging students in transactional writing and helping them connect classroom skills with real-world scenarios.
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.
**Homes and Migration: Exploring Identity and Movement for KS2/KS3
**
This engaging lesson explores the themes of homes and migration, helping students understand the diverse ways people live around the world and why humans and animals migrate. Designed for KS2 and KS3, the lesson encourages critical thinking, cultural understanding, and creativity through a variety of multimedia resources and discussion activities.
What’s Included:
Introduction to the Concept of Home: The lesson begins by exploring the concept of ‘home’ across cultures, with examples of extraordinary homes, such as the Hanging Monasteries in Greece and the Floating Villages of Cambodia.
Migration of People and Animals: The lesson dives into why both humans and animals migrate, examining key concepts like “push and pull factors” and the migration patterns of animals such as zebras and salmon.
Key Terminology and Definitions: Students will learn and discuss important terms related to migration, including “migrant,” “refugee,” and “displaced,” helping to foster empathy and understanding of global issues.
Multimedia Content: The lesson includes links to videos and articles that bring the subject matter to life, such as the migration journeys of animals and real-world examples of how migration shapes cultures.
Creative Writing Task: To wrap up, students are tasked with writing an article for National Geographic based on the lesson’s content. They can choose to focus on extraordinary homes, the migration of people, or the migration of ideas.
Why This Resource?
This lesson is ideal for teachers looking to engage students with real-world issues while promoting critical thinking and cultural awareness. It can be adapted for classroom discussions or independent projects and provides all the multimedia and content needed for an impactful, thought-provoking lesson.
Keywords: KS2, KS3, migration, homes, cultural understanding, push-pull factors, refugees, global awareness, multimedia lesson, creative writing.
The Little Prince Scheme of Work: An Engaging Journey Through Literature for KS2/KS3
This comprehensive scheme of work takes students on an immersive journey through Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s timeless classic, The Little Prince. Designed for KS2 and KS3 learners, the lessons explore essential themes such as friendship, imagination, loss, and the human experience. Each lesson integrates reading comprehension, interactive discussions, and creative tasks, ensuring students connect deeply with the text while enhancing their critical literacy and expressive skills.
What’s Included:
12 Complete Lessons: Each PowerPoint presentation covers different chapters of the book, guiding students through the narrative with activities such as group discussions, debates, writing exercises, and multimedia elements.
Key Vocabulary and Literary Analysis: Every lesson introduces important vocabulary and literary techniques, supporting students in expanding their language skills and understanding the author’s style.
Diverse Activities: Lessons include creative tasks like drawing illustrations, debating themes (e.g., leadership and friendship), and connecting the story’s lessons to real-life experiences, all of which promote critical thinking and empathy.
Final Projects and Creative Assignments: The concluding lessons allow students to engage with the text through personalised projects, such as imagining a new planet, writing diary entries from a character’s perspective, or creating artwork based on their favourite quotations. These tasks foster independent thinking, creativity, and comprehension.
Why This Resource?
Ideal for teachers who wish to inspire and engage students with a literary classic, this scheme of work meets curriculum goals while providing an enriching and interactive learning experience. It offers all necessary resources for effective lesson delivery, including videos, discussion prompts, comprehension exercises, and creative project ideas. Perfect for English and literature classes, it helps students develop an appreciation for storytelling and a deeper understanding of universal themes.
Keywords: KS2, KS3, The Little Prince, literature scheme, reading comprehension, vocabulary building, creative writing, English lessons, critical thinking, interactive activities, discussion prompts, literary analysis.
This engaging and versatile resource ensures students connect with the story on multiple levels, making The Little Prince a valuable addition to any classroom.
Book Report Challenge: Engaging Independent Learning for KS2/KS3
This comprehensive Book Report Challenge resource is designed to foster independent learning and critical thinking in KS2 and KS3 students. Ideal for term-long projects, this resource guides students through the process of reading a book and completing a variety of fun, creative tasks based on their chosen text. Whether you’re working on developing students’ love for reading or encouraging them to take ownership of their learning, this resource has everything you need to inspire and challenge your class.
What’s Included:
Step-by-Step Guidance: The resource provides a structured pathway, starting with students selecting a book and offering reading tips to help them manage their time effectively.
10 Creative Challenges: Students are tasked with completing three out of 10 engaging challenges, such as writing a sequel, redesigning a book cover, creating a social media profile for a character, or even designing a board game based on the book. These activities encourage creativity and critical engagement with the text.
Reading Recommendations: Suggested reading lists are provided, featuring popular titles like The Wrath and the Dawn, The Red Queen, Holes, The Book Thief, and more, while also giving students the freedom to choose their own books.
Final Project Ideas: Students can wrap up the project by delivering a book review, a presentation, or even creating an alternative ending to the story.
Why This Resource?
This Book Report Challenge is perfect for encouraging students to read independently while developing key literacy skills. It’s versatile and adaptable, allowing teachers to integrate it into the classroom as a long-term assignment or a summer reading project. The creative tasks ensure students remain engaged, and the wide range of book choices helps cater to different reading levels and interests.
Keywords: KS2, KS3, independent learning, book report, creative writing, reading comprehension, book projects, English lessons, literacy, book recommendations, critical thinking.
The Hunger Games Scheme of Work: 13 Engaging Lessons for KS3 English with Creative Final Assessment
This comprehensive 13-lesson scheme of work is designed to immerse KS3 students in Suzanne Collins’ thrilling novel The Hunger Games. Through detailed analysis of characters, themes, and literary techniques, students will explore the deeper meanings behind the text while participating in a variety of creative and analytical activities. The scheme culminates in a unique final assessment where students design their own version of the Hunger Games and participate in an interview-style reflection.
It was designed during the pandemic for online learning but can easily be adapted for classroom use.
What’s Included:
13 Complete Lessons: Each PowerPoint lesson covers specific chapters and themes from The Hunger Games, with structured activities such as reading comprehension, discussions, and group work.
Character and Theme Analysis: Lessons focus on key themes like survival, inequality, and rebellion, alongside character studies of Katniss, Peeta, and other significant figures.
Literary Devices and Techniques: Exploration of techniques such as symbolism, foreshadowing, and narrative structure, helping students develop a deeper understanding of how the novel is crafted.
Creative and Analytical Activities: Varied tasks such as creative writing, role-playing, debates, and group presentations ensure that students engage actively with the text.
Contextual Studies: Lessons connect the dystopian world of The Hunger Games with real-world issues, such as political oppression and media manipulation, making the content relevant to students’ lives.
Final Creative Assessment: Students design their own Hunger Games as part of the culminating assessment. This task challenges them to create a new arena, rules, and tributes, followed by a reflective interview where they discuss their design decisions and the moral implications of the games.
Exam and Assessment Preparation: Opportunities for students to practice analytical writing and respond to GCSE-style questions, preparing them for future exams.
Why This Resource?
This scheme of work is perfect for KS3 teachers who want to engage their students with a modern literary classic while fostering key skills in critical thinking, creative expression, and literary analysis. The creative final assessment provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of the novel in an imaginative and reflective way, making it both an enjoyable and educational experience.
Keywords: KS3 English, The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins, literature analysis, dystopian fiction, creative writing, final assessment, design your own Hunger Games, critical thinking, exam preparation.
This engaging and versatile resource ensures students not only explore the novel in depth but also express their creativity through a unique final assessment, helping them connect with the story on a personal level.