A full scheme of work on ‘Noughts and Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman.

**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.

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.

Analysis of the Opening Extract from Rebecca: Perfect for GCSE English Preparation This comprehensive lesson provides students with a detailed analysis of the opening extract from Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Ideal for GCSE English, this resource is designed to support students in developing their unseen text analysis skills, focusing on the use of language, structure, and tone in the novel’s evocative introduction. What’s Included: Close Reading and Textual Analysis: A line-by-line breakdown of the opening extract, focusing on how du Maurier creates atmosphere, setting, and introduces themes of mystery and memory. Focus on Literary Devices: Detailed exploration of literary techniques such as imagery, personification, symbolism, and narrative voice, showing how they contribute to the overall mood and tension. GCSE Exam Preparation: Structured questions and activities modelled on GCSE unseen text questions, giving students the opportunity to practise analytical writing and respond to exam-style prompts. Discussion and Comprehension Questions: Engaging questions to prompt class discussions on the extract’s themes and the protagonist’s emotions, helping students to think critically about the text. Creative and Analytical Tasks: Tasks that encourage students to explore du Maurier’s writing style through creative writing exercises and compare their own responses to the atmosphere of the opening scene. Why This Resource? This resource is perfect for teachers preparing GCSE English students for unseen text analysis. The detailed focus on du Maurier’s language and techniques will help students build confidence in approaching unfamiliar texts in an exam setting, while providing them with the tools to craft insightful, analytical responses. Keywords: GCSE English, Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier, unseen text analysis, literary devices, extract analysis, GCSE exam preparation, close reading. This resource provides the ideal preparation for students working towards their GCSE English exams, offering all the support they need to analyse unseen extracts with confidence.

The Diversity Reading Club: 12 Engaging Classes for KS3 English The Diversity Reading Club is a carefully curated 12-lesson course designed for Year 7 or 8 students (depending on maturity), aimed at broadening their literary horizons with a wide range of voices and perspectives. This course features extracts from fiction, non-fiction, and poetry by underrepresented authors, including Black, Indigenous, queer, disabled authors, immigrant stories, and authors living with chronic illnesses. The mission of this reading club is to expose students to diverse narratives and experiences, helping them develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. While not discouraging the reading of literary “classics,” this course focuses on expanding the traditional curriculum to include stories that are often overlooked. What’s Included: 12 Fully Structured Lessons: Each lesson introduces students to a new text, fostering discussions around themes such as identity, resilience, and belonging. The texts include: Refugees by Brian Bilston The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanen Wonder by R. J. Palacio Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake Running Through It by Lorie Scarfarotti Diverse Themes and Perspectives: Each class explores a different perspective on themes such as migration, disability, identity, and equality, challenging students to think critically about the world around them. Creative and Analytical Activities: Students will engage with the texts through group discussions, reflective writing, and creative projects, helping them to build key skills in empathy, critical thinking, and literary analysis. Contextual Discussions: The course includes discussions on the historical and cultural context of each text, helping students to understand the societal issues the authors address. Why This Resource? This reading club is perfect for KS3 English teachers who want to inspire a love for reading while exposing students to a more diverse range of literature. It encourages critical thinking, cultural awareness, and personal reflection, making it an essential addition to any classroom that values inclusivity and representation. Keywords: KS3 English, diversity in literature, Black authors, Indigenous authors, queer literature, disability narratives, immigrant stories, multicultural education, literary analysis, creative writing.

Creative Writing from Stimulus: Engaging Lessons for KS3 and KS4 This Creative Writing from Stimulus lesson is designed to inspire KS3 and KS4 students to think creatively and express themselves through written language. Perfect for English classes looking to develop students’ narrative skills, this resource provides a variety of prompts and exercises that encourage students to write with imagination, depth, and originality. By working from carefully chosen stimuli, students will hone their descriptive skills and learn how to create compelling stories and scenes. What’s Included: Writing Prompts and Visual Stimuli: A range of images, phrases, and scenarios to spark students’ creativity, helping them develop engaging storylines and vivid descriptions. Guided Exercises: Structured activities that lead students through the creative process, from brainstorming ideas to crafting opening lines, building suspense, and creating memorable characters. Focus on Literary Techniques: Lessons that cover key creative writing elements such as imagery, metaphor, simile, and personification, as well as narrative techniques like dialogue and point of view. Peer Review and Self-Reflection: Opportunities for students to share their work with peers, receive feedback, and reflect on their writing to improve clarity and emotional impact. Creative Writing Assessment Prep: Exercises and guidance tailored to support students in preparing for creative writing assessments, helping them gain confidence in their abilities. Why This Resource? This resource is ideal for KS3 and KS4 English teachers who want to develop their students’ creative writing skills. Through engaging activities, students will build confidence in expressing their ideas, and the lessons provide a foundation for success in creative writing assessments. Keywords: KS3 English, KS4 English, creative writing, writing prompts, narrative techniques, descriptive writing, imagery, character development, English lesson plans. This creative writing lesson offers an inspiring way to build storytelling skills, perfect for encouraging young writers to develop their unique voice and creativity.