A lesson on Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ including contextual discussion, in depth language analysis, a terminology quiz and a homework activity

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.

A lesson on a poem called ‘Lockdown’ by Brother Richard about the coronavirus pandemic. The critical terminology is quite advanced but could be adapted to suit younger year groups. I taught the lesson to a group of students in China and their responses to the poem were amazing! ADDITION TO LESSON: I’ve now included a PDF of a poem I wrote as a homework activity.

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.

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.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: An Engaging Lesson for KS3/KS4 English This comprehensive lesson is based on Jean Kwok’s novel Girl in Translation, offering KS3 and KS4 students the opportunity to explore themes of immigration, cultural identity, and resilience. The resource provides detailed analysis, discussion prompts, and creative tasks, helping students connect with the novel’s powerful themes while developing their critical reading and writing skills. What’s Included: Close Textual Analysis: A thorough examination of key passages from Girl in Translation, focusing on how Kwok uses language and structure to explore themes such as identity, cultural conflict, and family. Discussion and Comprehension Questions: Engaging prompts encourage students to critically reflect on the protagonist’s experiences, stimulating meaningful class discussions. Creative and Analytical Activities: A range of tasks, including creative writing and group work, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the novel and relate it to their own experiences. Contextual Background: Insight into the novel’s historical and social context, helping students understand the challenges faced by immigrants and the importance of cultural identity. Exam Preparation: Structured activities designed to develop skills in close reading, literary analysis, and essay writing, ideal for preparing students for their English exams. Why This Resource? This resource is perfect for KS3 and KS4 English teachers looking to engage students with a contemporary novel that deals with relevant social issues. It promotes critical thinking, empathy, and analytical skills while providing a rich understanding of the text and its themes.

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.

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

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 PowerPoint of ‘To a Daughter Leaving Home’ by Linda Pastan including discussion questions, analysis and homework activities.

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.

A poetry lesson on the speech ‘All the World’s a Stage’ from ‘As You Like It’. The PowerPoint includes a line by line analysis and homework activities. Can be adapted to suit various age groups.

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

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

A full lesson on ‘Between a Rock and a Hard Place’ from the Edexcel iGCSE Language Anthology.

A PowerPoint on ‘Nettles’ by Vernon Scannell including analysis and homework activities

An analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech ‘Beyond Vietnam’.

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.

Exposure by Wilfred Owen: A Comprehensive GCSE Poetry Lesson This detailed lesson resource is designed to guide GCSE students through a thorough analysis of Wilfred Owen’s Exposure. The lesson covers the poem’s themes, language, and structure while incorporating artwork to spark discussions on the emotional and physical toll of war. This resource is perfect for GCSE English Literature exam preparation, encouraging students to explore how Owen’s experiences in World War I influenced his powerful anti-war message. What’s Included: Comprehensive Poem Analysis: A stanza-by-stanza breakdown of Exposure, focusing on key themes such as the futility of war, the soldiers’ suffering, and nature’s dominance. Historical Context: An exploration of Owen’s experiences as a soldier in World War I, providing students with the historical background to better understand the poem’s context. Literary Devices: Detailed examination of Owen’s use of imagery, personification, alliteration, and repetition, showcasing how these techniques contribute to the poem’s emotional impact. Artwork for Discussion: Artwork related to the poem’s themes and imagery is used to engage students in visual interpretation and to spark discussions about the mood, emotions, and symbolism in Exposure. This helps deepen understanding of the poem’s atmosphere and the soldiers’ experiences. Discussion and Comprehension Questions: Carefully designed questions promote critical thinking and classroom discussion, encouraging students to analyse the poem’s deeper meanings. Creative and Analytical Activities: Close reading exercises, group discussions, and creative writing tasks ensure that students critically engage with the poem while developing key analytical skills needed for GCSE exams. Why This Resource? This lesson is ideal for GCSE English Literature teachers looking to provide students with an engaging and comprehensive study of Wilfred Owen’s Exposure. The use of artwork and visual prompts adds a unique dimension to the analysis, encouraging students to connect emotionally with the poem’s themes and Owen’s portrayal of the horrors of war. Keywords: GCSE, Wilfred Owen, Exposure, war poetry, English Literature, poem analysis, literary devices, World War I, GCSE poetry, artwork discussion, visual prompts.

**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.