A starter activity that tests learners’ recognition of simple, compound and complex sentences. There are 5 different boards and one teacher sheet. Board 1 is the winning board. All being well, this resource will soon be incorporated into a wider lesson on developing complex sentences, but in the meantime, you may wish to purchase it separately. It is aimed at a lower-middle ability Year 8.

A straightforward comprehension activity on political theory in ‘An Inspector Calls’. Students read and respond to information on Marxism, communism and democratic socialism and its exploration in AIC. Slides 1 & 2: print back to back on A4 Slide 3: print single sided on A3. Teacher Notes included.

A double-sided, detailed context sheet for ‘A Christmas Carol’. As this doesn’t seem to show on the preview, the reverse side of the sheet contains a section on working conditions in the Victorian age and the ideas of Thomas Malthus. There is an accompanying worksheet on which students can write their notes. If preferred, these resources can be purchased as part of a larger unit of work on Stave One: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-christmas-carol-stave-one-11996048

A knowledge organiser for AQA Paper 1, Question 4 aimed at students on the borderline between grades 3 and 4. The WAGOLLs are based on a short extract from Frankenstein. Full colour and black and white copies included.

A knowledge organiser for AQA Paper 1, Question 4 aimed at students working towards Grade 3. Full colour and black and white copies included.

A worksheet that encourages students to plan their short stories. Suitable for KS3 and KS4 groups, NB A newer version of this worksheet should be available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/short-story-planning-flow-chart-2-12001454

This learning mat summarises key descriptive writing techniques using the acronym MRS VAN SOAP.

A sample essay in response to an AQA 8700, Paper 2, Question 5-style task. There is a teacher copy and a student copy. The latter is littered with deliberate errors for learners to identify and correct. It is aimed at middle-upper ability groups and the question could be adapted to be relevant to other boards. It could be used as a homework activity or a lesson starter to draw attention to the need for checking for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

An introduction to simple, compound and complex sentences with activities at the end. Suitable for KS2 or lower KS3 groups. Update: I have created an alternative to this lesson, found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/lower-ability-ks3-sentence-types-12057647

A highly simplifed re-writing of Act One of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in modern English. There are just over 6 pages at font size 14. Written for a Year 9 nurture group.

An introduction to the use of similes, metaphors and personfication, suitable for upper KS2 and lower KS3 groups. **UPDATE: If you would prefer more up-to-date lessons on these descriptive techniques, please consider these alternatives: ** https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/similes-and-metaphors-for-la-ks3-12065155 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/personification-for-la-ks3-12069267

A highly simplifed re-writing of Act Five of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in modern English. There are just over 5 pages at font size 14. Written for a Year 9 nurture group

A highly simplifed re-writing of Act Three of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in modern English. There are 8 pages at font size 14. Written for a Year 9 nurture group.

A highly simplifed re-writing of Act Four of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in modern English. There are just over 4 pages at font size 14. Written for a Year 9 nurture group.

A highly simplifed re-writing of Act Two of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in modern English. There are 5 pages at font size 14. Written for a Year 9 nurture group.

This worksheet can be used at either KS3 or KS4 to enable students to plan a short story according to Freytag’s Pyramid. NB. I have used the term ‘initial situation’ instead of exposition. An alternative, older version of this worksheet should be available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/short-story-planning-flow-chart-11747165

A handy flow chart that can be used a learning mat or a display. Its aim is to remind students how to use basic sentence punctuation.

A powerpoint that explores in some depth the socio-historical context of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Use with middle ability groups.

A quick match-up activity that encourages learners to work with subject terminology relating to poetry and other texts. The full list of terms is here: Allegory Allusion Ambiguity/Ambiguous Analogy Cliché Connotation/Connote Contrast Denotation/Denote Euphemism Hyperbole Irony Metaphor Oxymoron Personification Pun Paradox Simile

A handy learning mat/display that reminds students how to use a colon and semi-colon.