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

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 powerpoint that explains the principal uses of the comma, suitable for middle-upper KS2/KS3 groups. There are differentiated activities included.

A lengthy powerpoint that covers the basics of capital letters, some key spelling rules and the concept of homophones. Suitable for middle-upper KS3.

An extended response to the essay question, 'To what extent is 'An Inspector Calls' a product of its time?' Could be used as a teaching tool with middle-upper GCSE groups.

This is an extended response to the question, 'How does Priestley present the theme of Capitalism Versus Socialism in An Inspector Calls?'

A 46-slide PowerPoint that provides a short course in narrative and descriptive writing for GCSE. It is aimed at middle-ability KS4 and is oriented towards AQA English Language 8700, Paper 1, Question 5. The PowerPoint covers: The writing AO’s, unpacked and turned into 7 ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions The structures of 8700 Papers 1 & 2 The difference between narrative and descriptive writing Descriptive techniques organised into the acronym MRS VAN SOAPS Descriptive writing success criteria Sample descriptive writing tasks (students choose 1 of 2) A teacher-written response (presented as an extract from a full response) Peer assessment Short story structure (Freytag’s Pyramid) Exploring Freytag’s Pyramid in relation to ‘A Christmas Carol’ Sample narrative writing tasks with planning activity Narrative writing success criteria Showing and telling in fiction 4 showing tasks with sample responses DIRT tasks Narrative choice: 1st or 3rd person with picture prompt activity Self-assessment Final writing tasks (descriptive or narrative) Peer assessment Reflection opportunity. This resource incorporates others that have previously been on sale in my shop, either in their current form or slightly tweaked. If you already have these but wish to purchase this unit of work, please contact me at and we’ll try to work something out. Resources also sold separately: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/descriptive-writing-techniques-match-up-activity-11749389 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/descriptive-writing-techniques-summary-mat-11747011 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/short-story-planning-flow-chart-11747165 These files were last saved in Office 2016.

A PowerPoint that demonstrates the structure of GCSE Language Paper 2, Section A (AQA 8700/2) and the skills that examiners are looking for. Source A: An anonymous prison diary, published in the Victorian magazine ‘Household Words’ in the early 1850s. Source A is contained in ‘Rollercoasters: 19th-Century Fiction and Non-Fiction’, an anthology of 19th Century extracts available to purchase online (ISBN: 978-0198357407). Please be aware that in order to to access Source A, you will need to obtain a copy of the anthology. It is currently priced at around £9.75-£9.99 from major online booksellers. Source B: An extract from ‘My Prison Diary’, by Jeffrey Archer, published in 2002. A link to the extract is contained on Slide 9. The extract reads from, ‘I don’t know why I’m surprised to encounter a fresh-faced young GP…’ down to ‘After all, there’s nothing else to do’. This PowerPoint covers Section A only but there are sample answers included for each question, 1-4. If you can obtain a copy of the 8700/2 mark scheme, you may wish to encourage learners to mark the sample responses. Appropriate for middle-upper ability learners.

A 30-slide PowerPoint that aims to teach the concept of structure in fiction and how to respond to Paper 1, Question 3 (AQA 8700). The PowerPoint covers: An entry task based on a quotation from Stephen King The meaning of structure in fiction texts The difference between language and structure Key structural devices including: dialogue, repetition, first sentence/last sentence/narrative standpoint, sequence of events, focus, foreshadowing, foregrounding, analepsis, prolepsis, motif, zoom in, zoom out, cyclical structure, cohesion, symbolism and internal/external contrast. Students cut up a grid of terms and match the terms to their explanations. Some of these are self-explanatory. This activity should be done in pairs, although students should have their own copies for revision purposes. A sample response in relation to a Question 3 focusing on an extract from ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’. Success criteria included. Freytag’s Pyramid of Dramatic Structure. Students add detail to a relevant diagram. Application of Freytag’s Pyramind in relation to the story of Little Red Riding Hood Application of Freytag’s Pyramid in relation to Paper 1, Question 3 Sample questions for students to complete. Two extracts provided are from ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. Sample responses to the Jekyll/Carol questions. Student read and judge against the success critera. An opportunity for peer assessment of their own responses Self-reflection. Given the emphasis on clear explanation of structural features, students should be working at or towards level 3 on the relevantAQA mark scheme. These files were last saved in Office 2016.

A PowerPoint that demonstrates the structure of GCSE Language Paper 2, Section A (AQA 8700/2) and the skills that examiners are looking for. Source A is a Guardian article entitled ‘Filthy water poisons the people of Dhaka’s festering slums’ (Link provided on slide) Source B is an extract from Henry Mayhew’s ‘A Visit to the Cholera Districts in Bermondsey’, published in 1849. This PowerPoint covers Section A only but there are sample answers included for each question, 1-4. If you can obtain a copy of the 8700/2 mark scheme, you may wish to encourage learners to mark the sample responses. Appropriate for middle-upper ability learners.

A 36-slide powerpoint based on the Sergeant’s speech in Act 1 in which honour is a key theme and Macbeth is introduced. The PowerPoint covers: The meaning of the word honour Using the word honour as a noun and a verb and honourably as an adverb AO3 Contextual information in relation to honour An animated modern translation of the extract The question at hand The requirements of a Level 3 response + a sample answer with feedback The requirements of a Level 5 response + a sample answer with feedback The requirements of a Level 7+ response + sample answer with feedback I believe the responses are of the standard required for the specified levels - they may be slightly higher in places - but if you have any comments on the above please email me. The address is at the ‘top’ of my shop. The cover image illustrates an extract from the 7+ response.

A PowerPoint that demonstrates the structure of GCSE Language Paper 2, Section A (AQA 8700/2) and the skills that examiners are looking for. Source A is an extract from ‘The Seven Curses of London’ by James Greenwood. (19th Century Non-Fiction) Source B is a Guardian article entitled ‘On the Streets of Binge Britain’. (Link provided on slide) This PowerPoint covers Section A only but there are sample answers included for each question, 1-4. If you can obtain a copy of the 8700/2 mark scheme, you may wish to encourage learners to mark the sample responses. Appropriate for middle-upper ability learners.

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 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.

A 57-slide PPT that provides a walk-through of Section A only for both papers for 8700/1 + 8700/2. Paper 1 focuses on an extract from ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini (ISBN 978-1408824856). Please ensure that you can obtain a copy of the ‘The Kite Runner’ before purchasing this resource. Paper 2 focuses on two extracts: an article from ‘The Guardian’ on Ian Mikardo High School (link provided) and an extract from a Dickens’ article on a London pauper school (provided). There are sample answers for each paper and guidance for each question. Please also be aware that some of the resources are sold separately on SD English: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-8700-paper-2-schools-comparison-11880097 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/word-classification-table-11746996

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 learning mat that summarises the basic layout of an article and an essay and the structure of a full paragraph. Sold separately here but will eventually become part of a KS3 unti of work on article writing, all being well. Suited to higher ability KS3.

A PPT that enables an exploration of Shelley’s ‘Ozymandias’. As with many of my other Power and Conflict lessons, the emphasis is on independent learning, so you might wish to ask learners to work in pairs or groups for the activities. The content is aimed at upper ability groups. This lesson comes with a detailed context sheet and a modern translation of the poem.

A 217-slide PowerPoint that aims to teach article writing at KS3. Learners read a range of broadsheet and tabloid texts on the theme of crime and punishment and complete reading and writing activities based on each. The article questions set are oriented towards AQA 8700 Paper 2, Question 5 but could be adapted for other boards. Links to each article and report are provided. The whole unit covers about 8-10 weeks and was written with a high ability year 8 group in mind. This resource includes a ZIP file containing 44 files including the core PowerPoint. If there are download issues, please email me at SD English using the email address provided in my shop front.