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Resources for GCSE English Language 9-1. I also publish resources for the BTEC Level 2 in IT course.
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Resources for GCSE English Language 9-1. I also publish resources for the BTEC Level 2 in IT course.
World languages
Deadly - Stretch and Challenge lesson for GCSE English Language (focused on P2Q5)
Context: This lesson is designed to stretch and challenge a group of students who are aiming for a grade 6 or above. It introduces the idea of writing a polemic; as opposed to supporting one’s own views with relevant argument, the idea is to win the ‘argument’ through contentious rhetoric. The aim is to be introduced to writing strong verbal attacks on someone or something as a method to support a specific opposing position. Students will be encouraged to use the word in writing, in conjunction with Pandora’s Box. The concept of The Seven Deadly Sins in Christianity will be introduced and students will be exposed to a number of artworks associated with these ‘evils’ by a number of famous artists. They will be able to debate these sins and then write a polemic aimed at convincing their audience that their allotted sin is deadlier than the others. The session finishes off with an abridged version of Swift’s The Lady’s Dressing Room. Although timings are given in the time plan this lesson can go many places – it may have to be continued in the next session.
Assessment Objective
A05 and A06 for writing, with particular emphasis on writing highly engaging texts with a range of complex ideas.
Also featured
Assessment Objective: AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views. AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references (poem).
Bundle
GCSE English Grade 9-1 Paper 1 Resources
This bundle consists of 3 separate resources
Paper 1 Question 5 Descriptive & Narrative Writing Questions
This pack of picture questions is designed for AQA GCSE English Language 9-1. They simulate Paper 1 Question 5 where students are given a picture and are presented with two options (it’s hard, almost to call them questions!). The tasks can be for a descriptive or a narrative response (although both tasks can be descriptive or narrative and this pack reflects that). I hope that you will be able to use this pack to help you increase the story-telling powers of your learners as well as their descriptive prowess!
The pack gives teachers the opportunity to have a selection of ready-made questions for Paper 1 Question 5. These can be used to ensure that there are always writing tasks at hand. They might be used to stimulate class or small group discussion or can be used as interchangeable exercises to be done during a session. I hope that there is a sufficient variety of images in this pack to pique the interest of even the most reluctant of writers. By giving your learners a choice of task (while the assessment objectives - A05 and A06 remain the same) these sample questions might help to ensure both differentiation and an element of choice.
Structural Features Game
This was created for learners doing GCSE English Language - the new Grade 9-1 Course. It can be used as a revision but more particularly as an introduction to structural features. Paper 1 Question 3 is the structure questions where learners must comment on structure (see example question below from the June 2018 examination). A student response can easily become muddled if they are not confident with the terminology used to do that.
The game is designed to be naturally differentiated - the quality of the responses will depend on the ability of the students but all can participate. Learners are given individual structural features to investigate and must report back on it to the class, including an easy-to-understand definition and hopefully examples of where it is used in one of a variety of forms. If there are no opportunities to use internet enabled devices in class, this could be easily changed to be a homework activity. It is also perfect for a cover class!
Scaffolded Descriptive Writing
This set of prompts is designed to introduce students to descriptive writing in a number of ways…
The resource is designed as a 10-15 minute section of any class and it focuses on an opening paragraph for a description of a picture. Students can build their confidence here before then progressing to longer pieces. It could also be used as a ‘snap’ revision session, a cover class (where more than one is attempted) or as a prompt for a longer response which the students must do once they finish their first paragraph. In fact it’s a highly adaptable (and editable!) resource which you can turn to many things.
GCSE English Language 9-1 Scaffolded Speech Writing - Whole Text Exercise (about Homework)
This is an editable resource (if you feel the need to tweak!) but a PDF is included too.
Ever tried to teach speech writing and been met with a sea of faces staring back blankly? However, when the terminal exam promises the distinct possibility of a speech writing task (Paper 2 Question 5) then students must be prepared for this eventuality.
This is one way to encourage students to write good speeches.
This set of prompts is designed to introduce students to speech writing in a number of ways. It resource is designed as a 60 minute section of any class and it focuses on a FULL RESPONSE for a speech about whether or not students should be made to do homework.
If you want to use exercise books, there is an ‘instruction only’ set here too.
Each paragraph the students must write is accompanied by a number of prompts to the left. The prompts indicate what they should write. So, the first (major) prompts, for example, are:
Para 1
Write a one word sentence using an exclamation mark.
Then, ask a rhetorical question.
Para 2
Overview
Give a brief overview of the points you will make in your speech (use the ones you jotted down on the first page).
Use a list to do this.
Don’t make this too long!
Para 3
Make your statement.
This is your message – your side of the argument. Tell your audience what your message is.
• Start with: “Personally, I believe…” or similar.
• Use a compound sentence
• Finish your last sentence with an ellipsis.
…and so on!
The prompts then progress, enabling the students to create a complete response which includes all of the skills descriptors for Paper 1 Question 5. Your students should end up with a piece containing a minimum of 9 paragraphs of varying language with structural features and language devices used throughout.
This lesson could also be used as a ‘snap’ revision session or a cover class. In fact it’s a highly adaptable (and editable!) resource which you can turn to many things.
These exercises cover the following Assessment Objectives:
AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts
AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
Functional Skills English L1 Skills Tracker and Learning Plan (OLD SPEC)
This could save some time…
This spreadsheet contains five sheets:
A front page enter their details (name etc) and yours, that are then copied through to all other sheets (so name only goes in once).
A writing FCP (Form, Content, Purpose) Skills Tracker sheet for the Writing Unit
A Writing SPAG (Spelling and Grammar) Skills Tracker for the Writing Unit
A Reading Skills Tracker for the Reading Unit
A Speaking & Listening Skills Tracker
Together they build to give you a complete picture of where your student’s skills lie. They can be updated twice during the year so that students can measure their progress.
Hope it’s useful to you!
Bundle
GCSE English Grade 9-1 Paper 1 Resources MEGA BUNDLE
This bundle enables you to purchase our last 12 resources at a discount to you of 25%,
Although you can see their descriptions individually, I’ll just run through the content for you!
Scaffolded Descriptive Writing (4 resources)
20 English scaffold openers (short, bite-size, lots of 'em!)
Whole text excercise using scaffolding
2 whole text scaffolded exercises using the same picture to create different tone
3 self-scaffolded exercises where students create their own scaffold.
Questions for Paper 1 Question 5 (4 resources)
Two sets of tasks for descriptive and/or narrative writing. Altogether that will give you 90 tasks to mix and match (or otherwise!) with your students.
Structural Features Game (1 resource)
Fun for all the family (well, OK, no) with this game - students research a structural feature and then have to report their findings to the class.
Word Gym Homework and Tests (2 resources)
Need to give homework but don’t want to do any marking? Give them these (editable) quizzes. Over 10 sessions (week, however you want) send your students to the WORD GYM. 10 tasks to do as homework (probably take them an hour each) for classroom based tests (10-15 mins). 100 KS4 words for them to discover!
Spreadsheet (1 resource, 6 spreadsheets)
Using the grade boundaries for each paper (Jun 17 and 18, November 17) if you give them a mock using these spreadsheets you will be able to see your students’ grades quickly and easily.
ENJOY!
GCSE English Language Paper 1 - "HIGHER TIER"
What if there was a Higher Tier GCSE? Imagine a resource designed to stretch the most capable students, challenging them to excel beyond the standard GCSE English Language curriculum. This is what I like to think I have created here.
Although I don’t think any teachers would want to return to a system of Higher and Foundation levels, almost every year I have students who find previous exams very straightforward – especially in the Reading Section. As such I always keep an eye out for passages that might stretch and challenge the more able students.
Revisiting Billy Budd recently, I came across the passage included, which is where Billy accidentally kills another sailor. It lends itself beautifully to the demands of GCSE English Paper 1 and was, I thought, a more challenging text than usual. This was due both to the advanced vocabulary and imagery it uses as much as the fact it was written in the late 1800s.
This “Higher Tier” paper, centred on this carefully selected (and minutely edited as opposed to the usual AQA butchery!) passage from Billy Budd, pushes students to tackle complex language, nuanced themes, and sophisticated literary techniques. It provides an invaluable opportunity for them to delve deeper into textual analysis and to refine their critical thinking skills. I have used it in my classes and it has stretched the more able students quite satisfactorily.
There is also an extensive mark scheme for the Reading section - so you don’t have to make one up yourself. There isn’t one for the Writing section - it is the same as AQA.
The questions essentially remain unchanged – but Q1 is now “explain” rather than list in order to satisfy “higher tier” requirements of a 4 mark question! However, the nature of the text means that brighter students will find the other questions more challenging than usual.
As such, the Billy Budd “Higher Tier” paper simulates an advanced exam experience, preparing students to face intricate passages with confidence and clarity. It can be used as a part of classroom teaching, revision sessions, or independent study, this unique paper is the ideal tool for students eager to take their understanding of English Language to the next level and aim for the “higher” grades in their exams.
30 GCSE English Paper 1 Q5 Descriptive & Narrative Writing Questions with First World War Pictures
This pack of picture questions is designed for AQA GCSE English Language 9-1, but focusing on images from the First World War. They simulate Paper 1 Question 5 where students are given a picture and are presented with two options (it’s hard, almost to call them questions!). The tasks can be for a descriptive or a narrative response. I hope that you will be able to use this pack to help you increase the story-telling powers of your learners as well as their descriptive prowess. It also gives them an opportunity to discuss and write about those who fought and died in the Great War.
The resource is fairly diverse featuring, as well as UK troops, British women in the role of carpenters, ambulance drivers and mechanics. It also features soldiers from the West Indies and India.
There is also a WAGOLL (what a good one looks like) - which has been ‘marked’ by four English teachers and placed in Band 4. So, if you use it in class please tell your students that this is not the expectation for most learners but a very high level response!
There is a Kahoot you can play about this story here: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/f21e67ee-8e7a-43a4-ad9c-83ffa9d2415e
The pack is editable although I have included PDFs if you don’t need to…
The pack gives teachers the opportunity to have a selection of ready-made questions for Paper 1 Question 5. These can be used to ensure that there are always writing tasks at hand. They might be used to stimulate class or small group discussion or can be used as interchangeable exercises to be done during a session. I hope that there is a sufficient variety of images in this pack to pique the interest of even the most reluctant of writers. By giving your learners a choice of task (while the assessment objectives - A05 and A06 remain the same) these sample questions might help to ensure both differentiation and an element of choice.
Each is formatted to include the question on a single A4 sheet. The originals are also included on their own if you would like to use them without the question stimulus.
All pictures are over 100 years old and so out of copyright restrictions.
These exercises cover the following Assessment Objectives:
AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts
AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
GCSE English - "CORE TEXTS"
All of the extracts in this document are free from copyright restrictions. This is either because of when they were written (and so now fall out of copyright statutes), have no copyright restrictions and/or were originally published under a Creative Commons license.
They have been carefully collated to ensure that a wide range of voices can be heard by students studying towards their GCSE English. We have not overlooked famous authors by any means but a pivotal reason for putting these core texts together was to counter the inherent Eurocentricity of past and current curricula.
Although there are no associated tasks included here (they are on the VLE) we are happy to make these texts available to anyone who cares to read them. They were chosen for their engaging content and so even if you do not use these as specific tasks, we hope that you will find them collectively an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. If you love to dip in and out of literature, you have come to the right place!
When substantial additions are made (this is an ongoing project) we will update the document available online.
Learning Targets Poster
Empower your teaching with this customisable Learning Targets Poster - an adaptable tool for clearly communicating targets and keeping students aligned and engaged!
Created in PowerPoint, just click on the elements to add your targets - or print it off and put them in by hand.
This comes with a Word document - students are introduced to the idea of emerging, consolidated, or established - and can track their own targets.
LEVEL & VOCATIONAL AREA - in this area simply type in something relevant for your institution…
Enjoy!