This resource includes an article called “Fishing for Plankton is ridiculous”, a set of RUAE style close reading comprehension questions as relevant for National 5 and a marking scheme on a separate page. The 16 questions are all categorised by question type (summarising, own words, word choice, imagery etc.) and can be practiced per block or all together.

This resource includes a powerpoint explaining what blackout poetry is and how to do it step by step, example pages with blacked out poems for students to take inspiration from, and ready-made pages with text extracts to copy for your class. Those extracts include: Christmas stories (for end of year fun) and Stevenson’s Kidnapped extracts (literary fun). This is a creative activity that can bring out the artists in your students, or the poets, or both, and the task can be very calming and relaxing for the students while still learning to play with poetic and literary techniques.

This in an introductory unit for teaching the novel Kidnapped. Spoken language: It includes a spoken language task where groups of students research the time the novel is set in, the context and the author and give presentations to the class. Critical reading of the novel: This unit includes activities and comprehension tasks for chapter 1 of the novel and is a good entry point when reading Kidnapped. I.e. this includes pre-reading activities, comprehension of first pages with context help and narrative style. Scottish studies: This unit can be used for the Scottish studies award.

This resource includes two extracts from Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped and a National 5 8-marker question for students to practice on. There is a broken down example answer that can be used to illustrate a model answer. A great way to practice 8 marker questions for the set text exam with National 5 classes on two distinct extracts, so everyone practices on the same pieces of text.

This resource includes an extract from Cthy MacPhail’s Mosi’s War, eleven comprehension questions and a separate marking scheme on powerpoint slides to be used for peer marking. The task can be done individually, or the text read together with the class. After answering the questions, the students can peer mark, giving them more understanding of what teachers are looking for and deepening their close reading skills.

This includes Tolkien’s The Hobbit Chapter 1 as an extract, comprehension questions and the marking scheme. This first chapter will give your students an enjoyable entry into Tolkien’s world whilst practicing close reading skills. The questions will help them understand the context and can be discussed in class. The marking scheme comes on a separate page.

This is the first chapter of Garth Nix’ novel Mister Monday. It includes fourteen comprehension questions. This activity helps to guide students into close reading tasks, practicing on an engaging text. This can be done as a class activity, reading the text together, or individually. The marking scheme is included on a separate page and, for peer marking exercise, on slides to do with the class. This gives students an idea of what teachers are looking for in answers and deepens their understanding of close reading tasks.

Includes an extract of Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke - The Seven Blessings. This will help your class practice close reading skills, practicing with an engaging text. The extract can be read together in the class, with different roles, and then individual work to answer the comprehension questions. It also works as a homework exercise or an individual practice - knowledge of the rest of the text is not required. The marking scheme is on a separate page.

Powerpoint guiding you through steps of annotating and marking an exemplar persuasive essay for National 5 English. *taking a class or single student through annotation *practice self-assessment *practice peer-assessment *build skills for essay-writing *make assessment criteria for persuasive essays explicit *can be used on an exemplar essay given by the teacher, each student on their own essay, or swapped peer essays (if they are up for that) *can also be used on single paragraphs, or draft versions as well as unfinished essays to identify strengths and gaps *style of ppt is kept very low-key and simple - you can adapt it easily to your own needs and taste

Crossword Puzzle about world capitals *only country names are given *students need to fill in with names of capitals *can be used for international/global unit, spelling of own names or Geography lesson re-cap

Posters to be put on the wall that tell students what to do when they are stuck or confused and what to do when they are finished. Illustrated with scenes from Harry Potter films. *engaging pictures *supports learner independence and peer support *helps with classroom organisation *builds strategies for them to find help in other places than just the teacher

Figures of speech PPT with figures of speech each with name, explanation and example beautiful design for you classroom wall as help in the room

Word search for scary or horror themed stories Excellent task for pupils who are early finishers in class Silent but engaging activity, for individual or partner work Use as extra task AND as a word bank for weaker writers, pupils who are not confident in spelling etc. Use to spark ideas for creative writing

Engaging topic (beasts, adventures, fantasy) Students often have some previous knowledge from books/video games/films they like - easy access route to literature! Creative task I used it as an introduction to the novel “The Shadow of the Minotaur” S2 as well as for Greek mythology unit in S1 (key stage 3). I got lots of creative results! Amazing for your classroom wall to show off your students’ creativity. Students presenting their workv will have resulted in many skills used: research, functional writing, creative writing, information selection, information presentation, oral presentation skills Also usable as in-class activity instead of homework Powerpoint introducing mythological creatures, including: A starter activity to make them think about mythological creatures Introducing Greek mythology: The Minotaur Homework task: making a fact file about a Greek mythological creature 1-26 Greek mythology creatures/gods to distribute in your class Example fact file: Heracles How to research for your fact file How to make your fact file Simple layout, adaptable to your taste