This lesson enables learners to explore ‘Kamikaze’ by Beatrice Garland. It includes: Lesson Starter (see cover image) An image of the sinking US Arizona with the question, ‘When do you think this photograph was taken’? Learners discuss and then feedback. A context sheet contained a simplified explanation of the Pearl Harbour attack and the rise of Kamikaze pilots. There is a corresponding worksheet for this. A link to a BBC interview with a surviving Kamikaze pilot with three questions to answer. A sheet of questions to prompt annotation of the poem. The lesson is aimed at lower ability learners whose primary goal is understanding.

This lesson focuses on the creation of interesting and believable characters. It is aimed at lower ability KS3 and follows on from the ‘Developing Skills in Creative Writing’ series: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/developing-skills-in-creative-writing-12079150 However, it can stand alone. Lesson Structure: Do Now Task - see cover image Feedback slide How many of the following statements in relation to fictional characters do you think are true or false? Feedback slide The importance of creative interesting and believable characters, with two examples. The major ‘Do’s’ and ‘Do Not’s’ of character creation Character planning worksheet task Tell a friend about your character Write an extract from your character’s story, with WAGOLL. The WAGOLL is about a penguin who has never learnt to swim. Peer Assessment Review

This assessment tracker uses the 2024 grade boundaries for AQA 8700 Paper 1 and 2 (English Language). It will generate a grade for Sections A and B of both papers and arrive at an overall grade for each paper and the whole course. Please email me using the address on my store front if you would like any adjustments made to your tracker, e.g. additional columns. Please do not send any pupil data when requesting adjustments.

A lesson on Imtiaz Dharker’s ‘Tissue’ for lower ability learners. It includes: Do Now Task (see cover image) Keywords Task: architect, transparent, monolith and sepia. Learners look at a six images and suggest which keyword they represent. This worksheet is best printed in colour or at least projected at the time of use. Contextual information with ‘How far do you agree with these statements?’ worksheet Storyboarding the poem worksheet (learners insert quotes) Analysing three quotations task Comparison with ‘Ozymandias’ table Learning Review

A PPT that teaches ‘My Last Duchess’ from the Power and Conflict Anthology. It covers: The contextual background What is a dramatic monologue? The poem, broken down into manageable chunks and annotated. A series of questions for group work. Suitable for upper-middle ability learners. An alternative lesson for the same poem is available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/my-last-duchess-11933556

A lesson on John Agard’s ‘Checking Out Me History’ aimed at lower ability learners. It includes: Do Now task (shown on cover slide) Contextual information regarding the historical figures and events referenced in the poem, with corresponding worksheet. Link to relevant video + the meaning of ‘Eurocentric’ Quotation Hunt + Challenge Task Imagery in the poem worksheet Comparison table to complete with ‘My Last Duchess’ in terms of the presentation of the abuse of power. Review learning with challenge question.

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

A lesson on ‘The Prelude’ for lower ability learners. It includes: Multiple choice starter based on the Romantic Movement What is ‘The Prelude’? Context sheet + tasks Suggested annotations for lower ability learners True or false to test understanding Comparison task with ‘Storm on the Island’ Review

This lesson looks at the requirements of AQA Paper 2, Question 5 with a particular focus on leaflet-writing and the use of language to instruct and advise. It draws from my original PPT: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/leaflet-writing-for-gcse-11757705 and could be used as a follow on from the free Section A questions provided here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-8700-paper-2-railway-accidents-11992280 However, this can act as a stand-alone lesson. It covers: Key points about AQA English Language, Paper 2, Question 5 The structure of a leaflet The different purposes of a leaflet (with task) A note on planning and identifying the purpose, audience and format (with quick task). The features of writing to instruct and advise (with handout) A WAGOLL for the given task After learners have written their own, they then use success criteria to peer assess and then rate their learning. The PPT is aimed at middle-upper ability learners and is likely to take about 2 hours, including independent writing time (45mins).

A ready-to-go lesson on ‘Remains’ in the P&C Anthology. It is aimed at low ability learners whose primary goal is understanding the poem. The lesson includes: A starter that encourages learners to think about PTSD and how they might advise someone who is showing symptoms of PTSD Feedback slide What is trauma? What events could be considered traumatic? Discuss in pairs. Feedback slide with link to YouTube video A storyboarding activity in which learners read the poem and then label the nine scenes with quotations from the poem. This comes with two additional challenge tasks. A straightforward comparison table with ‘Poppies’, by Jane Weir, on the subject of internal conflict. Review. A free lesson on ‘Poppies’ can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/poppies-for-lower-ability-12073600 You may wish to undertake this lesson before moving onto ‘Remains’.

A lesson on Browning's 'My Last Duchess' aimed at lower ability learners. It includes: Do Now Task: Learners read four context-related questions and say to what extent they agree and why. Feedback slide A conxtext sheet with accompanying true or false activity (answers included) A summary of the poem + storyboarding activity Link to YouTube video of the poem being performed The poem broken down into eleven slides with suggested translation and annotations Comparison with Ozymandias table to complete Learning Review

A simple worksheet for lower ability students on the subject of social class. Students read the information on the first side and then respond to the tasks that follow. Slide one: print single sided Slides two and three: print back to back This could be used as cover with a class already familiar with the plot. There are some sample answers for those unfamiliar with the play.

This resource includes a double-sided summary sheet on Thomas Malthus’ ideas and their relevance to A Christmas Carol, along with corresponding comprehension activities (multiple choice and short answer questions) and an answer sheet. It could be used as cover for those studying Stave One of the novella. You may wish to print the tasks sheet on A3.

This lesson provides an introduction to leaflet writing for GCSE English. Do Now Task Students identify the purpose of different pieces of short text, giving reasons for their answers. Main Task Students plan and write their own leaflet. There is a planning sheet which can be used in your own, independent lessons in the future, should you wish to revisit the topic of leaflet writing at a later date. The exam style question focuses on the idea of parents helping students with revision in Year 11, and a sample answer is provided. Learning Review Revisiting the learning objective and checking understanding through questioning.

A 12-slide powerpoint that guides an exploration of ‘Kamikaze’ by Beatrice Garland in the AQA P&C anthology. After thinking about the meaning of the word ‘Kamikaze’, learners explore the historical context of the poem using a context notes sheet and accompanying worksheet. Learners explore the poem using a range of questions for each stanza. This could be done in pairs, groups or individually. The exploration of the poem is followed by a GCSE-style question that encourages learners to think about how ‘Kamikaze’ compares with ‘Remains’ in terms of the impact of conflict. There is a comparison table for learners to fill in (teacher answers provided) and then learners undertake the question. The lesson concludes with peer assessment using a mark scheme with indicative content for each lesson. The whole session should take approximately 2 hours. The lesson is aimed at middle-upper ability learners. If you choose to purchase this resource, please also ensure that you also download my free Power and Conflict Mark Scheme that is based on the AQA original: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/power-and-conflict-mark-scheme-11931715

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

Following on from this introduction to speech writing… https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-introduction-to-speech-writing-for-ks3-12049010 This is a speech-writing lesson based on the issue of social media. It includes: Starter/Do Now task - learners examine a range of images and suggest what they all have in common (the answer is they represent the dangers of social media in some way) Feedback slide Social media dangers true or false with teacher answers. Feedback slide Paired discussion: is social media good for our society? Key points in the social media debate with mind-mapping activity Sample GCSE question (AQA style) with speech planning sheet task Writing time Peer assessment and review This lesson is aimed at lower-middle ability learners and should take about two hours. Information/statistics correct as of 30/3/19

This PPT enables an exploration of ‘Exposure’ by Wilfred Owen, part of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology. It is aimed at lower ability learners whose primary objective is understanding and basic comparisons. It includes: Starter: Infer the meaning of the word exposure by examining the three images (sun exposure, exposure to the elements, exposure to harmful gases in the air) Learners then look at an image of WW1 soldiers in the trenches and link it to their understanding of the word exposure. There is a context sheet which explains some of the background to the poem e.g. the Western Front and conditions for soldiers in the trenches. Learners then work through relevant tasks e.g. label the Western Front on a blank map of Europe. Poem synopsis with 4 comprehension questions. The poem translated into reasonably simply English + reduction task. Suggested annotations for lower ability learners. A comparison table for completion (presentation of effects of war with ‘Remains’. Review.

A powerpoint that teaches Duffy's 'War Photographer'. Suitable for GCSE English Literature.

Two revision clocks on PowerPoint slides: one blank and the other tailored to ‘Macbeth’.