Remote Learning: English
Half Term 1: August - October
Links to all booklets and other PowerPoint-based resources can be found on the English Blog (password: girlsaloud).
Year 7
Spoken Language
Research accent and dialect. What is the difference? Explore the origins of one dialect as well as the pronunciation of words associated with that dialect.
Consider the way you speak. Create a minmap of how you speak to family, teachers and friends. What differences are there?
Research Lord Alan Sugar – what sort of life has he had and how has become so wealthy?
Year 8
Of Mice and men
Research John Steinbeck – his life and times. How does the novel Of Mice and Men link to his own life?
Create a character profile for each of the key charcters in the story – include key words, quotes and themes they link to
Use this link to create a storyboard of the plot of the novel of Mice and Men: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zyqyxsg/revision/1
Use this link to help you to consider the key themes in the story. Create a cue card for each one. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpqyxsg/revision/1
Year 9
- Pick one of the poems you have studied from your poetry booklet on identity and turn it into a series of images with key words from the poem or create a black out poem by writing the poem out and then shading in everything else but the key words.
- Write 3 WHW on how a poem you have studied links to the idea of identity.
- Visit the BBC Bitesize website by clicking here and use the guides to work on developing your responses to reading poetry. Make notes in your English book based on what you learn.
- Write a poem about you. Try and use a range of poetic techniques.
Year 10
- If you are missing a poem in your lesson today then ideally you should work on this. You can find out which poem by contacting your teacher. There are looms for some of the poems on the blog which you can find here So you can watch these and still get all the notes down.
- Listen to this podcast comparing walking away and climbing my grandfather. Add notes to your anthology. Then you could try and write your own WHW comparing them.
- Do a venn diagram comparing two of the year 10 poems on how they present romantic love. Then try and write an introduction and some WHW.
- Watch the relevant videos here on fiction writing. Then write a narrative based on the title- Something had to change.
- Go to the BBC Bitesize page on reading fiction and watch all the videos. Make some notes in your book. Click the link here.
- Watch the videos and read the info on how to respond to fiction texts for paper 1 language and make notes to support you. Click here.
Year 11
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If you are absent for a Big Write lesson, complete the task using your booklet. The booklet can also be found here.
- Take one of your literature texts and re-read the start and ending. Make notes or pick out key quotations.
- Listen to a BBC podcast on a literature text you feel least confident about. Options: Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, Poetry (search for Love and Relationships poems or unseen poetry comparisons, episodes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).
- Write a narrative about a time you were lost.
- Write a description of an exam hall.
- Write a letter to Mr Lane, arguing your viewpoint on including more sports, performing arts, and art in the curriculum.
Half Term 2: October - December
Year 7 Boy 87
- Complete the glossary definitions in the Learning Journey in the booklet for the topic
- Create a mindmap of research for the location of the novel. Where is Eritrea? Find out things like the population, currency, flag, language, food, traditions etc.
- Create a set of flashcards for the key words and their definitions from the topic booklet
Year 8 Conflict Poetry
- Complete the glossary definitions in the learning journey in the booklet.
- Research a WW1 poet and create a mindmap of their life and works
- Create a set of flash cards for as many poetry techniques as you can think of. Have the term on one side and the definition on the other
- Dual code one poem from the collection in the topic – use words and images to show your understanding of the bigger ideas
Year 9 Reality TV
- Create a set of revision cards or a mindmap on the DAFOREST techniques for persuasive writing
- Find an online article on a reality TV programme. Read it and pick out: what the opinion of the writer is on the show and how they have communicated that opinion. You could print it out and annotate it or write about it separately.
- Read silently using your private reading book.
- Create a crossword with clues for DAFOREST techniques for someone else to complete and solve.
- Write a review of a reality TV show of your choice.
- Write an article about why there should or should not be school uniform.
- Write an article about why you should or should not have to go to school.
Year 10 Creative writing until mid November after that A Christmas Carol
- Use an image from your creative writing work booklet and write a description or narrative based around it.
- Read one of the exemplars you have not used in class in your workbooklet. Highlight it for what it does effectively. Now have a go at the task yourself.
- Create a quiz on AO6 skills.
- Read the next chapter/section of A Christmas Carol if you are missing a lesson during the cold read.
- Create dual coding on the chapter you have just read in class.
- Create 20 quiz questions with multiple choice answers on the novel you have read so far.
- Pick a page from the novel and write a WHW on what it is showing about characters/themes etc.
Year 11 Romeo and Juliet
- Read the act/scenes you are missing in class during the cold read.
- Brain dump what you know on the play so far. Try and use dual coding along with this.
- Attempt a question from the practise ones in the workbooklet.
- Create character profiles for the key characters including: key scenes, words to describe them, their link to the outcome of the play, the themes they link to etc.
- Who is responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet? Take each character in turn and identify their level of responsibility and give reasons linked to the play to support your answer. There is no correct or simple answer to this.
- Complete the glossary definitions in the Learning Journey in the booklet for the topic
- Create a mindmap of research for the location of the novel. Where is Eritrea? Find out things like the population, currency, flag, language, food, traditions etc.
- Create a set of flashcards for the key words and their definitions from the topic booklet
Half Term 4: February - April
Links to all booklets and other PowerPoint-based resources can be found on the English Blog (password: girlsaloud).
Year 7
Sci-Fi
- Research a sci-fi film or TV show of your choice (suitable for your age) and make a list of the ingredients that make it sci-fi (e.g., includes beings from another planet).
- Write the opening to a sci-fi story that starts with the words: For the first time in my life, I was speechless. This link will help you understand what makes a good opening.
- Create a storyboard for a short scene from a sci-fi film or book you know. It should have between 8-10 images.
- Design a new alien creature that could be used in a narrative. Include: a description and drawing; a vehicle for it to move around in (or explain how it moves); Its powers and weaknesses; any other interesting details.
Macbeth
- Watch the Animated Tales of Macbeth from the BBC Teach programme (8 episodes). After each one, draw or write a short summary of what happened.
- Imagine you could have any power you wanted. Write a description of what power you would want and why.
- Draw a character outline, then make a list of at least 10 descriptive words for each of these characters from Macbeth: Witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, Macduff
Year 8
Richard III
- Use this Bitesize link to create a foldable all about the life and times of William Shakespeare.
- Watch the Animated Tales of Richard III and create a storyboard of the plot.
- Research the real King Richard.
- Create a character profile for Shakespeare’s Richard III. This link might help.
- Watch the Car Park documentary and write a newspaper article reporting the big find.
Non-Fiction Article Writing
- Use this Bitesize link to learn about article writing and its key features.
- Using the PowerPoint on rhetoric, create a mindmap of key rhetorical ideas.
- Read the article on airbrushing to understand how an article is structured. Highlight any rhetorical features, then write your own article on a controversial issue.
Year 9
- Imagine you are Leon and write a diary entry for two moments: after Jake is born; when he is taken away by the foster parents. Each entry should be at least half a side of A4 and include Leon’s emotions. Write in the first person.
- Read any chapters of the book you missed and ensure all chapter questions in your workbooklet are completed.
- Create a collage of the most important events in the story. Explain why you have chosen each event. This link might help if you are stuck.
- Create a ‘character body’ for each of the main characters (Leon, Maureen, Sylvia, Tufty, Mr Devlin, social workers, etc.). Fill the bodies with information about them and descriptive words. This link might help.
- Complete the online quizzes on plot, character, and themes. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the quiz: Plot, Characters, Themes.
- Write a book review of the novel, including: a plot overview (without spoilers); what you enjoyed about it; why others should read it; how it made you feel.
Year 10
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If that’s not possible, complete these tasks for Paper 2 Non-Fiction:
- Watch these two videos and create a revision handout (e.g., foldable or mindmap) on analysing non-fiction texts.
- Read about non-fiction text types on this webpage. Create a mindmap of text types or use another revision method (flashcards, foldable). Take the test at the end (top left corner).
- Write a speech for Year 10 about the future and how what you do in school now matters for that future.
Year 11
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If you are absent for a Big Write lesson, complete the task using your booklet. The booklet can also be found here.
- Take one of your literature texts and re-read the start and ending. Make notes or pick out key quotations.
- Listen to a BBC podcast on a literature text you feel least confident about. Options: Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, Poetry (search for Love and Relationships poems or unseen poetry comparisons, episodes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).
- Write a narrative about a time you were lost.
- Write a description of an exam hall.
- Write a letter to Mr Lane, arguing your viewpoint on including more sports, performing arts, and art in the curriculum.
Half Term 5: April - May
Links to all booklets and other PowerPoint-based resources can be found on the English Blog (password: girlsaloud).
Year 7
Macbeth
- Watch the Animated Tales of Macbeth from the BBC Teach programme (8 episodes). After each one, draw or write a short summary of what happened.
- Imagine you could have any power you wanted. Write a description of what power you would want and why.
- Draw a character outline, then make a list of at least 10 descriptive words for each of these characters from Macbeth: Witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, Macduff
- Create a stage set for a modern version of Macbeth. Think about what the castle would be and where it would be. What would the weather be like etc.
- Write a diary as if you were one of the female characters in the play and explain how you feel about the situation you are in e.g. Lady Macbeth, witches, Mady Macduff
Year 8
Non-Fiction Article Writing
- Use this Bitesize link to learn about article writing and its key features.
- Using the PowerPoint on rhetoric, create a mindmap of key rhetorical ideas.
- Read the article on airbrushing to understand how an article is structured. Highlight any rhetorical features, then write your own article on a controversial issue.
Year 9
- Find a picture of a busy place and write a description of it in 5 paragraphs.
- Write a story about a time when you were sad.
- Make a foldable about creating an effective piece of narrative or descriptive writing.
- Think of 5 ordinary everyday items and describe each one in turn but without using the name of it. Give as much detail as you can without using the name of it. Show this to someone else and see if they know what the object is. E.g. Used to the hold the weight of our hopes and dreams and the shopping and pens and paper and even the cat when he jumps up on it. Crooked and wobbly at times, with an annoying tilt to one side. Smooth honey coloured wood adorns the surface and 4 dark brown legs hold it up. I come in all shapes and sizes and used from morning until night. What am I?
Year 10
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If that’s not possible, complete these tasks for POETRY:
- Make a foldable resource on a poem you have already studied. This should include images, key words, a summary of the poem, other poems you could compare it to and how.
- Write a letter to one of the poets asking them about their poem and the reasons behind their choices in their poem. You should also include what you think about the poem and its ideas and how it links to your own life experience.
- Watch a loom of a poem you have not studied using the link here to the blog where Mrs Whitehill has done videos on 10 of the poems.
Year 11
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If you are absent for a Big Write lesson, complete the task using your booklet. The booklet can also be found here. These are done on a Tuesday and Friday so complete the appropriate task on those days of the week.
- Take one of your literature texts and re-read the start and ending. Make notes or pick out key quotations.
- Listen to a BBC podcast on a literature text you feel least confident about. Options: Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, Poetry (search for Love and Relationships poems or unseen poetry comparisons, episodes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).
- Write a narrative about a time you were involved in a struggle.
- Write a description of a park for children.
- Write a letter to Mr Lane, arguing your viewpoint on the school uniform policy.
Half Term 5: June - July
Year 7
Macbeth
- Watch the Animated Tales of Macbeth from the BBC Teach programme (8 episodes). After each one, draw or write a short summary of what happened.
- Imagine you could have any power you wanted. Write a description of what power you would want and why.
- Draw a character outline, then make a list of at least 10 descriptive words for each of these characters from Macbeth: Witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, Macduff
- Create a stage set for a modern version of Macbeth. Think about what the castle would be and where it would be. What would the weather be like etc.
- Write a diary as if you were one of the female characters in the play and explain how you feel about the situation you are in e.g. Lady Macbeth, witches, Mady Macduff
Year 8
Our Day Out
- Create your perfect school trip. Share your ideas in a mindmap or a powerpoint. Where will it be? What does it involve? How much would it cost and what educational value does it have?
- Write a diary entry as Mrs Kay after a typical day at work as a teacher. What might she include about her students and her feelings about her job and colleagues?
- Write a letter to Mr Lane persuading him to have a school trip of your choice. Use appropriate tone and persuasive techniques. Think of the acronym DAFOREST.
Non-Fiction Article Writing
- Use this Bitesize link to learn about article writing and its key features.
- Using the PowerPoint on rhetoric, create a mindmap of key rhetorical ideas.
- Read the article on airbrushing to understand how an article is structured. Highlight any rhetorical features, then write your own article on a controversial issue.
Year 9
- Find a picture of a busy place and write a description of it in 5 paragraphs.
- Write a story about a time when you were sad.
- Make a foldable about creating an effective piece of narrative or descriptive writing.
- Think of 5 ordinary everyday items and describe each one in turn but without using the name of it. Give as much detail as you can without using the name of it. Show this to someone else and see if they know what the object is. E.g. Used to the hold the weight of our hopes and dreams and the shopping and pens and paper and even the cat when he jumps up on it. Crooked and wobbly at times, with an annoying tilt to one side. Smooth honey coloured wood adorns the surface and 4 dark brown legs hold it up. I come in all shapes and sizes and used from morning until night. What am I?
- Once you have started the poetry GCSE unit you can do the following: create a foldable for each of the poems you have studied OR create a collage of images for each poem and weave in key lines/words from the poem too OR write a poem of your own about family.
Year 10
- Ideally, continue working in your GCSE class booklet. If that’s not possible, complete these tasks for An Inspector Calls:
- Make a foldable resource on a character from the play. This should include images, key words, their role in the play, how they change (or not), etc.
- Write a letter to Priestley asking him about the play and the reasons behind their choices in the play. You should also include what you think about the play and its ideas and how it links to your own life experience now in 2025.
- Read the act you will be missing in class. You can access the audio version on the blog.