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Newlands
Girls’ School

Home Learning

Across Key Stage 3, pupils develop key skills in studies of both literature and language to help prepare them for Key Stage 4. The lessons, which follow, are in line with the curriculum they are studying this term. In some cases, pupils may be using literature to develop language skills, particularly when looking at new genres. The focus for each unit of work that pupils are studying this term is outlined below.

Year 7 - Term 3

Year 7 are currently studying Shakespeare’s sonnets and are developing their analysis skills.

 

Introduction to Sonnets

In this lesson we will look at the history of the sonnet form. We will also start to look at the structure of a sonnet in preparation for lesson 2.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/introduction-to-sonnets-71hkjc

 

The Features of a Shakespearean Sonnet

In this lesson, we will learn about some of the features of the Shakespearean sonnet.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-features-of-a-shakespearean-sonnet-6rr64t

Iambic Pentameter

In this lesson, we will learn how to recognise iambic pentameter in sonnets. https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/iambic-pentameter-74v6ce  

 

Sonnet 18: 4 lessons

This section contains 4 lessons focusing on Sonnet 18. These include:

 

  • The Shakespearean Sonnet
  • Language
  • Structure
  • Writing about Sonnet 18

 

https://classroom.thenational.academy/units/sonnet-18-shakespeare-8cea

 

Year 7 - Term 4

Viewpoint writing: what is it?

In this lesson, we will begin to look at the features of viewpoint or discursive writing. Today we will begin with a statement - 'All sports should be fun, fair and open to everyone. It is the taking part not the winning that matters'. Then, we will have a look at a student response to see how someone else has tackled this statement and begin to understand the features of viewpoint writing.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/viewpoint-writing-what-is-it-c9jk4d

Planning techniques: Logos, pathos and ethos

In this lesson, we will be looking at planning techniques that will help us generate ideas as well as produce a balanced and thoughtful viewpoint essay plan. We will do this by looking to the Greeks and learning about 'logos', 'ethos,' 'pathos' and 'kairos'. You will then have an opportunity to start creating a plan, using a framework to help sequence your ideas.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/planning-techniques-logos-pathos-and-ethos-6mwk0c

What makes an effective introduction and conclusion?

In this lesson, we will be working with our plans and looking at the relationship between the introduction and the conclusion. We will start by reviewing the model answer and considering how the introduction works. We'll then look at how sentence level choices have been used to add meaning with a skills review. Then, we will look at the model response again to consider how 'Ethos' is used in the conclusion. By the end of the lesson, you will have drafted out your introduction and conclusion.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/what-makes-an-effective-introduction-and-conclusion-6cr38d

Rhetorical devices: Designing the main body of your essay

In this lesson, we will be looking at the main body of our essay, before piecing everything together. Firstly, we will return to our essay plan and look at how to build the main body of our response, thinking about the function of the paragraph, the desired effect on the reader and the types of rhetorical devices that might be best to choose. We'll do this as a slow write to give you time to think about your options. At the end of the lesson, we'll critique our writing and compare to the model answer for fluency and control.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/rhetorical-devices-designing-the-main-body-of-your-essay-68v66t

 

Year 8 - Term 3

Year 8 are studying a series of short stories. They are also focusing on writing skills as well as analytical skills.

Writing accurate, correctly punctuated and paragraphed dialogue, using personal pronouns:

https://classroom.thenational.academy/units/writing-accurate-correctly-punctuated-and-paragraphed-dialogue-using-personal-pr

 

These lessons focus on accuracy:

 

  • Punctuating speech correctly
  • Varying punctuation
  • Moving dialogue tags and using pronouns
  • Breaking up direct speech with dialogue tags
  • Breaking up direct speech with dialogue tags and introducing additional speakers
  • Punctuating speech correctly: Applying the rules when writing creatively

 

Language Skills- Fiction – Reading

Developing analysis skills through unseen fiction:

https://classroom.thenational.academy/units/language-skills-fiction-reading-52c6

  • Approaching unseen fiction texts
  • Considering structural choices
  • Analysing the writer’s use of language
  • Developing a personal response

 

 

Year 8 - Term 4

Year 8 are studying The Romantic Period of poetry and Speeches Across Time. In this unit they will be looking at rhetoric and the use of persuasive language.

The Romantic Period

Romantic poetry and paired texts: Romanticism and Nature

The Life and Times of William Wordsworth

In this lesson, we will be introduced to William Wordsworth and what happened in his life which might have influenced his writing. We will explore the form of lyric poetry, before reading and beginning to analyse one of his most famous poems.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-life-and-times-of-william-wordsworth-75j36t

Language in 'I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud'

In this lesson, we will look at the difference between metaphor, simile and personification. We will then find examples of these types of figurative language in Wordsworth's poem and write about the effect that they might have on a reader.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/language-in-i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud-71jk4e

Nature in 'I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud'

In this lesson, we will explore why nature was such an important and commonly used theme in Romantic writing. Afterwards, we will analyse how Wordsworth explores his own perceptions of nature and expresses how it makes him feel.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/nature-in-i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud-cgv30e

Speeches Across Time

Viewpoint writing: What is it?

In this lesson we will begin to look at the features of viewpoint or discursive writing. Today we will begin with a statement - “All sports should be fun, fair and open to everyone. It is the taking part not the winning that matters.” Then, we will have a look at a student response to see how someone else has tackled this statement and begin to understand the features of viewpoint writing. At the end of the lesson, there will be a quiz to recap on our learning.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/viewpoint-writing-what-is-it-c9jk4d

Planning techniques: Logos, pathos and ethos

In this lesson, we will be looking at planning techniques that will help us generate ideas as well as produce a balanced and thoughtful viewpoint essay plan. We will do this by looking to the Greeks and learning about ‘logos’, ‘ethos,’ ‘pathos’ and ‘kairos’. You will then have an opportunity to start creating a plan, using a framework to help sequence your ideas. At the end of the lesson, there will be a quiz to recap on our learning.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/planning-techniques-logos-pathos-and-ethos-6mwk0c

Year 9 - Term 3

Year 9 are studying Dystopian extracts and war poetry. These units focus on narrative writing skills and analysis.

 

Fiction: Reading and Descriptive Writing

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/an-introduction-to-rhetoric-ethos-6mr3er

 

  • Approaches to reading unseen fiction texts
  • Character types and function
  • Analysing language: selecting evidence
  • Analysing language: analytical writing
  • Examining structural choices
  • Unseen fiction texts: pre1900
  • Mary/ Eve Dichotomy
  • Thinking about space: Where do women belong?
  • Responding to evaluation questions
  • Evaluation: writing it up
  • Reading skills: unseen fiction Cold Mountain
  • Journeys in literature: Cold Mountain
  • Descriptive detail: close analysis
  • Descriptive writing: planning techniques
  • Descriptive writing: Slow write

 

 

Year 9 - Term 4

Year 9 are studying Dystopian extracts and war poetry. These units focus on narrative writing skills and analysis.

 

Fiction: Reading and Descriptive Writing

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/an-introduction-to-rhetoric-ethos-6mr3er

 

  • Approaches to reading unseen fiction texts
  • Character types and function
  • Analysing language: selecting evidence
  • Analysing language: analytical writing
  • Examining structural choices
  • Unseen fiction texts: pre1900
  • Mary/ Eve Dichotomy
  • Thinking about space: Where do women belong?
  • Responding to evaluation questions
  • Evaluation: writing it up
  • Reading skills: unseen fiction Cold Mountain
  • Journeys in literature: Cold Mountain
  • Descriptive detail: close analysis
  • Descriptive writing: planning techniques
  • Descriptive writing: Slow write

 

 

All KS3 Pupils

Paragraphing narratives for clarity, using possessive pronouns, using apostrophes accurately, structuring, writing and editing genre-specific narratives

Lessons:

 

Crafting Creative Writing

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/crafting-creative-writing-6rrkcr

 

Creating a Story Opening

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/creating-a-story-opening-75j34d

 

Introducing a Character

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/introducing-a-character-c5hp8c
 

Revealing a Problem

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/revealing-a-problem-6hk34c

 

The Quest

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-quest-cngpce

 

The Climactic Moment

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-climactic-moment-6dh64d

 

The Ending

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-ending-60vpce

 

Year 10

This term, students are studying either A Shakespeare play, either Macbeth or Much Ado about Nothing. Pupils should complete the following lessons for the play they are studying.  

 

Macbeth

Lesson 1 – Historical context, James I and witchcraft

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/historical-context-james-i-witchcraft-and-regicide-cmu32c

 

Lesson 2- The Witches

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-witches-65h3ed

 

Lesson 3- Shakespeare’s tragedy and the Tragic Hero

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/shakespeare-tragedy-and-the-tragic-hero-74uket

 

Lesson 4- The Witches and the Tragic Hero

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-witches-and-the-tragic-hero-68rkge

 

Lesson 5- Meeting Macbeth

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/meeting-macbeth-6rup4r

 

Lesson 6- Macbeth meets the Witches

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/macbeth-meets-the-witches-cgrp2r

 

Much Ado about Nothing

 

If students are studying Much Ado About Nothing as their Shakespeare play, they should complete the following lessons:

Lesson 1-  Much Ado About Nothing - Plot summary - Plot summary - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 2- Much Ado About Nothing - Characters overview - Characters - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 3- Much Ado About Nothing - Themes overview - Themes - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 4- Use of form in Much Ado About Nothing - Form, structure and language - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 5- Much Ado About Nothing - Sample exam question - Sample exam question - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Year 11

This term, students are preparing for their mock examinations in March and revising for their final examinations. Pupils should revise for the Shakespeare  essay question completing the following lessons.

 

Macbeth

 

Lesson 1- The Natural Order (Part 1)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-natural-order-part-1of-2-cgv6ct

 

Lesson 2- The Natural Order (Part 2)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-natural-order-part-22-6tjpct

 

Lesson 3- The Supernatural (Part1)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-supernatural-part-12-crrkct

 

Lesson 4- The Supernatural (Part 2)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-supernatural-part-22-6mwkat

 

Lesson 5- The Tragic Hero (Part 1)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-tragic-hero-part-12-68v66c

 

Lesson 6- The Tragic Hero (Part 2)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/the-tragic-hero-part-22-68r32t

 

 

Much Ado about Nothing

 

Lesson 1-  Much Ado About Nothing - Plot summary - Plot summary - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 2- Much Ado About Nothing - Characters overview - Characters - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 3- Much Ado About Nothing - Themes overview - Themes - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 4- Use of form in Much Ado About Nothing - Form, structure and language - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Lesson 5- Much Ado About Nothing - Sample exam question - Sample exam question - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

 

Years 12 and 13

Please note that bespoke work will be set by the subject teachers and emailed to students.