GCSE L1-5

AQA GCSE English Language Paper One-style extract with questions 1-4, as revision or an introduction to how to answer Paper One. 

This extract is from A Kind of Spark, a children's book with an autistic protagonist. The author, Elle McNicoll, is autistic and is dedicated to writing books with neurodiverse characters. 

This extract works well with neurodiverse learners who often see themselves reflected in the story. 

Editor's Note

A wonderful text extract. Ideal for end of year exam practice and revision.

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references

Best buy and proportion questions - loosely based on setting up a nursery.

I have used this with my Functional Skills Maths and Employability group. We carried out a few examples as a group, left them on the board and I then gave them this worksheet to complete. I sat with the lower attainers and hand wrote in scaffolded examples whilst talking to them about it. 

I have also used the same lesson plan for my GCSE resits as a revision task.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
FM L1.17 Work with simple ratio & direct proportions
FM L2.11 Understand & calculate using ratios, direct proportion & inverse proportion
GCSE R10 (Direct & indirect proportion)
Context
Health, Social care, Early years

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 style exam practice. Source A is from a contemporary memoir "Life As A Unicorn" by Amrou Al-Kadhi. Source B is adapted from a Victorian article about aquariums. The questions mimic AQA Paper 2; questions 1 to 5. Question 5 asks students to write an article about gender roles. The whole paper reflects the advance information given by AQA about the summer 2022 exams; a memoir paired with a Victorian essay and an article writing task. 

Editor's notes

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

GCSE AQA Language Paper 1 Question 3: this resource uses a pop music video (Stay by Shakespears Sister) to help students grasp the concept of analysing fictional texts for structure. Many students struggle to get to grips with the idea of structure; this activity is designed to demonstrate how stories are structured in a more visual way. There's a worksheet with links to three short video clips; students watch each clip and then make notes about what they see in the story (introduction of characters, setting, atmosphere / mood / tone, action, plot, etc). 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure

Functional Skills English slides on comparing texts - part of my Skills Building Series.

This resource explores the fundamental skills to support learners in achieving success with the comparison question in the Edexcel Functional Skills English Level 1 and 2 Exam papers. It provides learners with opportunities to practice their comparison skills using images, videos (audio with lyrics) and short texts. 

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts

Social Media - AI behind the scenes slides exploring: how many people use social media and the algorithms running behind the scenes; the fact that we are being 'watched' and the concept that 'if you're not paying for the product, then YOU are the product'. Slides also explore DeepMind, Google Autocomplete and the idea that smartphones are making us dumber. 

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
GCSE English Spoken language AO8 Listen and respond
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Two part session, exploring Paper 2 Question 4 (GCSE English Language AQA).  Slides contain texts with guidance and prompts to upgrade responses.  Part 2 slides has voice over reading of text which can be played whilst in present mode.   Accompanying the slides are Text Sources for learner exploration, highlighting and annotation. 

Editor's notes

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts

Useful resource which can be used as a little taster of GCSE for FS learners, or as a GCSE activity to challenge repetitive sentence starts, use of adverbs to begin sentences, to explore structure and language in their own writing. A way to get words onto paper and develop a narrative.

Editor's note

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation

Lesson to develop creative writing skills - 'show me, don't tell me' explores how you can paint a picture with your words without explicitly telling the reader everything that happens.  Engaging slides using images and exploring physical behaviours for different emotions, ways of speaking and other adjectives to support learners in creating effective and believable characters. Slides also include 'Showing Versus Telling' examples for learners to demonstrate their understanding of the difference between them. 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation