English YEAR 9 YEAR 9 CURRICULUM Genre study: Dystopian Worlds Throughout this unit, students will encounter fictional worlds that are less than pleasant. Throughout their study, they will realise that the inspiration for these worlds comes from Encourage further reading from this genre, as well as viewing our own and how things might be should we, as a society, not make changes. This will of any age-appropriate material. There are many examples of force them to make decisions about their own beliefs and the way they see the world, great young adult and teen fiction dystopian novels. Promote using well-known texts such as Margaret Atwood s The Handmaid s Tale, and George research into the inspiration for the texts studied in lessons. Orwell s Animal Farm Students will use their understanding of this genre to create a nonfiction piece of writing, whilst also develop their academic essay writing, exploring the Support homework tasks. writer s intentions within extracts. Novel study: The Hunger Games Following on from their introduction to dystopian fiction, students study The Hunger Games, exploring where the text fits into this genre. They analyse the devices used by the author to build their storyworld, and consider the novel s themes, and their contemporary relevance. Poetry study: Dystopian Worlds; Throughout the academic year, students will study poetry relating to different modules. Students will also begin their study of the Power and Conflict section of the AQA Poetry Anthology, consisting of sixteen poems, which range from The Romantics, to contemporary poets, such as John Agard and Benjamin Zephaniah. They explore connections between the poems, in terms of context, ideas and techniques, and learn to structure comparative essays. This is early preparation for a closed-book examination, but it is never too soon to practice techniques for memorizing key quotations from the poems. Encourage further reading by this author, or on connected themes. Support with homework tasks. Encourage the learning by heart of a selection of poems, and quotations from these. Support with homework tasks.
Novel study: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Students study the novel and its context, and upgrade their critical writing skills in Encourage your child to read widely, and to practice their preparation for GCSE Literature. They consider the themes and ideas in the texts, creative writing for enjoyment. Support with homework including poverty, prejudice, friendship, work, and dreams. They improve their writing tasks. about texts, analysing how the writer uses their craft to engage and influence the reader. Modern play: An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley Encourage your son or daughter to re-read key sections of In this unit, students study An Inspector Calls. They develop their ability to write critically the play at home, and to learn their key quotations. Support about themes and characters in a text, and to analyse the language, structure and form with of the play. In addition, they learn to make strong links between the text and its context. The Spoken and Factual word studying non-fiction and speeches As part of the GCSE English Language qualification, students will create and deliver a speech on an issue of importance to them. Students will study the language of rhetoric, as well as the form and structure of a speech, leading to completion of the Spoken Language component of their GCSE-course. Support your child by helping them to practise their speech; encourage deeper thought by asking questions about their speech and views; promote research into the key issue they choose to extend their ideas further. Support with homework and preparation tasks to ensure your child meets the deadline for this component and performs to a high standard. English YEAR 10 YEAR 10 CURRICULUM AQA GCSE English Language Fiction Anthology In this introduction to their GCSE English course, students study a range of fiction extracts, and analyse these for language, structure, and impact on the reader. They use these texts and their themes to inspire carefully crafted creative writing pieces. Encourage wide reading; recommend fiction you have enjoyed. Give them time, space and encouragement to write creatively, and be a supportive and critical reader of their work. AQA GCSE English Literature Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare In this unit, students read the play in full, listening to professional recordings, and viewing the play in performance. They gain an understanding of the context, and learn to appreciate the
language and imagery of the play. They develop their essay-writing skills, both working with an extract, and commenting from their wider understanding of the play, its themes and characters. This is a closed-book examination, so students are also supported with techniques for memorizing key quotations from the text. AQA GCSE English Literature Poetry Study Students study the Power and Conflict section of the AQA Poetry Anthology, consisting of sixteen poems, which range from The Romantics, to contemporary poets, such as John Agard and Benjamin Zephaniah. They explore connections between the poems, in terms of context, ideas and techniques, and learn to structure comparative essays. This is a closed-book Encourage the learning by heart of a selection of poems, and examination, so students are also supported with techniques for memorizing key quotations quotations from these. Support with homework tasks. from the poems. Students also study non-anthology poetry in thematic pairings. They are taught to use a range of strategies for unpicking a previously-unseen poem, and for making clear links and contrasts between them. AQA GCSE English Literature AQA GCSE English Literature A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens In this unit, students study A Christmas Carol. They consolidate their understanding of plot, Talk to them about the novel; encourage research of the time and character and theme, and the analysis of language required in the extract-based portion of their place in which novel is set. Support with homework tasks. exam. They learn to draw together knowledge of themes and ideas from the wider novel, and hone their essay-writing skills. This is a closed-book examination, so students are also supported with techniques for memorizing key quotations from the text. AQA GCSE Language Viewpoints and Perspectives: War and Danger In this unit, students are introduced to their GCSE English Language course. Over the term, they explore a collection of non-fiction texts, thematically-linked by War and Danger. Genre studied include diaries, biographies, news columns and articles, and an interview. They practise their transactional writing, focusing on planning and structure this term, as well as consolidating their skills in spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence variety all of which are essential for success in the new GCSE language exams. In addition, they complete a formal spoken language assessment, on a topic of their choice. Encourage your son or daughter to read a range of non-fiction texts, including newspapers on-line, and biographies of people they admire. Support with homework tasks.
English YEAR 11 YEAR 11 CURRICULUM AQA GCSE English Literature: An Inspector Calls revision Students revisit their modern play text, revising the themes, characters and ideas, and practising their examstyle responses. AQA GCSE English Literature - Unseen Poetry practice Students read, engage with, and compare a range of classic and contemporary poems. They revise key concepts and terminology for writing about poetry, and practise their exam writing skills. Talk with your son or daughter about the poems they encounter at school; recommend poems that are important to you. Support with revision tasks. AQA GCSE English Literature - Anthology Poetry practice Students revisit their bank of Power and Conflict poems, making new connections and comparisons, and improving their exam-writing skills. AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing In this unit, students study a range modern fiction extracts by authors such as Susan Hill and Roddy Doyle, focusing revising the analytical skills they need for this year s exam. They practise their creative writing, crafting structure for impact, and writing with variety and precision. Talk with your son or daughter about the poems in their anthology; take an interest in their notes and annotations, and the tasks they are competing for revision. Support with other revision tasks. Encourage wide reading; recommend fiction you have enjoyed. Give them time, space and encouragement to work hard on shorter, focused practice tasks. AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives Students study a range of 19 th, 20 th and 21 st Encourage your son or daughter to read a range of non-fiction century non-fiction texts, from different genre, including diaries, texts, including newspapers on-line, and biographies of people biographies, and reports, linked by common themes. They practise their transactional writing, with a focus on they admire. Support with homework tasks. sentence variety for impact, and consolidate their skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar.
AQA GCSE English Literature Romeo and Juliet revision Students revisit the themes, characters and context of the play, strengthening their understanding, and improving their responses to exam questions. AQA GCSE English Literature A Christmas Carol Students revisit the themes, characters and context of the novel, in readiness for their upcoming exams. Ensure your son and daughter is working hard on revision, and support them to organise this effectively.