Dear year 11 - since so many of you are still struggling to do sufficiently well on Questions 1, 2, and 3 [and I predict will also struggle with Q4] I have decided to put on revision sessions after half term.
Starting Tuesday Feb 24th and 3rd March straight after the lesson [period 5] we will be going back over question 1 and how to tackle this question;
then March 10th and 17th will be question 2 and
March 24th and 31st will be question 3.
We will do Q4 on Tuesday 21st and 28th April.
If you have already scheduled revision sessions for other subjects then it is your decision which you attend but if not mine then I will expect a note from the teacher holding the competing session to say they expect you there.
You need to attend these sessions if you are not getting 6/8 regularly. speak to me after tomorrow's lesson if this is going to be a problem.
Monday 2 February 2015
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Yr 11 January 2015
Good morning everyone!
Since it is parents' evening this week and I know many of your parents will be wanting to know both what we are doing, what you should be doing and how you can be helped at home, what follows is, I hope, the answer to all these questions!
First
Until half term Feb we will be working on The Crucible.
By the end of the unit you should have notes and a good knowledge of:
a) the characters - their motivations + useful quotes
b) the background to the story - the author's concerns and how the events of Salem came about
c) the themes in the story
You can help yourself by:
i) checking your notes are full
ii) checking your understanding
iii) practice writing answers about the characters and / or the themes
See earlier post on this blog.
After half term we will finish the Conflict poetry unit - we have 7 still to do
You can help yourself by:
i) checking your notes are full
ii) checking your understanding of the poems and the authors' concerns
iii) practice writing answers about the themes in the poems
iv) practice comparing 2 poems with similar themes
DOCUMENTS WITH QUESTIONS WILL BE POSTED ON SHOW MY HOMEWORK BUT THERE ARE ALREADY SOME ON THIS BLOG ELSEWHERE.
Near the end of March there is a formal English Literature mock exam in which you will be examined on:
a) Of Mice and Men
b) The Crucible
and another on
The poetry:
c) Conflict and
d) an unseen poem
Then we will be revising Of Mice and Men YOU WILL NEED TO REVISE FOR THIS IN ADVANCE OF THE MOCK EXAM.
After Easter we will be revising English Language Exam skills and doing checks on your literature knowledge and understanding...
Ongoing Homework:
In addition to work set in class:
and the question for each is Question 1:
What do you understand from this article about................... [8 marks]
Point
Evidence
Explain
Each point that you make in your own words needs evidence quote and explanation where you develop the point to show you understand the implications of it is worth 2 marks
Always start with an overview of the author's view.
Look back at your reading skills booklet [from yr 10] for reminders of how to answer this type of question.
Next you will be given copies of texts as below and are to practice Question 2 answers on each of them.
125 'Usain Bolt'
151 'Whale massacre' 'Explain how the headline are effective and link to the
145 'Running to music' text' [8 marks]
141 'Charity swimmers'
Then you will be given texts for question 3 style questions:
p133 'Spiro'
131 'Camping'
129 'A boat journey'
127 'Sailing in polar seas' 'Explain some of the thoughts and feelings in the extract....' [8marks]
107 'Camel wrestling'
77 'I can't take...'
And finally question 4 asks you to compare the language used in 2 of the texts
A p107 / 151 / 117
B p131 / 113 / 145 'Compare the ways in which language is used for effect....' [16 marks]
C p125 / 105 / 77
Do 2 examples of each question each week:
this week 2x question 1
If you are not getting at least 6/8 marks you need to do the other two texts as well!
next week 2 examples of question 2
If you are not getting at least 6/8 marks you need to do the other two texts as well !
etc
Since it is parents' evening this week and I know many of your parents will be wanting to know both what we are doing, what you should be doing and how you can be helped at home, what follows is, I hope, the answer to all these questions!
First
Until half term Feb we will be working on The Crucible.
By the end of the unit you should have notes and a good knowledge of:
a) the characters - their motivations + useful quotes
b) the background to the story - the author's concerns and how the events of Salem came about
c) the themes in the story
You can help yourself by:
i) checking your notes are full
ii) checking your understanding
iii) practice writing answers about the characters and / or the themes
See earlier post on this blog.
After half term we will finish the Conflict poetry unit - we have 7 still to do
You can help yourself by:
i) checking your notes are full
ii) checking your understanding of the poems and the authors' concerns
iii) practice writing answers about the themes in the poems
iv) practice comparing 2 poems with similar themes
DOCUMENTS WITH QUESTIONS WILL BE POSTED ON SHOW MY HOMEWORK BUT THERE ARE ALREADY SOME ON THIS BLOG ELSEWHERE.
Near the end of March there is a formal English Literature mock exam in which you will be examined on:
a) Of Mice and Men
b) The Crucible
and another on
The poetry:
c) Conflict and
d) an unseen poem
Then we will be revising Of Mice and Men YOU WILL NEED TO REVISE FOR THIS IN ADVANCE OF THE MOCK EXAM.
After Easter we will be revising English Language Exam skills and doing checks on your literature knowledge and understanding...
Ongoing Homework:
In addition to work set in class:
- rereading
- writing notes up
- writing Act summaries
- finding quotes
and the question for each is Question 1:
What do you understand from this article about................... [8 marks]
Point
Evidence
Explain
Each point that you make in your own words needs evidence quote and explanation where you develop the point to show you understand the implications of it is worth 2 marks
Always start with an overview of the author's view.
Look back at your reading skills booklet [from yr 10] for reminders of how to answer this type of question.
Next you will be given copies of texts as below and are to practice Question 2 answers on each of them.
125 'Usain Bolt'
151 'Whale massacre' 'Explain how the headline are effective and link to the
145 'Running to music' text' [8 marks]
141 'Charity swimmers'
Then you will be given texts for question 3 style questions:
p133 'Spiro'
131 'Camping'
129 'A boat journey'
127 'Sailing in polar seas' 'Explain some of the thoughts and feelings in the extract....' [8marks]
107 'Camel wrestling'
77 'I can't take...'
And finally question 4 asks you to compare the language used in 2 of the texts
A p107 / 151 / 117
B p131 / 113 / 145 'Compare the ways in which language is used for effect....' [16 marks]
C p125 / 105 / 77
Do 2 examples of each question each week:
this week 2x question 1
If you are not getting at least 6/8 marks you need to do the other two texts as well!
next week 2 examples of question 2
If you are not getting at least 6/8 marks you need to do the other two texts as well !
etc
Tuesday 25 February 2014
Reminder of dates and times of extra sessions:
Tuesday 25th Feb SB2
Monday 3rd March K1A
Tuesday 11th March SB2
Monday 17th March K1A
Tuesday 25th March SB2
Monday 31st March K1A
Monday 3rd March K1A
Tuesday 11th March SB2
Monday 17th March K1A
Tuesday 25th March SB2
Monday 31st March K1A
Wednesday 19 February 2014
February Half Term 2014
Good morning yr 11!
I hope you are enjoying your half term and I also hope you are doing what I asked and revising and consolidating your knowledge and understanding of The Crucible!
You will be having a last practice timed essay[for the moment but remember that there is a proper mock exam coming up on March 31st] on The Crucible in the first lesson on Monday 24th, after which we will be moving on to Mrs Weston's wonderful Revision Guide and using that to improve your skills in answering the language exam questions.
Please use the BBC GCSE Bitesize website, it is a wonderful resource!
See you next week and the extra lesson is on Tuesday 25th that week in SB2.
Best wishes
Mrs Scales
I hope you are enjoying your half term and I also hope you are doing what I asked and revising and consolidating your knowledge and understanding of The Crucible!
You will be having a last practice timed essay[for the moment but remember that there is a proper mock exam coming up on March 31st] on The Crucible in the first lesson on Monday 24th, after which we will be moving on to Mrs Weston's wonderful Revision Guide and using that to improve your skills in answering the language exam questions.
Please use the BBC GCSE Bitesize website, it is a wonderful resource!
See you next week and the extra lesson is on Tuesday 25th that week in SB2.
Best wishes
Mrs Scales
Friday 13 December 2013
Good morning yr 11
This post will inform you of what we are going to be doing next term, what you need to do to prepare and what and when the extra sessions are.
First, however, your Christmas holiday homework is to do background research on The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Make sure you know:
You can of course purchase the film with Daniel Day Lewis and Winona Ryder quite cheaply and since it is quite true to the play it is a good resource. So watch it!!
We will be starting next term by reading the play and, yes, you will all be reading parts!
We will also be doing a further and last piece of creative writing.
I would also suggest you keep Of Mice and Men in mind and plan to re-read chapters so that you are really familiar with the characters, themes and storylines of the novel. Because there is a mock on this and The Crucible in March.
Extra lessons begin Tuesday 7th January in SB2. Then the following Monday 13th Jan in K1A [after our English lesson.]
In these early sessions we will work on exam skills. Don't come if you don't intend to work. I will not be teaching you so much as giving you practice in the different questions and talking to you individually about how to approach them. You may bring a drink and snack but no fizzy drinks.
If I set work and you don't do it then you will not be attending any more sessions! Sessions will last no more than an hour.
If you look through this blog you will find lots of suggestions for work to do to increase your knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the English course, please use it!
New documents produced this year, for example on Unseen poetry, will all be available on ShowMyHomework!
Have a good Christmas but do some work after all in 6 months it'll all be over and you don't want to be back here in September doing it all again!
Mrs S
This post will inform you of what we are going to be doing next term, what you need to do to prepare and what and when the extra sessions are.
First, however, your Christmas holiday homework is to do background research on The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Make sure you know:
- Who wrote the play, when and why?
- What sources he used to write it and how he used them
- What was happening in his personal life and what was happening in America at the time he was writing which decided him to write this play?
- How was the play received by audiences and critics?
- What the real life events were in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
- Find out about witchcraft! What kinds of charges were made against people?
- Why had this group of people left England for America?
- What was their religion like? i.e. How did they practice it? What was and wasn't allowed for them to do?
You can of course purchase the film with Daniel Day Lewis and Winona Ryder quite cheaply and since it is quite true to the play it is a good resource. So watch it!!
We will be starting next term by reading the play and, yes, you will all be reading parts!
We will also be doing a further and last piece of creative writing.
I would also suggest you keep Of Mice and Men in mind and plan to re-read chapters so that you are really familiar with the characters, themes and storylines of the novel. Because there is a mock on this and The Crucible in March.
Extra lessons begin Tuesday 7th January in SB2. Then the following Monday 13th Jan in K1A [after our English lesson.]
In these early sessions we will work on exam skills. Don't come if you don't intend to work. I will not be teaching you so much as giving you practice in the different questions and talking to you individually about how to approach them. You may bring a drink and snack but no fizzy drinks.
If I set work and you don't do it then you will not be attending any more sessions! Sessions will last no more than an hour.
If you look through this blog you will find lots of suggestions for work to do to increase your knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the English course, please use it!
New documents produced this year, for example on Unseen poetry, will all be available on ShowMyHomework!
Have a good Christmas but do some work after all in 6 months it'll all be over and you don't want to be back here in September doing it all again!
Mrs S
Thursday 16 May 2013
Help!
Hi guys, so this is it, last minute how can I help time!
This one is for all of you who are asking how can we revise for English?
Literature 1
For Of Mice and Men and The Crucible you can obviously revise the plot, characters, themes and make sure you understand Miller / Steinbeck's methods and concerns in their writings. In addition make sure you have a bank of quotations you can use.
The main thing for this exam is showing you understand the underlying significance of the text, hidden meanings, implications, authors' opinions and attitudes and how they make you realise what they think. So use 'this shows' suggests, implies, tells us... to show the examiner you get why the author wrote it.
Literature 2 Poetry
For the Conflict poetry: make sure you know the best poem to compare any given poem with.
Identify words / images / devices the poets use to convey (get their message across) their opinions and feelings.
Explain in detail what the quotations you choose actually mean or show.
Identify techniques e.g. repetition, alliteration and give an example and explain what effect it has on the reader or what it makes you think of.
Always write 'this shows...' implies, suggests, has the effect of... etc
And don't forget to COMPARE! as you go is best! 'Similarly the poem / poet...' 'on the other hand the writer...' 'whereas in the poem...'
For the Unseen:
First of all use the question to guide your understanding of the topic of the poem.
Read the poem at least twice! Make an effort to understand it and the poet's point of view.
Use a highlighter to identify words, phrases, images, techniques you are going to mention in your essay.
Always use the question to guide your answer e.g 'the poet shows how they feel about... in '...' which shows ....' and 'another way the poet conveys their message is by the techniques of... which have the effect of...' ANSWER the question!
Use lots of quotations - SHORT ones! and explain each or a series of similar ones together.
For the Language Exam:
Section A
In this section you are being asked to identify FACTS. [this is called RETRIEVAL]
You are also asked what you learn this means you should write : 'I learned from this article that...' 'this implies that...' 'this suggests...' 'this shows...' [this is called INFERENCE] Make it crystal clear that you have learned an implication of the fact you have quoted.
Quote but also explain in your own words.
Section B
You have to write two longer pieces here from at least two of the following skills:
INFORM, EXPLAIN, ARGUE, PERSUADE, DESCRIBE.
FORM )
AUDIENCE ) Remember these!
PURPOSE )
Use a range of techniques depending on the task:
Rule of 3, repetition, anecdote, opposites, personal 'I', appeal, emotive language, urgency, facts and statistics, threat, bribery, blackmail, direct address 'You' etc
Remember to start and end appropriately e.g. if it is a letter who is it to?
Dear Sir... Yours Faithfully
Dear Mr Thorn... Yours Sincerely
PARAGRAPHS - Willow that one's for you!
And STRUCTURE it! Firstly...In addition... furthermore... whereas... Finally... And use a range of different ideas and suggestions in your work.
If you could also make more creative vocabulary choices that would help too!
16 marks and 24 marks 1 1/2 minutes per mark! that's 24 and 36 minutes!
Best of luck all of you.
It's been great fun, I will miss you all but I am looking forward to continuing our association for those of you picking up Media or Philosophy A level.
Mrs S
This one is for all of you who are asking how can we revise for English?
Literature 1
For Of Mice and Men and The Crucible you can obviously revise the plot, characters, themes and make sure you understand Miller / Steinbeck's methods and concerns in their writings. In addition make sure you have a bank of quotations you can use.
The main thing for this exam is showing you understand the underlying significance of the text, hidden meanings, implications, authors' opinions and attitudes and how they make you realise what they think. So use 'this shows' suggests, implies, tells us... to show the examiner you get why the author wrote it.
Literature 2 Poetry
For the Conflict poetry: make sure you know the best poem to compare any given poem with.
Identify words / images / devices the poets use to convey (get their message across) their opinions and feelings.
Explain in detail what the quotations you choose actually mean or show.
Identify techniques e.g. repetition, alliteration and give an example and explain what effect it has on the reader or what it makes you think of.
Always write 'this shows...' implies, suggests, has the effect of... etc
And don't forget to COMPARE! as you go is best! 'Similarly the poem / poet...' 'on the other hand the writer...' 'whereas in the poem...'
For the Unseen:
First of all use the question to guide your understanding of the topic of the poem.
Read the poem at least twice! Make an effort to understand it and the poet's point of view.
Use a highlighter to identify words, phrases, images, techniques you are going to mention in your essay.
Always use the question to guide your answer e.g 'the poet shows how they feel about... in '...' which shows ....' and 'another way the poet conveys their message is by the techniques of... which have the effect of...' ANSWER the question!
Use lots of quotations - SHORT ones! and explain each or a series of similar ones together.
For the Language Exam:
Section A
In this section you are being asked to identify FACTS. [this is called RETRIEVAL]
You are also asked what you learn this means you should write : 'I learned from this article that...' 'this implies that...' 'this suggests...' 'this shows...' [this is called INFERENCE] Make it crystal clear that you have learned an implication of the fact you have quoted.
Quote but also explain in your own words.
Section B
You have to write two longer pieces here from at least two of the following skills:
INFORM, EXPLAIN, ARGUE, PERSUADE, DESCRIBE.
FORM )
AUDIENCE ) Remember these!
PURPOSE )
Use a range of techniques depending on the task:
Rule of 3, repetition, anecdote, opposites, personal 'I', appeal, emotive language, urgency, facts and statistics, threat, bribery, blackmail, direct address 'You' etc
Remember to start and end appropriately e.g. if it is a letter who is it to?
Dear Sir... Yours Faithfully
Dear Mr Thorn... Yours Sincerely
PARAGRAPHS - Willow that one's for you!
And STRUCTURE it! Firstly...In addition... furthermore... whereas... Finally... And use a range of different ideas and suggestions in your work.
If you could also make more creative vocabulary choices that would help too!
16 marks and 24 marks 1 1/2 minutes per mark! that's 24 and 36 minutes!
Best of luck all of you.
It's been great fun, I will miss you all but I am looking forward to continuing our association for those of you picking up Media or Philosophy A level.
Mrs S
Sunday 28 April 2013
Language exam paper Higher Tier
English/English Language ENG1H
Unit 1 Understanding and producing non-fiction texts
Insert
The three sources that
follow are:
Source
1: a magazine article called Lifesaving with Class by Rory
Stamp
Source
2: a newspaper article called Trapped Chilean miners: rescue drill reaches
their refuge at last by David Batty
Source 3: an extract from a
non-fiction book called Saved.
Section A: Reading
Answer all questions in this
section.
You are advised to spend about one hour on
this section.
Read Source 1, Lifesaving with Class, by Rory Stamp, from the RNLI magazine, the lifeboat.
1 What do you learn from
the article about the Beach to City programme run by the RNLI?
(8 marks)
Now read
Source 2, the article and the picture which goes with it called, Trapped Chilean miners: rescue drill reaches their
refuge at last by David Batty.
2 Explain how the
headline and picture are effective and how they link to the text.
(8 marks)
Now read
Source 3, Saved, which is an extract from a non-fiction book.
3 Explain some of the
thoughts and feelings Parrado and Canessa have whilst searching for rescue. (8 marks)
Now you
need to refer to Source 3, Saved, and either Source 1 or Source 2.
4 You are going to
compare two texts, one of which you have chosen.
Compare
the ways in which language is used for effect in the two texts.
Give some examples and analyse what the
effects are.
(16 marks)
Section B: Writing
Answer both questions in this
section.
You are
advised to spend about one hour on this section.
You are
advised to spend about 25 minutes on question 5.
You are advised to spend about 35 minutes
on question 6.
5 Write an entry for
your online blog which describes a time when you felt uncertain or unsure about
a situation you were in and explain how you overcame it.
You
should aim to write no more than two and a half sides in response to this
question.
(16 marks)
Blog: a regular online piece
of personal writing.
6 It has been said that:
‘People who save lives or help improve the lives of others are the true role
models of today.’
Write an
article for a newspaper in which you argue your view about what makes a good
role model.
(24 marks)
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