Remote Learning: Extra English
Half Term 1: August - October
Years 7, 8 and 9
No one likes to feel confused, but could there actually be benefits to confusion? In this informational text, Barrett Smith explores why feeling confused is actually a good thing. As you read, take notes on how people respond to confusion. Click here to find out more.
In this day and age, it’s common to see someone glued to their technological device, but what happens when you become addicted? In this informational text, NPR explores one rehabilitation centre's work helping people who suffer from technology addiction. As you read, take notes on how technology addiction negatively affected the people discussed in the text. Click here to read and complete the tasks.
Years 9 and 10
In this day and age, it’s common to see someone glued to their technological device, but what happens when you become addicted? In this informational text, NPR explores one rehabilitation center’s work helping people who suffer from technology addiction. As you read, take notes on how technology addiction negatively affected the people discussed in the text.
Try this Step Up to GCSE style task that helps you build the skills you will need to get a good pass in GCSE language. Click here to access a comprehension task that supports your close reading skills.
Half Term 4: February - March
Years 7, 8, and 9
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William DeMille (1878-1955) was an American writer, most well-known for screenwriting and film directing. In this short story, a man sets a deadly trap for a suspected thief. Skill Focus: In this lesson, you’ll practice analyzing how a character’s choices and actions affect plot development. This means paying attention to how characters react to specific dialogue or events and how those reactions move the story forward. As you read, take notes on Judson’s dialogue and actions and how these lead to the story’s conclusion. Click here to read this gripping tale before checking your comprehension.
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Terry Bisson is an American science fiction and fantasy author, and They’re Made Out of Meat is one of his most famous short stories. In this story, two speakers are discussing whether or not they should welcome foreign beings from another planet. As you read, take notes on what the dialogue between the speakers reveals about their opinion of the “meat.” Click here to read this grizzly tale.
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William Sydney Porter (1862-1910) was an American writer better known by his pen name, O. Henry. After Twenty Years, published in 1908, is one of his better-known short stories that shows how complicated friendship can be. As you read, take notes on how Jimmy and Bob feel about each other. Click here to read this tale of friendship.
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Enjoy creative writing? A fan of superheroes? Then here is a creative writing challenge just for you! Click here for a PowerPoint task based on superheroes.
Years 10 and 11
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Sugar levels have reached a shocking level! Click here to access a functional skills-style reading and writing task based on the shocking levels of sugar in our food. This task helps you prepare for the Level 1 qualification.
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Sunscreen may not be fun to put on, but it could save your life. Click here to access a functional skills-style reading and writing task based on why we should always wear sunscreen. This task helps you prepare for the Level 1 qualification.
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The Goose Fair in Nottingham is world-famous. Click here to access a functional skills-style reading and writing task based on Nottingham’s famous fair. This task helps you prepare for the Level 1 qualification.
Half Term 5: April - May
Years 7, 8 and 9
- Joanne “Jo” Rowling, pen name J.K. Rowling, is a British novelist, screenwriter, and film producer best known for creating the Harry Potter series. The title character, Harry Potter, is an orphan who attends a boarding school to learn about magic. On his summer vacation, he is forced to live with his non-magical extended family. As you read, take notes on how each character responds to magic. Click here to read part of one of the greatest children’s stories ever tale before checking your comprehension.
- Junot Díaz is a Dominican American writer, creative writing professor, and editor. Díaz’s work often focuses on the experience of immigrants. In this text, Díaz recounts his experiences with fear after getting beat-up as an adolescent. Skill Focus: In this lesson, you’ll practice identifying an author’s central idea and how they support it. This means paying attention to the evidence they give for their central idea and the details they provide to clarify it. As you read, take note of the details that reveal the author’s “terror” and how he reacts to it. Click here to read this terror tale.
- Francesca Lia Block is an American writer of adult and young adult fiction, short stories, screenplays, and poetry. In this short story, a blue creature appears before a young girl after her mother leaves. As you read, take notes on the effect that La’s mother’s actions have on La and her father. Click here to read this tale of parenthood.
Years 10 and 11
- Learn about one of the most important black soldiers and sportsmen you’ve possibly never heard of! Click here to access a functional skills style reading task based on Walter Tull’s life. This task helps you prepare for the level 1 qualification.
- Try this Step Up to GCSE style task that helps you build the skills you will need to get a good pass in GCSE language. Click here to access a comprehension task that supports your close reading skills.
Half Term 6: June - July
Years 7, 8 and 9
In Greek mythology, the Underworld is where souls go after death. In this text, Hermes, messenger of the gods, gives readers a tour of the Underworld. As you read, take notes on the different things that can happen to a soul in the Underworld. Click here to read part of one of the greatest myth stories ever told before checking your comprehension.
Enjoy creative writing? A fan of mystery and suspense? Write the opening to a mystery/crime story of your own. Write no more than a side of A4. Don’t worry about what the mystery might be – focus on writing an effective opening that engages the reader right from the beginning.
Are you a budding scientist or inventor? Then think about a “medicine” that you could invent to “cure” a particular problem. Explain how you would make your medicine, the ingredients you would use, and how you would use it. Write creatively, using lots of imaginative description.
Years 10 and 11
Learn about one of the worst computer games ever made! Click here to access a functional skills style reading task based on the disastrous making and release of ET. This task helps you prepare for the level 1 qualification.
This booklet is designed to support you in preparing for your functional skills qualification. Click here to access a booklet which contains a range of tasks and activities which you can pick from to support your skills development.