Year

Ryton Students - Departments – English - Overview

Year 7
Topic Covered	When		Assessment		Opportunities for parents to help
Autobiography	1^st Half term		Reading: APP - Bits of an Autobiography I May Not Write Writing: Autobiographical writing S&L: Discuss responses to various examples of autobiographical writing		Read examples of autobiographical writing.
Fiction – Starting a Mystery	2^nd Half term		Reading: Responding to extracts from a variety of different mystery stories Writing: APP – Starting a Mystery S&L: Dramatic reading of mystery story		Read examples of mystery stories.
Poetry	3^rd Half term		Reading: APP – Journey to a Poem Writing: Writing poetry, using a variety of different poetic forms and techniques S&L: Dramatic reading of a poem		Share favourite poems.
Newspapers	4^th Half term		Reading: Respond to a variety of different newspaper articles Writing: APP – Are You a Litter Lout? S&L: Performance of own television news report		Read a variety of different tabloid and broadsheet newspapers.
Rhetoric	5^th Half term		Reading: APP – Campaign Leaflets Writing: Write a persuasive speech S&L: Perform a speech using a variety of persuasive techniques		Research famous historical speeches.
Culture and Tradition	6^th Half term		Reading: Responding to literature describing life in other cultures Writing: APP – Why Is Water So Essential? S&L: Performance of dramatic monologue exploring the realities of life in a developing country		Internet research on life in other countries, reading of National Geographic magazine.
Year 8
Topic Covered		When		Assessment	Opportunities for parents to help
Looking at Language		1^st half term		Reading: Response to Language Autobiographies. Writing: Create Language Autobiography. S&L: Group and whole class discussion – attitudes to accents.	Help pupils gather information on the origin of their accent and dialect, looking towards writing a language autobiography.
Narrative writing		2^nd half term		Reading: Response to Skellig. Writing: Narrative opening. S&L: Presentations of effective openings.	Encourage private reading at home.
Advertising		3^rd half term		Reading: Analysis of an advert. Writing: Creation of poster advert. S&L: Drama based activity.	Help pupils to identify the logos and slogans in print and moving image advertisements. Explore how they have been designed to be persuasive.
Moving Image		4^thhalf term		Reading: Gladiator/ MI2 trailers analysis. Writing: Written comparison of above trailers. S&L: Paired presentations of voice over analysis.	Encourage pupils to be more aware of the ways in which films are marketed. Discuss why a film trailer is particularly effective, why does it make you want to go and see the film?
Exam prep		5^th half term		Optional SAT level.	Ensure pupils know exactly what will be expected of them in their exams.
Shakespeare – life & theatre		6^th half term		Reading: Response to Romeo and Juliet prologue. Writing: Writing a descriptive letter. S&L: Choric reading of Seven Ages of Man.	Independent research on Shakespeare and Elizabethan theatre.

Year 9
Topic Covered	When	Assessment	Opportunities for parents to help
Writing to persuade	1^st half term	Reading: Question on Martin Luther King ‘I have a dream’ speech. Writing: My dream – essay. S&L: Persuasive speech.	Revise persuasive devices. Listen to political speeches
Writing to argue	2^nd half term	Reading: Reading articles on I.D. cards and summerising arguments. Writing: Argumentative Writing – ‘Is there a case for I.D. cards?’ S&L: Hot seating activity.	Discuss how what constitutes a good argument. Encourage pupils to think of both sides of an argument
Intro to SATS – Shakespeare and Writing to advise	3^rd half term	Reading: Problem web pages – questions on layout, language and images. Writing: Problems and responses in web page format. S&L: Group paired activity – problem solving.	Use GCSE Bitesize to help with revision – both website and texts available from all good bookshops.
SAT skills preparation	4^th half term	Shakespeare – Key scenes Preparation. Reading and writing exam preparation.	Discuss the Shakespeare play which the pupils are studying with them. Look at Bitesize again.
Exam preparation	5^th half term	Key Stage 3 SAT.	Ensure pupils know exactly what will be expected of them in their exams.
Transition to GCSE	6^th half term	Introduction to writing, poetry and media at G.C.S.E.	Encourage pupils to produce drafts of written work and ensure all work is checked for basic errors.

Year 10
Topic Covered	When	Assessment	Opportunities for parents to help
GCSE Induction			See the GCSE Specification for full course details and requirements: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-3702-W-SP-07.pdf
Original Writing Coursework	October half term	Piece of extended writing for a specific purpose and audience	Encourage students check their work thoroughly and go through the drafting process.
Speaking and Listening Presentations	At various points in the year	Teacher Assessment	Encourage students to prepare thoroughly and practice presentations to an audience.
Media Coursework	Before Christmas	Extended piece of writing	Encourage students check their work thoroughly and go through the drafting process.
Paper 1 Preparation	At various points in the year	Class work and homework	Access AQA site to view past papers. For revision activities visit: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/readingnonfict/
Working on the anthology poetry	At various points in the year	Class work and homework	Encourage students to read a poem from the anthology every day. Possibly purchase the York Notes for the Poems from Different Cultures.
Prose Coursework	Completed before Easter	Extended piece of writing	Support students in their reading of the set text and possibly purchase the York Notes. Encourage students check their work thoroughly and go through the drafting process.
Start Literature set text	Ongoing	Class work and homework	Encourage private reading and discussion of Literature text at home.

Year 11
Topic Covered	When	Assessment	Opportunities for parents to help
Shakespeare Coursework	Before October half term	Extended piece of writing/or oral assessment	Support students in their reading and discussion of the set text and possibly purchase the York Notes. Encourage students check their work thoroughly and go through the drafting process.
Literature Poetry from the AQA Anthology	At various points in the year	Class work and homework	Encourage students to read a poem from the anthology every day. Possibly purchase the York Notes for Literature poems.
Paper 1 & 2 work	At various points in the year	Class work and homework	Access AQA site to view past papers. For revision activities visit: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/
Modern Drama Coursework	Before Christmas	Extended piece of writing/or oral assessment	Support students in their reading and discussion of the set text and possibly purchase the York Notes. Encourage students check their work thoroughly and go through the drafting process.
Speaking and Listening Activities	At various points in the year	Assessed by teacher	Encourage students to prepare thoroughly and practice presentations to an audience.
Revision for English and Literature	From March onwards	Class work and homework	Encourage students to create a revision timetable and stick to it. Also, check all coursework is up to date. Promote the attendance at any revision sessions provided by teachers.

Year 12
Topic Covered	When	Assessment	Further Information
AS Language Module 1 – Introduction to the Study of Language	All year	Class work; presentations; formal essays	AS English Language full course specification and requirements: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-5701-6701-W-SP-07.pdf Encourage students to read widely – as many different sorts of publications as possible. Learn and understand the linguistic framework – this is the foundation of your AS/A2 course.
Module 2 – Language and Social Contexts	All year	As above	Topics include: Language and Technology Language and Gender Accents & Dialects of the Britain Encourage students to read widely from the language section of the school library and undertake their own research into these topics
Module 3 – Original Writing Coursework	Oct - March	Two pieces of writing for a specified audience and purpose 1500-3000 words	Students should be encouraged to read varied genres and writing for different audiences. Practise writing for different audiences and purposes. Enter writing competitions to practice skills
AS Literature Module 1 – The Modern Novel	All Year	Formal examination – 1 hour	AS English Literature full course specification and requirements: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-5741-6741-W-SP-07.pdf Encourage students to maintain their reading of the text throughout the year. Perhaps purchase a revision guide if available. Prepare an exam revision timetable and be aware of assessment criteria.
Module 2- Shakespeare Coursework	First term	Coursework consisting of 2000 word essay	Perhaps purchase appropriate study guide. Ensure familiarity with mark scheme and deadlines. Encourage a structured approach to the drafting and writing process.
Module 3 – Texts in Context	Second term – study leave	Formal examination – 2 hours	Encourage students to maintain their reading of the text throughout the terms. Perhaps purchase a revision guide if available. Prepare an exam revision timetable and be aware of assessment criteria.

Year 13
Topic Covered	When	Assessment	Further Information
A2 Language Module 4- Investigating Language	From Sept. to Feb.	Coursework consisting of 2000-4000 language investigation	A2 English Language full course specification and requirements: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-5741-6741-W-SP-07.pdf Choose a topic that you are interested in. Remember it should be a genuine piece of research so do not rely too heavily on the internet for data or information. Student should be encouraged to work closely with coursework teacher to ensure investigation stays focused.
Module 5 – Editorial Writing	All year	Class work and homework	Read widely. Collect as many different text types as possible. Listen to radio – both local and national stations (including Radio 4). Watch TV and think about presents’ scripts etc
Module 6- Language Development	All year	Class work and homework and timed essays	Areas for study: Language Change Language Acquisition Wide reading is essential here. Text books are available plus relevant publications and useful websites.
A2 Literature Module 4- Texts in Time	Second term – study leave	Formal examination – 2 hours	A2 English Literature full course specification and requirements: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-5741-6741-W-SP-07.pdf Encourage students to maintain their regular reading of the text throughout the terms. Perhaps purchase a revision guide if available. Prepare an exam revision timetable and be aware of assessment criteria.
Module 5 – Literary Connections coursework	First term	Coursework consisting of 2500 word essay	Perhaps purchase appropriate study guide. Ensure familiarity with mark scheme and deadlines. Encourage a structured approach to the drafting and writing process.
Module 6 - Reading for Meaning – the synoptic unit	Second term – study leave	Formal examination – 3 hours	Encourage students to read a broad range of material associated with the topic of the course. Prepare an exam revision timetable and be aware of assessment criteria.