https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit - a bank of reading resources recommended and share by an ETF funded Professional English Network en-us 2018-02-05 19:05:21 UTC 2023-02-04 21:19:09 UTC hello@padlet.com bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228304931 This extract can be presented as a six part sequencing task to prompt learners to think about the narrative structure before analysing other aspects of the text]]> 2018-02-05 19:12:04 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228304931 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305155 This letter was written to the Times to raise funds for the care of John Merrick whose story was told in the film 'The Elephant Man'. I have shortened it and used it in a project about about body image, tattoos, acid attacks and facial disfigurement (Katie Piper & Changing Faces) https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/acidattacksurvivors
I asked learners to identify ways in which the letter would be written different now in terms of content and styles to discuss whether attitudes have changed at all.]]> 2018-02-05 19:12:32 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305155 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305815 This opening from a autobiography illustrates some quick, interesting shifts in time and place as well as some effective similes, sentences of varied length, etc]]> 2018-02-05 19:13:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305815 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305881 This extract from the opening pages introduces Tom Buchanan and is an example of a cinematic technique of moving from a panoramic shot to a close up with careful choice of visual detail to suggest Tom's character. ]]> 2018-02-05 19:13:52 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228305881 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228306293 Can be used as a simple introduction to a wide range of key features that learners will encounter in longer, harder texts]]> 2018-02-05 19:14:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228306293 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228306398 A very short text but it includes another wide range of language features for learners to analyse in working out the image of themselves that Pret are trying to convey. I often use introduce these key messages in conjunction with  a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdX4mq0b0RA]]> 2018-02-05 19:14:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228306398 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307446 The opening paragraph has a wide range of language features for students to analyse including effective use of long and short sentences. The First World War setting could prompt a interesting discussion of the changing roles of men/women in wartime.]]> 2018-02-05 19:16:24 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307446 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307538 by Clare Wigfall
Taken from the AQA anthology Sunlight on Grass
Very accessible story with a strong opening for analysis. Can be used discuss narrative viewpoints, use of sensory detail in descriptive writing. See AQA link for other activities https://anthology.aqa.org.uk/index.php?currmenu=131]]> 2018-02-05 19:16:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307538 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307612 by Elizabeth Baines
Taken from the AQA anthology
Sunlight on Grass
Useful when analysing how narrative viewpoint is changed as the story is told See AQA link for ideas for teaching activities
https://anthology.aqa.org.uk/index.php?currmenu=131]]> 2018-02-05 19:16:42 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228307612 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228314351 I have used this opening scene of the novel to prompt learners to explore the difference between implied and explicit information. What do we learn about the narrator from his thoughts and observations]]> 2018-02-05 19:27:52 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228314351 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228318557 This article about smog in Victorian London could be contrasted with the information about pollution reported in 2015 Guardian article http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/air-pollution-in-londons-oxford-street-has-already-breached-the-legal-limit-for-the-whole-of-2015-in-9960277.html]]> 2018-02-05 19:35:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228318557 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228328375 These two extracts from John Fowles novel can be used to prompt learners to analyse how the author presents information about the two characters using different sentence structures and emotive vocabulary to present the contrasting attitudes they have towards one another.]]> 2018-02-05 19:53:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/228328375 bobread https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230057168 I have often used this clip from Friends to prompt learners as a starting point for a discussion about when it is appropriate to use technical terms & formal vocabulary]]> 2018-02-09 15:22:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230057168 bobread https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230058836 The opening scene from the film version of Ian McEwan's novel can be used to highlight different techniques in engaging the reader and using different narrative viewpoints. If learners have seen them on film first they can identify them more easily in the text
http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/m/mcewan-love.html]]> 2018-02-09 15:26:09 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230058836 bobread https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230069230 When using this clip to explore narrative viewpoints, I split the class into four groups to note down how different techniques are used to hold the audience's attention: points of view; music; visual detail; dialogue then ask them to work in mixed 'jigsaw' groups to combine their ideas in writing a summary.]]> 2018-02-09 15:45:33 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230069230 bobread https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230076147 These quirky and engaging adverts can be used to prompt learners to discuss the differences between what they see and the messages that are being conveyed through implied meaning.]]> 2018-02-09 15:58:28 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230076147 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230091485 An accessible opening to an autobiography ]]> 2018-02-09 16:27:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230091485 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230133482 A polemic against our addiction to cars, full of language devices typical of persuasive writing]]> 2018-02-09 17:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230133482 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230265286 I have used a shortened version of this article to discuss key features of persuasive writing. It is written by a parent concerned about her son's decision to have a tattoo. I have also linked this article with two others on facial disfigurement]]> 2018-02-10 12:32:57 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230265286 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230298049 To engage learners in exploring how different life and written language were in 19th ct England, students could be asked to 'translate'  into modern English this letter to The Times in October 1842. ]]> 2018-02-10 19:08:03 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230298049 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230302581 This extract from Ch 1 of Clarence Rook's biographical account of a 19th ct gang leader could be used to prompt learners to compare street crime in Victorian times with the activities and dangers of modern day gangs. See Ross Kemp's interview with London gang members - has much chnged?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=AsREoZbVHcs]]> 2018-02-10 20:06:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230302581 bobread https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230345962 I have asked students to use these opening paragraphs to Sylvia Plath's autobiographical novel and draw conclusions about the  narrator's personality and   outlook on life. It also contains some interesting similes and metaphors typical of Plath's poetic style.]]> 2018-02-11 10:50:41 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230345962 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230396100 Kerry Dolan at City College Norwich use the Pret a Manger adverts as part of a topic which looked at branding. She asked students to compare the Pret napkin with 19th ct adverts for Cadbury's cocoa.]]> 2018-02-11 18:47:21 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230396100 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230397648 Kerry copied out the text from 19th ct cocoa adverts for them to analyse. It illustrates a different attitude towards the appeal of foods being 'handmade'!]]> 2018-02-11 18:58:54 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/230397648 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232444302 Cass Webb has an extract from section VII from a set of autobiographical essays by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a stimulus for discussion about ghosts.]]> 2018-02-16 17:59:16 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232444302 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232449574 This very early 20th short story has many of the features of 19th fiction and could be a way to build up learners' confidence in tackling fiction containing unfamiliar vocabulary and sentence structures.]]> 2018-02-16 18:12:36 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232449574 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232565129 The two articles below, one a blog post and the other an article from the Guardian could be abridged and used separately or comparatively to explore similarities and differences in terms of purpose, audience and stylistic features.]]> 2018-02-17 10:01:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232565129 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232565374 2018-02-17 10:05:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232565374 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232717218 When using song lyrics as the basis for text analysis I have sometimes shared my own favourites and this beautiful Joni Mtichell song from the 1970s Blue album illustrates the use of an extended metaphor and other language devices
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=a+case+of+you+lyrics&oq=a+case+of+you+lyrics&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.15996j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8]]> 2018-02-18 17:08:14 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232717218 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232719064 This song contains some simple but effective similes. The SongMeaning.com website is useful in providing some interesting interpretations of lyrics. Some of them are written like GCSE English answers! For example, see Kelsey910 comments http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858875220/]]> 2018-02-18 17:19:34 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232719064 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232721304 A song by the Tennessee punk band Paramore which can be interpreted in multiple ways - see http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858786482/]]> 2018-02-18 17:34:00 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232721304 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232728420 This well known and very accessible poem by Seamus O'Heaney is an interesting one to explore with learners in terms of its language but also as a basis for a discussion about the relationships between children and their parents.]]> 2018-02-18 18:19:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/232728420 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237457574 Jo Loss from Essex ACL has kindly curated an excellent range of video clips and transcriptions on another Padlet for us on GCSE and Functional English programmes - thanks, Jo!]]> 2018-03-02 15:51:28 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237457574 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237469320 I have often used this well known clip as a stimulus for discussion about the way even the least confident speaker can give an interesting and absorbing speech when they are talking from experience about a topic that interests them.]]> 2018-03-02 16:09:10 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237469320 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237483398 These opening pages from Gerrard's autobiography are very accessible and would interest football fans but they enable teachers to explore the stylistic devices that engage the reader e.g. metaphor, use of dialect, varied sentence length ]]> 2018-03-02 16:33:14 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237483398 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237768623 A tense, atmospheric opening to a short story by Patricia Drucker with interesting structural features ]]> 2018-03-04 09:11:47 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/237768623 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242836540 This article written by Edgar Allen Poe is macabre but may well for that very reason appeal to young adult readers. the length and structure of sentences are quite challenging but the ghoulish content may well encourage students to persevere!]]> 2018-03-16 14:25:19 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242836540 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242840636 The materials on this board have been recommended by  -
Elaine Evans - East Coast College
Andrew Mogford - NOVA Training
Michelle Penny - NOVA training
Louise Hubbard - Suffolk New College
Brian Ottaway - Writtle College
Jo Loss, Essex Adult Community Learning
Kerry Dolan & Melanie Burr, City College Norwich
Susannah Close, East Coast College
Linda Castelletti, Writtle College
Adrian Wright, ACER Associate
Cass Webb, Cambridge Regional College
Lisette Veit, Cambridge Adult Learning and Skills]]> 2018-03-16 14:31:55 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242840636 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242850762 This collection of video clips curated by Lisette Veit presents individuals and topics that reflect a wide range of cultural, racial and ethnic contexts and can help ensure GCSE English courses welcome and support learners from diverse backgrounds.]]> 2018-03-16 14:48:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242850762 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242855282 This intriguing story and the unexpected ending can be used to prompt learners to think about the assumptions we make as readers.]]> 2018-03-16 14:56:21 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242855282 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242889099 2018-03-16 15:55:42 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242889099 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242893767 2018-03-16 16:03:50 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/242893767 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243214847 This extract taken from the opening pages of Winterson's autobiography neatly and economically sketches out the relationship she had with her adoptive mother. This piece is very accessible in terms of vocabulary and sentence length but still 'packs a punch' and learners can be asked to identify how it achieves its impact.]]> 2018-03-18 16:58:16 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243214847 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243217645 Students can make a list of the differences between the Sissy and Bitzer. The type of classroom presented in this extract can also be compared to the schoolroom portrayed in the a video extract from Kes https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-gqpQqgtqKU]]> 2018-03-18 17:16:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243217645 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243235130 Before analysing this famous short story with students show them the video first and then ask them to identify differences between the story line in the text and the events in the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpEIMERxgi4]]> 2018-03-18 18:57:39 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/243235130 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258412920 The opening to the novel can be used to study how the author uses different techniques to introduce characters and build tension. It is featured in the AQA anthology.]]> 2018-05-07 06:43:29 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258412920 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258415070 An engaging lesson can be developed by combining an extract from the HG Wells novel with images and extracts from the Orson Welles spoof radio programme in 1930s. The Teach It resource below is used as the basis for a sample paper.]]> 2018-05-07 06:54:16 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258415070 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258417570 This trailer can be used to discuss the techniques used to build tension and introduce the key elements of the characters. The first appearance of the monster is described in this extract available on the WH Smith blog https://blog.whsmith.co.uk/zbc1016-read-an-extract-from-a-monster-calls-by-patrick-ness/]]> 2018-05-07 07:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258417570 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258424941 This extract from Bradbury's semi-auotbiographical novel clan be used to give students practice in quickly identifying.]]> 2018-05-07 07:41:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258424941 bobacer2 https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258861208 The opening to Graham Green's novel provides plenty of opportunity to explore how the reader is given both explicit and implicit information about the main character, Hale.]]> 2018-05-08 11:53:23 UTC https://padlet.com/bobacer2/resit/wish/258861208