One of the best revision methods for a lot of people is video revision. These are the best out there. These link to video playlists on YouTube on the subjects labeled. Watch them, make notes on new things/things you struggle on. Go back, focus on the areas you find hard.
These are useful to all students taking Literature (as long as that's the text you're writing about!):
Of Mice and Men Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cC2JbnhAw88geP1FSkNAcb6
English Literature Unit 1 and Unit 2: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cDzQQftNVwJAQbMEfzzJc2X
Short Stories- Sunlight on the Grass Anthology: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cB7OFSTfeSXgGtK32L8v7kH
These are useful to all students taking Language
Higher Paper English Language Revision: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cBnjI-6RVe2xKF43Rzj7f6O
Foundation Paper English Language:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cAbF4PN9zKiF1qoFpmuyZD9
These are useful to everyone - grammar and writing skills! For Section B of English Language paper, whether you're doing Higher or Foundation:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cAs4w-AQ9_5izpACHpxM0HN
Thursday 16 April 2015
Character and Voice poetry- English Literature GCSE
If you're struggling with the poetry, this is the post for you!
One of the most effective ways to prepare for this section of the Literature exam is to pre empt what's coming. This post will direct you on how to do this effectively.
We can *roughly* know the types of things you will be asked about in the exam. We know it'll be to compare, and we can make some educated guesses about the topic which you will be asked to compare. Therefore, you can begin to group poems by question. Below are a list of questions that you may be asked. For each one, decide all of the poems you could write about:
1) Compare the ways identity is presented....
2) Compare the ways that strong characters are presented....
3) Compare the ways that weaknesses in characters are presented.....
4) Compare the ways that characters are presented.....
5) Compare the ways that attitudes to other characters are presented....
6) Compare the ways that heritage is presented....
7) Compare the ways the past is presented in terms of its impact on characters....
For each of these topics (in bold), write a list of poems you could write about.
You then need to work through the poems, one by one, comparing each of them to all of the others.
For example, if you decided that you could write about COMH, Casehistory, River God and Singh Song (there are more, but just as an example....) for identity, you would then set about deciding what you'd write about if each of the poems was the named poem, and which ones you'd compare it to and how.
So, let's say that River God is the named poem. For each of the poems you could compare it to, make a list of:
1) Similarities
2) Differences
3) Language devices used
4) Quotes you could use.
You can then use that information to write a plan. Then repeat this process for every poem that could be named, and for every poem you could write about. You should then be in a position where, in the exam, you know straight away which poem you'll choose, and, more importantly, what it is you're going to write about.
Have a go at planning the following essays, deciding what poems you'd use, and what you'd write about. Bring them to me to look at!
1) Compare the ways that strong characters are presented in Medusa and one other poem.
2) Compare the ways that heritage is presented in COMH and one other poem.
3) Compare the ways that attitudes to other characters are presented in The Ruined Maid and one other poem
4) Compare the ways that feelings towards other characters are presented in On a Portrait of a Deaf Man and one other poem.
5) Compare the ways that characters' experiences are presented in 'Horse Whisperer' and one other poem.
Once you've planned a range of responses, have a go at writing them as an essay response. Bring them in or email them to me for feedback.
Remember, it's absolutely vital that you're confident on all of the poems, and all of the potential topics. Tackle the ones you're scared of, or struggle with, first. Make yourself confident on them. You do not want to be in the position in the exam where you cannot answer either of the questions!!
A useful link to a video on the poems - it's a long one, so make sure you take notes throughout it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnbmdnxUJsk
Bitesize:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetrycharactervoice/
Happy revision!
One of the most effective ways to prepare for this section of the Literature exam is to pre empt what's coming. This post will direct you on how to do this effectively.
We can *roughly* know the types of things you will be asked about in the exam. We know it'll be to compare, and we can make some educated guesses about the topic which you will be asked to compare. Therefore, you can begin to group poems by question. Below are a list of questions that you may be asked. For each one, decide all of the poems you could write about:
1) Compare the ways identity is presented....
2) Compare the ways that strong characters are presented....
3) Compare the ways that weaknesses in characters are presented.....
4) Compare the ways that characters are presented.....
5) Compare the ways that attitudes to other characters are presented....
6) Compare the ways that heritage is presented....
7) Compare the ways the past is presented in terms of its impact on characters....
For each of these topics (in bold), write a list of poems you could write about.
You then need to work through the poems, one by one, comparing each of them to all of the others.
For example, if you decided that you could write about COMH, Casehistory, River God and Singh Song (there are more, but just as an example....) for identity, you would then set about deciding what you'd write about if each of the poems was the named poem, and which ones you'd compare it to and how.
So, let's say that River God is the named poem. For each of the poems you could compare it to, make a list of:
1) Similarities
2) Differences
3) Language devices used
4) Quotes you could use.
You can then use that information to write a plan. Then repeat this process for every poem that could be named, and for every poem you could write about. You should then be in a position where, in the exam, you know straight away which poem you'll choose, and, more importantly, what it is you're going to write about.
Have a go at planning the following essays, deciding what poems you'd use, and what you'd write about. Bring them to me to look at!
1) Compare the ways that strong characters are presented in Medusa and one other poem.
2) Compare the ways that heritage is presented in COMH and one other poem.
3) Compare the ways that attitudes to other characters are presented in The Ruined Maid and one other poem
4) Compare the ways that feelings towards other characters are presented in On a Portrait of a Deaf Man and one other poem.
5) Compare the ways that characters' experiences are presented in 'Horse Whisperer' and one other poem.
Once you've planned a range of responses, have a go at writing them as an essay response. Bring them in or email them to me for feedback.
Remember, it's absolutely vital that you're confident on all of the poems, and all of the potential topics. Tackle the ones you're scared of, or struggle with, first. Make yourself confident on them. You do not want to be in the position in the exam where you cannot answer either of the questions!!
A useful link to a video on the poems - it's a long one, so make sure you take notes throughout it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnbmdnxUJsk
Bitesize:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetrycharactervoice/
Happy revision!
Year 11 English Language Paper Revision
Regardless of whether you're doing foundation or Higher for English Language GCSE, to access past papers for English language to use in your revision, go to:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-4705/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
The exam is Unit 1.
The folders are labeled so make sure you select the right one - higher or foundation.
If the link won't work for you, simply type "english language aqa past papers" into Google and it's the top result.
You will find past papers, as well as mark schemes, which you can use to help work out how well you've done, but also to help you improve your responses.
When you have done a practice question, you must bring it to your teacher for feedback otherwise it's a pretty pointless exercise. You can email it to forrestera@cockermouthschool.org or you can bring it on paper for your teacher. Either way, make sure someone gives you feedback on it!
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-4705/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
The exam is Unit 1.
The folders are labeled so make sure you select the right one - higher or foundation.
If the link won't work for you, simply type "english language aqa past papers" into Google and it's the top result.
You will find past papers, as well as mark schemes, which you can use to help work out how well you've done, but also to help you improve your responses.
When you have done a practice question, you must bring it to your teacher for feedback otherwise it's a pretty pointless exercise. You can email it to forrestera@cockermouthschool.org or you can bring it on paper for your teacher. Either way, make sure someone gives you feedback on it!
Monday 16 March 2015
"I don't know what to revise"
Well, that's just not true, is it.....
Here are a list of questions for you to use. These are all aimed at candidates sitting the Higher English Literature paper.
There's no other way of revising effectively, sorry. Pick a question and get on with it. Only use your notes if you're really struggling - remember, you won't have annotated copies in the exam of your texts, so it's best to practice without them too. The first time you do an exam question with a blank text should NOT be in the exam!!
For Short Stories:
Q1a: Write about the ways that attitudes to parents are presented in Anil
Q1b: Write about the ways that attitudes to others are presented in another short story.
Q2a: Write about the ways that the relationship between the boy and his father are presented in 'Compass and Torch'.
Q2b: Write about the ways that a relationship is presented in one other short story.
Q3a: Write about the ways that Carla is presented in 'My Polish Teacher's Tie'.
Q3b: Write about the ways that a main character is presented in one other short story.
e
For Poetry (character and voice).
Q1: Compare the ways that powerful characters are presented in My Last Duchess and one other poem from the anthology.
Q2: Compare the ways that strong emotions are presented in Medusa and one other poem from the anthology.
Q3: Compare the ways that ideas about identity are shown in 'The Clown Punk' and one other poem from the anthology.
Q4: Compare the ways that isolated characters are portrayed in 'The Hunchback in the Park' and one other poem from the anthology.
Remember to bring these into school for your English teacher to look at, or email them a typed up version. If you're stuck on these, email forrestera@cockermouthschool.org for support or to have some feedback on what you've written.
More exam papers can be found by following this link: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-9710/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
You will all be sitting Unit 1 and Unit 2. Unit 1 is Short Stories and Of Mice and Men and Unit 2 is poetry and unseen poetry. To practice answers for Of Mice and Men and unseen poetry, you are best placed to access these on the above link so that you have the extracts of text from Of Mice and Men and the poem for the unseen question.
Good luck - remember, you only get one chance at these exams. Work hard now and you will be successful.
Here are a list of questions for you to use. These are all aimed at candidates sitting the Higher English Literature paper.
There's no other way of revising effectively, sorry. Pick a question and get on with it. Only use your notes if you're really struggling - remember, you won't have annotated copies in the exam of your texts, so it's best to practice without them too. The first time you do an exam question with a blank text should NOT be in the exam!!
For Short Stories:
Q1a: Write about the ways that attitudes to parents are presented in Anil
Q1b: Write about the ways that attitudes to others are presented in another short story.
Q2a: Write about the ways that the relationship between the boy and his father are presented in 'Compass and Torch'.
Q2b: Write about the ways that a relationship is presented in one other short story.
Q3a: Write about the ways that Carla is presented in 'My Polish Teacher's Tie'.
Q3b: Write about the ways that a main character is presented in one other short story.
e
For Poetry (character and voice).
Q1: Compare the ways that powerful characters are presented in My Last Duchess and one other poem from the anthology.
Q2: Compare the ways that strong emotions are presented in Medusa and one other poem from the anthology.
Q3: Compare the ways that ideas about identity are shown in 'The Clown Punk' and one other poem from the anthology.
Q4: Compare the ways that isolated characters are portrayed in 'The Hunchback in the Park' and one other poem from the anthology.
Remember to bring these into school for your English teacher to look at, or email them a typed up version. If you're stuck on these, email forrestera@cockermouthschool.org for support or to have some feedback on what you've written.
More exam papers can be found by following this link: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-9710/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
You will all be sitting Unit 1 and Unit 2. Unit 1 is Short Stories and Of Mice and Men and Unit 2 is poetry and unseen poetry. To practice answers for Of Mice and Men and unseen poetry, you are best placed to access these on the above link so that you have the extracts of text from Of Mice and Men and the poem for the unseen question.
Good luck - remember, you only get one chance at these exams. Work hard now and you will be successful.
Year 11 - GCSE Exam Dates
It's crucial that you know when each English exam is so that you are scheduling you're revision appropriately, but also so that you bring the RIGHT BOOKS with you on THE RIGHT DAYS!!!
So.....the dates are:
18th May - English Literature 1- Short Stories and Of Mice and Men
22nd May - English Literature 2- Poetry - Moon on the tides poetry cluster and unseen poetry (a poem you get in the exam paper)
2nd June - English Language - THE BIG ONE!!
One thing that's really useful is that the killer exam, the English Language, is after the half term break, which gives you plenty of time to get some of that extra revision in. Make sure you timetable plenty of revision into that week - it could make all the difference!
Please remember that for the exams, you will have to bring your own CLEAN COPIES of the texts that you have been given by your English Teacher. If they are not clean, or you have written in them, it is your responsibility to fix the issue. Either make sure you teacher knows in advance of the exam that your text has writing in it and they will change it for you, or if you have written in it yourself, it is your responsibility to buy a new one and return this one to the school. If you arrive at the exam with a book that has notes in it, and the invigilator notices this, your exam will be invalid, with the potential for the rest of your exams with that exam board to be invalid as well. Don't make the wrong choice! Make sure you read the copy you have at least one more time before the exam - it's good revision but it also makes sure you're checking your copy for any notes. If you are in any doubt, see your English teacher well before the exam. If you turn up to the exam without a copy of the book, we are unable to provide you with one and you will have to sit your exam without it - NOT a position you want to find yourselves in! So get organised now, and then you have nothing to worry about!
So.....the dates are:
18th May - English Literature 1- Short Stories and Of Mice and Men
22nd May - English Literature 2- Poetry - Moon on the tides poetry cluster and unseen poetry (a poem you get in the exam paper)
2nd June - English Language - THE BIG ONE!!
One thing that's really useful is that the killer exam, the English Language, is after the half term break, which gives you plenty of time to get some of that extra revision in. Make sure you timetable plenty of revision into that week - it could make all the difference!
Please remember that for the exams, you will have to bring your own CLEAN COPIES of the texts that you have been given by your English Teacher. If they are not clean, or you have written in them, it is your responsibility to fix the issue. Either make sure you teacher knows in advance of the exam that your text has writing in it and they will change it for you, or if you have written in it yourself, it is your responsibility to buy a new one and return this one to the school. If you arrive at the exam with a book that has notes in it, and the invigilator notices this, your exam will be invalid, with the potential for the rest of your exams with that exam board to be invalid as well. Don't make the wrong choice! Make sure you read the copy you have at least one more time before the exam - it's good revision but it also makes sure you're checking your copy for any notes. If you are in any doubt, see your English teacher well before the exam. If you turn up to the exam without a copy of the book, we are unable to provide you with one and you will have to sit your exam without it - NOT a position you want to find yourselves in! So get organised now, and then you have nothing to worry about!
Wednesday 11 March 2015
Miss Forrester's Year 9s
The Dirty Thiry Spellings!
Link 1 - to help you remember the ones you struggle with: http://www.spellzone.com/blog/The_Dirty_Thirty-cc_Part_1.htm
Link 2- help for spellings 11- 20 http://www.spellzone.com/blog/The_Dirty_Thirty-cc_Part_2.htm
Link 1 - to help you remember the ones you struggle with: http://www.spellzone.com/blog/The_Dirty_Thirty-cc_Part_1.htm
Link 2- help for spellings 11- 20 http://www.spellzone.com/blog/The_Dirty_Thirty-cc_Part_2.htm
“The
Dirty Thirty”
- accommodation
- beautiful
- because
- beginning
- believe
- business
- ceiling
- decided
- definitely
- disappear
- disappointed
- embarrass
- extremely
- friend
- immediately
- minute
- necessary
- neighbour
- nervous
- opportunity
- persuade
- queue
- queueing
- quiet
- quite
- receive
- separate
- sincerely
- surprised
- until
Saturday 7 February 2015
Miss Forrester's Year 11s
If you are unsure of the work that needs to be completed, here is an acceptable alternative:
http://www.snhs.im/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/English-Language-Higher-tier-past-papers.pdf
Use this link to take you to a download of 2 sets of past papers. You can do either - but you MUST have submitted Q1, 2, 3 and 4 by Monday.
If you have email or technology problems, please take work to Mrs Quine. If you have typed it but are unable to send it or print it, take a photo on your mobile to show you've done it and thereby avoid consequences. No excuses boys!
A reminder- the email address to send it to is forrestera on the school system or from a different system it is forrestera@cockermouthschool.org
You should expect feedback between 24-48 hours after you send it. Please check your inboxes For feedback and use it in your revision. You should also check your email incase I'm unable to open an attachment so we can find a solution.
Once you have submitted Q1-4, you should begin to work on a Q5 and Q6 from the above download of past papers. You will be given a deadline for this soon so make sure you get started promptly.
Work hard- remember, this is your chance to make a difference to your future; your life.
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