Monday 30 March 2015

Easter The First

Have you managed Mr Draper's 30 minute challenge?

It's Monday - you have 30 minutes to do something that will help you pass your GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature exams - GO!

Read Chapter 4 of Of Mice and Men - Crook's Room - watch him bully Lennie, then crumble under the racist power of Curley's Wife.

Or

Read Act 3 of An Inspector Calls - make notes - who has power? Who is losing power? What language tells you this? Look at the punctuation and stage directions.

Or

Read Harmonium by Simon Armitage - why is a yellowing, broken musical instrument with broken keys and wheezing pipes a metaphor for his father's impending death?

You have 30 minutes.

Tomorrow - another 30 minutes!!

Friday 20 March 2015

BBC News School Report

Check out some of our students who have contributed to the National BBC News School Report - http://arkelvinacademy.org/bbc-school-report-2

Did they make very good Source 1s or 2s from the Unit 1 GCSE Language Exam? Can you spot any persuasive or argumentative language devices being used? What are the effects?

What was your 30 minute English revision task today?

Make good choices!!

Sunday 15 March 2015

Two Weeks Until Easter

You've got the Maths Mock Exam after school on Monday.

In lessons, you'll be working towards the GCSE Language Unit 1 Mock Exam next week.

What else are you planning to do?

* Read a chapter of Of Mice and Men
* List and try to memorise 6 quotes from An Inspector Calls
* Make notes on another poem from the Poetry Anthology Relationship Cluster
* Watch a Mr Bruff video on Question 5 or 6
* Visit English 1 after school for CA or revision

REMEMBER: every little thing you do is moving you towards your desired grade.

Friday 13 March 2015

Romeo & Juliet CA Catch-Up

A select bunch of you have been asked to turn-up on Saturday morning to prepare, plan and write an improved version of your Romeo & Juliet CA. Be there. Be in uniform. Do the right thing.

The question is this: In what ways does Shakespeare present the difficulties of love and lovers in Romeo and Juliet and a selection of poems?

We'll be focusing on some key scenes and the difficulties faced in 'The Farmer's Bride' and 'To His Coy Mistress' from the Poetry Anthology.

If you didn't get an invite, you'll get a chance on another day. Have a great weekend revising and studying. Mr Draper

Friday 6 March 2015

3 Weeks Until Easter

Most of you will have just finished or be part way through the GCSE Literature Unit 1 Modern Texts Mock Exam (Of Mice and Men and An Inspector Calls - remember!!!). So what next? 

For a few of you it will be catch-ups to finish / complete those pesky last CAs - Romeo & Juliet etc. However, the majority will be focusing on exams, and exams alone. 

The next three weeks of English lessons for you lucky, lucky people will be focused solely on the GCSE Language Unit 1 Understanding and Producing Non-fiction Texts exam. 60% of your whole course. 2 hours and 15 minutes. 6 questions that you know so well. And the last chance to prove yourself a Higher or Foundation student.

3 weeks of learning that ends in a Mock Exam - take the opportunity - study hard - prove to yourself what you are capable of doing.

If you want specific revision help - please respond below and we'll do what we can.

Good luck. Mr Draper

Monday 2 March 2015

GCSE Literature Mock - Unit 1 Modern Texts

Currently,  you should be preparing for the final Mock for your GCSE Literature course - the Unit 1 Modern Texts. You have completed the Romeo & Juliet CA (30%). You have completed the Unit 2 Poetry in Time Mock Exam (30%). All that is left is this exam (40%).

Of Mice and Men - 1 essay question based on an extract. (approx 45 mins)

An Inspector Calls - 1 essay question - usually based on a character or theme. (approx 45 mins)

Ask your teachers for resources.

Re-read the texts. Make notes on character, theme, language, plot.

You will then have completed 100% of GCSE Language and 100% of GCSE Literature. All that is left is to improve the grade you have and secure something better. Good luck. Mr Draper.


Sunday 1 March 2015

Welcome to the Next Generation

Hello Year 11s. If you've found your way here, you know that you're the new futuristic Year 11 students in Ark Elvin Academy. I'll be publishing a whole range of things for you on here that may or may not help you towards success in your GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature studies. Watch this space. Mr Draper