AFL Fiction and Media Lesson Plans

This resource contains 15 lesson plans designed to develop reading and writing skills through the use of media and fiction. Students are kept interested by the use of contemporary TV programmes and books to which they can more easily relate and understand.

Well-organised, interesting and challenges a range of abilities...

...I really like the author and purpose grid... [it] makes a quite difficult concept easier to teach...

...I also love the AfL grid... they are so useful and a real time saver...

...The choice of resource material will naturally enhance the quality of learning as it is engaging and inspiring

C Kelly, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer
  • Pupils learn to evaluate Media through studying sources such as:
    • TV crime shows including The Bill and Life on Mars.
    • Books ranging from Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone to A Christmas Carol.
  • Techniques studied by students are reinforced through creative writing.

What do teachers say about this resource? (2434)

Well-organised, interesting and challenges a range of abilities. I like the layout of the lesson plans... the resource sheets and suggested media texts are all chosen carefully [which] will all contribute to producing relevant and engaging lessons... I really like the author and purpose grid, this simplifies and makes a quite difficult concept easier to teach... I also love the AfL grid at the end; they are so useful to use and a real time saver... the choice of resource material will naturally enhance the quality of learning as it is engaging and inspiring... I think that the layout is excellent, I really like that the lesson plans are clearly split up into parts and I found them very easy to follow... I really like the 'Life on Mars' lesson and have been looking for something like this for ages!... Another really useful and engaging resource from ZigZag – I am very pleased that I found your resources

C Kelly, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Ready to use, and simple to follow... Very user-friendly and accessible

E Headley, HoD & Customer

Clear aims and objectives - extremely helpful... Clearly suited to KS3 and beyond. Interesting genre will engage pupils.

N Stirk, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

A very well planned out SOW, with AFL at the heart of it, enabling pupils to be able to track their progress whilst being engaged with the topical use of media. I really like the way the activities are broken into very manageable and achievable 'chunks', and are all linked to APP criteria.

L Reynolds, Head of KS3 and Peer Reviewer

A good resource with well-explained lesson plans and appropriate resources... The variety of lessons and resources allow for interesting learning. The up-to-date examples will also keep students engaged and interested...The short extracts are perfect for EAL students.

C McFlynn, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

I thought the resource was thorough in terms of content and could be used successfully with a top set to hone their skills. The breadth of materials was impressive and teachers could choose those most appropriate for their students.

M Taylor, Teacher and Peer Reviewer

Very good. Table of requirements for each lesson - easy to see at a glance what is needed, time frame and what the expected pupil outcome should be. Good progression of lessons working up to SATS exams - and hopefully achieving level 5. Also use of modern texts eg. J.K Rowling; Robert Swindells etc Can be used to encourage further reading which is desperately needed in less able students!

N Stirk, Teacher and Peer Reviewer

There are numerous ideas that would enhance learning e.g. the use of the senses in writing descriptively.

R Westwell, Teacher and Peer Reviewer