English - year 8

“Without stories, we wouldn’t be human beings at all”

-Philip Pullman, novelist-

Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Unit: Modern Novel The Giver by Lois Lowry.	Unit: Dystopian Genre Writing using dystopian conventions.	Unit: War and Rhetoric Poetry and speeches – ancient and modern. Writing a Speech Using rhetorical devices.	Unit: Literary Heritage Beowulf. Unit: 19th Century Short Story The Signalman by Charles Dickens.	Unit: Shakespeare Comedies Twelfth Night, Much Ado about Nothing or A Midsummer’s Night Dream.	Unit: Non-Fiction Writing Survival/Homelessness theme. Unit: Summer Exam Preparation Summer Exam assessment.
Understanding conventions of a modern, dystopian novel Considering the author’s purpose and concerns Close reading strategies Using textual evidence in analysis Identifying an expanded range of literary techniques Planning and writing an analytical essay on a key extract from the novel	Using models of dystopian texts for writing Focus on grammatical and literary devices for writing Imaginative writing: writing own short fiction using dystopian conventions	Introduction to the foundational concepts of rhetoric Understanding persuasive techniques and points of view Engaging with historical context Understanding conventions of poetry and speeches Close reading strategies: ideas, methods and evidence Comparing ideas – for example, pro and anti-war Choosing topics of interest Researching and writing a speech using rhetorical devices Effective audience engagement and delivery strategies	Understanding foundation stories to Western Literary Tradition Introduction to language change over time Understanding historical context and oral traditions focussing on language, form and structure Engaging with different translations and interpretations Close reading strategies Applying reading knowledge to writing imaginatively Strategies for understanding conventions of 19th century fiction Using textual evidence Practising analysis Using historical context to deepen understanding	Learning play terminology and conventions Strategies for understanding early modern English Understanding conventions of Shakespeare comedies Close reading strategies Using textual evidence Identifying and understanding rhetorical devices and literary techniques Understanding historical context	Reading and responding to non-fiction texts, using rhetorical and literary devices Understanding how non-fiction texts are designed to interest and engage the reader Comparing texts on the same topic Prepare for Summer Exam: reading and writing strategies
DWS Life Learning Skills
Communicators, Enquirers, Open-minded	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Thinkers	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers, Thinkers	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers	Communicators, Inquirers, Open-minded, Knowledgeable

Autumn 1	Autumn 2
Unit: Modern Novel The Giver by Lois Lowry.	Unit: Dystopian Genre Writing using dystopian conventions.
Understanding conventions of a modern, dystopian novel Considering the author’s purpose and concerns Close reading strategies Using textual evidence in analysis Identifying an expanded range of literary techniques Planning and writing an analytical essay on a key extract from the novel	Using models of dystopian texts for writing Focus on grammatical and literary devices for writing Imaginative writing: writing own short fiction using dystopian conventions
DWS Life Learning Skills
Communicators, Enquirers, Open-minded	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Thinkers

Spring 1	Spring 2
Unit: War and Rhetoric Poetry and speeches – ancient and modern. Writing a Speech Using rhetorical devices.	Unit: Literary Heritage Beowulf. Unit: 19th Century Short Story The Signalman by Charles Dickens.
Introduction to the foundational concepts of rhetoric Understanding persuasive techniques and points of view Engaging with historical context Understanding conventions of poetry and speeches Close reading strategies: ideas, methods and evidence Comparing ideas – for example, pro and anti-war Choosing topics of interest Researching and writing a speech using rhetorical devices Effective audience engagement and delivery strategies	Understanding foundation stories to Western Literary Tradition Introduction to language change over time Understanding historical context and oral traditions focussing on language, form and structure Engaging with different translations and interpretations Close reading strategies Applying reading knowledge to writing imaginatively Strategies for understanding conventions of 19th century fiction Using textual evidence Practising analysis Using historical context to deepen understanding
DWS Life Learning Skills
Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers, Thinkers	Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers

Summer 1	Summer 2
Unit: Shakespeare Comedies Twelfth Night, Much Ado about Nothing or A Midsummer’s Night Dream.	Unit: Non-Fiction Writing Survival/Homelessness theme. Unit: Summer Exam Preparation Summer Exam assessment.
Learning play terminology and conventions Strategies for understanding early modern English Understanding conventions of Shakespeare comedies Close reading strategies Using textual evidence Identifying and understanding rhetorical devices and literary techniques Understanding historical context	Reading and responding to non-fiction texts, using rhetorical and literary devices Understanding how non-fiction texts are designed to interest and engage the reader Comparing texts on the same topic Prepare for Summer Exam: reading and writing strategies
DWS Life Learning Skills
Communicators, Knowledgeable, Inquirers	Communicators, Inquirers, Open-minded, Knowledgeable

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