Revising For GCSE Language Year 11 Unit 2 (Reading)

Learning Objectives for the week: WALT: -Review and improve our own work -Use the question to write a solid introductory paragraph that shapes our answer -Understand how to use Point, Evidence, Explanation to successfully respond to Reading Questions in Unit 1 and Unit 2. -Understand what examiners are looking for to achieve above a C grade in the Opening Worlds (Unit 2 Reading Questions)

Feedback from timed Unit 1 Reading Task (Non-Fiction) Good Outcomes: -Many of you tried to use Point, Evidence, Explanation and also your own words! (Laarayb, Jamal) -Some of you had very good introductions that shaped your answer, using words from the question (M.Farah) -Many of you had a solid plan which was appropriate to the task (Tarif) -Some of you had excellent conclusions that were original, related to the question (Laaryb, M.Farah) Areas To Develop -We ALL need to use Point, Evidence, Explanation -We ALL need to understand what type of plan to do in relation to the question/task -We ALL need to use quotes and then explain them in relation to the question. -We all need to use the question to shape and frame our response, even using words from the question!

Past Question: 1 How do the writers present the experience of learning in two of the stories from the Opening Worlds anthology? Support your answer by referring to and quoting from the stories (30)

P,E,E (ALL OVER YOUR WORK!) Look at this example from the following task: There are many times in ‘Winter Oak’ when the the writer explores the experience of learning Firstly, Anna Vasilievna, young Savushkin’s teacher tries to teach him in a very dull, methodical way in the classroom, but he prefers the interesting forest and the majestic Winter Oak and enjoying learning about new things there. “Winter Oak! “Not, just oak!” is a line that illustrates this. By showing that Savushkin is corrected and even held back in his learning by his teacher, the writer presents the experience of classroom learning in a negative way What other points could we make? How Anna Vasilevna thinks the worst about Savushkin. What does this say about ‘the experience of learning/’ How Savushkin is more enthusiastic to learn things when he is in the forest. What does this say about ‘the experience of learning’? The end of the story when Anna Vasilevna shares Savushkin’s wonder he teaches her things. What does this tell us about the experience of learning? Properly paragraphed Use of connectives to give the response some structure A range of appropriate quotes that are relevant to the point Opening topic sentence introduces your paragraph in relation to the question An explanation that shows how the quotes relate to the question (even using some words from the question!)

Using The Same Skills! You will need the reading skills that we have just discussed and practised answering questions in Unit 1 when exploring and responding to questions in Unit 2 Reading Tasks. (Opening Worlds): Having a solid plan that is appropriate to the question. A good introduction that uses the question to shape and frame your answer. Use a range of points, evidence/quotes, explanation and explain your quotes in relation to what the question is asking you. What else must you know to succeed in the Opening Worlds questions? What about the events, characters and themes of ALL 6 stories?

What Do We Know About Opening Worlds? You should know about all 6 short stories. If you don’t: Here, you will find notes on all 6 stories, quotes to use, information about characters, themes (what the writer is really trying to explore!) and the settings of the stories and, of course, further practice questions! I’ll be asking for your addresses later to send you an invitation to join the website in time for next Monday when we will be in ICT4. Use the library or your home computer to log on and print off notes and have a go at practice questions. Bring them in – and I’ll mark them! Independent work is the key to you improving and getting better!

What Examiners Look For In Reading Responses! 1) Have they got a good introductory paragraph that ‘frames’ their answer and briefly mentions any similarities/differences between the two stories in relation to the question. 2) Have they got a good understanding of the themes and events of both stories? 3) Have they used a selection of different relevant points to try to answer the question? 4) Have the quotations been explained and related to the question, with your own words/good vocabulary used? 5) Have they used connectives to structure their work effectively and do their paragraphs flow? 6) Is there an effective conclusion that ties up their answer and tries to be original? 7) Is the Spelling and punctuation good?

Timed ‘Opening Worlds’ Question What are the key words in this question? How will these affect your choice of stories that you choose to refer to? How is this going to affect the type of plan you construct? 3 Many of the main characters are isolated from society in some way. With reference to two of your choice, explain why this happens, and how they respond. (30)

How does this question affect our plan? Selected Story 1 Selected Story 2 Different examples of ‘unhappy relationships’ between parents and children (these will be your points and evidence) 1 Point (Line) Explain these quotes in terms of the question (show how these show different examples of unhappiness + discuss who is to blame) Conclusion (find any similarities and differences between the stories in terms of the question)

Dept Website You can find more resources for your revision at: